Youssef is one of very few comedians who has actually paid a cost for a joke, which gives the political material a weight most touring stand-up does not carry. The Belly of the Beast is a solo show, no opener and no panel, in a midtown house built for exactly this kind of talking. The Town Hall's size keeps it closer to a theater night than an arena set, and this is a one-night New York stop on a North American tour.
What to expect
A single performer on a bare stage for the length of the evening, working through political and cultural material rather than observational bits. The crowd skews engaged and vocal, and Youssef plays off it. The Town Hall is a seated proscenium house with famously good sightlines, so there is no bad section and no drink service pulling focus mid-set.
Good to know
- This is a seated theater show at a landmarked midtown house, not a club set
- The material is explicitly political and aimed at adults
- The Town Hall sits steps from Times Square and Bryant Park, with almost every midtown subway line nearby
- It is a solo show with no announced opening act
- Tickets are sold through the venue and Ticketmaster rather than at the door on the night
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Common questions
Who is Bassem Youssef?
An Egyptian satirist who created Al Bernameg, the first political satire show in the Middle East, and now tours as a stand-up comedian in English.
Where is The Town Hall?
On West 43rd Street in midtown Manhattan, a short walk from Times Square and Bryant Park.
Is there an opening act?
None is announced; The Belly of the Beast is billed as a solo performance.
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