One audience suggestion goes to a monologist, the monologist tells a true story from their own life, and a cast builds twenty minutes of scenes from whatever detail caught them — then it happens again, and again, for an hour. ASSSSCAT is the show that made UCB the most influential improv house in America, and the Sunday edition on the 14th Street mainstage costs nothing. If you have only seen improv as a corporate icebreaker, this is the version that made people quit their jobs for it.
What to expect
Reserve online, then arrive before 8:25pm — seating is first come, first served and reservations are not held after that. The mainstage is a proper black-box theater with raked seating, and the show runs about an hour with no intermission. Casts rotate weekly and guest monologists are frequently unannounced.
Good to know
- The 14th Street mainstage is a short walk from the L/N/Q/R/W/4/5/6 at Union Square.
- Reservations are free but required, and doors close at 8:25pm — late arrivals lose their seat to standby.
- Line up early on summer Sundays; free ASSSSCAT reliably oversells its reservations.
- There is no drink minimum, unlike most New York comedy clubs.
- The material is unscripted and can go anywhere — best for adults and older teens.
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Common questions
Is it really free?
Yes. This Sunday edition is free with an online reservation, with no ticket price and no drink minimum.
Who is in the cast?
The cast rotates weekly from UCB's New York performer pool, and the guest monologist is often not announced in advance.
How long is the show?
About an hour, with no intermission.
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