(NORTH ADAMS, Mass.) — Absurdist comedian Jo Firestone performs in Club B10 at MASS MoCA on Saturday, February 18, at 8pm. Joe Pera returns to MASS MoCA to warm up the crowd for Firestone, whose off-kilter talents are on display in the HBO series “High Maintenance” and in her writing for the Chris Gethard Show and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

The New York Times has called Firestone a “hilarious, cult-favorite,” Brokelyn dubs her the “reigning title holder in the ‘Oddest Human in New York’ comedian division,” and she was named one of Brooklyn Magazine’s 50 Funniest People, 30 Under 30, and one of the Top Up and Coming Comedians on Splitsider. Firestone’s live performance productions make her a mainstay on the NYC weirdo-comedy circuit and include The Incredible Game Show Showcase, The Hastily Written Masterpiece starring the Audience, Firestone Success Academy, and The Unexpectashow, among many others. With Aparna Nancherla, she’s the current co-host and writer of the web series Womanhood.

Firestone first dove into comedy while attending Wesleyan University, developing the Ridgefield Middle School Talent Nite with writing and performance partner Dylan Marron. That blossomed into a country-wide tour following their graduation. An eventual move to New York City led to improv classes at the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade and Peoples Improv Theater. Before long Firestone was putting on her own alt-comedy shows across the city. Punderdome 3000, a competitive, spontaneous, and wacky pun-making show hosted by Jo and her Rodney Dangerfield-impersonating father Fred, helped Firestone make her name in NYC.

“Firestone has somehow managed to turn ‘game show’ into a sketch comedy format – anyone can participate, anyone can be the star of the show” (Brooklyn Vegan). She continues to host a plethora of wacky shows across the city and is currently on tour with MASS MoCA alum Joe Pera, known for his seriously deadpan style that revolves around his Buffalo, N.Y., upbringing and plays off his boyish appearance yet geriatric on-stage shtick.

Lickety Split, MASS MoCA’s café, serves up crisp salads, hearty soups, and lip-smacking pub fare. A full bar serves Bright Ideas Brewing beers and Berkshire Mountain Distillery spirits. Tickets are $10 for students, $16 in advance, $22 day of, and $28 preferred. Tickets for all events are available through the MASS MoCA box office located on Marshall Street in North Adams, open 11am to 5pm every day except Tuesdays. Tickets can also be charged by phone by calling 413.662.2111 during box office hours or purchased online at MASS MoCA.

 

About MASS MoCA

MASS MoCA is one of the world’s liveliest (and largest) centers for making, displaying, and enjoying today’s most important art, music, dance, theater, film, and video. MASS MoCA will nearly double its gallery space this spring, with artist partnerships that include Laurie Anderson, the Louise Bourgeois Trust, Jenny Holzer, the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, and James Turrell.

Gallery admission is $18 for adults, $16 for veterans and seniors, $12 for students, $8 for children 6 to 16, and free for children 5 and under through May 21, 2017. Members are admitted free year-round. The Hall Art Foundation’s Anselm Kiefer exhibition is open seasonally, spring – fall. For additional information, call 413.662.2111 x1 or visit MASS MoCA.

Hours: 11am to 5pm, closed Tuesdays