WNL! (Wednesday Night Laughs!)
We bring you our own WNL (Wednesday Night Laughs!) with the comic genius of SNL’s Punkie Johnson, Devon Walker and writer Asha Ward!
https://www.lincolncenter.org/series/summer-for-the-city/comedy-underground-507
For more info on this free performance and obtaining Fast Track tickets, check Lincoln Center for details here.
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NYLaughs is excited to be back this summer with its highly anticipated series of free comedy performances, offering New Yorkers a much-needed laughter intervention! NYLaughs is thrilled to join forces with Lincoln Center for it’s summer programming for our fourth year, a celebration of collaboration and giving back to the community. Our calendar has expanded to 8 nights. Now New Yorkers have a place to laugh every Wednesday at 8pm. Best of all, admission to all shows is free!
This remarkable program is made possible by the generous support of various organizations. In addition to Lincoln Center, NYLaughs would like to extend its gratitude to the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council for public funding; A.R.T./New York; A.R.T./New York’s NYC Small Theatres Fund made possible with support from the Howard Gilman Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul. We thank the New York City Council for Discretionary Funding in addition to the Honorable Gale Brewer and Keith Powers for their ongoing support of NYLaughs’ programming and mission.
Please follow us for details on talent announcements. Talent line-ups are subject to change. Contact details and information for the public can be found by visiting www.nylaughs.org, calling 917-727-5233 or following NYLaughs on twitter / X @NYLaughs or Instagram #NYLaughs.
Lineup
Punkie Johnson Co-Headliner
Jessica Williams, professionally known as Punkie Johnson, is a multi-talented American stand-up comedian, actress, and writer based in New York City. Her credits include standout performances on Space Force (Netflix), A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO), and Bill Burr Presents: The Ringers (Comedy Central), showcasing her versatility and comedic brilliance. Notably, Johnson’s talent has been recognized on prestigious platforms, including her selection as a New Face at the Just For Laughs Festival in 2019. As a proud paid regular at the World Famous Comedy Store in Hollywood, she continues to captivate audiences with her sharp wit and infectious humor. In a groundbreaking move, Johnson joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 2020, where her remarkable talent led to a promotion to repertory status in 2022, making her the eighth black female cast member in the show’s history and the second black LGBT woman to hold such a position.
Devon Walker Co-Headliner
Devon Walker is a stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. In 2022, he joined the cast of NBC’s sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live as a featured player for the show’s 48th season. Devon gained early support from Comedy Central. In 2017, he was chosen for their Up Next showcase, and in 2019, he had his own special on Comedy Central Stand-Up Featuring.He has created and appeared in a number of the network’s digital shorts. Walker was a writer for the animated Netflix comedy Big Mouth and the 2022 Freeform comedy series Everything’s Trash.
Matt Richards Host
Matt Richards, a versatile talent in the entertainment industry, has left his mark as an actor, host, comedian, and writer. He currently hosts the popular game show app HQ Trivia and has appeared on various television series such as Showtime’s Flatbush Misdemeanors, HBOMax’s That Damn Michael Che, CBS’ 2 Broke Girls, Nickelodeon’s School of Rock, Disney’s KC Undercover, and Bizaardvark. Matt’s comedic prowess earned him recognition as a NEW FACE Character at the 2018 Just For Laughs Festival and a standout performer in the 2017 CBS Diversity Showcase. He’s also made significant contributions as a writer, with credits on series like That Damn Michael Che and various programming for Snoop Dogg on VH1, TBS, Peacock, and Animal Planet. Additionally, Matt has showcased his comedic talents on platforms like Complex’s web-series Group Therapy sponsored by Old Spice, and has appeared on The Funny Dance Show for E!, MTV’s World Star TV, and The Steve Harvey Show. Audiences can anticipate seeing Matt in the upcoming Comedy Central Studios feature film for Paramount, RUN FOR THE MONEY, alongside Beck Bennett and Joel McHale, slated for release later this year.
Asha Ward
Asha Kali Ward, an American comedian, joined Saturday Night Live as a writer in 2022 during the show’s 48th season, earning the distinction of being its youngest writer, surpassing fellow rookie Auguste White by three months.
