Performatist
    Comedy

    Nice Try ft: Michael Kosta, Laurie Kilmartin, Mike Cannon, Emma Willmann, Jessica Levin, Dave Ross

    Illustration for Nice Try ft: Michael Kosta, Laurie Kilmartin, Mike Cannon, Emma Willmann, Jessica Levin, Dave Ross

    Tuesday, May 12, 2026

    8:00 PM

    New York Comedy Club - Midtown

    241 E 24th St, New York, NY 10010

    Scheduled

    About This Event

    Nice Try at New York Comedy Club - Midtown features Michael Kosta, Laurie Kilmartin, Mike Cannon, Emma Willmann, Jessica Levin and Dave Ross. The bill pairs Kosta, known for his work as a senior correspondent and guest host on The Daily Show, with Kilmartin, a Last Comic Standing season 7 finalist and former Conan writer, alongside Willmann—who has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend—and New York club regulars Cannon and Levin.

    About Nice Try

    “Nice Try” runs as a live comedy bill at New York Comedy Club on the Upper West Side, a neighborhood where stand-up has long shared space with theater and jazz. The lineup includes Judah Friedlander, Ashley Austin Morris, Paul Mecurio, Andy Fiori, and Maddy Smith, each working in a different register, from deadpan to observational. There’s no documented NYC premiere history tied to the title, but the format reflects a local tradition: comedians testing new material in close quarters. The most telling moments are the pauses, when the room decides what counts as truth.

    About the Artists

    Michael Kosta

    Michael Kosta

    Michael Kosta lights up the New York comedy scene with his sharp wit and dynamic performances. As a frequent performer at the New York Comedy Club in the vibrant East Village, Kosta brings his comedic prowess, honed through years of experience and acclaimed appearances, to the heart of the city.

    Laurie Kilmartin

    Laurie Kilmartin

    comedy

    Laurie Kilmartin is a comedian and writer whose work spans stand-up and late-night television. She came to wider attention as a finalist on season 7 of *Last Comic Standing* and later wrote for Conan O’Brien’s *Conan*.

    Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon is a stand-up comedian based in New York City, recognized for his performances at various comedy venues including the Comedy Cellar.

    Emma Willmann

    Emma Willmann lights up New York City's comedy scene with her sharp wit and magnetic stage presence. A regular at iconic venues like The Stand NYC, Comedy Cellar, and New York Comedy Club's East Village location, she effortlessly connects with audiences through her relatable humor and quick-fire delivery.

    Jessica Levin

    Jessica Levin is a comedian known for her performances at various comedy venues, including the New York Comedy Club.

    Dave Ross

    Dave Ross

    comedy

    Dave Ross is a stand-up comedian who appears on New York City bills, including sets at New York Comedy Club - Midtown. He’s been booked alongside comics such as Michael Kosta, Laurie Kilmartin, Mike Cannon, Emma Willmann, and Jessica Levin, as heard on the “Nice Try” lineup there.