Peter Martin and Rick Newman have transformed the space over the last five years to "evoke a stunning cinema palace of yesteryear with a brand new lighting scheme, coffered ceilings, marble tiles, and a custom built green room with surround sound." Highlights of the Comedy Festival include Celebrity Autobiography, featuring Janeane Garofalo, Tony Danza, Rachel Dratch, Mario Cantone, Eugene Pack, Dayle Reyfel, Jennifer Tilly and Alan Zweibel (Nov. 8 at 7 and 9:30 PM); as well as Who Killed Woody Allen? (Nov. 9); A Conversation with Susie Essman hosted by David Steinberg (Nov. 10); followed by Life in a Marital Institution (20 Years of Monogamy in One Terrifying Hour) starring James Braly and featuring a talkback with Meredith Vieira later that evening.

Stage 72 will also present the nightlife production Gotham Burlesque, as well as a new independent film screening series with Emerging Pictures.

Stage 72 is located at 158 West 72nd Street. Tickets for the New York Comedy Festival can be purchased online at NYComedyFestival.com.