Carolines on Broadway Announces Stand-Up Tournament

Taking a page from the NCAA College Basketball Tournament's "March Madness," famed comedy venue Carolines on Broadway will present its fourth annual "Carolines Comedy Madness," a five-round comedy competition in which 64 comedians will go head to head with a panel of industry judges and audience members deciding who advances to the next rounds and who will be crowned the tournament champion. Hosted by comedian Josh Spear, "Carolines Final Four" events will take place on February 27, March 6, 13, 20 and 27. Tip-off for all events is at 7:00 p.m., at 1626 Broadway, between 49th and 50th Streets, in New York City.

Tickets for all of the "Carolines Final Four" shows are $15.00 per person, plus a two-beverage minimum. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting the Carolines website, at www.carolines.com. Reservations can be made by calling the Carolines Box Office at 212.757.4100.

Sixty-four of New York's best comedians who passed an open call audition will be randomly pitted against one another in a series of one-on-one competitions. The first round of "Carolines Final Four" will take place on February 27 when all of the 64 competitors will each perform one minute of stand-up. 32 comedians will advance to the second round on March 6 where each will perform two minutes of stand-up. The third round, taking place on March 13, will feature the "Sweet Sixteen," and fourth round on March 20 will feature the "Elite Eight," who will each perform three minutes of stand-up, with the "Final Four" advancing into the fifth and final round. "The Final Four" comedians will square off on March 27, with each performing seven minutes of stand-up. The last two advancing comedians will then square off with each perform ten minutes of stand-up, with the eventual winner being crowned.

"We're thrilled to bring back this exciting event for a fourth consecutive year, and are confident that it will once again generate the same kind of thrills and cheers on the comedy stage as the men's college basketball tournament does on the basketball court," said Louis Faranda, talent producer for Carolines on Broadway and the New York Comedy Festival and the creator of "Carolines Final Four." "We're happy to see that the 'Carolines Final Four' is quickly growing into one of the city's premier annual comedy events."

The champion will receive a cash prize and will also get to perform with a headlining comedian on a weekend at Carolines on Broadway and will perform in the 2013 New York Comedy Festival.