PERFORMANCE IN ENGLISHAfter a successful U.S. Monsters of Tokyo tour this spring, the men from the group are coming back to America this fall with an all-new show and an all-new group name. Meet the Tokyo Kanpai Boys, Japan's funniest stand-up comedians, bringing brand-new material and a wildly entertaining look at life and comedy through Japanese eyes. The lineup features Kansei Yasuda (Kill Tony), Daniel Wilson (Badonkadonk Podcast), Shota Saimu (NYCF), and Daisuke Muramoto (I Am a Comedian).Whether they're explaining Japanese dating culture, exposing everyday misunderstandings between East and West, or simply proving that awkwardness is universal in every language, the Tokyo Kanpai Boys deliver a show that's packed with laughs. Don't miss this unforgettable night of international comedy that bridges cultures through laughter. Cheers — "Kanpai!" — to that.Featuring:Kansei Yasuda — Originally from Tokyo and now based in Toronto, Kansei is one of the fastest-rising international comics working today. A Golden Ticket winner on Kill Tony, he has toured throughout North America and Asia, earning acclaim for his energetic storytelling, sharp cultural observations, and brilliantly unpredictable style.Daniel Wilson — A Japanese-American comedian based in Tokyo, Daniel has built a massive global following through his viral "Let Me Teach You Some Japanese" videos, earning over 200,000 Instagram followers and 5.5 million TikTok likes. Trained at Japan's prestigious Watanabe Comedy School, he combines Japanese and American comedy traditions into a style that's both insightful and endlessly relatable.Shota Saimu — Known for his deceptively quiet stage presence and devastating punchlines, Shota has become a favorite among audiences in both Japan and the United States. Performing in both English and Japanese, his dry delivery, understated confidence, and viral online clips have made him one of Japan's most exciting emerging comedic voices.Daisuke Muramoto — One of Japan's most recognizable comedians, Muramoto first rose to fame as half of the legendary manzai duo Woman Rush Hour, appearing on hundreds of television programs before reinventing himself as one of Japan's boldest stand-up voices. His acclaimed documentary I Am a Comedian chronicles his journey from mainstream celebrity to internationally touring performer whose fearless comedy tackles politics, culture, and identity.Presented by the New York Comedy Festival.
Tony Dabas is a New York stand-up comedian and viral sketch creator with over 13 years of experience performing across the U.S. and Canada. He has opened for comedians from SNL and major Netflix specials, and toured more than 150 shows last year alone. You may know him from his viral character sketches and stand-up clips, which have generated over 1 billion views online across social media. Known for his accents, character work, and multicultural humor, Tony connects with audiences from all backgrounds through his diverse New York upbringing and unique perspective. Follow Tony on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook: @TonydcomedyPresented by the New York Comedy Festival.
Sharief Johnson is a New Jersey-born comedian, actor, and writer whose energetic storytelling and sharp crowd work have made him a rising name in stand-up comedy. A veteran performer of more than a decade, Sharief has appeared on major comedy stages and festivals, including Netflix Is a Joke Festival, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, and the Big Pine Comedy Festival, where he earned Best of the Fest honors.As an actor, Sharief is known for his recurring role as Damon on the hit series "Power Book III: Raising Kanan," which has introduced him to audiences around the world. He has also appeared in film and television while continuing to build his reputation as a dynamic live performer.Sharief has released comedy through SiriusXM and is known for his relatable, high-energy approach to comedy. Following his first album, "I Wish That Was a Joke," Sharief returns to the stage to record his second comedy album as part of the New York Comedy Festival.Presented by the New York Comedy Festival.
Sharief Johnson is a New Jersey-born comedian, actor, and writer whose energetic storytelling and sharp crowd work have made him a rising name in stand-up comedy. A veteran performer of more than a decade, Sharief has appeared on major comedy stages and festivals, including Netflix Is a Joke Festival, Laughing Skull Comedy Festival, and the Big Pine Comedy Festival, where he earned Best of the Fest honors.As an actor, Sharief is known for his recurring role as Damon on the hit series "Power Book III: Raising Kanan," which has introduced him to audiences around the world. He has also appeared in film and television while continuing to build his reputation as a dynamic live performer.Sharief has released comedy through SiriusXM and is known for his relatable, high-energy approach to comedy. Following his first album, "I Wish That Was a Joke," Sharief returns to the stage to record his second comedy album as part of the New York Comedy Festival.Presented by the New York Comedy Festival.
Spend an evening with Salma Zaky and Caroline Hanes as they each perform a half hour of stand-up comedy.Salma has released mini specials with OFTV, Don't Tell Comedy, Cracked Comedy, and was named a "Comic to Watch" at the '24 New York Comedy Festival. Her stand-up group, Firecracker Comedy, recorded their debut album with Blonde Medicine—now streaming on all platforms. Most recently, she appeared as a contestant on Funny AF with Kevin Hart on Netflix.Caroline is a joke writer for the narrator of Love Island USA on Peacock, and her stand-up has been featured on SiriusXM. She was named a “Comic To Watch” by the New York Comedy Festival in 2022, and she was featured in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2022 and 2023.Presented by the New York Comedy Festival.
Valeria Vulpe is a Moldovan-born, London-based stand-up comedian and U.S. citizen who traded a decade as a Google Data Scientist for comedy. She first came to the U.S. to attend Grinnell College, earning a BA in Mathematics and Economics with Honors, followed by an MSc in Applied Mathematics from the London School of Economics.In 2025, Valeria won the Spirit of Comedy, earning the opportunity to open for Ricky Gervais at Wembley Arena. She has also supported Daniel Sloss and Connor Burns and was a “So You Think You’re Funny?” finalist. A regular at London’s Top Secret Comedy Club, Valeria is currently performing her own show at the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, earning strong reviews, and will make her NYC headlining debut at the 2026 New York Comedy Festival. Her smart, deadpan comedy finds unexpected absurdity in dating, relationships, cultural differences, and everyday life.Presented by the New York Comedy Festival.
Yamaneika Saunders is bringing her hilarious new hour to New York Comedy Festival, and she isn't holding anything back! Join her as she dives into her unapologetic and honest opinions on everything from pop culture to dating in New York. No topic is off limits, no one is safe, and Yamaneika is ready to let you know exactly what she thinks about all of it!Presented by the New York Comedy Festival.
Shelly Belly has taken the comedy and social media scene by storm. Shelly has become one of the top sought after comedians throughout the United States delighting fans with her hilarious standup comedy. Shelly has branched out, taking her quick wit comedy routine from her front porch of South Carolina to the main stage, traveling throughout the United States. Shelly’s relatable comedy consists of saying the things that we all think and want to say but, are too afraid to. Shelly’s career took off after releasing her comedy skits online earning her millions of views on social media platforms as, "Shelly Belly Comedy". Studio Lambert discovered Shelly Belly aka, Michelle Rider on her social media platforms and chose her to be on the on the number one reality show “The Circle” Season 3 on Netflix. Shelly has been featured in Entertainment Tonight, NBC, Fox, Parade, Screen Rant, Stars Offline, Women's Health, Yahoo News, Decider, Men's Health, IMDb as well as many other publications.Presented by the New York Comedy Festival.
Jack Grady is a comedy magician whose chaotic, unpredictable style has earned him a cult following and millions of fans across the internet. One of the most unique voices in magic today, Jack has a rare instinct for virality at its core, including delivering the shortest audition in "America’s Got Talent" history and his documentary premiered at the 2026 "New York Film Festival". He is also the first magician to ever step into a professional boxing match, and blends wit filled comedy with impossible magic. Jack’s performances are fast paced, absurd, and completely original. Simply put, Jack Grady is one of the strangest and most hilarious acts you will ever experience, delivering a show that is as unforgettable as it is unpredictable.
