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From Tiffany Haddish to Tony V, 10 ways to laugh off winter

Tiffany Haddish Casey Curry/Invision/AP/file

MIKE MCDONALD'S COMEDY EXTRAVAGANZA Ding Ho veteran McDonald has been putting this show together north of Boston for 17 years now, and it's worth the drive. He prides himself on booking only “killers,” and this year’s edition boasts Gary Gulman, Will Noonan, Sean Sullivan, McDonald himself, and a great comic who never plays Boston proper for some reason, Jim David. Feb. 9, 7:30 p.m. $38-$44. The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, N.H. 603-436-2400, www.themusichall.org

GABRIEL IGLESIAS The self-described “fluffy” comic has a goofy and infectious sense of humor. Though there have been other offerings at the Chevalier Theatre under its new management over the past couple of months, Iglesias’s five-show run of his “One Show Fits All” tour marks its official grand opening. Feb. 9-10, 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.; Feb. 11, 7 p.m. $43-$86. Chevalier Theatre, 30 Forest St., Medford. 781-391-7469, www.chevaliertheatre.com

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OLD SCHOOL GAME SHOW’S VALENTINE’S SPECIAL This hybrid variety/game show, which features sketch comedy, burlesque, music, and pop culture trivia with a throwback flair, returns to Oberon with ringleaders Ginny Nightshade and Michael D’Angelo. This show stuffs a lot of entertainment into two acts. With guest comedian Sean Sullivan. Feb. 16, 8 p.m. $19. Oberon, 2 Arrow St., Cambridge. 617-547-8300, www.americanrepertorytheater.org

THE MADS FROM MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 Two of the linchpins of the original Comedy Central run of “Mystery Science Theater,” Trace Beaulieu and Frank Conniff, show off their movie-riffing skills on tour, targeting a typical terrible film and film short followed by a Q&A with fans. March 3, 8 p.m. $33. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington. 781-646-4849, www.regenttheatre.com

KELLY MACFARLAND The original Comedy Studio closed its doors at the Hong Kong in Harvard Square in December, but it will be doing a series of pop-up shows around Boston until the new Somerville location opens in the spring. MacFarland is one of Boston’s most relatable and consistently funny headliners, and her show benefits the Women’s Lunch Place, a shelter serving homeless women. March 8, 8 p.m. The Barking Crab, 88 Sleeper St., Boston. www.thecomedystudio.com

DEMETRI MARTIN A minimalist comedian, Martin combines one- or two-line jokes, music, and rudimentary drawings (he released his second book of these, “If It’s Not Funny It’s Art,” in September) to create a unique show. He’s on his “Let's Get Awkward” tour while he prepares a new stand-up special intended for release this year. March 9, 7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. $39.50. The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston. 617-248-9700, www.thewilbur.com

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KURT BRAUNOHLER If you enjoy your comedy peculiar and silly, you may have a soulmate in Braunohler (see his “Beaver” routine from last year’s “Trust Me” special). Also check out his podcast about adult friendship, “Emotional Hangs,” which he cohosts with longtime friend Joe DeRosa. March 30-31, 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. $25. Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St., Boston. 617-725-2844, www.laughboston.com

TIFFANY HADDISH Another comedian who became an overnight success after years of work, Haddish’s career took off in a big way last year after she appeared in “Girls Trip” with Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Regina Hall, and hosted “Saturday Night Live.” Onstage, she has no filter, talking about her personal life in sometimes gritty detail. Tickets to her “#SheReady” shows at the Wilbur sold out quickly, as did most dates on this tour, but motivated fans may be able to overcome that obstacle. April 7, 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston.

BOSTON COMEDY COME UP Tony V, a Boston treasure, hosts a slate of comics from the new generation of local headliners, with Bethany Van Delft, Will Noonan, Mike Whitman, Lamont Price, Dan Crohn, Orlando Baxter, and Graig Murphy. April 14, 7:30 p.m. $31-$41. Boch Center Shubert Theatre, 265 Tremont St., Boston. 617-547-8300, www.bochcenter.org

WOMEN IN COMEDY FESTIVAL The official lineup of shows has yet to be announced, but this festival keeps getting bigger and better every year, featuring a female-centric but inclusive schedule of stand-up, sketch, musical comedy, film, podcasts, and workshops. April 19-22, various venues. www.wicf.com


Nick A. Zaino III can be reached at nick@nickzaino.com.