Zelnick brings comedy tour to Theatre 99

The New York–based comedian Lucas Zelnick, renowned for a razor-sharp wit and considerable social media following, brings his Highly Laffeinated Comedy Tour to Theatre 99 on Sept. 19. A second late night performance was added last week due to demand.

Zelnick’s journey from the hallowed halls of Stanford University to the gritty comedy clubs of New York City is nothing short of remarkable. Entering college with his eyes set on the world of business and Wall Street, the Covid-19 pandemic provided a life-altering twist that set Zelnick on a completely different career course.

“I was interested in comedy when I applied to and started attending Stanford,” he explained. “But it was during Covid-19, so I couldn’t perform, and I still wasn’t in a place where I could do it professionally.”

Between his first and second year in the Stanford MBA program during the summer in his New York City home, he launched Sesh Comedy Club on the Lower East Side with his comedian friends.

“At the time, we were just trying to produce shows and get on stage and perform a bunch, but the club ended up spreading via word of mouth,” he recalled. “It was through doing that many shows I realized that I could handle the schedule of a professional comedian.” He embraced his career pivot and became a full-time comedian, eventually selling the club to fund his comedy tour across the country.

Though he’s popular on social media, performing on stage and getting his comedy legs the old-fashioned way has proved important to the 28-year-old comic, who gets some of his most viral clips through skillful crowd work.

A signature New York wit

Growing up in Manhattan has profoundly impacted Zelnick’s comedic style. He describes himself as a “snarky, out-of-touch, sarcastic elitist.” Although divisive, his style draws in energetic and dynamic crowds, he said.

“I will say, growing up in New York, you learn to argue with and talk to people at a very young age and you learn to fend for yourself,” he noted. “I think I bring that energy on stage with an argumentative, self-confident sort of vibe that I think has mostly served me well comedically.”
Zelnick’s online presence is nearly as large as his personality. He’s gained 100 million views and has 700,000 followers on social media platforms, especially TikTok.

“I think about live performances first and just keep the camera rolling,” he said. “When there are moments that feel especially meaningful, funny or memorable in the live performance, I’m usually lucky enough to have footage of it to put online.”

Although his rise to social media stardom seems rather rapid, Zelnick remains grounded about his newfound fame. “It’s opened up the avenue to me making this a career,” he said. “And sometimes it means that I get stopped on the street, but I’m not exactly Matt Damon.”

For anyone who’s watched Zelnick’s taped performances or Tik Tok clips, it’s evident that crowd work is where he shines. When asked about his approach to hecklers, he told the Charleston City Paper that he takes a measured approach.

“I would say the only thing I focus on is being in a very calm and very relaxed mind-state. What I try to do with any improvised comedy is be myself, react honestly and do that as quickly as possible,” he explained. His ability to self-deprecate and stay authentic turns these candid conversations into memorable moments.

The Highly Laffeinated Comedy Tour has taken Zelnick to many cities, introducing new and novel experiences that he said improve his comedic skills.

“Those shows in smaller cities make me a better comedian, because I have to appeal to people with a much different worldview than mine,” he said.

His ability to respond with an attitude of charm and directness can sway even the most reluctant audience member — see it for yourself on Theatre 99’s stage.

Find tickets for the Highly Laffeinated Comedy Tour with Lucas Zelnick starting at $25 at theatre99.com. 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Sept. 19.