David Levine is the co-founder of Comedy Underground Overground, a New York-based events company known for high-energy comedy shows, magic performances, and immersive audience experiences. Since launching ComedyUO, David has turned unconventional spaces (from department stores to law offices) into stages. He blends hospitality and entertainment to create events that feel intimate but larger than life. We asked David about his journey in comedy and his approach to producing memorable shows that thrill audiences.
How did you first get into comedy?
I always knew I wanted to be in entertainment, though I went from 0-12 trying to land a job in any talent agency mailroom. I’m a native New Yorker and got into standup through a six-week intro class at the Comic Strip Live during my senior year of high school. I was part of the first three ComedyUO shows, but quickly stepped back to focus on producing behind the scenes.
What originally drew you to producing shows and working behind the scenes in the comedy world?
Back in high school, I was usually one of the people organizing parties, so I think I had a knack for bringing people together and sourcing things at the lowest cost. I worked as a PA on a few TV sets and found the pace too slow. The thrill of producing live events and constantly putting out fires matches the way my brain works. Producing comedy shows, I really had no idea at first. Our first 20 shows were just group chats telling people when and where to show up!
Before launching Comedy Underground, what experiences helped shape your perspective on the stand-up scene?
I went to some really depressing open mics around New York, while also having some incredible experiences performing at basement shows in college. My main takeaway: the more the room felt packed in, the better the experience. Since I watched a ton of comedy, I trusted my gut on what was funny. The thing that killed the energy at most shows was that they were too long. At some point no matter how funny the comics are, after 90 minutes, audiences will check out – Gen Z cannot sit for longer than that, even if they’re the greatest comedians you’ve ever seen. I also hated having a great time at a show, but when I got the check it came out over $50 (for two Stella Lights and a general admission ticket). The $20+ cocktail and the $15 beer need to be put to bed. I never wanted the audience’s lasting impression to be the bill.
Looking ahead, what’s next for Comedy Underground Overground and what excites you most about where it’s heading?
We’re looking to grow the magic show side of the business. Magic shows will allow us to activate in spaces that aren’t suited for comedy. We also want to keep expanding larger-scale events like the Paragon Sports Comedy Festival, Katz’s Deli, and the Empire State Building. Bundling venues into mini tours or festivals excites audiences and brands. In January, we did our first Big Small Business tour, and I hope to grow it each year until we have a show every day that month. I still have a handful of dream NYC venues to hit before expanding. What really drives me is creating experiences that thrill audiences and bring people together.
