There are more than 30 shows at this year’s Boston Comedy Festival, with scores of performers. Here are some that stand out.

The Boston veteran forgoes his standup act for something more personal, honing the show he debuted in February at the Cabot in Beverly. “It’s about his real life, and there’s some different beats to it,” says Boston Comedy Festival founder Jim McCue.

Ronny Chieng

Nov. 12, 8 and 10 p.m., The Rockwell

The “Daily Show” correspondent, born in Malaysia of Chinese heritage, made waves last month with his response to a Fox News segment that saw Jesse Watters doing man-on-the-street interviews in New York’s Chinatown. “Everybody’s been wondering who would be the target of 2016’s worst racism,” he said. “I didn’t even know Asians were in the running.”


Kyle Kinane

Nov. 14, 7 p.m., The Rockwell

Kinane is coming off his third hourlong special, “Loose in Chicago,” a display of his delightfully bent world view.

Lenny Clarke

Nov. 15, 8 p.m., The Rockwell

Clarke follows up his appearance at Comics Come Home at the TD Garden with a more intimate show, and McCue is grateful. “He’s doing the Denis Leary show for 15,000 people,” he says, “and then Tuesday coming in and doing the Rockwell, really as a favor to the Boston Comedy Festival.”

“Airplane!” screening with director David Zucker

Nov. 19, 12:30 p.m., ImprovBoston

Zucker, who shares writing and directing credits with brothers Jerry and Jim Abrahams, will screen a director’s cut of his influential comedy, followed by a Q&A.

Barry Crimmins with Emo Philips

Nov. 19, 9:30 p.m., The Rockwell


A wonderfully odd pairing, with satirist Crimmins headlining fresh off of one of the most divisive elections in anyone’s memory. Check out his fiery new special, “Whatever Threatens You,” for a preview. Philips does an earlier show at 7 p.m., and then plays in support here.

Boston Comedy Festival Finale

Nov. 19, 8 p.m., Somerville Theatre

Patty Ross collects the Comedian of the Year Award, John Ratzenberger gets the Lifetime Achievement Award, Zucker will be honored for film comedy, and the stand-up contest winner will be crowned at this show.

NICK A. ZAINO III

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