Dry comedy at its best, How to Kick People is a fantastic event at Mo Pitkin’s. Todd Levin and Bob Powers, the evening’s power duo hosts have created an event that allows comedy writers a venue to showcase their work, without having to given in to the more conventional forms of stand up or improv. Instead, How To Kick People is a night of writers performing longer, more concentrated work to a supportive, laid back audience. From the moment it began I felt that How to Kick People is what NPR would be if it were a comedy radio station. This is meant as a huge compliment to Levin and Powers whose humor is pointed, understated and dead-on. The show has a liberal, intellectual tone and best of all no one that goes on stage is trying too hard.

The night’s theme was “I Coulda Been Someone” and each writer addressed this idea in a different but equally hilarious way. to open the show, Levin and Powers showed a slide show of people who had not fulfilled their dreams. This, for me, was the highlight of the night. Each slide was of an individual, a description of their dream, and the reason their dream was de-railed. Levin and Powers delivered each ridiculous dream and de-railment with straight faces and level voices, and the effect was unique and satisfying. I was impressed and inspried by the duo’s creativity and ease with the audience. Though none of their guests quite lived up to this killer opening, it set the tone for an excellent evening of comedy for the literate, intellectual (dare I say hipster?) crowd.

The stand out guest performer was the sole female, Ellie Kemper. She read fake diary entires from her would-be life as a nun– a dream she had nursed when she was younger. The entries addressed all that was disappointing about being a nun, and how unlike the reality of the lifestyle was to the movie “The Sound of Music”. Kemper was charming in her delivery, cheery and naive, with a dark hidden edge. She is an excellent performer and writer and held her ground in the male-heavy line up.

I highly recommend this event, which is celebrating its three year anniversary in the New York scene. Its a little off the beaten path, very East Village, and you feel lucky to have been there when you leave.