Have you ever been to a party and started telling everyone a story but realized it was too personal and revealing, so you decided you shouldn’t finish it? You’re not alone. As a writer, I know firsthand how intimidating it is to divulge your darkest fears or your biggest insecurities. It can be terrifying. But for me, it’s also liberating. I think many of the storytellers featured in Risk! feel the same way.
Held at the famous, lower east side’s performance venue, Caveat, and hosted by comedian and co-creator Kevin Allison, Risk! features four storytellers sharing their most intimate, audacious, hilarious, and scariest stories with New Yorkers. Risk! isn’t exactly new. The award-winning, live monthly show has been taking place for over a decade in NYC and Los Angeles with famous personalities like Janeane Garofalo, Lisa Lampanelli, Margaret Cho, Marc Maron, Sarah Silverman, Lili Taylor and Rachel Dratch. While the show may include well-known names from time to time, you will also hear everyday people take a risk and share their funniest or most provocative stories. The covid pandemic may have paused the live shows, but they’re back in NYC.
This season of Risk!, storytellers offer up stories of bigotry, ego, politics, fear, family, addiction, and friendship. Storytellers include Kevin Allison, Robert Weinstein, Rosemary Cipriano, Adriane Jankovic and David Hu. You might relate to a story. You might even cringe at one. But one thing’s for certain, Risk! is a gripping rollercoaster ride that you never want to get off of.
If you’re not interested in attending live shows right now, the storytelling phenomenon also has a book (you can purchase from Amazon here or Bookshop.org) and a podcast full of captivating storytelling. The book is a collection of over 35 stories from celebrities like Aisha Tyler, Marc Maron, Michael Ian Black, Lili Taylor, Ts Madison, Dan Savage, Jonah Ray, Jesse Thorn and talented, non-celebrities storytellers from around the world.
You may either purchase a ticket to come see the show in person (proof of vaccination is required) at Caveat in NYC, or purchase a ticket to watch the show online via a livestream on YouTube.
