Sebastian Maniscalco Rocks New York's UBS Arena March 15, 2025

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Last night, Sebastian Maniscalco hit that stage like a rock star—brash, bold, and unapologetically funny. His comedic presence echoes the swaggering confidence and raw energy Andrew Dice Clay famously brought to comedy clubs decades ago. While Clay strutted across stages in his leather jacket, unleashing a persona defined by shock humor and fearless bravado, Maniscalco delivered a similarly intense experience, albeit infused with sharp observational wit and relatable outrage rather than explicit shock value.

Despite their stylistic differences, both Maniscalco and Clay share an undeniable rock-star charisma—effortlessly filling vast arenas and turning their stand-up sets into fiery, high-energy spectacles. As I sat among thousands of roaring fans in UBS Arena, the atmosphere was reminiscent of the countless rock shows I’ve covered over the years. Sebastian owned the stage with the kind of presence typically reserved for legendary rock frontmen, channeling life’s everyday frustrations into anthems of comedic gold.

This show proved to me that Sebastian Maniscalco is not merely a comedian, but a bona fide entertainer with a rare ability to captivate enormous audiences. Experiencing him in the modern, yet already iconic UBS Arena only amplified that impression—his commanding performance comfortably rivaling some of the most electrifying concerts I’ve attended. I could not stop laughing. For a lifelong rock fan and journalist, last night wasn’t just about witnessing comedy; it was about watching Sebastian transform a premier sports and entertainment venue into his own personal playground.

The show started about forty five minutes late because of traffic problems and accidents coming into the arena. As a New Yorker who understands the nightmare traffic that we live in daily, I had gotten to the show three hours early to avoid all that nonsense. I like to relax before a show and enjoy the fine beverages and food at these arenas, even though I’m paying 10 times the price for them, it’s all about the experience for me. Plus I’m a long time Jets season ticket holder who is used to getting to games five hours before they begin.

Opening the show were comedians Pat McGann & Pete Correale. MGann did a short set that focused on the life of being a Long Island parent driving kids to soccer games and all that comes along with it. His material was very relatable for the majority of the audience and I was also impressed in how clean he was about it. Pete Correale followed McCain with a much darker set but the man was hysterical. He was the perfect opener for Sebastian.

When it was time for Maniscalco to hit the stage, he entered the arena from the lower bowl corner and headed to the center stage in the middle of the floor, like Muhammad Ali or Mike Tyson, as the crowd went crazy. It still blows my mind that comedians can sell out huge arenas like this, but they easily seem to be able to do it. I guess we’re all just thirsting to be entertained. I have to tell you, my friends, this show was highly entertaining. Maniscalco seemed to flow easily between staged routines and improvisation. The man was fearless, pulled no punches, and didn’t seem concerned about talking about anyone. He made fun of a group of Afghanistan fans in the front row. He went after two people with masks who were handicapped, joking, “Well, I guess there is something going on here,” and of course went after married couples and all that typical front-row jargon. The crowd loved it.

When he started talking about Elon Musk, there was a smattering of boos and cheers. He basically just looked at the crowd, said “F.U.,” and received pretty much a standing ovation for it. He definitely gave the crowd their money’s worth. I wasn’t timing how long he was on for, but it seemed like just a little over an hour. He closed the set by taking a picture of himself with the crowd behind him. And that was it—no encores, nothing. As soon as he said goodbye, people jumped out of their chairs and started racing for the parking lot, which would just be an exercise in futility, as getting out of that arena is simply a madhouse.

Sebastian Maniscalco is no overnight sensation and his story is a fascinating one. This Chicago-born comedian, a product of the suburbs of Arlington Heights, Illinois, channels the unmistakable spirit of his Italian-American upbringing straight into his stand-up. His father, Salvatore Maniscalco, came from Cefalù, Sicily, arriving in the U.S. as a teen hairstylist, while his mother, Rose, traced her roots back to Naples and Sicily. Sebastian grew up in a household filled with the colorful quirks of old-world tradition and working-class pride, themes that continue to electrify his comedic routines.

After graduating from Northern Illinois University in 1995, where he earned a communication degree and led the Sigma Pi fraternity, Maniscalco headed west to Los Angeles. The transition was hardly glamorous—he spent nearly seven years serving upscale clientele at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills while grinding through open mic nights in bowling alleys and dive bars. It was this gritty persistence and keen observational humor, combined with influences like George Carlin, Jerry Seinfeld, Bill Burr, and the irreverent edge of Andrew Dice Clay, that finally landed him a regular slot at the legendary Comedy Store in 2005.

Maniscalco’s break came swiftly after, with the release of his first special, Sebastian Live, in 2009. Showtime soon took notice, showcasing his next three specials—What’s Wrong with People? in 2012, Aren’t You Embarrassed? in 2014, and Why Would You Do That? in 2016. Each special resonated deeply, earning him legions of fans drawn to his razor-sharp takes on human behavior and everyday absurdities. By 2019, Netflix entered the picture, premiering his hugely popular special, Stay Hungry, further solidifying his status as a comedy powerhouse. He has since followed it up with another Netflix hit, Is It Me?, released in late 2022, proving that his ability to skewer modern life’s frustrations shows no signs of fading.

Yet Maniscalco’s impact extends far beyond the comedy clubs and streaming platforms. Hollywood took note, and Sebastian made memorable appearances in major motion pictures like the Academy Award-winning Green Book (2018), alongside Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen, and Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed epic The Irishman (2019), where he portrayed the volatile mobster “Crazy” Joe Gallo opposite legends Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino. Not content to rest on his laurels, Sebastian continued acting, voicing the character Spike in The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023), and sharing the screen again with De Niro in About My Father (2023)—a film he co-wrote, inspired loosely by his own life and comedic voice.

Maniscalco’s comedy has become beloved because of its honest, no-holds-barred observations about everyday life—the universal irritations, family dynamics, and social faux pas we all quietly endure. His approach is animated, physical, and hilariously outraged, delivered with an intensity reminiscent of the great rock performers who dominate arenas night after night. It’s precisely why fans flock to venues like UBS Arena on Long Island, packing seats on a chilly March evening just to see him transform the annoyances of daily existence into uproarious comedy gold.

Beyond stand-up and film roles, Maniscalco has also embraced the podcast scene, co-hosting the highly entertaining The Pete and Sebastian Show alongside fellow comedian Pete Correale, a must-listen for fans of sharp banter and storytelling. His television ventures, such as hosting the MTV Video Music Awards in 2019 and starring in his own Discovery+ food and culture series, Well Done With Sebastian Maniscalco, have further amplified his unique brand of charm and humor. Most recently, audiences can catch him starring in Bookie, a series that premiered in late 2023, again proving his versatility and widespread appeal.

Sebastian Maniscalco’s comedic presence is magnetic—intense yet relatable, observational yet personal, brimming with authenticity and delivered with the timing and swagger of a seasoned frontman. He’s turned everyday grievances into comedic anthems, resonating profoundly with a generation eager to laugh at life’s little absurdities. Seeing him live, as we did at UBS Arena, confirms exactly why he’s at the top of his game, a comedian who commands the stage like a true rock-and-roll showman.