This week is a wow of a who’s who of the comedy world and I’m talking about Chicago’s own and visitors to the city.
Dobie Maxwell’s book launch is tonight! Then take a look at all the outstanding shows and showcases, many free with free food, every night of the week. I can only list a fraction – yes, this is a fraction! These are the things I would do and the places I would go if I could do everything and be anywhere.
Visitors this week include Jerry Seinfeld, Paula Poundstone, David Heti, Adam Quesnell, Amy Miller, David Cross, Katt Williams, Rob Schneider, Tom Papa, Vicki Lawrence, Mama, The Impractical Jokers, Ron White, and John Mulaney, who returns to his hometown with Nick Kroll.
Note: David Cross is not only at The Vic, he added an additional show at the Park West. Amy Miller, a semi-finalist and one of the stars of last season’s Last Comic Standing headlines at North Bar on Sunday, but she is also popping up at showcases throughout the week. It’s all here.
So many ticket alerts, I am putting them in a separate post to be published shortly.
Please confirm all details before setting out! Email me if you have a show you would like me to add and I’ll do my best to include it.
Thank you, as always, to the Chicago comedy community.
MONDAY, MARCH 14
David Heti at North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. With Sean White and Goodrich Gavaart. David Heti, in town from Montreal, is a brilliant and singular mind and also wrote one of my favorite jokes of all time where he sums up the history of the Jews in Europe in nineteen seconds. You’ll know it when you hear it. His repertoire is all from the top of the roller coaster and the view is as beautiful as it is dangerous. Please check out our interview here. Sean White and Goodrich Gavaart are also at the top of their game.
Dobie Maxwell at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. You’re invited to the show and launch party celebrating Dobie’s long-awaited memoirs, Monkey in the Middle. He is an extraordinary person and a comedy icon who is living an extraordinary life and I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll just say thirty years as a nationally touring headliner, television, radio, bank robberies, gorillas, FBI and Vegas. Please check out our interview here.
TUESDAY, MARCH 15
Cocktail Comedy at House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn, 7:00 p.m. No cover. Comedy showcase at House of Blues’ VIP lounge, The Foundation Room (4th floor). Featuring Jonah Jurkens, Matt Chiarmonte, Danny Kallas and Sean White.
Flat Iron Comedy at The Salon at Collaboraction Theater, 1579 N. Milwaukee, 3rd Floor, 7:30 p.m. Features rotating house and guest improv teams plus stand up, music, storytelling and other artists. Free, but donations are appreciated and go to performers. Check out link for a variety of original comedy programming throughout the week.
Ain’t Jokin’ Wit Chu at Abram Gale Lounge, 2366 N. Neva Ave., 8:00 p.m. With Patrick O’Hara, Alex Savant, Alydar Skyy, Dame Grant, Peter Maj and Bridget Clymore. Headliner: Marcos Lara. This showcase streams live on Periscope. Follow @danette614.
104th Mainstage Revue: “Fool Me Twice, Déjà Vu” at The Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Directed by Jeff-award winning Director Ryan Bernier. The Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones calls this show “exceptionally funny.” Check site for additional show times throughout the week.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. Featuring Gena Gephart, Jason Melton, Kevin White, Amy Miller, CJ Sullivan, Derek Smith and Kelsie Huff with sketch by Actual Murderers.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16
David Cross at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The star of Arrested Development, The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret and of Mr. Show (with Bob Odenkirk) brings his “Making America Great Again Tour” to Chicago on two nights. Tomorrow night he’ll be at Park West.
The Legacy of Lois Lane at Women and Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. Clark, 7:30 p.m. I know it’s not comedy, but so many comedy fans love comic books and graphic novels, I figure it fits right in. Tonight features a panel of experts discussing Lois Lane, so who can resist? Plus it’s at Women and Children First, the place I’m most likely to go bankrupt with no regrets. The panel is Lauren Burke, Tim Hanley, Anne Elizabeth Moore, Caitlin Rosberg, and Katie Schenkel. They will discuss “The Legacy of Lois Lane: Women in a World of Superheroes, 1938-Present.”
Flat Iron Comedy at The Salon at Collaboraction Theater, 1579 N. Milwaukee, 3rd Floor, 7:30 p.m. Features rotating house and guest improv teams plus stand up, music, storytelling and other artists. Free, but donations are appreciated and go to performers.
Special Showcase Hosted by Charna Halpern at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. An evening of five-minute solo performances hosted by iO’s founder and artistic director.
Pilsen Stand Up: Mickeylodeon at Simone’s, 960 W. 18th St., 8:30 p.m. Celebrating Mickey Housley’s birthday as he hosts Leah Eva, Guerterrius Jackson aka T-Murph, Theodore Taylor, special guests and the Pilsen Stand Up crew. After the showcase, resident DJ Pablo Serrano “provides the beats and our audience provides the vocals as we practice the ancient martial art known as ‘karaoke.’”
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks, 9:00 p.m. Marty DeRosa hosts Conor Delehanty, Eliot Rahal, Jeff Scheen, Marz Timms and Kristen Toomey.
TJ & Dave at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Dave Pasquesi returns and the internationally renowned improv duo is back!
THURSDAY, MARCH 17
David Cross at Park West, 322 W. Armitage, 7:30 p.m.
Sober St. Patrick’s Day Show at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Laura Hugg. Featuring Lara Beitz, Collin Bullock and John Conroy.
Martin Morrow at Stand Up Stand Up at The Crocodile, 1540 N. Milwaukee, 8:00 p.m. Martin Morrow headlines. He is a Chicago comedy triple threat: known for stand-up, sketch and improv. Featuring Amy Miller, Todd Massey, Owen Linders, Mikey Manker and “a super secret special guest.” Hosted by Keith Paesel. Free show. Free pizza.
Shirley Lame in My Solo Show of All Duets at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. What? It’s La-MAY! Catch this hit show now in its last weeks.
Just Dickin’ Around All Ladies Showcase at Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, 8:30 p.m. The JDA showcase is “a women-run, queer-friendly showcase that provides a safe, supportive space with a positive energy for our performers and guests.” Free pizza. Co-produced by comedian, writer and ChicagoNow blogger Krista Atkinson.
Parlour Car at Bar DeVille, 701 N. Damen, 9:00 p.m. Chicago’s talented comedians plus unexpected guests from around the country. New City named Parlour Car “Best Comedy Night” of 2015.
Laughing Irish at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 9:00 p.m. Featuring Sam Norton, Jeff Scheen, Brian Babylon, CJ Sullivan, Kristen Toomey and more TBA.
Messing With A Friend at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 10:30 p.m. Susan Messing improvises with another talented comedian. This is a show where the improvisers seem to morph from character to character before your eyes. Believable and magical at the same time. Anything can happen. Tonight’s guest is veteran Chicago improviser Kat Gotsick.
FRIDAY, MARCH 18
Jerry Seinfeld at The Peoria Civic Center, 201 S.W. Jefferson Ave., Peoria 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jerry Seinfeld said that comedians are detectives of the moments in between the moments and he is the master of that domain. He will also be in Waukegan tomorrow night.
The Impractical Jokers “Where’s Larry?” Tour at The Coronado Theater, 314 N. Main St., Rockford, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. A night of stand-up, hidden video clips and storytelling from TruTV’s “merry band of pranksters,” The Tenderloins.
Ask Me Another with Rose McGowan and Star Wars at C2E2 at C2E2 Main Stage, McCormick Pl., 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr., 7:30 p.m. Ophira Eisenberg hosts NPR’s game of trivia and wit with celebrity guests Rose McGowan and LucasFilm spokesperson Andi Gutierrez.
Oh, Hello at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 7:30 p.m. Starring Gil Falzon and George St. Geegland who bring their show from New York to Chicago for a week. If you squint and look carefully past the hair … do I see Nick Kroll and John Mulaney? Through March 24.
Vicki Lawrence and Mama at The Genesee Theatre, 203 N. Genesee Theatre, 8:00 p.m. It took me years to realize that one of my favorite singers and one of my favorite comedians are the same person.
Rob Schneider at The Improv, 5 Woodfield Rd., Woodfield Mall Store K120B, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.
Long form improv show at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. One audience suggestion each for three teams followed by three performances. What is long form improv? “The product is usually a piece that has realism and comedy and takes the audience through a roller coaster of emotions and laughter until they find themselves cleverly at the beginning.”
Sinbad at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Sinbad took his name from Sinbad the Sailor. His real name is David Adkins. His comedy career began on Star Search where he beat Dennis Miller in the comedy round.
Schmitty B and Doc Lov at Jokes and Notes, 4641 S. King Dr., 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
The Boys. We Make It Worse at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 9:00 p.m. A night of improv with Susan Messing, Rachael Mason, Craig Uhlir, Norm Holly and Ryan Archibald. These are some of the people who have made the Chicago improv scene internationally famous.
Adam Quesnell at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 10:00 p.m. Adam Quesnell’s bio says he is “perpetually at odds with his cowardice,” but he’s not afraid to be bold and innovative with his comedy. He mines topics and comes up with diamonds (literally and figuratively) and is the only person I ever heard of who designed an album in the shape of a keshi art toy and delivered internet orders to fans in person. He’s also not afraid to confessing to the hard parts of life or to comedic disruptions in all the places where we’re expected to conform.
SATURDAY, MARCH 19
Late Late Breakfast at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 2:00 p.m. “Third Annual Tournament of Champyuns. our one-day, thirty-two comedian, blowout single-elimination comedy tournament to determine just who will be crowned THE KING OF BREAKFAST for 2016.Over a period of five rounds, our tournament is a gauntlet of comedic challenges testing all sorts of skills, from quick wits to teamwork to performing amidst utter chaos.” Special half-time guest: Gnar Gnar Shredtown. Free pancakes.
Jerry Seinfeld at the Genesee Theater, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Rob Schneider at The Improv, 5 Woodfield Rd., Woodfield Mall Store K120B, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. an 9:15 p.m.
Simmer Brown Comedy Showcase: Palestinian-Israeli Double Feature at Bughouse Theater, 1910 W. Irving Park Rd., 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. for a reception for pre-paid ticket holders only. Show at 8:00 p.m. Featuring Mona Aburmishan (Windy City Live), Reena Calm (Laughs on FOX) with Belly dancing by Phaedra Darwish and Special Guest Joe Roderick (Jukebox Comedy Club) and performances from Simmer Brown producers: Prateek Srivastava (NBC Stand Up For Diversity Finalist, Opened for Maz Jobrani, NPR), Sameena Mustafa (Asian American Comedy Fest) and Rishika Murthy (Jukebox Comedy Club).
This is the Worst at Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, 7:00 p.m. “From chores to body ailments… Sarah Barnhardt uses physical comedy, a variety of characters, and all around goofiness to illustrate some of life’s frustrations that are THE WORST.”
Two Hour Comedy Hour at Gallery Cabaret 2020 N. Oakley, 7:00 p.m. The line-up is usually announced a few days before the show, so check the Facebook page. I’m always impressed when I see it and wanting to go. UPDATE 3/17: As I was saying! Line-up announced. It is Andy Fleming and J. Michael Osborne hosting Reena Calm, Emily Galati, Deanna Ortiz, Jere Pilapil, Owen Linders, Phoebe Angle, Jeff Scheen and your headliner, Amy Miller.
Sinbad at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 East Main St., St. Charles., 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Sirens at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 7:30 p.m. The country’s longest-running all female improv ensemble takes on life’s foibles in all their beauty and awkwardness. Saturdays through April 9.
Oh, Hello at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 7:30 p.m. Starring Gil Falzon and George St. Geegland who have brought their show from New York to Chicago for a week. If you squint and look carefully past the hair … could that be Nick Kroll and John Mulaney? Through March 24.
Paula Poundstone at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 8:00 p.m. Paula Poundstone is one of the quickest minds in comedy. If you’ve seen her on late night talk shows, you know few can keep up with her wit. Her lightning brain is one of the highlights of NPR’s Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me! She is also legendary for keeping her shows going as long for as long as she can riff. You will get more than your money’s worth and a very memorable evening from one of the best comedians of our generation. She recently announced on twitter that she is writing a second book which will come out next year. I highly recommend her first, too: There’s Nothing In This Book That I Meant to Say and her CDS and … well, everything!
Caryn Bark in The Queen and I at Ezra Habonim, 4500 Dempster St., Skokie, 8:00 p.m. The 7th Annual Purim Shpiel starring Caryn Bark in an original musical parody. Also March 20 and 27.
Katt Williams at UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine, 8:00 p.m. Katt Williams is also a rapper and actor with numerous television and film credits, including The Tracy Morgan Show, Friday After Next and My Wife and Kids. Controversial, high energy and volcanic, Katt Williams is known for his always fresh perspective. Interesting fact: he emancipated himself as a teenager and before he hit comic success, was a door-to-door salesman.
Ron White at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Ron White was one of the original members of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour.
The Yeah Buddy Awesome Time Comedy Show at Brainstorm Comics, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave., 8:30 p.m.
Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio Live at 12 Handles Ale House, 1827 Knapp Rd, Crest Hill, 8:30 p.m. With Xavier Lamont, Melissa Richelle, Marcos and Mark Johnson.
Schmitty B and Doc Lov at Jokes and Notes, 4641 S. King Dr., 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Adam Quesnell at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 10:00 p.m. Adam Quesnell’s bio says he is perpetually at odds with his cowardice, but he’s not afraid to be bold and innovative with his comedy. He mines topics and comes up with diamonds (literally and figuratively) and is the only person I ever heard of who designed an album in the shape of a keshi art toy and delivered internet orders to fans in person. He’s also not afraid to confessing to the hard parts of life or to comedic disruptions in all the places where we’re expected to conform.
SUNDAY, MARCH 20
Marc Salem’s Mind Over Chicago at The Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln, 3:30 p.m. Mentalist Marc Salem, who recently stunned the Windy City Live folks with his mindreading, mind-bending capabilities, does the same for the audience. Following this show there is a one-time only special panel, “How To Make People Think You’re The Smartest Person in the Room.” Panelists are some of my favorite creative minds: author Elaine Soloway (Division Street Princess, Green Nails and Other Acts of Rebellion, inspiration for Judith Light’s character on Transparent), Aaron Freeman (comedian, author, radio host, artist-in-residence at Chicago Council on Science and Technology) and Tim Kazurinsky (Second City, Saturday Night Live, BAFTA nominee, actor, writer).
Katt Williams at UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine, 7:00 p.m.
Rob Schneider at The Improv, 5 Woodfield Rd., Woodfield Mall Store K120B, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m.
Tom Papa at The City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Early show is sold out, but you can add your name to the wait list. Tom Papa’s television and film credits include The Jim Gaffigan Show, Inside Amy Schumer and Behind the Candelabra. He has been a nationally touring headliner for 20 years. He also hosts the podcast Come To Papa where his guests have included Carl Reiner, Mel Brooks, Ray Romano and Jerry Seinfeld.
Oh, Hello at Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 7:30 p.m. Starring Gil Falzon and George St. Geegland who have brought their show from New York to Chicago for a week. If you squint and look carefully past the hair … could that be Nick Kroll and John Mulaney? Through March 24.
Lola Balatro at Cole’s Bar, 2338 N. Milwaukee, 8:00 p.m. Which band is your next addiction? I’ve got the answer right here: Lola Balatro. The music, the comedy, the handsome badass rocker dudes. They’re firing on all cylinders at all times. If you already know them, you’re already hooked. Tonight they’ll be part of a line-up. On March 31, there’ll be a full length Lola Balatro performance at MCL.
Mom Genes at Windy City Inn, 2257 Irving Park Rd., 8:00 p.m. Mom Genes’ one-year anniversary show has a line-up worthy of a celebration: Danii Gallegos stops by as everyone’s favorite drunk aunt. Featuring Kris Simmons, Michael Timlin, Kaitlyn Grissom. Headliner: Cody Melcher.
Amy Miller at North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. Amy Miller was one of the highlights of the 2015 season of Last Comic Standing and a semi-finalist.
For Those Who Can’t at Under The Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 9:00 p.m. Showcase hosted by Maya Haughton and Allison Reese. “A performance showcase to shed light on racial injustice through empowering speech. Join us as we celebrate Women of Color in honor of Women’s History Month through comedic and dramatic storytelling, spoken word, improvisation and sketch performed by a diverse and talented lineup.”
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