March 24-26: Vir Das at The Improv. One of India’s most popular stand-up comics.
March 25-26: An Evening With Noel Fielding. From the mighty Mighty Boosh and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Noel Fielding brings his eclectic comic mix of stand-up, animation, music and storytelling to Thalia Hall.
March 26: Trevor Noah at The Chicago Theatre. The Daily Show host brings his stand-up to Chicago.
March 31-April 2: Dwayne Kennedy at Zanies in St. Charles. A major voice in political and social commentary, Dwayne Kennedy’s writing and on-air credits include Totally Biased with Kamau Bell, The Orlando Jones Show, The Arsenio Hall Show, comedy specials on Showtime and Comedy Central, late night appearances with David Letterman, Conan, and Jimmy Kimmel, and winning the top stand-up award at the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen. Check out his new album, Oh No, It’s Dwayne Kennedy!
March 31: The Lola Balatro Night of Unrelenting Splendor at MCL Chicago Comedy Theater. The music, the lyrics and the comedy are each on their own addictive and unforgettable. One of their tunes is my ringtone.
April 5: Andy Kindler at SPACE. Bob’s Burgers, Everybody Loves Raymond, Maron, too many late night appearances to count. In an interview with Splitsider, he talks about meeting Marc Maron at a misanthropes convention. Expect everyone, even fellow comedians, to be fair game. Wait, there’s a misanthrope’s convention? How unpleasant. Where do I sign up?
April 9: Wanda Sykes at The Chicago Theatre. This is how I almost died at a Wanda Sykes show. It was worth it.
April 14-June 26: The Producers at The Mercury Theater. The Mel Brooks classic.
April 16: Pete Holmes at The Vic. Special show and recording with the host of You Made It Weird and The Pete Holmes Show. Pete Holmes’ albums have consistently been named among the best by the A.V. Club. He’s about to star in a new show, Crashing, for HBO. He’s writing the pilot. Judd Apatow will direct. Not much information yet about this show at The Vic except that tickets go on sale 3/18 at 10 a.m.
April 18: The Dollop Podcast Live at Lincoln Hall. Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds’ podcast dissects “weird and disturbing [stories] about people and moments from our past.” Early show is already sold out!
April 19: Stand Up for Literacy at The Laugh Factory. In support of Open Books’ community reading and writing programs. Featuring Kelsie Huff, Adam Burke, Pat Tomasulo, Chris Bader, Lainie Lenertz, Sammy Arechar, Martin Morrow, a special guest and more TBA.
April 22-April 24: Bill Bellamy at The Improv. Known for very funny, generally clean, very relatable comedy. Interesting fact: lore has it he created the term “booty call.”
April 30: George Wendt and Dave Pasquesi at the Chicago Humanities Festival. “A master class in Chicago-style comedy and improv.”
April 30: Mary Louise Parker at Chicago Humanities Festival. The award-winning comic actress discusses her book Dear Mr. You.
April 30 – May 1: Aretha Sills Improv Workshop at Theater Wit Lab. Aretha Sills, a renowned improv instructor in her own right, is the daughter of Second City founder Paul Sills and the granddaughter of Viola Spolin, who created the theater games that inspired her son.
May 6-May 8: Loni Love at The Improv. Loni Love is an actress, television host and even a popular DJ on the Ellen Show. During her early years, she was an engineer by day, comedian by night. Look for her in Gary Marshall’s next film, Mother’s Day, which also features Chicago comedian Cameron Esposito.
May 10-May 15: John O’Hurley in Chicago at Cadillac Theater. Elaine’s boss from Seinfeld makes a gallant Billy Flynn.
May 13-May 15: Bruce Bruce at The Improv. I like to think that Chicago is the comedy capital, but the truth is Atlanta can also claim its share of comedy icons.
May 17, 19, 20: Carol Burnett at The Chicago Theater. Called “An Evening of Laughter and Reflection: Where the Audience Asks the Questions,” this show is an opportunity to re-visit one of the most beloved segments of the classic Carol Burnett Show. The show won 25 Emmys. Carol Burnett is also the recipient of Golden Globes, People’s Choice Awards, the Peabody, the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for Humor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and a SAG Life Achievement Award. She’ll publish a new volume of her memoirs in September, In Such Good Company.
June 1-June 5: A.V. Club/Onion Third Annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival. With Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan, Jessica Williams, Michael Che, Ian Abramson and more.
June 2-June 5: David Alan Grier at The Improv. This award-winning comedian of In Living Color, Comedy Bang! Bang!, The Carmichael Show, and many more, and author, is also a classically trained Shakespearian actor.
June 22: Seth McFarlane at Ravinia. Singing in his own voice. Most likely not as Peter, Stewie or Brian.
June 24-June 25: Mo’Nique at The Improv. In addition to her stand-up, Mo’Nique won thirty major acting awards for her role in Precious, including an Oscar.
July 21-July 24: The Comedy Exposition. A festival featuring the best of stand-up. First headliners announced via Twitter yesterday: they are Rhea Butcher and Kurt Braunohler.
August 19: Maria Bamford at The Athenaeum. No one tells the truth quite like Maria Bamford. Here is how I know this.