Who’s coming to Chicago this week? It’s a doozy of a list: BATSU!, Jane Lynch, Kevin James, Jeff Ross, Adam Cayton-Holland, Colin Jost, Eddie Huang, Jacob Williams, Marlon Wayons, Clint Coley, Jess Salomon, Eman El Husseini, Andrew Dice Clay, and Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement a/k/a Flight of the Conchords.
Speaking of coming to Chicago …
The 5th Annual Chicago Women’s Funny Festival begins this week. Four hundred performers from all over the globe in eighty shows in four days! See below for a link to the details and impossible decisions.
On Comedy Central’s @midnight this Tuesday: the hilarious Matteo Lane, who got his comedy start in Chicago.
Happy Father’s Day! The second season of The Jim Gaffigan Show airs Sunday at 9:00 p.m. on TV Land. Plenty of time to recover from brunch at Second City.
If something catches your eye, please check out the venue’s other offerings. So much going on every night of the week. What’s listed here is just a fraction of everything I wish I could do if I could be anywhere and do anything and everything. Please confirm all details before setting out!
MONDAY, JUNE 13
Eddie Huang and Brian Babylon at The Chop Shop, 2033 W. North Ave., 7:00 p.m. Eddie Huang is the celebrity chef whose memoirs, Fresh Off The Boat, inspired ABC’s sitcom of the same name. He is here to celebrate the books’ sequel, Double Cup Love. He’ll be interviewed by Chicago comedian Brian Babylon (Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!, Windy City Live).
Sadsacks and Wisecracks at High Hat Club, 1920 W. Irving Park Rd., 8:00 p.m. Free showcase. Tonight is the Super Talent Show Edition. Hosted by Natalie Jose with Nicky Martin, Blake Burkhart, Steven King, Liz Ziner, Rebecca Loeser and Erin Crotheer.
100 Proof Comedy at Comedy Sportz, 929 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. America’s Got Talent & Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out’s Jacob Williams. Featuring Bill Bullock, with Krish Mohan, Gena Gephart, Jerry Tran, Dane Arden, and host Casey Larwood.
TUESDAY, JUNE 14
Cocktail Comedy at House of Blues Foundation Room, 329 N. Dearborn, 7:00 p.m. With Tim Barnes, Adam Burke, Taneshia Rice, Jeff Arcuri and Danny Kallas. Only a few more opportunities to see Tim Barnes before he leaves us for New York!
Hella Immaculate at Volumes Bookcafe, 1474 N. Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m. Premiere of this monthly showcase hosted by Dave Maher (Dave Maher Coma Show) at Chicago’s newest independent bookstore. Tonight features Marty DeRosa, Cameron Gillette, Shannon Noll, Deanna Ortiz, AJ Lubecker, Meaghan Strickland, and announcer John O’Toole.
Flat Iron Comedy at 1579 N. Milwaukee, 3rd Floor, 7:30 p.m. Rotating casts of house-and guest-improv teams, plus stand-up, music, storytelling and more. Admission is pay what you can. All donations go to the performers. Every Tuesday and Wednesday night.
Heels Over Head at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. The premiere of this monthly “physical variety show.” Each week highlights a different comedic feat: expect circus skills, puppets, clowns, physical theater and more.
Snack Attack presents Dave Helem and Gummy Bears at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln, 8:00 p.m. Headliner: Dave Helem. Hosted by Prateek Srivastava. Featuring Jamie Carbone, Cleveland Anderson, Joe Fernandez and your snack, Gummy Bears.
The Comedy Bowl at Diversey River Bowl, 2211 W. Diversey. 8:00 p.m. A night of stand-up and trivia hosted by Mona Aburmishan. This week’s theme: Happy BirthGay celebrating one year of marriage equality. Featuring Jan Slavin, Zach McGowan, Jess Salomon and Eman El Husseini.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. Chicago Underground Comedy launched the careers of many of today’s best loved comedians. ChUC’s hot summer series continues with Meredith Kachel, Melody Kamali, Sarah Sherman, Bobby Condon and Kelsie Huff. Also: Actual Murderers and you never know whether surprise guests will pop in for a set.
Plus there’s this: “THIS summer we are building up to the TWENTY FIRST ANNIVERSARY of the movie Se7en with a weekly “WHAT’S IN THE BOX” raffle. Before the show for every $1.00 you get 1 piece of paper to write your name on … we’ll pick ONE winner to go home with not only the memories of a killer show… but whatever is in our mystery box that night.”
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15
Larry Reeb at Zanies, MB Financial Place, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Uncle Lar, one of Chicago’s most iconic comedians (“It’s a sick world and I’m a happy guy”) has shows this week through Saturday. Check site for all show times.
The Untold Love Story of Bill and Hillary at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:30 p.m. Grace Perry and Lyndsay Rush have written this behind-the-scenes scoop. Starring Damian Anaya, Emily Clouse, Shelby Plummer and Micah Sterenberg. Wednesdays through June 29.
Colin Jost at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. The host of Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update. Shows tonight through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks, 9:00 p.m. Recognized nationally as one of the top stand-up venues in the city. Site of many comedy album recordings. Andy Fleming hosts Lisa Curry, Danny Kallas, Ross Kelly, Martin Morrow, Jacob Williams
TJ & Dave at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Internationally renowned improv greats TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi improvise a one-hour play every Wednesday. See the movie and see them live every Wednesday! Never the same show twice.
THURSDAY, JUNE 16
Backlot Bash Comedy Night at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 6:00 p.m. Come celebrate Backlot Bash in honor of Chicago’s Pride Month. Takes place over two weekends with the first weekend at The Laugh Factory. Here’s the great line-up so far: Kelsie Huff, Gwen La Roka and headliner Gina Yashere who was such a memorable stand-out on Last Comic Standing and has too many international appearances, TV credits and accolades to list. (But you can find some of them here.)
Kevin James at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, 7:00 p.m. Kevin James is known for his stand-up and starring role as Doug Heffernan in The King of Queens and for the Paul Blart films, Grown Ups 1 and 2, The Zookeeper, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and more. Interesting facts: Kevin James is his stage name. His original last name is Knipfing. He was a wrestler in high school alongside classmate Mick Foley.
BATSU! at Kamehachi, 1531 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The hit Japanese-style comedy game show created by Face Off Unlimited comes to Chicago to serve all manner of antics, contests, giant chickens and surprises with your dinner. Repeatedly sold out in New York. Find out why the show is called BATSU! (“punishment”) and experience this singular, electrifying (sometimes literally electrifying) performance.
The 5th Annual Chicago Women’s Funny Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. A festival celebrating all forms of comedy featuring women from Chicago and around the globe. Too many great acts and performers to list! Follow the link for the calendar and list of shows. Through Sunday.
Jeff Ross’s Roast Battle at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. Referee: Brian Moses. A bracket-style roast competition featuring some of Chicago’s best stand-ups and roast masters such as Sean Flannery and Sean White and of course the roast master- master himself, Jeff Ross. If you’re intrigued by Jeff Ross and wonder about the personality behind the insult battle, check out his book, I Only Roast The Ones I Love. It’s one of the best comedy memoirs.
Colin Jost at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. The host of Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update. Shows tonight through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
ALL CAPS at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:00 p.m. This is a brand new show running on Fridays through July 21 (no show on 6/30) with extraordinary creators and cast. It’s a real feast of Chicago innovation and a new concept merging the styles of iO and New York’s UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade). The creators of the show are improv legends TJ Jagodowski (TJ and Dave) and Peter Gwinn (The Colbert Report, Baby Wants Candy.) Their star cast: Christina Boucher, Peter Collins, Sarah Dell’Amico, Peter Gwinn, Shantira Jackson, TJ Jagodowski, Mike Jimerson, Laurel Krabacher, Danny Mora, Jeff Murdoch, Dewayne Perkins, Emma Pope, Allison Ringhand, Jo Scott, and Craig Uhlir.
To kick the evening off, one audience member will be invited to rant or rave about any topic they choose. The cast will turn that passion into long-form improvisation.
Messing with a Friend at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 10:30 p.m. Susan Messing has been named “Improviser of the Year” at The Chicago Improv Festival, “Best Improviser” by The Chicago Reader and “The Funniest Woman in Chicago” by Chicago Magazine. Tonight’s guest: Shantira Jackson who is a castmember of Second City’s Afro-Futurism, a writer for Cards Against Humanity, and a member of iO’s 3Peat and ALL CAPS productions.
FRIDAY, JUNE 17
Marlon Wayans Interview on Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio, 8:20 a.m. Tony Carr and Steve Touhy interview this week’s Improv headliner. Follow the link or take CCSR with you by downloading the app! You’ll have access to great Chicago comedy 24 hours a day!
Funny Ha-Ha at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 6:30 p.m. A unique event bringing together comedians, journalists, storytellers and live lit. Tonight features Claire Zulkey, Keith Ecker, Carly Oishi, Jeremy Owens, Ines Bellina, Rosamund Lannin, Jill Howe and Amy Sumpter.
See Jane Sing at The Lyric Opera, 20 N. Upper Wacker Dr., 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jane Lynch returns to her hometown for a musical extravaganza spanning everything from Fiddler on the Roof to Nicki Minaj. She’ll be joined by The Office’s Kate Flannery and Glee’s vocal director, Tim Davis. Jane Lynch grew up in the Chicago area (Evergreen Park) and is an alum of Steppenwolf, Second City and The Annoyance. One of her famous early Chicago appearances was as Carol in The Real Live Brady Bunch. She went on to international fame as a member of Christopher Guest’s ensemble and of course, as Sue Sylvester on Glee. Tonight and Saturday. Early show tonight is already sold out!
The 5th Annual Chicago Women’s Funny Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. A festival celebrating all forms of comedy featuring women from Chicago and around the globe. Too many great acts and performers to list! Follow the link for the calendar and list of shows. Through Sunday.
The Ben Hecht Show at The Noyes Cultural Center’s Piven Theatre, 927 Noyes St., Evanston, 8:00 p.m. This world premiere is written and performed by playwright and Second City alum James Sherman. The renowned screenwriter Ben Hecht will tell you “everything you need to know about show business, Jews and anti-Semites. With jokes.” Follow link for all show times through July 17.
Marlon Wayans at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Tonight and Saturday. Interesting fact: Marlon Wayans was originally supposed to play Robin in Batman Forever. When Joel Schumacher took over directing from Tim Burton he went with Chris O’Donnell instead. Here‘s a great interview where Marlon Wayans revealed the real reason for the switch.
Colin Jost at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The host of Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update. Shows tonight through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
TK Kirkland at Jokes and Notes, 4641 S. King Drive, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Shows through Sunday.
Jamie Brew’s The Program at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 9:00 p.m. I don’t even know how to get onto Google Chrome half the time, so I’ll let someone else explain this: “The Program is a show written using a computer script that mimics predictive text. For four Fridays in June at iO, a small team of actors and artists will present an hour of drama culled from this program’s cold, digital mind.” Cast: Sameena Mustafa, Rose Boyle, Nicky Martin, Will Meinen and Nate Varrone.
Will You Accept This Rose? at Under The Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 9:00 p.m. “An improvised parody of The Bachelor weekly through July 29 (no show June 24). Each week will feature a bachelor from the actual television series or one of Chicago’s most eligible bachelors. This week: Ed Swiderski, the winner of The Bachelorette, Season 5 (winner of Jillian’s season, although he is now married to Good Day, Chicago host Natalie Bomke).
Dope Ass Comedy Show at @ North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. Produced and hosted by Dave Helem with Tim Barnes, Becca Brown, Adam Burke, Matty Ryan and special guests. This is a great line-up with some of Chicago’s most cerebral and innovative stand-ups. Tim Barnes in one of his last Chicago shows before he moves to New York! Go see him while we can!
Sean White at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 10:00 p.m. Sean White has rave reviews from around the country. He tackles life’s obstacles and even devastation in a way that makes everyone confident it’s survivable unless you die laughing. Tonight and Saturday.
Work In Progress at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. The premiere of Abby McEnany’s one-woman show. This show is a follow up to Abby’s They’re Not All Winners! and looks at how life means you got to be figuring it out on a daily basis.
SATURDAY, JUNE 18
The 5th Annual Chicago Women’s Funny Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 4:30 p.m. A festival celebrating all forms of comedy featuring women from Chicago and around the globe. Too many great acts and performers to list! Follow the link for the calendar and list of shows. Today’s shows start early and continue late. Through Sunday.
You’re Being Ridiculous: Pride Show at Women & Children First, 5233 N. Clark, 7:00 p.m. Funny, true storytelling at one of the city’s most famous and excellent bookstores featuring Ada Cheng, Ricardo Gamboa, LeVan D. Hawkins, Melody Kamali, Randy Kim, Morgan McNaught, Jeremy Owens, C. Russell Price, Rachel Simon and Jeremy Owens.
Marlon Wayans at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, 9:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
Colin Jost at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. The host of Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update.
See Jane Sing at The Lyric Opera, 20 N. Upper Wacker Dr., 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Jane Lynch returns to her hometown for a musical extravaganza spanning everything from Fiddler on the Roof to Nicki Minaj. She’ll be joined by The Office’s Kate Flannery and Glee’s vocal director, Tim Davis. Jane Lynch grew up in the Chicago area (Evergreen Park) and is an alum of Steppenwolf, Second City and The Annoyance. One of her famous early Chicago appearances was as Carol in The Real Live Brady Bunch. She went on to international fame as a member of Christopher Guest’s ensemble and of course, as Sue Sylvester on Glee.
Andrew Dice Clay at The Copernicus Center, 5216 W, Lawrence, 8:00 p.m. His debut album had a warning and he’s sold out Madison Square Garden. Andrew Dice Clay has since expanded his career to acting and was a memorable addition to Woody Allen’s Blue Jasmine. He currently stars in Showtime’s Dice, a partly true mockumentary.
Adam Cayton-Holland at @ North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. “Adam Cayton-Holland is a national touring headliner who was named one of 25 “Comics to Watch” by Esquire Magazine and one of “10 Comics to Watch” by Variety. Along with his co-horts in the Denver-based comedy crew The Grawlix, Adam created, writes and stars in truTV’s Those Who Can’t, in which Adam plays Spanish teacher and bon vivant Loren Payton. He has also appeared on Conan, The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, Happy Endings, Hidden America, The Pete Holmes Show and @midnight.”
Guest List at Anciens Cycle, 688 N. Milwaukee Ave., 8:30 p.m. Produced and hosted by Rebecca O’Neal. Headliner: Abi Sanchez.
Special Father’s Day Weekend Show with TK Kirkland at Jokes and Notes, 4641 S. King Drive, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Shows through Sunday. Hosted by Chastity Washington. Featuring Brandi Denise.
Sean White at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 10:00 p.m. Sean White has rave reviews from around the country. He tackles life’s obstacles and even devastation in a way that makes everyone confident it’s survivable unless you die laughing.
We Still Like You at a secret backyard location, 10:00 p.m. “We Still Like You is all about conquering shame. Because if we’re all assholes, none of us are. Every show is BYOB and free beer is always provided so that every story can be followed with a hearty chant of, ‘WE STILL LIKE YOU!'” Please visit the Facebook page here where you can message the WSLY folks for the location.
Porn Minus Porn at Under the Theater, 956 W. Newport, 10:30 p.m. Real scripts, just the dialogue. So what will you hear? You don’t know and neither do the actors … until showtime. Creator Ben Bowman keeps the script a secret until then. He says, “When a line is so stupid that our actors start laughing, the audience inevitably follows along. It’s a ticking time bomb of laughter and I know exactly when it’s going to explode.” Recommended by Redeye, The Chicago Reader and New City Stage.
SUNDAY, JUNE 19
Second City’s Sunday Bloody Mary Sunday Brunch at Second City’s UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., 10:30 a.m. Brunch then comedy. Check site for a fabulous brunch menu beyond imagination (think extravaganza of waffles and much more).
[LAST DAY!] The 5th Annual Chicago Women’s Funny Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 2:00 p.m. A festival celebrating all forms of comedy featuring women from Chicago and around the globe. Too many great acts and performers to list! Shows start early today and continue into the evening. Follow the link for the calendar and list of shows.
Flight of the Conchords with Eugene Mirman at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, 7:00 p.m. As predicted in an earlier ticket alert, this show is sold out. But including it just in case you can find a way.
Special Father’s Day Weekend Show with TK Kirkland at Jokes and Notes, 4641 S. King Drive, 8:00 p.m. Host: Chastity Washington. Featuring Brandi Denise.
Clint Coley at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Clint Coley takes time out from touring with D.L. Hughley to visit Chicago.
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