Visitors this week include Gary Gulman, Ahamed Weinberg, Arnez J, Colin Kane, John Porch, and Roman & Fousey. Chicagoans bringing their talent home from New York and LA: Katie Rich, Mick Betancourt and Ian Abramson
On August 11, tune in to NBC’s Seeso for the long-awaited series Take My Wife, the new comedy based-on-reality-show starring real life married couple Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher. They met as their comedy careers were taking off in Chicago. An exclusive free view of the premiere here. In more Cameron and Rhea news, you can see Cameron in Garry Marshall’s last film, Mother’s Day, now available on demand. Rhea’s debut album Butcher will be released on August 19th and is available for pre-order here.
Two comedy festivals this week:
The Skokie Crown Comedy Festival brings some of Chicago’s best stand-ups to the north suburbs.
Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773 features stand-up, improv, sketch, music and workshops.
Ticket alerts:
Thank you to my brother-in-law in the U.K. who sent me this fab tip: David Cross at Thalia Hall on August 20th. He’ll be here as part of The Modern School of Film’s In:Picture series where artists discuss the films that have inspired and impacted their lives. For David Cross it’s Quadrophenia, American Beauty and Her. Tickets and more info here.
Hannibal Buress returns home for a show at The Chicago Theatre on September 14th. Tickets and more info here.
Following is this week’s spotlight. Please click above on “Comedy Each Day of the Week” for a listing of regular weekly shows and confirm all details before heading out!
MONDAY, AUGUST 8
The Riff at The Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, 7:00 p.m. A unique open mic now co-hosted by the kates. This week’s hosts are Mona Aburmishan and Kate Sumpter. Comedians get a surprise prompt and create four minutes of material on the spot.
Sadsacks and Wisecracks at High Hat Club, 1920 W. Irving Park Rd., 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Natalie Jose. Featuring Ahamed Weinberg, Derek Smith, Mickey Housley, Paige Weldon, Logan Guntzelman and Finn Straley. Music by Matt Crews.
Roseanne for President at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St., 8:00 p.m. Through Thursday.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9
Detention Hall: Summer Finale at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 6:30 p.m. Comedy by Ricky Gonzalez (Comedians You Should Know), plus storytelling by Christina Brandon, music by Gillian Falknor and Adam Cohen-Leadholm, along with Phil Rockrohr and the Lifters.
Hella Immaculate at Volumes Bookcafé, 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave., 7:30 p.m. A monthly showcase hosted by Dave Maher (The Dave Maher Coma Show) and sidekick/announcer, John O’Toole. Headliner: Kristen Toomey, who is about to film an hour-long special. Featuring Meaghan Strickland, Odinaka Od Ezeokoli, Nicky Martin, Tien Tran, and Nate Varrone.
Fool Me Twice, Déjà Vu at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 11:00 p.m. The 104th Main Stage Revue. The Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones called it “exceptionally funny” and “Second City like you’ve never seen it before.” Tickets sell out fast. Check site for additional shows throughout the week.
A Red Line Runs Through It at Second City’s e.t.c. Theater, 1608 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The e.t.c.’s 40th Revue “rides the rails of Chicago in order to answer life’s tough questions.” Chris Jones called it “an admirably fearless” look at our city. Tuesday-Sunday.
Mick Betancourt at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 7:30 p.m. Mick Betancourt is a Chicagoan now living in LA where he’s known for his stand-up and also for writing and producing Chicago Fire, Law And Order: SVU, The Black Donnellys and Chicago PD. His comedy has been featured on Comedy Central, NBC and HBO. His podcast, The Mick Betancourt Show, is available on iTunes.
[LAST SHOW] Show & Tell at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:30 p.m. Performance followed by an audience Q&A covering any and all aspects of improv.
Chicago Underground Comedy’s Summer Series at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. Fresh off its successful Planned Parenthood fundraiser last week (over $2,000!) ChuC tonight presents Jeanie Doogan, Joseph William Reese, Tyler Snodgrass and Max Walter. Also, Actual Murderers and surprise drop-ins.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10
The Sidesplitter: Last Chance at Laugh Out Loud Theater, 3851 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. “Funny stories with funny people.” Tonight Megan Farris, Nestor Gomez, Corey Hebein, Jin Kim, Jeremy Schaefer and Mike Zhilev. Theme: salad days.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 Fairbanks Court, 9:00 p.m. Martin Morrow hosts Sean Flannery, Ricky Gonzalez, Danny Kallas, Xavier Lamont, Paige Weldon and Ken Witzgall.
Dave Maher II presents My Favorite Things: A Mixtape at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont Ave., 9:30 p.m. “Dave curates and MCs the live comedy equivalent of a hip-hop mixtape, featuring past and present bits from his favorite Chicago comedians and a couple deep cuts of his own, including his minorly infamous ‘Truth, Tomato, or Strip’ bit.” Dave Maher II is a summer series and a different show each week.
TJ & Dave at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Long form improv by internationally renowned legends TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi who “improvise a one-hour play filled with elaborately imagined characters whose relationships reveal the wildly funny quirks of human nature.” TJ & Dave have inspired both a book (Improvisation at the Speed of Life) and a movie (Trust Us, This is all Made Up).
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11
Stand Up Soiree at The Montgomery Club, 500 W. Superior, 6:00 p.m. A benefit for the Illinois Holocaust Museum featuring Gary Gulman. When it comes to deep comedy dives, he’s a gold medalist. He finds every possible gem in a topic, even the ones that should be impossible, but not for the mind of this comic Olympian. He was one of the most entertaining comedians to watch on Season 2 of Last Comic Standing where he finished third (after John Heffron and Alonzo Boden) and Season 3 (he came in fifth). I love Last Comic Standing, but the three-minute television format couldn’t completely showcase what he does – which is lay out an absurd comedy landscape and visit every attraction. He’s one of my favorite tour guides of all time. Being mindful of the benefit, here’s the delicate art of Holocaust humor and an example of why the The New York Times said, Gary Gulman “is finally being recognized as one of the country’s strongest comedians.”
Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Thursday – Sunday. Follow link for details. Features, stand-up, improv, sketch, music comedy and workshops throughout the weekend.
Skokie Crown Comedy Festival at The Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, 7:30 p.m. Thursday thru Saturday. “Twenty-four comedians compete in a tournament-style showcase over three days for a chance to win the coveted title. Audience votes determine who advances to Best of Show, and which Best of Show performer takes home the Skokie Comedy Crown.”
Tonight is set 1: Ricky Gonzalez, John Howard, Laura Hugg, Xavier LaMont, Rachel McCartney and Brett Walkow. Hosted by Kaitlyn Grissom.
Colin Kane at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 7:30 p.m. From the shrapnel tornado school of comedy. As quoted in Laughspin in 2012, “Some people might call me an insult comic. Those people can go fuck themselves.” Check out that article on the controversial comedy of Colin Kane. He’s got his share of fans and detractors. Fans will be happy he’s at the Laugh Factory through Sunday.
[LAST THREE WEEKENDS] Unelectable You: The Second City’s Completely Unbiased Political Revue at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Thursdays thru Sundays. “Wouldn’t you like to take this whole election process and rip it apart with your bare hands? Why not let Second City and Slate do it for you!”
Messing with a Friend 10th Anniversary Show at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 10:30 p.m. TJ Jagodowski joins Susan Messing for this milestone show. A rare opportunity to see two of Chicago’s funniest, most inventive and best known improvisers together.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 12
Arnez J Interview on Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio, 8:15 a.m. Follow the link or download the Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio app to hear Tony Carr and Steve Touhy interview Arnez J, this weekend’s headliner at the Improv.
Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Thursday – Sunday Follow link for details. Stand-up, improv, sketch, music comedy and workshops throughout the weekend.
the kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln, 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s all-female comedy troupe created by Kelsie Huff. Tonight: Sarah Bright, LeeAnn Yops, Ines Bellina, Lisa Peters, Heidi Butler, Katie Oliver, Adrienne Gunn, Lilly Allison, Doris McTyre, Jenny Epstein and host Soli Santos
Skokie Crown Comedy Festival at The Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Thru Saturday. “Twenty-four comedians compete in a tournament-style showcase over three days for a chance to win the coveted title. Audience votes determine who advances to Best of Show, and which Best of Show performer takes home the Skokie Comedy Crown.” The competition continues with:
Set 2 at 7:00 p.m.: Amanda Cohen, Matt Drufke, Wayne Mell and David Phillips. Hosted by Kaitlyn Grissom.
Set 3 at 9:00 p.m.: Bill Bullock, Adam Burke, Kristin Clifford, Elizabeth Gomez and Zach Peterson. Hosted by Kaitlyn Grissom.
Joan and Ro at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Joan and Ro are long time friends and improv colleagues Katie Rich (SNL, iO) and Holly Laurent (Second City Mainstage, iO Harold Team The Reckoning).
Arnez J at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Arnez J is at the Improv from Friday-Sunday.
Breakfast for Dinner at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 8:00 p.m. Produced by the Late Late Breakfast folks, this showcase features as always, free pancakes and also comedians who have written new material which will center around one theme TBA. “Weirdness and spontaneity” are encouraged. Tonight: Steven King, Jeff Arcuri, Rebecca Loeser, Kristin Clifford, Marty DeRosa, Sarah Squirm and Carma Nibarger.
John Porch Album Recording at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. John Porch is flying in from New York to record his album at WIP.
Black Friday: We Have a Dream at The Revival, 1160 E. 55th St., 9:30 p.m. The Martin Luther Kings of Comedy with special guests: Adrienne Brandyburg, Ashaki Howard (Spoken Word), Ed Towns and Denny Love. Headliner: Joel Boyd. Musical guest: 3rd Dimension. Hosted by Jayson Acevedo.
Liquid Courage at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 10:30 p.m. Fridays thru August 26. A cast of characters including Bloody Mary and Fireball are back at Second City by popular demand. Cast: Katherine Biskupic, Terrence Carey, Leah Frires, Katie Nixon, Mollie Rehner, Lee Russell.
Work in Progress at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. A one-woman show by Abby McEnany about figuring out life on a daily basis. Chicago Magazine said Abby McEnany combines “the superhuman energy of Molly Shannon or Cheri Oteri of Saturday Night Live fame with the downright strangeness of Jim Carrey, all leavened with the sweetness of Gilda Radner.” Also August 19 and September 2.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Thursday – Sunday Follow link for details. Stand-up, improv, sketch, music comedy and workshops throughout the weekend.
Special mention: Steve Gadlin’s Star Makers at 4:00 p.m. Created and hosted by a Chicago comic mastermind, this variety show airs nationally, but you can see it live this afternoon. Steve is also the creator of Impress These Apes, The Nairobi Project, Don’t Spit the Water (Kickstarter’s first successful television pilot) and “I Want to Draw a Cat for You” (as seen on Shark Tank). Steve Gadlin’s Star Makers is inspired by old-school cable TV talent shows and features “tomorrow’s stars of Hollywood and/or Broadway. Performers of common and obscure talents take the stage to delight and confuse …”
Skokie Crown Comedy Festival at The Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, 4:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Last day! “Twenty-four comedians compete in a tournament-style showcase over three days for a chance to win the coveted title. Audience votes determine who advances to Best of Show, and which Best of Show performer takes home the Skokie Comedy Crown.”
Set 4 ‘High Fiber’ Division at 4:00 p.m.: Larry Bloom, Valerie Jencks, Michelle Krajecki, Ricky March, Denise Medina, John Petlicki and Patty Vaccarella. Hosted by Jan Slavin.
Set 5 at 7:00 p.m.: Peter-John Byrnes, Seth Davis, Jeanie Doogan, Danny Kallas. Hosted by Kaitlyn Grissom.
Best of Show at 9:00 p.m.
Therapy Players at Open Door Theater, 902 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s all psycho-therapist improv troupe.
Bell Hop at Virgin Hotels Chicago, 203 N. Wabash, 9:00 p.m. Free. Ian Abramson returns to his comedy hometown with a stand-up show featuring Calvin Evans, Fran Hoepfner (Chicago Magazine’s Best Rising Comic of 2016), Jeff Arcuri, Zach Peterson, Stephanie Weber, Christina Boucher, and more TBA.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Thursday – Sunday Follow link for details. Stand-up, improv, sketch, music comedy and workshops. Last day!
Roman vs. Fousey at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., 6:00 p.m. The YouTube pranksters embark on an international tour of onstage challenges and comedy.
Tuxedo Cat Comedy at Innertown Pub, 1935 W. Thomas, 7:00 p.m. Featuring Adam Burke (Chicago Reader‘s Best Stand-Up, panelist: Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!), Rebecca V. O’Neal (Laugh Factory’s Top 10 host, Producer of Congrats on Your Success, opens for Maria Bamford), Miles Hendrix (Laugh Factory, EPIC Fest, Chicago Comedy Expo) and Liz Ziner (Producer and host of Stand Up Stand Up, Milwaukee Comedy Festival). Hosted by TCC producers Rebecca Fass and David Philips, plus surprise guests.
LOL Comedy Cruise boarding from Navy Pier, 7:00 p.m. LOL stands for “Laughs on the Lake.” Hosted by Darren Georgia. With Martin Morrow, Syndey Andeniyi and Jesnaira Baez.
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