In town this week: Ryan Dalton, Brad Wenzel, Monroe Martin, Ryan de la Garza, Guy Torry and the Trailer Park Boys‘ Randy and Mr. Lahey. John Roy returns to his comedy hometown. Gayco, one of Chicago’s most successful sketch groups, celebrates its twentieth anniversary with the return of several ensemble members.
In the news:
Chicagoan Kyle Kinane’s latest hour-long special, Loose in Chicago, airs this Saturday at 11:00 p.m. on Comedy Central. Some topics: open-carry, battling gout and ketchup on hotdogs. This show was recorded at The Metro.
Ticket alerts!
Jane Lynch will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy from the Chicago Comedy Film Festival on opening night, November 10.
Jerrod Carmichael will be at UP Comedy Club on November 18 and 19.
If you missed the Young Frankenstein screening with Mel Brooks’ live tribute to Gene Wilder, there is a nationwide encore presentation on October 18.
The Chicago Theatre announced some big happenings:
Jerry Seinfeld: December 8 and 9.
John Cleese and a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail on January 22.
Jim Jefferies on January 27.
Following is this week’s spotlight. Please confirm all details before heading out. Thank you to the Chicago comedy community and thank you for reading and helping me share the word.
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 10
The Feminist Happy Hour: Comedy Showcase and Pahty at The Whistler, 2421 N. Milwaukee Ave., 6:30 p.m. Every second Monday. Tonight: Life of the Pahty creator Shanna Shrum, Marla Depew, Elizabeth Gomez, Sameena Mustafa, Stefania Rudd and Julia Weiss. Hosted by Alicia Swiz.
The Kates host The Riff at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley Ave., 7:00 p.m. A daredevil open mic where comics draw a topic on the spot and then go! Hosted by the always fabulous kates. Tonight’s kates cast is Denise Medina and Mona Aburmishan.
Shaman Noodles at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. “A one-woman journey into the center of her own universe.” Written and performed by Lyndsay Hailey.
Camp: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:00 p.m. This free showcase hosted by Tessa Orzech and Samantha Berkman is getting rave reviews. Tonight the hosts are promising big news plus stand-up by Rebecca O’Neal, Ralph LaGuerre, Claire Swanson, Noah Rocklin and Joel Boyd.
100 Proof Comedy at Comedy Sportz, 929 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Headliner: The Nightly Show’s Felonious Munk. Featuring Lainie Lenertz, Kristin Ryan, Patrick McManus and Kaitlyn Grissom. Hosted by Dane Arden.
The End is Nigh at Crowd Theater, 3935 N. Broadway, 10:00 p.m. Mondays in October and November. “A dystopian comedy show.”
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11
Hella Immaculate at Volumes Bookcafé, 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave., 7:30 p.m. Dave Maher and sidekick John O’Toole host Nicky Martin, Bobby Condon, Alex Kumin, Blake Burkhart, Danny Catlow and Steven King. Headliner: Kellye Howard.
Snack Attack Presents Derek Smith and Peanut Butter Cookies at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Rudy Schultz. Featuring Bill Gevirtz, David Freeburg and Ross Kelly with headliner Derek Smith.
Fool Me Twice, Déjà Vu at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 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.
Lola Balatro at Chicago Underground Comedy, Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. The best com-rock you’ll ever hear. Plus stand-up TBA. Interview with Lola Balatro here.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12
EPIC Fest at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 8:00 p.m. In its eighth year, EPIC Fest features over thirty local and nationally touring comedians through October 16th. Follow link for all performers and show times.
Ryan Dalton at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. Thru Saturday. Follow link for all times. Ryan Dalton is originally from Cleveland and lives in LA. He is a regular on the Bob and Tom Radio Show. His television credits include Live at Gotham, Sullivan and Son and Comedy Central’s Roast of Charlie Sheen (as a writer).
Brad Wenzel at Zanies, MB Financial Park, 5437 Park Place, 8:00 p.m. Brad Wenzel is the 2015 winner of the Great American Comedy Festival.
Monroe Martin at Zanies, 1547 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Thru Sunday. Follow link for all times.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks, 9:30 p.m. $5 online, $10 at the door. Hosted tonight by Ricky Gonzalez.
Battle States at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 10:00 p.m. Every first and second Wednesday. Three comedians from two different states battle to prove their state is the funniest. Audience decides.
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, OCTOBER 13
John Roy at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, 8:00 p.m. Shows thru Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
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. Thursday-Sunday.
Just Dickin’ Around Showcase: Three-Year Extravaganza at Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, 8:30 p.m. Open mic/showcase hybrid begins at 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 show and free pizza. Tonight is hosted by JDA producer Scott Duff. Featuring Krista Atkinson (JDA producer), Mike Barton, Adam Bindert, Marla Depew (JDA member) and Elyse Nylin. Interview with JDA here!
In Falsitas Veritas with Cody Melcher at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 9:00 p.m. “A comedian’s attempt to discover the mythological beast known as truth – if it even exists.”
Messing with a Friend at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 10:30 pm. This is a show where the improvisers morph from character to character before your eyes. Believable and magical at the same time. A little bit dangerous, too. Anything can happen. Susan Messing was named “Best Improviser” by the Reader and “Improviser of the Year” at the Chicago Improv Festival. Tonight’s friend is Mark Belden, a Second City director and cast member for nearly thirty years.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s all-female comedy showcase produced by Kelsie Huff. Tonight is hosted by Whitney LaMora Currier. Featuring Ruth Kaufman, Mallory Bradford, Colleen Brennan, KT Speetzen, Portia Turner, Shanna Shrum, Allyssa Bujdoso and Kristin Ryan.
The Lincoln Lodge at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. The Lincoln Lodge is known for the comedians it helped launch: Cameron Esposito, Hannibal Buress and TJ Miller and more. Always high quality comedy with local and visiting performers. Dedicated to making comedy available to everyone: you decide what to pay.
Fuck Trump: A Collection of Songs to Show What a Horrible Person Donald Trump Is at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8: 00 p.m. Directed by Mick Napier. Through November 11.
Guy Torry at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. Shows thru Sunday. Follow link for all times.
Bad People, Good Comedy at Seven Bar and Restaurant, 400 E. Randolph, 7th Floor, 8:30 p.m. Free show. Stand-up from Meghana Indurti, Tyler Fowler, Kristin Fenchak, Josh Otusanya and Cameron Gillette. Hosted by Danny Kirschner. Music by Debonair Status.
Friday Night Fudge at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:30 p.m. The acclaimed Friday Night Fudge has moved to iO. Fudge is Damian Anaya, Tim Lyons, Vince Portacci, and Dan White. Music, comedy and a different iO Harold team each week. No two shows the same.
Randy and Mr. Lahey at Bottom Lounge, 1375 W. Lake St., 9:00 p.m. From The Trailer Park Boys, Randy and Mr. Lahey present “a silly, sexist, drunken hour and a half of songs and skits, audience participation, profanity, Shakespeare, and general hilarity.”
Funked Up Friday at Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 10:00 p.m. Finish the week and start the weekend with this party hosted by AJ Lubecker.
Doppelganger at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. One night only. Top secret cast featuring improvisers and their doppelgangers.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15
Gayco 20th Anniversary Show: Gay for Play at Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 7:30 p.m. One of Chicago’s longest running sketch ensembles. “A one-night-only event that will feature GayCo luminaries from past and present performing the best scenes, songs, tributes and memories from GayCo’s two decades of game-changing LGBTQ sketch comedy.” Starring past and present ensemble including Andy Eninger, Butch Jerinic, Homer Marrs, John Loos, Mandy Price, Robin Treviño Clay Goodpasture, Kathy Betts, Martin Garcia (Black-ish, The Mindy Project), Jim Bennett (LAMDA Legal, Chicago Gay Hall of Fame member) and Celeste Pechous (Hot in Cleveland, Workaholics, Stranger Than Fiction). Hosted by Clay Goodpasture. Also featuring a tribute to Judy Fabjance, one of Gayco’s founding members, who passed away this summer.
Smokin Hott Brains at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:30 p.m. Starring Mollie Rehner and Katie Nixon. Directed by Jill Valentine. This cerebral sketch show resolves “the world’s biggest battle: head vs. heart.”
Cupid Has a Heart On at Stage 773, 1225 W.Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s longest running musical sketch comedy show. Funny and real. Perfect for Sweetest Day.
Defiant Thomas Brothers at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., 10:30 p.m. Saturdays thru November 19. The Defiant Thomas Brothers are back!! The Chicago Tribune’s Chris Jones said DTB rival Key & Peele. A behind-the-scenes talk with Seth and Paul here.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16
Stand Up for Pits at Laugh Factory at 3175 N. Broadway, 7:30 p.m. A benefit to increase awareness and adoption of pitbulls. With Rebecca Corry and more comedians to be announced.
You Had to Be There at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. This improv could go anywhere. Literally. Comedians with web cams interact with strangers by chance. Ryan de la Garza is in from Omaha to host. Featuring Brenna Grabow, Cleveland Anderson, Allison Dunne, Bobby Budds, Rachel McCartney and Dan Friesen.
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