Two Chicago comedy festivals this week! The Chicago Open-Mic Festival is already under way and the Chicago Comedy Film Festival begins on Thursday with a tribute to Chicagoan and Annoyance Theatre alum Jane Lynch.
Also visiting this week! Bridget Everett, Trevor Noah, John Heffron, Karen Knotts, The Midnight Swinger, Shane Mauss and Joel McHale. Plus, Michael Palascak returns to his comedy hometown.
As always, you can find at least fifty great, original comedy shows on any given day, so please check out venues’ other offerings and click on “Comedy each day of the week” for more.
Please confirm all details before heading out. I’ve got Cubs fatigue and election dread and a biopsy Monday morning for which I’m grateful. Distraction from the elections. Hooray! I’m sure everything will be fine, but for any concerns about anything, we’ve all got ’em, please refer to the list below and know there are brilliant comedic minds waiting to bring you a fresh and funny perspective. But please confirm all details whether heading out into the sun (during the day) or into the advancing polar apocalypse (i.e. at night).
Thank you, as always, to the Chicago comedy community and thank you to you for reading and helping me spread the word.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Chicago Open-Mic Festival at venues here throughout the city More here and a blog article here. This once-a-year event gives you the chance to see hundreds of sets from Chicago’s comedians for free! Every night through Thursday. The World Series of Open Mics.
Heaven at 11 at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Even heaven needs some livening up (so to speak), so an angel and her sidekick are kicking it with their new late night talk show, now the highest rated in the Kingdom. What kind of celebrities, monologues and sketches can you expect when things get celestial? Find out Mondays in November.
Crowd Sourced with Peter Kim at Second City, 1616 N Wells, 8:30 p.m. Peter Kim hosts a rotating cast of four comedians whose material for the evening will emerge from audience interaction. A really outstanding cast! Peter Kim, Scott Duff, Reena Calm, Emily Fightmaster, Adam Burke, Jonathan Euseppi, Rebecca O’Neal, Paul Farahvar, Julia Weiss, Matty Ryan, Dave Maher, Natalie Jose and more TBA. Mondays in November.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Behind the Scenes Tour at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 5:30 p.m. “This 45-minute tour winds you through the hallways, stages and stories of the Second City. Learn how we put a show together, check out our brand new training center, hear gossip about your favorite players, maybe even play in improv game in one of our rehearsal rooms! This indoor tour shows and tells you some of the best kept secrets of the Second City. This tour ends with a 3 course pre-fixe meal in our brand new restaurant, 1959 Kitchen & Bar.” Check site for additional times.
Chicago Open-Mic Fest at venues here throughout the city More info and show times here and a blog article here. This once-a-year event gives you the chance to see hundreds of sets from Chicago’s comedians for free! Every night through Thursday. The World Series of Open Mics.
Comedy Cocktail at House of Blues Foundation Room, 329 N. Dearborn, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. line-up: Marvin “M-Dubs” Phipps, Chris Trani, Jeff Arcuri, and Taneshia Rice. 9:00 p.m. line-up: Marlon Mitchell, Erica Clark, and Special Guest.
Whirled News Tonight presents Elect-o-Palooza 2016 at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Free show! Very necessary comedy, games, and crafts will get you through the real-time updates. And if the world ends on Wednesday, well, at least our last night was a great one. “All are welcome to enjoy the show, have a drink, and sweat profusely until the results come in.”
The Commit to the Bit Election Night Spectacular at Bar Celona, 3474 N. Clark, 8:00 p.m. This show is part of Open-Mic Fest and will include election updates and related comedy from Dylan Scott and Tyler Ross of “Commit to the Bit.”
Second City’s 105th Main Stage Revue at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Tickets sell out fast. Check site for additional shows throughout the week.
Michael Palascak at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. The Last Comic Standing finalist got his start in Chicago. He’s got shows at Zanies downtown tonight, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. Meredith Kachel hosts Marty DeRosa, Lainie Lenertz, Mike Timlin, Tyler Snodgrass, Tim McLaughlin and Deanna Ortiz.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Chicago Open-Mic Festival at venues here throughout the city More info and show times here and a blog article here. This once-a-year event gives you the chance to see hundreds of sets from Chicago’s comedians for free! Every night through Thursday. The World Series of Open Mics.
Michael Palascak at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. The Last Comic Standing finalist is at Zanies downtown tonight, Saturday and Sunday.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Tooles, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. Kristen Toomey hosts Kevin Bozeman, Pat McGann, Brian Moreno, Rebecca O’Neal, Keith Paesel and Terry Tee.
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, NOVEMBER 10
Chicago Open-Mic Festival at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, 7:00 p.m. Tonight is the best of the Fest. More here and here.
Jane Lynch at the Chicago Comedy Film Festival at Second City’s Harold Ramis Film School, 1616 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m. The Chicago Comedy Film Festival runs through Saturday, November 12 and after tonight, continues at The New 400 Theater, 6746 N. Sheridan, with screenings of comedy films from Chicago and around the globe. Check out the line-up. Every year everything looks great! Wish I could go there and camp out.
John Heffron at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. The winner of Last Comic Standing, Season 2, is here through Sunday. Check site for all show times.
The Midnight Swinger at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, 8:00 p.m. Through Saturday. The one-of-a-kind Midnight Swinger is the Guinness record holder for longest stand-up set: 40 hours and 9 minutes!
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.
Shrink Ray’d at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:30 p.m. Shrink Ray’d is Nico Carter and Brandon Shockney. In their latest series, they explore relationships by engaging with the audience and by inviting a long-admired comedy guest to perform with them. Tonight’s guest is Allison Ringhand of iO’s famed improv team 3-Peat.
Pat McGann at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells 8:30 p.m. Pat McGann was the creator and host of one of my favorite shows of all time, The Chicago Stand-Up Project where he taught Chicago celebrities the art of comedy.
Just Dickin’ Around All Genders Showcase 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 Marla Depew. Featuring, Carly Ballerini, Aaron Burzak, Jake West, Mary Zee and JDA producer Scott Duff. Interview with JDA here!
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 Second City’s John Hildreth.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Chicago Comedy Film Festival at the New 400 Theater, 6746 N. Sheridan, 6:00 p.m. Films continue throughout evening. Through Saturday. Plan a little extra time for parking.
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Produced by Kelsie Huff. Tonight features comedy from Claire Swanson, Sydney Davis Jr. Jr., Maggie Jenkins, Jessica Besser Rosenberg, Kate Cullan, Amanda Cohen, Charlene Orsine, Stephanie L. Seweryn, Alisa Rosenthal and host Erin Grotheer.
Found at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:30 p.m. Tickets benefit BeAlright which provides services for domestic violence survivors. Found is about finding one’s voice in the wake of abuse.
The Midnight Swinger at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, 8:00 p.m. Through Saturday. The one-of-a-kind Midnight Swinger is the Guinness record holder for longest stand-up set: 40 hours and 9 minutes!
John Heffron at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. The winner of Last Comic Standing, Season 2, is here through Sunday. Check site for all show times.
Karen Knotts at The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Dr., Aurora, 8:00 p.m. Karen Knotts presents her show “Tied Up in Knotts” about her dad, Don Knotts. Friday and Saturday night.
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 accessible and affordable.
[LAST SHOW] 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.
Calvin Evans at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Calvin Evans was the first winner of WGN Chicago’s Next Big Comic Contest in 2010 and a Second City graduate. This past year New City named him one of the people “who really perform for Chicago” and bring the city acclaim in the arts.
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. (Interview here.)
I’m Not Crazy I Just Love Hard at the Greenhouse Theater, 2257 N. Lincoln Ave., 11:00 p.m. Brandi Denise’s one-woman show about thriving though love, trauma and life includes stand-up, storytelling, characters and song.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12
[LAST DAY!] Chicago Comedy Film Festival at the New 400 Theater, 6746 N. Sheridan, 11:00 a.m. Films begin at 11:00 a.m.., continue through evening.
Trevor Noah at The Music Box, 3733 N. Southport, 4:00 p.m. Trevor Noah is here as part of the Chicago Humanities Festival and to discuss his just released memoirs, Born A Crime. The show is sold out, but I always feel it’s worth checking the web site or a call to the theater the “day of” just in case. The Chicago Humanities Festival has great comedy events every year. Sign up on the site for advance notice.
Shane Mauss at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, 7:00 p.m. The “Good Trip” show comes to Chicago. Shane Mauss won the “Best Stand-Up Award” at the HBO Comedy Arts Festival and has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel, Showtime, Comedy Central and five times on Conan. This show is an unusual one, so go here to find out what it’s about.
Michael Palascak at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. The Last Comic Standing finalist got his start in Chicago. He’s got shows at Zanies downtown tonight, Saturday and Sunday.
John Heffron at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. The winner of Last Comic Standing, Season 2, is here through Sunday. Check site for all show times.
The Midnight Swinger at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, 7:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m. Through Saturday. The one-of-a-kind Midnight Swinger is the Guinness record holder for longest stand-up set: 40 hours and 9 minutes!
Karen Knotts at The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Dr., Aurora, 8:00 p.m. Karen Knotts presents her show “Tied Up in Knotts” about her dad, Don Knotts.
You’re Being Ridiculous at Mary’s Attic, 5446 N. Clark St., 7:30 p.m. Stories from Ian Belknap, Suzanne Clores, Eileen Dougharty, Lindsay Eanet, Elana Elyce, Carolyn Hoerdemann, Jeremy Owens, Ben Tanzer, Bethany Thomas, and Natasha Tsoutsouris. I went to a YBR show last spring and it was one of the funniest and most riveting storytelling events I ever experienced. Will for sure be a once-in-a-lifetime evening. Also November 19. A different line-up each week.
Cupid Has a Heart On at Stage 773, 1225 W.Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s longest running musical sketch comedy shows. Funny and real.
Bridget Everett at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, 8:30 p.m. BRIDGET EVERETT! I don’t even have the words. Except last year I found some and spoke with her. She is magical and transcendent and also really funny. And sings like bells ringing. Talking with Bridget Everett who changed my life.
Defiant Thomas Brothers at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., 10:30 p.m. Saturdays. Extended thru December. 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, NOVEMBER 13
Joel McHale at Chicago Marriott Naperville, 1801 N. Naper, Naperville, 2:00 p.m. The Community star is here to talk about his new autobiography, Thanks For The Money. With a ticket purchase, you’ll get the book and a reserved place in line for a signing and photo opp. Sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshops.
John Heffron at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. The winner of Last Comic Standing, Season 2, is here through Sunday. Check site for all show times.
Jesus, Take The G*ddamn Wheel Already! at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. A solo sketch show by Preston Parker about growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, the decision to leave the faith, the consequences and benefits, and its impact on a merry Christmas.
Actual Murderers present: Actual Show at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont Ave., 8:00 p.m. Actual Murderers have been appearing at Chicago Underground Comedy, but this is the debut of their full-length sketch show.
Michael Palascak at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. The Last Comic Standing finalist got his start in Chicago.
Hoo Ha Comedy at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, 8:30 p.m. Free show. Hoo Ha producers Carly Ballerini and Audrey Jonas host Raghav Mehta, Mike O’Keefe, Allison Dunne, variety act Em and Dani, Nicky Martin, Alex Kumin and Marty DeRosa.