This week’s calendar is in two parts. Part I, through Wednesday, features a variety of Chicago comedy with shows to help you make sense of the election and shows to help you forget it.
If you’re gathering your thoughts on the festive season, Thalia Hall has got just the thing: an electrifying presentation of John Waters’ thoughts on the holidays by John Waters himself. Second City and ComedySportz also have holiday goings-on.
Please confirm all details before heading out! Part 2, Thursday-Sunday, is coming soon. But don’t wait until then to get tickets for Marc Maron at The Vic on Saturday! The early show is sold out, but you can still get tickets for 10:00 p.m. here.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28
Death of the Cool at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Seven original stories each month from iO’s top improvisers and Chicago’s best storytellers.
Holidazed and Confused at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The annual holiday revue. Check site for additional times.
Yas Queen! at The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. A variety show starring and produced by women but everybody.
CampPain at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. I don’t know which way this stand-up showcase will go as it looks at election 2016, but I’m sure it will be interesting to find out.
Best Night Ever at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark, 8:30 p.m. Free stand-up showcase produced by Sam McHale, Mike Bobrinskoy, Mike Cronin and Jeff Arcuri.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 29
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.
Denise Ramsden and Steve Haas at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m.
A John Waters Christmas at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport, 9:00 p .m. The director of Hair Spray, Serial Mom and Cecil B. DeMented has some things to say in person about the Christmas season. This is his one-man show.
Comedy Secrets at Beat Kitchen 2100 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. Presented by Chicago Underground Comedy. Comedians share personal secrets, but only if the audience swears to never retell the stories ever to anyone in the known or unknown universe.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30
Home for Hanukkah with Bubbe at Comedy Sportz, 929 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. An interactive holiday party experience. Wednesdays through December 21st.
The Gals at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Pearl Goldwasser (84), Dotty “Dot” Tadaro (75), Edie Walter (89), and Zsa Zsa Lipstein (nunnya bizness), Marge O’Sullivan (63) and Jools Sledgehammer (89) show what improv looks like with life experience.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Tooles, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. Ricky Gonzalez hosts Joel Boyd, Reena Calm, Danny Kallas, Langston Kerman, Mike Makings and Jacob Williams.
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).