Visitors this week: Tig Notaro, Carl LaBove, Finesse Mitchell, Al Jackson, Paul Morrissey, Raphie May and the Impractical Jokers.
In the news: Steve Gadlin’s Star Makers is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime. Steve Gadlin is a Chicagoan and the original comedic mind behind Shark Tank smash hit “I Want to Draw a Cat for You.” SGSM also airs on cable channels around the country. The talent show is inspired by The Gong Show, Pee Wee’s Playhouse and cable access variety shows from the ’70s and ’80s. Also inspired by mischief, derring-do, and a will to do things like no one has done them.
Ticket alerts!
Chris Tucker: January 14 at The Chicago Theatre.
Beth Stelling: January 14 in A Prairie Home Companion at Symphony Center. (Thank you to Jeff Ring for this.) Beth will be at The Hideout on January 15.
Sinbad: February 18 at The Chicago Theatre.
Bonnie Hunt and Billy Crystal at The Chicago Theatre on April 1.
If you have a show you would like me to add now or in the future, please email me at temewring@gmail.com. Confirm all details before heading out! Thank you for reading and thank you to the Chicago comedy community.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 12
Chicago’s One Night Stand-Up at Zanies, 5437 Park Pl., Rosemont, 7:00 p.m. A special taping of Rebecca O’Neal’s upcoming WCIU television show about Chicago comedy! Tonight she hosts Pat McGann, Michael Issac, Jim Flannigan, Michael Larimer, Schmitty B, T. Murph, Alex Kumin, Kristin Lundberg, Steven Haas, and Kellye Howard.
Laughs Trump Hate at MCL Chicago Comedy Theater, 3110 N. Sheffield, 7:30 p.m. Tackling the President Elect with comedy. Portion of the proceeds to be donated to the ACLU in support of First Amendment Rights.
An Evening with Rocky LaPorte at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, 7:30 p.m. Rocky LaPorte has appeared on The Tonight Show and his own comedy specials. He was a finalist on the eighth season of Last Comic Standing.
Martin Morrow & Friends at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. Martin Morrow with Jonah Jurkens, Ed Towns and Sarah Perry. Hosted by Heidi Butler. Martin Morrow is a stand-up comedian, producer of Comedians You Should Know, a 13th Season cast member of the Lincoln Lodge and an ensemble cast member of Second City’s Touring Company. His television appearances include Why? with Hannibal Buress, Fox’s Laughs, Windy City Live, Esquire TV, the NFL Network and Last Comic Standing. Splitsider named him one of the country’s best rising comedians.
Holidazed and Confused at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The annual holiday revue. Tuesdays and Saturdays (except December 24). Purchase tickets in advance. They sell out fast!
Snapped at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Kevin Naughton hosts a cathartic evening.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13
Behind the Scenes Tour at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 5:30 p.m. A rare look at Second City secrets ending with dinner at its new restaurant, 1959 Kitchen and Bar.
The Winner … of Our Discontent at Second City 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Second City’s 105th Mainstage Revue. Tickets sell out fast. Check site for additional shows throughout the week.
Larry Reeb at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Chicago icon “Uncle Lar” will help you through the holiday season. He’s at Zanies downtown through Sunday.
Super Human at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. Super Human is Jo Scott, Amber Walker, Christina Boucher, Sarah Ashley, Katie Klein and Mary Cait Walthall.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14
Home for Hanukkah with Bubbe at Comedy Sportz, 929 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. An interactive holiday party experience. Wednesdays through December 21st.
Lady Mars at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Lady Mars is the improv team of Nicky Margolis and Claudia Martinez and “explore what happens when a Jew and a Mexican walk into an improv theater.”
Paul Morrissey at Zanies, 5437 Park Pl., Rosemont 8:00 p.m. Paul Morrissey was a sports broadcaster before he became a comedian.
Larry Reeb at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Chicago icon “Uncle Lar” will help you through the holiday season. He’s at Zanies downtown through Sunday.
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, DECEMBER 15
Finesse Mitchell at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Finesse Mitchell stars in Showtime’s Roadies. He was also a cast member on Saturday Night Live and has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, NBC’s Today Show and more. Shows thru Sunday. His one-hour special will air next year. Follow link for all times.
Comedy Roast of Mr. Scrooge at Chicago Theater Works, 1113 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Seven performances through December 23rd. Follow link for all show times. You can bet Tiny Tim and some ghosts are going to have something to say.
Al Jackson at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. Al Jackson’s BBC show, Amazing, was nominated for a BAFTA, the British equivalent of the Emmys/Oscars. He has also appeared on Last Comic Standing and as a coach on MTV’s MADE. His first career was as a middle school teacher.
Carl LaBove at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, 8:00 p.m. Shows Thursday thru Saturday. Check site for all times. Carl LeBove is one of the comedians who’s made me laugh until I cried. I first saw him when he was going by C.D. LeBove and haven’t seen his show since then, but the great memory remains. Hoping to see him again in the not-too-distant future.
Paul Morrissey at Zanies, 5437 Park Pl., Rosemont 8:00 p.m. Shows through Saturday.
Just Dickin’ Around All-Ladies Showcase at Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, 8:30 p.m. Open mic followed by showcase at 9:45. 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. Donations appreciated and go to performers. Tonight is hosted by Dina Nina Martinez (JDA member). Featuring Sarah Deady, Marla Depew (JDA member), Sarah Perry and Sarah Vulpio. Interview with JDA producers here!
Larry Reeb at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Shows through Sunday.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16
Funny Ha Ha: Wintry Mix at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 6:30 p.m. Funny, literary spoken word hosted by Claire Zulkey. With columnist Anne Ford (StoryCorps, The Reader), music critic Brittany Julious (Vice, Chicago Magazine), author Eric Spitznagel (Old Records Never Die, Men’s Health), Moth StorySlam winner Jenn Sodini, filmmaker Steve Delahoyde, Gapers Block founder Andrew Huff and writer and editor Chuck Sudo. $10 suggested donation at the door (admission is first come, first served). Proceeds benefit Sit Stay Read.
Ha Ha Holiday Show at Laugh Out Loud Theater, 3851 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Early show is family-friendly, later show is not! Friday and Saturday night.
Finesse Mitchell at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Shows through Sunday. Follow link for all times.
Carl LaBove at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, 8:00 p.m. Shows thru Saturday.
Paul Morrissey at Zanies, 5437 Park Pl., Rosemont 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
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.
Larry Reeb at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Shows through Sunday.
A Dope Ass Comedy Show at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. A showcase produced by Dave Helem. Every third Friday.
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.) Featuring Matty Ryan, Abi Sanchez, B Cole, Danny Kallas, Kenny DeForest, Rob Mailloux and more TBA.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17
Tig Notaro at The Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph Dr., 8:00 p.m. Tig Notaro turns life’s downs (cancer, death, break-ups) and ups (marriage, twins) into comedy gold. Her show One Mississippi is currently on Amazon. Her memoir, I’m Just A Person, was published this year.
The Nerdologues: Your Stories Fifth Anniversary Show at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 7:00 p.m. The Nerdologues is a sketch comedy group with a focus on stories and identity. This December is the fifth anniversary of the Nerdologues podcast.
Uncensored Saturdays at Island Bar & Grill, 13414 Olde Western, Blue Island, 7:00 p.m. Produced and hosted by Just Nesh with Brandi Denise and Comedian Stick.
Larry Reeb at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. Thru Sunday.
Paul Morrissey at Zanies, 5437 Park Pl., Rosemont 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Finesse Mitchell at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Thru Sunday. Follow link for all show times.
Carl LaBove at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Ha Ha Holiday Show at Laugh Out Loud Theater, 3851 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Early show is family-friendly, later show is not!
Americans Against Apathy Comedy Show at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. All proceeds donated to the ACLU.
Ralphie May’s White Trash Christmas at The Arcada Theatre, 105 E. Main St., St. Charles, 8:00 p.m. Ralphie May. Whew. My introduction to Ralphie May was Last Comic Standing where he was very funny, but where he watered down his act considerably. Ralphie May as Ralphie May is one strong cup of tea.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18
truTV’s Impractical Jokers at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. The band of pranksters are on their “Santiago Sent Us” tour. Impractical Jokers is in its fifth season and stars The Tenderloins: Joe Gatto, James Murray, Brian Quinn and Sal Vulcano, who goad each other into public mischief.
Finesse Mitchell at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m.
The Wheels of Misfortune Show at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 7:30 p.m. Comedians work their way around a wheel’s disruptive demands. The Comedy Bar’s newest show. Tonight: Marty DeRosa, Deanna Ortiz, Tyler Snodgrass, Dan Sheehan, Erica Nicole Clark and Guerterrius Jackson. Hosted by Kyle Scanlan.
The Sunday Dinner Comedy Show at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit Gilda’s Club. Featuring Reena Calm, Mike O’Keefe, Kahlil Wilson and Shira Mizel. Hosted by Dave Rader and Jenn White.
My Holidays at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. An evening of best and worst holiday memories with sketch, video, storytelling and music.
Larry Reeb at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m.