Visitors this week: Barry Crimmins, Kurt Metzger and Rob Mailloux appear together at The Laugh Factory. Michael Palascak and Brian Babylon return to their comedy hometown, as do Joel Chasnoff and John Roy in Christmas Eve for the Jews, which also stars Chicago comedian, author and tv/radio host Aaron Freeman.
Please confirm all details and winter coat temperature ratings before heading out. I’m very happy to add shows now or in the future. Just email me at temewring@gmail.com. Thank you for reading and thank you to the Chicago comedy community for providing laughs every day of every season of the year. Happy holidays!
MONDAY, DECEMBER 19
The Riff at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, 6:30 p.m. A different kind of open mic. Comedians draw topics and create material on the spot. Hosted by members of the fabulous kates. Tonight’s hosts are two Chicago stand-up stars, Kelsie Huff and Mona Aburmishan.
A Very Ladylike Christmas at Café Mustache, 2313 N. Milwaukee Ave., 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Women have fun with their most disgusting stories. Featuring Elizabeth Cambridge, Carly Ballerini, Casey Larwood, Liz Maupin, Bea Cordelia Sullivan-Knoff and Kristen Toomey. Hosted by Sarah Squirm. Produced by Allison Dunne, Gena Gephart, Sarah Squirm and Carly Ballerini. Free show. $5 donation suggested. Tonight’s proceeds go to Planned Parenthood.
Holidazed and Confused at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The annual holiday revue. Check site for additional times.
Female Funnies at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Showcase hosted by WGN radio’s Patti Vasquez. Patti is an internationally touring headliner, a mom, and a powerful advocate for kids with special needs. She is also so funny that the times I’ve seen her show I thought I was going into cardiac arrest from laughing. WGN’s Pretty Late with Patti Vasquez is weeknights, 11:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m., on WGN 720 AM.
La-Di-Dollidays at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Musical improv sends up the holidays. With current students and iO alum.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20
Top $10 Tuesday at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 7:30 p.m. Only $10 to see a top line-up of Chicago comedians. Hosted by Rebecca O’Neal. Rebecca is a comedian and author whose work has appeared in Vanity Fair, Vulture.com and The Rumpus, among many others. She is also the host of WCIU’s new show, Chicago’s One Night Stand Up which premieres this winter and the producer of the popular monthly comedy showcase, Congrats on Your Success.
Fake it Till You Make It at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. Six comedians get surprise topics and create their sets on the spot. Audience vote determines who moves on. Tonight’s topics: German holiday traditions and St. Nicholas. With returning champions Kristen Lundberg and David Philips.
Second City’s 105th Main Stage Revue at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. “The Winner … of Our Discontent.” Tickets sell out fast. Check site for additional shows throughout the week.
Second City’s e.t.c. 41st Revue at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Check site for times throughout the week.
MOLLY at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. For only $5, here’s a chance to see two of Chicago’s internationally famous improvisers, Susan Messing and Norm Holly.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21
Lachlan Patterson Interview on Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio, 8:00 a.m. Lachlan Patterson was a Last Comic Standing finalist and is the Improv’s headliner next week and New Year’s Eve. Download the CCSR app or follow the link to hear the interview wherever you are.
Home for Hanukkah with Bubbe at Comedy Sportz, 929 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. An interactive holiday party experience. Wednesdays through December 21st.
Comedians You Should Know Holiday Fundraiser at Timothy O’Tooles, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. All proceeds go to Toys for Tots.
At 7:15 p.m., Kristen Toomey hosts Blake Burkhart, Eli Hamilton, Danny Kallas, Tommy McNamara, Sarah Squirm and more TBA.
At 9:30 p.m., Ricky Gonzalez hosts Marty DeRosa, Kellye Howard, Dale McPeek, Michael Njuguna Robinson, Joey Villagomez and Timmy Whitzell.
MCCCCMPKXMAS at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. Mary Catherine Curran and Chris Kervick present an original Christmas special.
The Katie Rich and Holly Laurent Holiday Spectacular at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:00 p.m. Saturday Night Live writer Katie Rich and iO alum Holly Laurent team up for a holiday variety show.
Having it All: Stories and Improv About Being Female at iO 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Storytellers: Hailey Palmer, Kenzie Seibert, Mary Tilden, Katie Maggart and Mary Cait Walthall. Improvisers: Caitlin Connor Joseph, Margaret LeBron, Kaydee Dolan, Lucy Walker, Lucia Reiur, Maddie Cordovano, Rebeccah Singer and Allison Reese.
The show has received acclaim from RedEye, The Reader and has been extended three times due to popular demand.
This month’s theme is “Marriage” and features Jo Scott (Seriously Unprepared, the Mission Ensemble) and Eunji Kim (CIC and iO House Teams).
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22
Barry Crimmins, Kurt Metzger and Rob Mailloux at the Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Three comedians no one would describe as gentle or moderate. Their brand is more in-your-face bro-medy. Tonight is a rare opportunity to see them together.
Kurt Metzger is a nationally touring headliner. One of his most recent gigs was as a writer on Inside Amy Schumer. He sparked controversy this past fall for remarks which seemed counter to the Schumer ethic. More on that here and observations by Chicago comedian Alicia Swiz here.
Rob Mailloux is one of Toronto’s fastest rising comedians and the organizer of that city’s Dark Comedy Festival. He has been through a lot in life and is not afraid to talk about it. His bio describes him thusly: “Rob is both adopted and divorced, just generally unwanted. He was arrested at the G20 and asked to open for rock group System of a Down, before he was asked not to.”
Barry Crimmins: see clip.
Tonight promises a one-of-a-kind, unforgettable, likely controversial night of comedy.
The Comedy Bowl Holiday Party at Diversey River Bowl, 2211 W. Diversey, 8:00 p.m. Season finale and holiday party hosted by Mona Aburmishan with Jayson A., Brandon K., Hot Sauce and Ben H.
Very Merry Mother F@#$ing Christmas Show at MCL Chicago Comedy Theater, 3110 N. Sheffield, 8:00 p.m. A Christmas comedy variety show presented by EEK! Theatre.
Just Dickin’ Around All-Genders 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. Tonight is hosted by JDA producer Scott Duff. Featuring Krista Atkinson (JDA member), Lancey Joe, Adam Kwaselow, Dina Nina Martinez (JDA member) and Shira Mizel. Interview with JDA here!
Messing with a Friend at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 10:30 p.m. 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 friends are John Loos and Andy Eninger. They have both had a major impact on the Chicago improv scene, including as Second City writers and actors. They are also founding members of one of Chicago’s first famous sketch troupes, Gayco.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23
Simmer Brown at Bughouse Theater, 1910 W. Irving Park Rd., 8:00 p.m. Come see why this showcase is acclaimed by RedEye, The Reader, the Sun-Times and Margaret Cho! Tonight’s headliner is Sam Norton (Fox’s Laughs). Special guest host: Sherman Edwards (Empire). Extended set from Simmer Brown producer, also celebrating his birthday, Prateek Srivastava (NBC Breakout Comedy Festival) with special guest: Raghu Adhibatla (Comedy Store) and sets by the Simmer Brown team: sets by Simmer Brown Alyssa Bujdoso (Swig Whiskey Mixer) and Rima Parikh (Second City). Music by Natalie G. Alford and more TBA. Reception at 7:30 p.m. for prepaid ticket holders only.
Brian Babylon and Friends Birthday Show at Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Brian Babylon is “The Prince of Bronzeville.” His credits include Wait … Wait! Don’t Tell Me, Hannibal Buress’s Why? on Comedy Central, Inside Amy Schumer and Windy City Live. By the way, one of his Windy City Live episodes re-airs Tuesday, December 20 at 1:00 p.m. on channel 7.
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.
Michael Palascak at Riddles, 5055 W. 111th St., Alsip, 9:00 p.m. This Last Comic Standing finalist was a favorite of all three judges, Roseanne Barr, Keenan Ivory Wayans and Norm MacDonald. He has also appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson and in his own Comedy Central special.
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 and featuring AJ Lubecker, B Cole, Matty Ryan and Abi Sanchez. (Interview here.)
iO Alumni Holiday Improv Show at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Includes performers from iO past and present.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24
Christmas Eve (and First Night of Hanukkah) for the Jews featuring Joel Chasnoff, John Roy & Aaron Freeman at The City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, 8:00 p.m. Joel Chasnoff has hosted this hit show in New York and now for the first time brings it back to his hometown. He is a comedian and author of the comedic memoir The 188th Crybaby Brigade: A Skinny Jewish Kid from Chicago Fights Hezbollah about the year he enlisted in the Israeli army.Joining him are two Chicago all-stars.
John Roy was the first winner of CBS’s Star Search. He is a nationally touring headliner and has appeared on Conan, @midnight, The Tonight Show, The Late, Late Show and Last Comic Standing. He began his comedy career in Chicago.
Aaron Freeman is a comedian, author, NPR commentator, TV host, journalist and artist-in-residence at the Chicago Council of Science and Technology.
Update: Adam Burke will also appear! He was voted the Reader’s Best Stand-Up in Chicago in 2014 and is a favorite of comedy fans everywhere, including as a panelist on Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25
Alone Star Open Mic at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 10:00 p.m.