THURSDAY, JANUARY 5
Congrats on Your Success at Uncharted Books, 2620 N. Milwaukee Ave., 7:00 p.m. Odinaka Ezeokoli hosts CoYS’s Bill Bullock, Sonal Aggarwal, Rebecca Loesser, Mike O’Keefe and headliner Reena Calm. Special birthday set from CoYS co-founder Rebecca O’Neal and special guests and surprise drop-ins. Free beer, too. (Interview with Rebecca O’Neal here!)
Good Girl Bad Year at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 7:00 p.m. Comedians on the biggest loves, losses and mistakes of 2016. Hosted by Lainie Lenertz. With Melody Kamali, Kristen Toomey and Toler Wolf. Thursdays thru January 26 and Saturday, February 11.
Orny Adams at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Orny Adams is at The Improv through Saturday night. Follow link for all show times.
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., 8:00 p.m. The world’s largest comedy sketch festival begins tonight! Check schedule for all details. I see Danny Pudi’s (Community) one-man show, In Progress premieres tonight at 8:00 p.m. In total, twelve great shows tonight to choose from. Follow link for all shows and details. Interview with Festival creator and producer Brian Posen here!
Andy Woodhull at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Andy Woodhull is a Chicagoan and was the first comedian to make his debut on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. He is at Zanies in Rosemont through January 6 and at Zanies in Chicago on January 7.
Just Dickin’ Around All-Genders Showcase at Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, 8:30 p.m. Happy birthday to Scott Duff show! 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 Krista Atkinson. Featuring JDA members Scott Duff, Marla Depew and Dina Nina Martinez with Peter Kim and Chris Higgins.
Interview with JDA here!
Nate Bargatze at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Nate Bargatze has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon twice and five times on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, on Conan four times and multiple times on @midnight and at comedy festivals around the country. His debut comedy album Yelled at by a Clown reached #1 on the iTunes comedy charts. He is at Zanies in Chicago on Thursday and Friday nights and in Rosemont on Saturday.
100 Proof Comedy at ComedySportz, 929 W. Belmont, 10:00 p.m. Headliner: From The Nightly Show and Windy City Live, Felonious Munk. Also, Michael Robinson’s debut as an 100 Proof cast member.
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 friend is Second City and Annoyance Theatre comedian and actor Aasia Lashay Bullock.