The treacheries of winter make me want to be bleak, bleary and blasphemous about Chicago. Is this really the place to be right now? Turns out yes! It’s only bleak and bleary outside. Inside, comedy can make you forget all that. Plus, there are three comedy-related festivals this weekend.
SketchFest at Stage 773 is the world’s biggest sketch comedy celebration and happens eleven days each year. Tonight through Sunday are the last days for 2017. You can find the schedule here.
Tomorrow Never Knows has some high-profile comedy at The Hideout.
Fillet of Solo in Rogers Park is the next three weekends. It’s a blend of Chicago storytelling and comedy magic.
Next weekend, you can celebrate Inauguration Day in a way you may not have expected. As an alternative to the event at the Capitol, you can attend the capital event, What A Joke: A National Comedy Festival. In Chicago, What A Joke is produced by Liz Maupin and Meredith Kachel and will take place at The Hideout on Friday, January 20 at 8:00 p.m. You can find tickets … and an improvement on the original hat here. Interview coming soon! The event is growing by the day and is now scheduled to take place in 33 cities, including Oxford, England.
Visitors this weekend include Phoebe Robinson, Michelle Wolf, Quinn Dahle, Dov Davidoff, Rory Scovel, Paul Morrissey, Chris Tucker, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood. Returning Chicagoans Beth Stelling and DeRay Davis are also here.
Please confirm all details before heading out!
THURSDAY, JANUARY 12
Mick Napier at The Book Cellar, 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. The internationally renowned founder and artistic director of the Annoyance Theatre will discuss his two books: Improvise. Scene from the Inside Out and Behind The Scenes: Improvising Long Form.
Impolite Company: A Political Comedy Show at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. I was about to post the calendar when I saw this show’s announcement and had to stop everything and include it. It is created and hosted by Azhar Usman and headlined tonight by Dwayne Kennedy, two of the nation’s funniest and most on-point comedians and social commentators. Includes a whole stellar line-up: Sam Norton, David Carter, Rachel McCartney and Michael Robinson. This is the inaugural show and it will run the second Thursday of each month.
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The world’s largest sketch comedy festival continues through Sunday. Tonight there are twelve shows to choose from, including two of my favorites: Defiant Thomas Brothers and Pure & Weary. After this show, Defiant Thomas Brothers due to popular demand are taking their show outta town. So take this chance to see them! Pure & Weary’s new show compares the world of 1920s flappers with the world of comediennes. Does this mean Gertrude Stein, Al Capone and Ernest Hemingway all show up? Yes!
Group Improvised Comedy at Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. Long form improv (20-25 minutes) by three teams of up to ten improvisers, each based on an audience suggestion. Thursdays through Sundays. Follow link for details, show times and a great explanation of why improv is an art form like no other.
Quinn Dahle at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, 8:00 p.m. Through Saturday. Quinn Dahle is known both for his stand-up and his crowd work.
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. Showcase guests: Krista Atkinson (JDA member), Eli Hamilton, Dina Nina Martinez (JDA member), Aaron Sutherland and Liz Ziner. Interview with JDA here!
Primetime Nine at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 9:00 p.m. Sameena Mustafa headlines. Interview with Sameena here.
Helltrap Nightmare Birthday Funeral at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 9:00 p.m. The one-year anniversary edition. Hosted by Sarah Sherman. Featuring Ana Fabrega, Jamie Loftus, DJ Ariel Zetina, Sammy Arechar, Glam Hag, Ghouldini, Scott Egleston, Rat Boys, Warmth and Organsm. HNBF has developed a cult following and is all about blending stand-up and musical experimentation. It’s a night of “comedy horror and noise music terror.” Tonight is also part of the 2017 Tomorrow Never Knows Festival.
Dov Davidoff at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 9:30 p.m. Dov Davidoff’s childhood took him from living in a junkyard to an ashram in India to getting kicked out of high school. He is also an actor who appears on HBO’s Crashing and NBC’s Shades of Blue. His memoir, Road Dog, will be published in October. Pre-ordered!
100 Proof Comedy at Comedy Sportz, 929 W. Belmont, 10:00 p.m. Kristen Toomey headlines.
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. This week’s friend is Jeff Award-nominated actor and writer Peter Kim, acclaimed for his work with Second City’s “A Red Line Runs Through It,” Second City’s touring company, Zanies, The Laugh Factory and The Moth.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. The world’s largest sketch comedy festival continues through Sunday. Tonight: twenty shows!
Michelle Wolf at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Michelle Wolf is also a writer and on-air correspondent for The Daily Show. Featuring Rebecca O’Neal. Interview with Rebecca here!
Fillet of Solo Festival at Lifeline Theatre and Heartland Studio Theatre in Rogers Park, 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Follow link for outstanding storytelling and comedy events.
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. The renowned all-women’s stand-up troupe founded and produced by Kelsie Huff. Featuring Brittany Meyer, Eileen Tull, Michele Alley, Sarah Weidmann, Denise Medina, Merrit Landsteiner, Kelsie Huff and host Elizabeth Gomez.
Rory Scovel at Second City’s UP Comedy Club, 1616 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Rory Scovel’s credits include Comedy Central, Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and the upcoming movie The House with Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler.
Group Improvised Comedy at Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Long form improv (20-25 minutes) by three teams of up to ten improvisers, each based on an audience suggestion. Thursdays through Sundays. Follow link for details, show times and a great explanation of why improv is an art form like no other.
Quinn Dahle at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, 8:00 p.m. Through Saturday. Quinn Dahle is known both for his stand-up and his crowd work.
DeRay Davis at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. DeRay Davis is originally from Chicago. He is the winner of the Comedy Central Laugh Riots Competition. His credits include the films Semi Pro, 21 Jump Street, Meet the Blacks, Imagine That and the TV shows Entourage and Empire. Interesting fact: the voices on Kanye West’s College Drop Out and Late Registration that sound like Bernie Mac? Those voice-overs were by DeRay Davis. Follow link for show times throughout the weekend.
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.
Paul Morrissey at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Paul Morrissey is a sports anchor turned comedian. Thru Sunday. Check site for all show times.
You & Me at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 9:00 p.m. Joseph Jefferson Award-winning stage, television actor and comedian Michael Patrick Thornton improvises with a guest. Michael’s credits include ABC’s Private Practice (as Dr. Gabriel Fife), Fox’s Chicago Code, Steppenwolf Theater, Second City, iO and The Annoyance Theatre. He is also the co-founder and artistic director of Chicago’s Gift Theatre.
Black Box Comedy presents: Kristen Lundberg at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 10:00 p.m. Kristen Lundberg is an award-winning comedian, actor, writer, former toy sculpter, and one of the comedians featured on WCIU’s New Year’s Eve comedy special, Chicago’s One Night Stand-Up.
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 with AJ here.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 14
Buster Keaton Shorts Program at The Music Box, 3733 N. Southport, 11:30 a.m.
Fillet of Solo Festival at Lifeline Theatre and Heartland Studio Theatre in Rogers Park, 4:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Follow link for outstanding storytelling and comedy events.
Beth Stelling at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., 4:45 p.m. Beth Stelling is one of the special guests in this new edition of Prairie Home Companion with Chris Thile. The other guests are Andrew Bird and Laura Marling.
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. The world’s largest sketch comedy festival continues through Sunday. This afternoon and tonight: twenty-eight shows!
DeRay Davis at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. DeRay Davis is originally from Chicago. He is the winner of the Comedy Central Laugh Riots Competition. His credits include the films Semi Pro, 21 Jump Street, Meet the Blacks, Imagine That and the TV show Entourage and Empire. Interesting fact: the voices on Kanye West’s College Drop Out and Late Registration that sound like Bernie Mac? Those voice-overs were by DeRay Davis. Follow link for show times throughout the weekend.
Phoebe Robinson at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Phoebe Robinson’s memoir, You Can’t Touch My Hair, was published this past October. She is a writer, comedian and actor and has appeared on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Last Call with Carson Daly, Broad City and The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore. She hosts the podcast 2 Dope Queens with Jessica Williams and is also in the new Jill Soloway Show, I Love Dick. Both of tonight’s shows are sold out, but it’s always worth checking again.
Chris Tucker at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, 7:00 p.m. Chris Tucker is also an actor who starred in the Rush Hour movies and most recently appeared in Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk.
Paul Morrissey at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. Thru Sunday. Check site for all show times.
Jury Doody at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 7:30 p.m. A new Main Stage theatrical and long form improv piece which “flash[es] forward and backward into the lives of 10 unlikely jurors to see how we are more alike than different. Nine professional comedians play 118 characters in a story packed with wild fantasy, unlikely heroes, and a hint of the 90’s.” Saturday nights.
Scared Scriptless at The Genesee Theater, 203 N. Genesee St., Waukegan, 8:00 p.m. A new show starring Whose Line is it Anyway’s Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood.
Rory Scovel at Second City’s UP Comedy Club, 1616 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Rory Scovel’s credits include Comedy Central, Conan, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and the upcoming movie The House with Will Ferrell and Amy Poehler.
Quinn Dahle at Zanies, Pheasant Run Resort, St. Charles, 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Through Saturday. Quinn Dahle is known both for his stand-up and his crowd work.
4th Annual Chicago Improv Classic at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. The Classic is entering its second week. Each time a team wins and moves on, they draft a player from a competitor. The winning team will be crowned on February 18.
Group Improvised Comedy at Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 10:00 p.m. Long form improv (20-25 minutes) by three teams of up to ten improvisers, each based on an audience suggestion. Thursdays through Sundays. Follow link for details, show times and a great explanation of what makes improv an art form like no other.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 15
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The world’s largest sketch comedy festival. Last Day! This afternoon and tonight: twenty-eight shows, including three that have been on my wanting-to-see radar for a long time: Marla Depew, Waiting for Huffman and Therapy Players.
Fillet of Solo Festival at Lifeline Theatre and Heartland Studio Theatre in Rogers Park, 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Follow link for outstanding storytelling and comedy events.
Greetings from Cincinnati at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 5:00 p.m. Featuring Chicago comedians originally from Cincinnati. Hosted By Ron Ervin. Featuring Kristen Lundberg, Tien Cao, Cecilia Laird, Spark Tabor, Laura Hugg and Patrick Lynch.
Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio presents Comedy Night at PT’s, 113 E. Baltimore St., Wilmington, 5:00 p.m. With Amanda Cohen, Kevin Wood, Sherman Edwards and Carly Ballerini.
B.A.P.S.: A Comedy Variety Show at The Crowd Theater, 3935 N. Broadway, 7:00 p.m. BAPS is Beautiful and Powerful Sistas. Hosted by Adrienne Brandyburg and Jilian Ebanks. Featuring Lisa Beasley, Lex, Chrissi Hartigan and Sonal Aggarwal with special guests The Martin Luther Kings of Comedy.
Beth Stelling at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Beth Stelling got her comedy start in Chicago and was a cast member of Chicago Underground Comedy. An interview with Beth during her Chicago days here!
DeRay Davis at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. DeRay Davis is originally from Chicago. He is the winner of the Comedy Central Laugh Riots Competition. His credits include the films Semi Pro, 21 Jump Street, Meet the Blacks, Imagine That and the TV showsEntourage and Empire. Interesting fact: the voices on Kanye West’s College Drop Out and Late Registration that sound like Bernie Mac? Those voiceovers were by DeRay Davis.
Group Improvised Comedy at Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. Long form improv (20-25 minutes) by three teams of up to 10 improvisers, each based on an audience suggestion. Thursdays through Sundays. Follow link for details, show times and a great explanation of what makes improv an art form like no other.
Paul Morrissey at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m.