This week’s returning Chicagoans: Ian Abramson and Godfrey. More visitors this week: Louie Anderson, Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy, Jim Jefferies, Kyle Cease, Langston Kerman, Steve Trevino and Ken Bone. Yes, Ken Bone from the debates of presidents and sweaters of rouge.Take a look at the shows listed this week and you’ll find him. If you know Chicago comedy, you’ll be able to spot the show most likely!
Please confirm all details before heading out. Thank you for reading and thank you to the Chicago comedy community.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 24
The Comedy Bowl at Diversey Bowl, 2211 W. Diversey Ave., 8:00 p.m. Comedy, trivia games and prizes. Featuring Jan Slavin, Adrienne Brandyburg, Colleen Brennan and David Carter. Hosted by Mona Aburmishan.
HERold at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. An evening of iO’s famed Harold improv featuring women of iO.
MOLLY at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. An opportunity to see two of Chicago’s internationally renowned improv stars: Susan Messing and Norm Holly.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25
Ja Ja Ja: A Night of Comedy by Latinos at The East Room, 2354 N. Milwaukee Ave., 9:00 p.m. A fundraiser for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. Produced and sponsored by Chicago Underground Comedy’s ChUC Charities. Featuring Keith Paesel, Gwen La Roka, Sammy Arechar, Jasbir Singh Vazquez, Stephanie Weber, Audrey Jonas and Oscar El Cuchillo Carvajal.
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, JANUARY 26
Steve Trevino at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Shaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Shows through Sunday. Follow link for all details.
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.
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’s Marla Depew. Featuring JDA’s Krista Atkinson, Scott Duff and Dina Nina Martinez with Justin Golak and Kevin Wood.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. This week’s friend is the wonderful actor and comedian Lisa Beasley.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
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, including the kates, You’re Being Ridiculous, Gayco and more. Last weekend of the 2017 Festival!
Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy at Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont, 7:30 p.m. The two reunite with their “We’ve Been Thinking” tour.
A Good Son at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., 8:00 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Comedian Kevin Brody presents a show about his dad’s battle with Alzheimer’s and “ten years of Alzheimer’s, comedy and secrets.” Produced by Liz Maupin.
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 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.
Godfrey at UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., 8:00 and 10:30 p.m. Godfrey is a Chicagoan who got his start cracking up his classes as a kid and later by doing impressions of his college’s football players. He cites his Nigerian parents’ enthusiasm for comedy movies as his earliest inspiration. His onscreen credits include Zoolander, 30 Rock and Louie.
Langston Kerman at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Langston Kerman has a recurring role on Issa Rae’s new HBO series Insecure. Shows through Sunday. Follow link for all details.
Jim Jefferies at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. The “Unusual Punishment Tour.” Australian comedian Jim Jefferies is known for his uninhibited true-life stories and was the first Australian to have his own HBO special, 2009’s I Swear to God. Interesting fact: he is banana-phobic. (Never met anyone else. Me, too. Blecchh.)
K3 Comedy Night at The Spot on Broadway, 1010 W. Broadway St., Bradley, 9:00 p.m. Headliner: Dan Brennan. Featuring Danette Mark with Elaine Phillips, Joe Degand, Kate Cullan, Bert Young and Patrick O’Hara. Hosted by Rashad Clarke.
Patrick O’Hara:
Two Queens, 1 Mic at The Revival, 1160 E. 55th St., 9:30 p.m. Hosted by Kellye Howard and Brandi Denise. Featuring Lisa Beasley, Kristin Toomey, Matty Ryan and Mark Henderson.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 28
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. Last weekend of the 2017 Festival!
Jury Doody at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 7:30 p.m. A Main Stage theatrical and a 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.
A Good Son at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., 8:00 p.m. Last shows are tonight and tomorrow afternoon. Comedian Kevin Brody presents a show about his dad’s battle with Alzheimer’s and “ten years of Alzheimer’s, comedy and secrets.” Produced by Liz Maupin.
Laughs Even Your Insurance Company Can’t Deny at The Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s award-winning all-psychotherapist improv sketch troupe.
Godfrey at UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., 8:00 and 10:30 p.m. Godfrey is a Chicagoan who got his start cracking up his classes as a kid and later by doing impressions of his college’s football players. He cites his Nigerian parents’ enthusiasm for comedy movies as his earliest inspiration. His onscreen credits include Zoolander, 30 Rock and Louie.
Kyle Cease at North Shore Center for Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, 8:00 p.m. Comedy Central’s 2009 Comedian of the Year brings his “Evolving Out Loud” tour to Chicagoland. This tour focuses on how to add more creativity and humor to your life. His over 100 movie and TV appearances, include 10 Things I Hate About You, Not Another Teen Movie, Jimmy Kimmel Show, The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson and Chelsea Lately.
The Roast of My Memorial at 1719 W. Albion Ave., 9:00 p.m. The incomparable Dave Maher presents a Mystery Science Theater-style look at the eulogizing and memorial show that happened when friends and fellow comedians thought he died after he fell into a coma. The name of Dave Maher’s production company is “Everything is Comedy,” which is just one more reason I’m a big fan.
The AV Club presents Bell Hop with Ian Abramson at Virgin Hotels Chicago, 203 N. Wabash, 9:00 p.m. Free eclectic comedy show with a reputation for being extremely memorable. Featuring Rebecca O’Neal, Sarah Sherman, Ghouldini, Deanna Ortiz, Tober Oswald Wolfe and Bobby Budds. Special guest: Ken Bone.
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 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.
Chicago’s Rising Stars at Davenport Piano Bar and Cabaret, 1383 Milwaukee Ave., 10:30 p.m. Featuring Adam Burke, Jerry Tran, Sohrab Foroozesh and David Carter. Hosted by Bradley Dov Kofman.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 29
[LAST SHOW] A Good Son at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., 3:00 p.m. Comedian Kevin Brody presents a show about his dad’s battle with Alzheimer’s and “ten years of Alzheimer’s, comedy and secrets.” Produced by Liz Maupin.
Fillet of Solo Festival at Lifeline Theatre and Heartland Studio Theatre in Rogers Park, 4:00 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Follow link for outstanding storytelling and comedy events. Last day of the Festival!
Louie Anderson at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph St., 7:30 p.m. Louie Anderson is a multi-Emmy Award-winning comedian and bestselling author known for his material about his unusual family, which includes five sisters. One of his recent Emmy Awards was for his portrayal of matriarch Christine Baskets, based on his mom, for the FX comedy series, Baskets.
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.