Thornton and Messing at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, 7:00 p.m. An evening with two of Chicago’s renowned improv stars: Susan Messing (Annoyance Theatre, Messing with a Friend, the Reader‘s “Best Improviser”) and Michael Patrick Thornton (Second City, Private Practice, award-winning actor). One hundred percent of the actors’ proceeds go to the ACLU. Tonight and February 6th.
Camp: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:30 p.m. Free stand-up showcase hosted by CAMP counselor Samantha Berkman. Featuring Andy Sandford, Danny Maupin, Allison Dunne, Keith Paesel, Joe Fernandez, Antonio Aguilar, Ryan J. Rader and Camp’s Tessa Orzech.
Afterthoughts: A Comedy Roast Show at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. An original spin on the roast. Comedians tell jokes while a panel writes critiques. Those notes are then read onstage. A show for everyone starving for honesty and funny, though they say it can get mean, too. Tonight features Kristin Fenchak and Carly Kane, Shannon Noll, Nate Burrows, Brian ‘Da Wildcat’ Smith and more TBA.
Roundabout at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Featuring Benjamin Briggs, Jessie Cadle, Rayna Caskey, Sean Coyle, Timothy Felton, Emily Gorski, Cassie Schaeffer, Nina Slesinger, Cody Sullivan, Mark Thomson each presenting a piece inspired by who they were as kids.
Hell of a Show at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Junior Stopka, Dale McPeek and John Margelewski. Featuring Chris Damen, Liz Ziner, Mike Sheehan and Michael Timlin. Last Monday of the month.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 31
Top $10 Tuesdays at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 7:30 p.m. Featuring ten of the best stand-ups in the city. Tonight: Rebecca O’Neal, Melissa Richelle, Em Brown, Russ Williamson, David Gavri, Abby Roberge, Mark B Weiss and more TBA.
[LAST SHOW] Bless Your Heart at The Crowd Theater, 3935 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Katie Tyner grew up religious in Oklahoma, then moved to Chicago and embraced her urban, often awkward, new lifestyle. This one-woman multi-character show is about reconciling the two. Tuesdays in January.
Winner … of Our Discontent at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The new 105th Mainstage revue. Tickets sell out fast. Check site for additional shows throughout the week.
Comedy Secrets at Beat Kitchen, 1200 W. Belmont Ave., 9:30 p.m. Chicago Underground Comedy produces this show the last Tuesday of the month where secrets are told only after the audience swears never to breathe a word. Tonight’s topic is “sadness.” Hosted by Andy Fleming and Stephanie Hasz with stories from Keith Paesel, Allison Dunne and Aaron Branch. The panel: Marty DeRosa and Shannon Noll. Stand-up from Geoffrey Asmus closes out the show. PLUS BREAKING NEWS: on Monday ChUC Executive Producer Meredith Kachel announced that “all proceeds will be *MET AND MATCHED* by an anonymous donor and ALL MONEY will go to the International Rescue Committee. Your weekly five dollar contribution will now be *doubled* and go to those people who respond FIRST to crisis from disasters and war. Please please come join us and help us raise money for refugees everywhere.”