Visitors this week include Gabriel Iglesias, Krish Mohan, Piff the Magic Dragon and Gerard Depardieu (sometimes a comedian: Green Card, Asterix & Obelix). This weekend: Second City’s Mary Scruggs Works by Women Festival. Here for full schedule.
At Zanies:
Chicago:Alvin Williams (Tuesday and Wednesday), Tony Hinchcliffe (Wednesday-Sunday)
Rosemont: Dan St. Paul (Wednesday-Saturday)
St. Charles: Nate Weatherup (Thursday-Saturday)
Ticket Alert:
Save this date: Thursday, March 2nd! The Just Dickin’ Around Showcase has announced a blockbuster line-up that evening: Krista Atkinson will host Adam Burke, Marla Depew, Scott Duff, Paul Farahvar and Kristen Lundberg. No tickets needed. One of the perks of living in Chicago is seeing talent like this for free, although donations are always appreciated and go to the performers. Arrive, laugh and enjoy. More details here. What makes JDA so special? Interview with JDA producers Krista, Marla and Scott here.
Opportunities:
Applications are being accepted through April 15 for the 6th Annual Chicago Funny Women’s Festival which is June 15-18, 2017.
If you’ve ever wanted to be part of Paper Machete, auditions (a/k/a “The Mash”) are February 26 and 28.
Here is this week’s spotlight! Thank you to the Chicago comedy community and thank you to you for dropping by. Please confirm all details before setting out!
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20
CAMP at The Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:00 p.m. Free stand-up showcase. Tonight features Krish Mohan, Mike Bobrinskoy, Erin Kay Van Pay, Sarah Mowrey and Josh Cocks and the return of the audience-participation event BANANASAMS. Hosted by Samantha Berkman.
Improv and Dragons at The Crowd Theater, 3935 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Improv meets DnD with new settings and storylines each week. Tonight and Monday, February 27.
Gender is a Drag at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Chuck Nasty (Chelsea Norment) and The Duchess (Kenzie Seibert), tonight celebrates the show’s one-year anniversary. Live band, stand-up from comedians Peter Kim (Second City ETC,) Shannon Noll (Barron Trump: Up Past Bedtime,) and performances by theater artist Avi Roque, magic by Luke Babylon, Chicago drag queens Kat Sass, Lucky Stiff, and more TBA. “In an uncertain time for the LGBTQ+ community, we aim to bring you voices that will enlighten, unify, and glitter-fy us all — no matter who you are. Come celebrate your unique self with us!”
Female Funnies at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Patti Vasquez (WGN Radio’s Pretty Late with Patti Vasquez).
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
The Comedy Bowl at Diversey River Bowl, 2211 W. Diversey, 8:00 p.m. Stand-up, trivia games and prizes.
Talk Show Presents at Public House Theatre, 3914 N. Clark, 8:00 p.m. “… hybrid of sktech/improv/variety, featuring off-the-wall characters and Chicago’s top and undiscovered comedians, drag queens, musicians and more! Each show will feature unique bits, games, interviews with guests, a musical performance and a “wildcard” guest performer.” Written and created by Paula Scaggs and Megan Stalter.
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.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
You Joke Like a Girl at Volumes Bookcafé, 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave., 7:15 p.m. Open mic at 7:15 and showcase at 8:45. Really fab showcase line-up featuring Jessica Besser-Rosenberg, Merrit Landsteiner, Hope Rehak, Kristin Ryan and hosted by Elyse Nylin. Donations accepted.
Good Neighbors: A Fundraiser for Heartland Alliance at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Improv show by some of Chicago’s best, plus learn how to support refugee resettlement in our city.
I Love You, But I Don’t Like You at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:30 p.m. Chelsea Norment, Meredith Johnston and Lilliana Winkworth wrote and star in this show about mothers. “A chaotic meditation on growing up different from a mothers’ expectations. This show is also a desperate (and comedic) attempt to not repeat their mothers’ mistakes.” Through March 8.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. Danny Kallas hosts Cleveland Anderson, Mike Bobrinskoy, Adam Burke, Sean Flannery, Laura Hugg and Mike Samp.
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, FEBRUARY 23
Piff the Magic Dragon at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Magic and comedy not for kids. One of the stars of America’s Got Talent 2015.
Best of Bri-ko at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Bri-ko is Brian Posen, Tim Soszko and Brian Peterlin. This all-silent show is a feat of sketch, action and “mind-blowing visuals.” Bri-ko was the winner of the Second City Best of the Fest Award at the Toronto Sketch Comedy Festival. Through March 23.
BYOD at The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. Improv based on your personal diary.
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.
[LAST SHOW] Kim Kong: A Comedy Monster at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. “Eunji Kim’s epic journey all the way from Busan to Moscow to the lowest ranks of the Chicago comedy scene … Eunji recounts her father’s extraordinary immigrant story to become an ordinary American to highlight her own depressingly ordinary efforts to become extraordinary. Eunji uses animation, storytelling, characters and mad beats to convey her voyage to become the world’s most successful and powerful Asian-American-Jew-show-biz-personality. “Kim Kong:” is truly a frightening comedy experience.”
Muti Conducts Prokofiev’s Ivan the Terrible with Gérard Depardieu at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., 8:00 p.m. The music of Sergei Eisentein’s Ivan the Terrible actor performed by the CSO and narrated by actor and comedian Gerard Depardieu. Through Saturday.
TRL Live at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 9:00 p.m. Exclusive to Chicago, a one-time musical and comedy event produced by Liz Maupin and hosted by Tyler Snodgrass and Steven King.
Messing with a Friend at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 10:30 pm. 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 Mary Cait Walthall, who is a cast member of the Improvised Star Trek Podcast and a performer, writer, and director with iO, The Annoyance, the Neo-Futurists, and Baby Wants Candy.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Mary Scruggs Works by Women Festival at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 6:00 p.m. The Festival begins with a welcome and networking event at Second City’s 1959 Kitchen & Bar. Follow link for all Festival shows and events through Sunday!
Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio at Maggiano’s, 1847 Freedom Dr., Naperville, 6:00 p.m. Dinner and a show sponsored by CCSR. With Reena Calm, Amanda Cohen and Maggie Miller. Hosted by Corey Caurrielche.
Drinkers with Writing Problems at Brisku’s Bistro, 4100 N. Kedzie, 7:30 p.m. Live lit featuring Shanna Shrum, Kim Nelson, Anita M. Mechler, Elizabeth Cambridge, Brad Gallagher, Larone Ellison and Conor Cawley. Hosted by Elizabeth Gomez. This writers’ collective includes comedians, screenwriters, novelists and poets.
Gabriel Iglesias at Coronado Performing Arts Center, 314 N. Main St.,Rockford, 8:00 p.m. The Fluffymania Tour!
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.
Muti Conducts Prokofiev’s Ivan the Terrible with Gérard Depardieu at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., 8:00 p.m. The music of Sergei Eisentein’s Ivan the Terrible actor performed by the CSO and narrated by actor and comedian Gerard Depardieu. Through Saturday.
Piff the Magic Dragon at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Through Sunday. Magic and comedy not for kids. One of the stars of America’s Got Talent 2015.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736-38 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s all-women stand-up troupe produced by Kelsie Huff. Featuring Mary Lorenz, Mary Jordan, Katie Visser, Beth Schmidt, KT Speetzen, Whitney Currier, Molly Harris, Zina Camblin and host Lauren Hoobermann.
Piff the Magic Dragon at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Through Sunday. Magic and comedy not for kids. One of the stars of America’s Got Talent 2015.
Simmer Brown Comedy: From Russia with No Love at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 7:30 p.m. Reception for prepaid ticket holders only at 7:30 p.m. Show at 8:00 p.m. Simmer Brown always sells out, so get your tickets in advance! Tonight’s headliner: Taneshia Rice. Featuring Geoffrey Thomas Asmus. Special Guests: Steven King and Jesnaira Baez. Music from Chrissi Hartigan. Also featuring Simmer Brown producers Prateek Srivastava, Sameena Mustafa and Jerry Tran.
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.
Fuck Trump: A Collection of Songs to Demonstrate What a Horrible Person Donald Trump Is at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Directed by Mick Napier, the world renowned founder and director of The Annoyance.
Muti Conducts Prokofiev’s Ivan the Terrible with Gérard Depardieu at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave., 8:00 p.m. The music of Sergei Eisentein’s Ivan the Terrible actor performed by the CSO and narrated by actor and comedian Gerard Depardieu.
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.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Nondisclosure Agreement: An Interview with SNL and Mainstage Alum Katie Rich at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 6:00 p.m. “SNL writer and Second City Mainstage alum Katie Rich discusses recent events involving a tweet, Donald Trump, SNL, and the drama which ensued. All proceeds from this event will benefit the Second City Alumni Fund.” This event is part of the Mary Scruggs Work By Women Festival.
Piff the Magic Dragon at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. Through Sunday. Magic and comedy not for kids. One of the stars of America’s Got Talent 2015.
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.