Visiting this week include: Maz Jobrani, Mike Lebovitz, Joe List, Kevin Pollak, Ed Hill and Eddie Brill.
Cedric ‘The Entertainer’, Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley, George Lopez and Charlie Murphy bring the Comedy Get Down World Tour to the United Center on Saturday. UPDATE 3/10: The Comedy Get Down Tour has been postponed.
Ticket alerts!
March 14: Sharknado writer Thunder Levin is at the Music Box with the Field Museum’s Kevin Feldheim for a special screening and discussion.
March 15: The Lincoln Lodge brings Irish actor, comedian, internationally touring headliner Joe Rooney to The Hideout. The line-up includes some of Chicago’s best stand-ups: Adam Burke, Rebecca O’Neal and Michael Rice, who recently moved from Ireland to Chicago. Info here.
March 30: Messing with a Friend celebrates the Chicago Improv Festival with Scott Adsit and Kevin Dorff.
Thank you to the Chicago comedy community and thank you to you for dropping in. Please confirm all details before heading out!
MONDAY, MARCH 6
The Riff at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, 7:00 p.m. A unique open mic hosted by the kates. Comedians get a last-minute topic and deliver a surprise four-minute riff.
Manic Mondays at SLR Bar & Grill, 16409 Halsted, Harvey, 8:00 p.m. Comedy and music hosted by Taneshia Rice and Marilee.
Best Night Ever at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark, 8:30 p.m. Free stand-up showcase. Mike O’Keefe hosts Rachel McCartney, Nate Simmons, Shannon Noll, Martin Morrow, Marty DeRosa and Mike Lebovitz.
SAG-AFFTRA Fundraiser starring Michael Issac and Calvin Evans at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. The evening benefits The Kaufherr Members Resource Center, Chicago’s free state-of-the-art studio and meeting space for Chicago performers.
The DioVersity and 3Peat Jam at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:00 p.m. “The DiOversity Jam is a chance to perform and network in an event hosted by iO performers of color. This event is for anyone looking for reps and we would like a diverse crew there. This show is for anyone looking for a safe place to play even if you’re not affiliated with the theater!” Audience-inspired improv by 3Peat follows.
TUESDAY, MARCH 7
Secrets, Lies and Alibis at The Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. Sketch inspired by audience secrets. Featuring Geoffrey Thomas Asmus, Audrey Jonas, Mickey Housley, Megan Stalter and Becca Brown, Alex Seligsohn, Heather King, and Elliot Lerner. Hosted by Sarah Albritton.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. Chicago Underground Comedy is one of comedy’s most groundbreaking showcases where Cameron Esposito, Beth Stelling, TJ Miller, Dan Telfer, Kumail Nanjiani, just to name a few, got their start. Produced by Meredith Kachel.
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.
Eddie Brill at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Eddie Brill is an internationally touring headliner and was the audience warm-up person and stand-up comedy talent coordinator for The Late Show with David Letterman.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8
Don’t Kid Yourself: Make Believe at Hungry Brain, 2319 W Belmont Ave., 7:30 p.m. Monthly comedy variety show. Sabeen Sadiq and Colleen Patterson host Steve Gerard, Ben Banach, David Freeburg, Heidi Butler, Raymond Holleb, Rachel McCartney and Rebecca V. O’Neal. Zach Bartz live-paints. Don’t Kid Yourself “embraces the weirdness of childhood. Audience members can take a stroll down memory lane and share their own childhood memories.”
Eddie Brill at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m.
Joe List at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Joe List started doing comedy just after his high school graduation in 2000. His cerebral, dry humor has made him a hit on Montreal’s Just for Laugh’s Festival, The Late Show with David Letterman, Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, The Artie Lange Show, and as a semi-finalist on Last Comic Standing.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. Blake Burkhart hosts Em Brown, Nate Burrows, Erica Nicole Clark, Taneshia Rice, Arish Singh and Russ Williamson.
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, MARCH 9
Legendary Laughs at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m. This brand new interactive show combines favorite scenes from Second City history, plus comedy created just for the night’s audience.
Kevin Pollak at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Kevin Pollak has co-starred in over 75 films, including A Few Good Men, The Usual Suspects and Casino. In addition to his acting and stand-up, he is also known as an impressionist, author and podcaster. Through Saturday.
Flanagan’s Wake at Chicago Theater Works, 1113 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Interactive Irish funeral and improv as all mourn Flanagan. Audience members will have a chance to share their own memories of this dearly departed. Many shows over the next couple of months. Follow link for all times.
Eddie Brill at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m.
Dwayne Kennedy at Zanies, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, 8:00 p.m. Dwayne Kennedy is known as a television writer and actor, including as a writer and correspondent for Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. He is considered one of the best stand-up comedians of our time for his cerebral, insightful style. His album Uh Oh, It’s Dwayne Kennedy is here.He was kind enough to do an Interview with me here.
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.
Joe List at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Sunday.
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 Dewayne Perkins who has been described as electrifying and brilliant by Broadwayworld.com and “one of the most naturally hilarious and witty comedians I’ve ever seen” by PA Theatre Guide.
FRIDAY, MARCH 10
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s all-women stand-up troupe produced and founded by Kelsie Huff. Tonight: Kelly Bolton, Kat Herskovic, Kristin Ryan, Diana Pickard, Carma Nibarger, Marsella Lopez, Lindsay Thobe, Whitney Chitwood, Kristin Clifford and host Mary Zee. Arrive early for seats!
The Martin Luther Kings of Comedy at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. This Chicago comedy collective films their first television pilot, The Revolution House, “a revived cross between Def Comedy Jam, In Living Color, and Mr. Rogers.” It follows seven twenty-somethings sharing a house successfully and not. As their house guests, the MLKs promise “you will leave uplifted, empowered and allured with tears of laughter.” Tonight and Saturday.
Ed Hill at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Ed Hill is an internationally touring headliner and was voted “Best Vancouver Comedian” in 2016 and 2015 by West Ender Magazine which called him “Comedy King of the Hill.” His tweets have been spotlighted on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Buzzfeed and The Huffington Post. More about Ed here. Follow him on twitter: @kingedhill
Eddie Brill at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Through Saturday.
Dwayne Kennedy at Zanies, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, 8:00 p.m.
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.
Kevin Pollak at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Through Saturday.
The Lincoln Lodge at Subterranean, 2011 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. The Lincoln Lodge 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.
Joe List at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Creepin at Under the Gun Theatre, 956 N. Newport, 9:00 p.m. “Creepin’ is an improvised comedy show where we bring your bad social media habits to life! Every week a volunteer from the audience will fill us in on someone who they’ve been creepin’ on social media. The UTG Ensemble will then perform a show inspired by that social media profile.”
The Kym Experience at Second City’s Judy’s Beat Lounge, 230 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. The new show by Kimberly V. Banks (EbonyEssenceJet). An up close comedic, musical look at the life of a rock star. Directed by Briane Goodrum. Through March 17.
Black Box Comedy presents Kelsie Huff at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 10:00 p.m. Kelsie Huff is a groundbreaking Chicago comedian. When Cameron Esposito left for LA, she chose Kelsie to lead her famed stand-up class for women, Feminine Comique. Kelsie is also the founder and producer of the kates, guest host on Windy City Live and writer and co-executive producer of the new web series The Open Mic about the Chicago stand-up scene. More about Kelsie here. Kelsie is at WIP Theater tonight and tomorrow night.
VAMP’s International Women’s Day Show at MCL Chicago, 3110 N. Sheffield, 10:30 p.m. An expanded cast features all the women of MCL’s VAMP to benefit Chicago’s Thresholds Mothers Project and celebrate IWD with comedy.
SATURDAY, MARCH 11
Kevin Pollak at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
Eddie Brill at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Joe List at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 11:15 p.m.
Dwayne Kennedy at Zanies, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
Ed Hill at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
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.
Maz Jobrani at North Shore Center for Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 8:00 p.m. Maz Jobrani is an internationally touring headliner who has performed for royalty and presidents. He is currently starring in the CBS sitcom Superior Donuts which takes place in Chicago. He is also known as the Persian Pink Panther for his role as Jimmy Vestvood (Jimmy Vestvood: Amerikan Hero). The film is now available on demand. He has three Showtime specials and is the author of I’m Not a Terrorist, But I’ve Played One on TV. He was kind enough to do an interview with me here. Get tickets soon! His shows are sold out in advance! More about Maz here.
The Martin Luther Kings of Comedy at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. This Chicago comedy collective films their first television pilot, The Revolution House, “a revived cross between Def Comedy Jam, In Living Color, and Mr. Rogers.” It follows seven twenty-somethings sharing a house successfully and not. As their house guests, the MLKs promise “you will leave uplifted, empowered and allured with tears of laughter.” More about the MLKs of Comedy here.
The Comedy Get Down at The United Center, 8:00 p.m. Cedric ‘The Entertainer’, Eddie Griffin, D.L. Hughley, George Lopez and Charlie Murphy. UPDATE: postponed
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.
Purim at The Revival, 1160 E. 55th St., 8:30 p.m. Readings, music and comedy sponsored by Rohr Chabad (University of Chicago).
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.
Black Box Comedy presents Kelsie Huff at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 10:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, MARCH 12
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.
Actual Murderers at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 8:30 p.m. Unique Chicago sketch group weaves together comedy via live action and film to reveal true things about every side of the human condition.
Joe List at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m.