In town this weekend: Deon Cole (back in his hometown!), Ritch Shydner, Erin Foley, Brian Regan, Ali Wong, Sammy Obeid, Irene Fagan Merrow and Chloe Radcliffe. Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark are here to record their podcast, My Favorite Murder. Late Show with Stephen Colbert writer and announcer Jen Spyra is here via video on Thursday night.
Please confirm all details before setting out!
THURSDAY, APRIL 6
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.
Ritch Shydner at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Ritch is the co-author of I Killed and last year wrote his memoir Kicking Through the Ashes: My Life as a Stand-Up In the 1980’s Comedy Boom, He has also appeared on Late Night with David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. He played Al Bundy’s co-worker on Married with Children, and had roles on Designing Women, Roseanne (which he also wrote for), Steve Martin’s Roxanne and Beverly Hills Cop II. He also produced and starred in the award-winning documentary I Am Comic. Shows through Saturday. Follow link for all times.
Erin Foley at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Erin Foley is the host of Mixologist And A Movie on Lifetime. She has her own special on Comedy Central Presents and has appeared on Conan, @ Midnight, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Chelsea Lately, Arsenio Hall and Last Call With Carson Daly. Shows through Saturday. Follow link for all times.
Just Dickin’ Around All Genders Showcase at Hydrate, 3458 N. Halsted, 8:30 p.m. Showcase at 8:30, open mic 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.” This outstanding show is free and there’s even free pizza. Donations appreciated and go to performers. Tonight is JDA producer Marla Depew’s birthday show. Hosted by Krista Atkinson (JDA member). Showcase guests: Marla Depew, Ron Ervin, Tom Gotlund, Dina Nina Martinez and Amy Sumpter.
Bomb A$$ $et at Under the Gun Theatre, 956 W. Newport, 9:00 p.m. “What happens when good comic INTENTIONALLY BOMB?! Under the Gun invites some of our favorite Stand Ups in Chicago to repeat some bad sets, bomb sets. Then, a group of Improvisors ask a set of questions (i.e. Why did you write that joke?) to create a separate improvised set. Ending the show with the Stand Ups’ best material or bomb ass sets!”
Seriously Unprepared Presents Lives of the Prepared at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:00 p.m. Armando-style show with a live video interview of a celeb followed by improv based on those stories. Tonight: Jen Spyra, writer and announcer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
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. Tonight’s friend is Sarah Ashley.
FRIDAY, APRIL 7
Waiting to Inhale at Under the Gun Theatre, 956 W. Newport, 7:30 p.m. This show returns by popular demand for a new eight-week run. Starring the members of EbonyEssenceJet, who improvise a one-act play based on audience suggestions. Topics include friendship, love, and working with life’s challenges.
Brian Regan at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, 8:00 p.m.
Sammy Obeid at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. More about Sammy Obeid here, including his 1001 night streak of comedy performances. Through Sunday. Follow link for all times.
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.
Ritch Shydner at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Follow link for all times.
Deon Cole at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Deon Cole is a Chicagoan and co-stars on Angie Tribeca and Black-ish and is a correspondent on Conan where he was also Emmy-nominated as a writer. Nina Metz just wrote about him in the Chicago Tribune here. Through Sunday. Follow link for all times.
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.
Erin Foley at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Shows through Saturday. Follow link for all times.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
Ali Wong at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Good news: Ali Wong is writing a book of essays to be published in 2018.
Ritch Shydner at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Follow link for all times.
Deon Cole at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. , 9:15 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Through Sunday.
Erin Foley at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
Sammy Obeid at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Through Sunday. Follow link for all times.
Lola Balatro at WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 8:00 p.m. You want this band as part of your life. I explain here. If you know Lola Balatro, no explanation necessary.
My Favorite Murder at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, 8:00 p.m. The iTunes-topping Podcast with comedians Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Both a comedic podcast and a way to deal with the anxieties our society imposes. According to the Vic’s web site, tonight is sold out, but I believe in checking right up until the last minute.
Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio at Wallace Hall, 813 LaSalle St., Ottawa, 8:00 p.m. With Patrick O’Hara, Mike Wiley, Timmy Whitzell and Mike Stricker.
Mainstage Mic at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. A new show on Saturdays in April! Each week features 60 minutes of stand-up by three top in-house comedians plus a special guest and a headlining spot by one of Chicago’s renowned comedy vets.
The Therapy Players at the Open Door Theater, 902 S. Ridgeland Ave., Oak Park, 8:00 p.m. This improv group’s members are all therapists and they promise “laughs that keep You Jung!”
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.
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, APRIL 9
The Kiki: Queer Comedy with Variety at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 5:00 p.m. Comedy and storytelling hosted by Scott Duff. Featuring Peter Kim, Erin Diamond, Melody Kamali, Allison Reese, Eric Lewis-Baker, Shannon Noll and more TBA.
Tuxedo Cat Comedy at Innertown Pub, 1935 W. Thomas St., 7:00 p.m. With Jeff Arcuri, Melody Kamali, Zach Frey, Irene Fagan Merrow (visting from NYC), Chloe Radcliffe (visiting from Minneapolis) and TCC producer Brittany Myer. Hosted by TCC producer Jerry Tran.
Arguments and Grievances at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. FINAL CHICAGO SHOW! Free entry with an RSVP to ArgueandGrieve@gmail.com. Bobby Budds vs Tim Mclaughlin (Living with your parents vs working for your parents), Reena Calm vs Xavier Lamont (Subway(Train) vs Subway (Sandwiches)), Zach Peterson vs Joe McMahon (Rockabilly vs Hillbilly), Stephanie Weber vs Derek Smith (Woke vs Asleep). Hosted By Kevin Brody.
Deon Cole at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m.
Sammy Obeid at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 7:30 p.m.
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.