Guests in town this first part of the week include Jay Leno, Myq Kaplan, Steve Hostetter, and returning Chicagoans Craig Robinson, and Jeff Garlin who makes special appearances at Chicago Underground Comedy and Comedians You Should Know.
Please confirm all details before setting out!
MONDAY, APRIL 17
Multiple Comedy Shows at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 7:00 p.m. Smart Mouth Open Mic, followed by Are You Smarter Than a Comedian (8:30 p.m.) and Dale’s Very Important Comedy Show #2 (10:00 p.m.)
Ladylike at Café Mustache, 2313 N. Milwaukee Ave., 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Women get to tell their most disgusting stories. Tonight Samantha Berkman, Sabeen Sadiq, Le Aboav, Alex Heller, Kaitlyn Grissom and Marilee. Hosted by Allison Dunne and Gena Gephart.
The Armando Diaz Experience with Ameya Pawar at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Personal stories from a special guest inspire long-form improv. Tonight’s special guest is Illinois gubernatorial candidate and alderman Ameya Pawar.
Manic Mondays at SLR Bar & Grill, 16409 Halsted, Harvey, 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Taneshia Rice.
Female Funnies at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. A stand-up showcase hosted by Patti Vasquez (host of WGN Radio’s Pretty Late with Patti Vasquez).
TUESDAY, APRIL 18
Open Books and Laugh: Stand Up for Literacy at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. A benefit for Chicago’s Open Books. Featuring Kelsie Huff, Pat Tomasulo, Leon Rogers, Reena Calm, Lainie Lenertz, Kevin Williams and more TBA.
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.
LAST SHOW! Pure & Weary’s Roaring in Our 20s at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. Pure & Weary’s show was a smash hit at Chicago Sketch Fest and Second City and has now been picked up at The Annoyance for a 6-week run through April 18th. This show takes place during the 1920s and celebrates flappers, comedians and other non-conventional women and the things we all have in common. “Come watch as Pure & Weary Charleston through the ups and downs of their 20s.” Interview: “Pure & Weary’s Roaring in Our 20s is the Show we Need Today” here.
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 and Kumail Nanjiani got their start. Produced by Meredith Kachel. TONIGHT Meredith hosts Sean Flannery, J. Tyler Menz, Shannon Noll, Lem Slaughter, and Peter Kim. Additional performances by: Meghan Babbe and Steve & Ben.
Plus Kevin McCaffrey and comedian/actor/voice artist/producer/writer/director Jeff Garlin!
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 7:00 p.m. Marty DeRosa hosts T. Murph, Matty Ryan and Caitlin Checkeroski with a special extended set from Jeff Garlin!
There is a 9:30 p.m. show, too: Ricky Gonzalez hosts Allison Dunne, Danny Kallas, Kevin McCaffrey, Andrew Tavin, Mike Timlin and Jay Washington.
Craig Robinson at Center Stage Theater, 1665 Quincy Ave., Naperville, 7:00 p.m. The comedian and actor is here to discuss his new book, Jake the Fake Keeps it Real, which he co-authored with Adam Mansbach and cartoonist Keith Knight. Sponsored by Anderson’s Bookshops.
Jay Leno at The Rosemont Theatre, 5400 N. River Rd., Rosemont, 7:30 p.m.
Myq Kaplan at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, 8:00 p.m. Featuring Arish Singh. Myq Kaplan has appeared on The Tonight Show, Conan, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and in his own half-hour Comedy Central special, and one-hour special on Netflix, Small, Dork, and Handsome. He was a Last Comic Standing finalist. His album Vegan Mind Meld was an iTunes Top 10-of-the-year.
Steve Hofstetter at Supply & Demand at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Steve Hofstetter is a writer (Sports Illustrated, Maxim) and former host and executive producer of Fox’s Laughs and current host of Finding Babe Ruth.
Mom Genes presents: Jolly Holiday at Café Mustache, 2313 N. Milwaukee Ave., 8:00 p.m. Tonight, a character from Ju Lee Anna. Stand-up from Rebecca Loeser, Erin Grotheer and Dan Sheehan. Headliner: Scott Duff.
Laughs in the Lounge at Rogers Park Social, 6920 N. Glenwood, 9:00 p.m. Visit the showcase’s Facebook page for profiles of all the performers.
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