WEDNESDAY, MAY 10
Sound Opinions at The Movie: Wayne’s World at The Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., 7:00 p.m. A tribute to Wayne’s World on its 25th anniversary. Hosted by Greg Kot (Chicago Tribune) and Jim DeRogatis (WBEZ).
Don’t Kid Yourself: Hey, Ma! at Hungry Brain, 2319 W Belmont Ave., 7:30 p.m. Monthly comedy variety show. Tonight’s theme is “moms” and includes stand-up from Kristin Toomey, Arish Singh and more TBA.
Amy Miller at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. When Amy Miller lived in Portland, she won Portland’s Funniest Comedian contest and was voted Portland’s Funniest 2013 and 2015 by the Willamette Week. She was also a hit on Last Comic Standing (Season 9).
Neil Hamburger at Lincoln Hall, 2020 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. “Neil Hamburger is the hardest working comedian in existence, performing up to 399 shows a year internationally to critical acclaim and audience bewilderment.”
Michael Palascak at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Michael Palascak got his comedy start in Chicago. His comedy has been featured on just about every late night shoe and he was a finalist on Last Comic Standing. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
Noah Gardenswartz at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. Marty Derosa hosts Blake Burkhart, Jason Earl Folks, Meredith Kachel, Keith Paesel, Kellye Howard and Joe Kilgallon.
THURSDAY, MAY 11
Gad Elmaleh at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. One of France’s biggest comedy stars. Gad Elmaleh is a French comedian and actor who grew up in Morocco. France’s Ministry of Culture awarded him the “Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres” in 2006 and he was also voted “The Funniest Person in France.” Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
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.
Listen & Ask Questions: A Protest Show at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:00 p.m. A new Dave Maher show! Ask Dave questions and he’ll answer. He did a version of this at The Dave Maher Coma Show and I can say 100%, he is one of the most interesting, honest, smartest, funniest, memorable people you’ll ever meet and there will be a lot of surprising results and unpredictable interactions, and never the same show twice. This show is “a protest against our blowhardy times and the expectations of what a comedy show ‘should’ be. It’s an hour of intimate connection between comedian and crowd.”
One Night Only: The Defiant Thomas Brothers at Second City’s Blackout Cabaret, 1616 N. Wells, 10:30 p.m. The award-winning Defiant Thomas Brothers “are an American comedy duo known for their fearless approach to material about race, stereotypes, and human nature.” Interviews here and here.
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 Jo Scott.