In town this weekend: Janelle James, Eddie Pepitone, Mitch Fatel, April Macie, Nikki Glaser, Jim Breuer and Tape Face. Dave Helem also visits his comedy hometown.
Ticket alerts:
Doc Love’s F*ck Last Call at The Comedy Clubhouse on May 27. This select Saturdays-at-midnight (technically, Sunday) stand-up showcase is fast becoming known for selling out in advance.
Lenny: America IRL with Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner at The Harris Theater on June 2.
Chris Gethard at Lincoln Hall on June 6.
David Sedaris at Anderson’s Bookshop on June 6. (Free event!)
Moshe Kasher & Natasha Leggero at The Vic on August 6th. Tickets go on sale on May 19 at 10:00 a.m.
Robert Klein at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts on August 12.
Mark Normand at Zanies on October 19.
Lily Tomlin at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts on November 11.
In the news:
Registration for summer and fall stand-up classes at Feminine Comique is now open! First classes start next week.
Sean White’s new album, Angry and Alone, is here! (Or download here.)
ABC’s Downward Dog debuted this week. It’s a story about a woman’s best friend (her dog, Martin). The stars of the show are both Chicagoans. Allison Tolman is a Second City alum and Ned (Martin) was discovered at PAWS Chicago. On Windy City Live this week, Allison said that they’re both “Chicago rescues.”
The Chicago Women’s Funny Festival (June 15-18) announced its line-up. Details and tickets here.
Following is the rest of this week’s comedy spotlight. Please confirm all details before setting out!
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THURSDAY, MAY 18
Laughs Unlocked at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. All proceeds benefit Chicago Books to Women in Prison. Starring Brooke Breit, TJ Jagodowski, Brett Lyons, Beth Melewski, Nnamdi Ngwe, Saurabh Pande, Dewayne Perkins, Asher Perlman, Sue Salvi, Jim Scheidhauer, Kevin Sciretta and Robyn Scott. Musical director: Julie B. Nichols.
SPiN-Off Stand-Up at SPiN Chicago, 344 N. State, 9:00 p.m. A new, free stand-up showcase. Tonight: Ed Towns, Krista Atkinson, Laura Hugg, Kaitlyn Grissom, Cody Melcher, Josh Ejnes and Mona Aburmishan. Produced and Hosted by Brittany Meyer, Sonal Aggarwal, & Le Aboav.
Mitch Fatel at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Shows throughout the weekend. Follow link for all 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.
Lost Minds and Where to Find Them at Bughouse Theater, 1910 W. Irving Park Rd., 10:00 p.m. A comedy variety show about Chicago comedians and mental health. Featuring Colette Gregory (Second City), Josh Otusanya(Young Hustle Show), Ashton Tregoning(Comfort Zone), Timothy Cox (pH Productions) and more TBA.
April Macie at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Sunday. Follow link for all times.
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 Nnamdi Ngwe.
FRIDAY, MAY 19
Mary Lindsey presents Evan Lionel at The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave., 8:00 p.m. With Em Brown and Kelly Kellz.
Nikki Glaser at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport, 9:00 p.m. With Tom Thakkar. The host of Comedy Central’s refreshingly uncensored Not Safe with Nikki Glaser.
Tape Face at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., 7:30 p.m. From America’s Got Talent 2016.
A Dope Ass Comedy Show at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. Dave Helem returns from LA to host. Featuring Calvin Evans (Shameless, Kevin Hart’s Hart of the City), T. Murph Fanpage (Comic View, Chicago Fire), Kristen Toomey (Laugh Factory, Comedians You Should Know), Em Brown (Laugh Factory, Jokes and Notes), Matty Ryan (Parlour Car, Chicago Justice) and Felonious Munk (The Nightly Show, TouchVision), plus surprise guests TBA.
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.
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.
SATURDAY, MAY 20
Las Locas Comedy at Karen Marie Salon, 1859 N. Milwaukee Ave., 8:00 p.m. This monthly showcase is Chicago’s only evening of Latina-focused stand-up. New this year, RedEye has already named it a “must see” show and The Reader made it a recommended event. Tonight: Edith Lule, Soli Santos (The Kates, Las Locas), Janice V. Rodriguez (Laugh Factory, Las Locas), Le Aboav (Spin Off Stand Up, Zanies), Dina Nina Martinez (Laugh Factory, Lady Laughs Fest) and Anna Lucero (The GoGo Show). Donations appreciated and go to performers.
The Lincoln Lodge Presents Eddie Pepitone at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Jim Breuer at Park West, 322 W. Armitage Ave., 8:00 p.m. Jim Breuer was my introduction to twitter heartbreak: the first to follow me, then unfollow me. Dude, what gives? But I still think he’s hilarious.
Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio at Wallace Hall, 813 LaSalle St., Ottawa, 8:00 p.m. Dinner and stand-up. By invite only. Follow link for contact info. With Mike Maxwell, Joe Degand, Sadiq Samani and Tim Brennon.
Mainstage Improv Ensemble at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. A new show on Saturdays in May! The Comedy Clubhouse’s best seven improvisers will improvise a 75 minute performance. There will be short form audience-interactive improv games, a long form improv set (22 minutes), and a surprise in between.
Chicago’s Best Stand-Up at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Featuring Rebecca O’Neal, Janelle James, Dave Helem, Kevin Bozeman, Chris Bader and more TBA.
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. LAST 2 WEEKS!
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, MAY 21
Nondisclosure Agreement at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 6:00 p.m. A series of Q&As with Chicago’s top talent. Tonight Rachael Mason interviews Susan Messing with a focus on Susan’s audition experiences.
Fraudway at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Songs from established Broadway shows morph into something new and comedic.
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.