Ticket alert! Bill Murray with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday, October 10. Details here.
Following is a fraction of all the great comedy happening in Chicago this week. Please confirm all details!
MONDAY, JUNE 5
CAMP: A Comedy Show at The Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:30 p.m. One-year anniversary show featuring Jeff Arcuri, Casey Larwood, John Norman, Brandi Denise, Ian Abramson, Tommy McNamara, Toler Oswald Wolfe, James Fisher Jr., Dan Sheehan and CAMP’s Samantha Berkman. Hosted by Tessa Orzech.
TUESDAY, JUNE 6
David Sedaris at Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, 6:00 p.m. David Sedaris in conversation with author Ariel Levy (The Rules Do Not Apply) on the occasion of his new book, Theft By Finding. This event is free, but you have to purchase the book to join the signing line. David Sedaris in person is a guaranteed dopamine/happiness-high producing event.
Chris Gethard at Lincoln Hall, 2020 N. Lincoln, 6:00 p.m. Live recording of Beautiful/Anonymous podcast followed by stand-up at 8:30 p.m. You can see Chris’s one-man show Career Suicide on HBO. He has also appeared on Inside Amy Schumer, Parks and Recreation, The Office and in the movies Heat, The Other Guys and my favorite, Don’t Think Twice. He is the author of A Bad Idea I’m About to Do. Rolling Stone recently named him one of the top comedians of our time. He is also know, of course, for The Chris Gethard Show.
Secrets, Lies and Alibis at The Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. Two-year anniversary! Sketch inspired by audience secrets. Featuring a debut producer set from Amy Nico Schwartz, stand-up by Bill Gevirtz and Tristan A. Smith, sketch by Trey Hanks, music by Noelle Hoffman and Jake Dewar, and more TBA. Free show. $5 donation suggested.
Here’s a cool talk by Amy Nico Schwartz about author L.M. Montgomery:
Chicago Underground Comedy Summer Series 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.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7
You’re Being Ridiculous: Pride at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater, 1700 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. YBR will be at Steppenwolf through June 21 with a different line-up each week. WOW! Look at this fabulous line-up: Ian Belknap, Erin Diamond, Kimmy Fleishman, Samantha Irby, Archy Jamjun, Fawzia Mirza, Jerry Nunn, Jeremy Owens, and Coya Paz. You’re Being Ridiculous is hilarious, moving and memorable storytelling featuring people who bring down the house, each and every one.
The World Series of Comedy at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Forty comedians compete through Saturday to win a trip to Las Vegas.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. Marty DeRosa hosts Adam Burke, Blake Burkhart, Erica Clark, Ray Holleb, Kelsie Huff and Abi Sanchez.
THURSDAY, JUNE 8
The Second City/NBC Universal Breakout Comedy Festival at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:30 p.m. Ramon Rivas, who was awarded a Comedy Central special in 2016, hosts Defiant Thomas Brothers, Matty Ryan, Felonius Munk, Erica Clark, Joey Villagomez, Alex Kumin, Dewayne Perkins, Becca Brown, and more TBA.
Story Arc Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Sketch comedy revues make their world premiere. All begin with the prompt: “How can sketch comedy tell a new kind of story?” Through Saturday.
The World Series of Comedy at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Forty comedians compete through Saturday to win a trip to Las Vegas.
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.
Stand Up with the Sox at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Pat McGann of the White Sox podcast The Cycle. Tonight benefits White Sox Charities.
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 Mark Roberts.
FRIDAY, JUNE 9
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s all-women stand-up showcase produced and founded by Kelsie Huff. Always an excellent evening! Tonight: Amy Sumpter, Caroline Wooten, Elizabeth O’Neil, Courtney Buckwalter, Jessy Grossman, Jen Caruso, Amanda Cohen, Katy Nielsen and hosted by Soli Santos. Arrive early for seats!
The Second City/NBC Universal Breakout Comedy Festival at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Danny Pudi (Community, Disney’s Duck Tales, upcoming independent film The Tiger Hunter) and Parvesh Cheena (Outsourced) host Irene Tu, Aisha Alfa, Ramy Youseff, Sam Ike, Max Thomas and more TBA.
Story Arc Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Sketch comedy revues make their world premiere. All begin with the prompt: “How can sketch comedy tell a new kind of story?” Through Saturday.
The World Series of Comedy at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Forty comedians compete through Saturday to win a trip to Las Vegas.
Rion Evans at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Through Sunday.
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.
Loni Love at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Through Sunday.
SATURDAY, JUNE 10
Michael Che at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Both shows are sold out, but I always recommend checking again as the time gets closer. Michael Che is a Saturday Night Live cast member and “Weekend Update” anchor.
The World Series of Comedy at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Forty comedians compete this week to win a trip to Las Vegas. Last night!
The Second City/NBC Universal Breakout Comedy Festival at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:30 p.m., 10:00 p.m., 11:59 p.m. Chris Redd (Pop Star: Never Stop Stopping) at 7:30 hosts Calvin Evans, Becca Brown, Ramon Rivas and Martin Morrow with more TBA.
Midnight show just added. Chris hosts Sam Ike, Irene Tu, Ramy Youseff, Calvin Evans, Martin Morrow, Dewayne Perkins and Erica Clark.
Loni Love at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Through Sunday. http://chicago.improv.com/calendar/
Story Arc Sketch Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Sketch comedy revues make their world premiere. All begin with the prompt: “How can sketch comedy tell a new kind of story?” Through Saturday.
Rion Evans at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Through Sunday.
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: Angelica Davila, Soli Santos, Brittany Meyer, Melissa Duprey, Janice V. Rodriguez, Amy Colon. Donations appreciated and go to performers. More about Las Locas Comedy here.
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. Extended through July.
John Grimes at The Revival, 1160 E 55th St, 10:00 p.m. Los Angeles comedian John Grimes visits Chicago. Featuring Vincent Bryant, Terrence Murphy, and Jarrell Scott Barnes.
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, JUNE 11
Kiki at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 5:00 p.m. “Queer comedy with variety.” With Scott Duff, Peter Kim and more TBA.
Stand Up NBC Showcase at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 7:00 p.m. A nationwide search for comedians with diverse voices. Finalists receive an NBC holding deal, auditions and meetings with NBC casting and development executives.
Loni Love at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m.
Rion Evans at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 7:30 p.m.
Ben Seidman at North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Rd., 7:30 p.m. Ben Seidman is a comedian and magician who designed illusions for Chris Angel Mindfreak. He has also appeared on Penn & Teller’s Fool Us and starred in Magic Outaws on the Travel Chanel.
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.