In town: Tom Cotter, Lizz Winstead with the Vagical Mystery Tour, Cash Levy, The Hodgetwins, Artie Lange, Mo Amer, and The Capitol Steps.
In the news: Taneshia Rice stars in Kevin Hart’s The Next Level on Comedy Central this Sunday at 10:00 p.m. CST.
Cameron Esposito appears in the new Sam Elliott movie, The Hero.
Opportunities: Feminine Comique’s summer term begins on July 11. Great article in Time Out Chicago here. Register for classes here.
There’s still time to be part of the Super Narcoleptic Girl web series created by Sarah Albritton and Catherine “Povs” Povinelli. With four days left, the campaign is 90% funded. Sarah and Povs were kind enough to talk with me here.
Following is this week’s spotlight. It’s just a fragment of all the great comedy happening here over the next seven days! Please confirm all details before setting out. Thank you for reading and thank you to the Chicago comedy community for making this blog possible.
MONDAY, JUNE 26
Best Night Ever at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark, 8:30 p.m. Free stand-up showcase. Tonight: Derek Smith, John Eide, Jane Harrison, Miles Hendrix and Megan Stalter. Interview with producer Sam McHale here!
This is Not Normal at Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. “A dark theatrical satire” looks at how we look at each other and asks, “when can we just be ourselves?”
Patti Vasquez at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Thursday and over the weekend. Patti Vasquez is a longtime Zanies headliner and the host of WGN radio’s Pretty Late with Patti Vasquez.
TUESDAY, JUNE 27
The Comedy Bowl Open Mic-ish at Diversey Bowl, 2211 W. Diversey, 7:30 p.m. New summer monthly open mic. Comedians will get their topics the night of the show and will create jokes, songs, sketches or improv. Hosted by Mona Aburmishan who will also be scouting people for her regular comedy showcase. Free for non-comedians.
Lady Parts Justice League Vagical Mystery Tour at Metro Chicago, 3730 N. Clark, 7:30 p.m. A diversity of comedic voices speaking out about sexism, racism and homophobia. Hosted by Lizz Winstead, (Co-creator The Daily Show) with Alonzo Bodden (winner, Last Comic Standing), Joyelle Nicole’s Fan Page (Night Train with Wyatt Cenac), Leah Bonnema (VH1’s 100 Greatest Series) Dr. Willie Parker (Award-Winning Author/ Abortion Provider), K’Valentine (Hip-Hop Artist “Here For A Reason”), Dina Nina Martinez (AfterEllen.com’s “40 Hot Queer Women In Comedy.”
Top Notch Tuesdays at Laugh Out Loud Theater, 3851 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:30 p.m. With improv teams Earl Grey, Chicago Breakfast and Stacks. The Chicago Reader’s Best of 2017 poll voted Laugh Out Loud Theater the Best Venue for Improv/Sketch.
Chicago Underground Comedy Presents Comedy Secrets at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. This is the show where comedians famously share secrets and the audience swears that what happens at ChUC stays at ChUC. Produced by Meredith Kachel. 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.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28
You Joke Like A Girl 1st Anniversary at Volumes Bookcafé, 1474 N. Milwaukee, 7:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. In person sign-up for open mic: 14 spots; 4 minutes each
7:15 p.m. All-women’s Comedy Open Mic
8:45 p.m. All-women’s Comedy Showcase with Kelsie Huff, Molly Kearney, Sonal Aggarwal and Elyse Nylin. Donations appreciated and go to showcase members.
Here is the wonderful, funny, honest Kelsie Huff (The Kates, Feminine Comique, Windy City Live)
Drunk Science at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. The science of drink hosted by one of comedy’s best storytellers, Sean Flannery.
Cash Levy at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 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. A Chicago stand-up showcase with a national reputation. Comedians travel from out-of-town to perform and record their albums here. Tonight Ricky Gonzalez hosts Jeff Arcuri, Blake Burkhart, Danny Kallas, Samuel Priest, Chastity Washington and Emily Winter.
THURSDAY, JUNE 29
Comedy Workshop Showcase at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, 7:30 p.m. Twelve showcasing comics are graduating from Dave Schwensen’s workshop. Ed Duncan hosts. Featuring Brian Hicks. Mention Dave Schwensen’s name at the box office and get a discounted ticket price of $5.
The Hodgetwins at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport, 8:00 p.m. The fitness comedians with a cult YouTube following are here. With Calvin Evans.
Still Not Friday at Two Brothers Roadhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora, 8:00 p.m. Jake Breunig hosts Austin Lafond, Jane Harrison and Peter-john Byrnes.
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.
Messing with a Friend at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 10:30 p.m. 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 Chicago Reader and “Improviser of the Year” at the Chicago Improv Festival. This week’s friend is Ryan Archibald of Second City and iO.
FRIDAY, JUNE 30
Tom Cotter Interview on Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio, 7:15 a.m. Follow the link (or download the CCSR app) and Tom Cotter will come to you along with CCSR hosts Tony Carr and Steve Touhy.
Tom Cotter at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Through Sunday. Tom Cotter is a guaranteed evening of uplift through laughter and comedy, no matter what batshit craziness is going on in the rest of the world. Highly recommend! He was kind enough to speak with me when he was here last year and I can tell you, I instantly felt better about everything.
Calvin Evans at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Through Sunday. Follow link for all show 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.
Pat McGann at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Pat McGann created and hosted the Emmy-nominated television show, The Chicago Stand Up Project.
SATURDAY, JULY 1
Late Late Breakfast at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 3:00 p.m. A surprise birthday party of a comedy variety show with pancakes included.
Artie Lange at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport, 9:00 p.m. On top of his stand-up, Artie Lange is known for his numerous TV and movie roles . One of his most recent and my favorite was when he appeared as himself on Pete Holmes’ Crashing on HBO.
Tom Cotter at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Through Sunday.
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.
Mo Amer: No Fly Zone at The WIP Theater, 6670 N. Northwest Highway, 10:00 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. Rolling Stone named Mo Amer “one of ten comedians you need to know.” He regularly tours with Dave Chappelle.
SUNDAY, JULY 2
Improv Nerd at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 5:30 p.m. Improv guru Jimmy Carrane interviews members of 3Peat, one of iO’s most renowned house teams.
Tom Cotter at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:00 p.m.
The Capitol Steps at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, 7:00 p.m. A bi-partisan group of former Congressional staffers, the Capitol Steps are renowned for their musical political parodies. They have multiple albums and tour the country performing over 500 shows a year.
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.
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