Visitors in town: The Get Down Comedy Tour with Cedric “The Entertainer,” Eddie Griffin, DL Hughley and George Lopez. Andrew Santino returns to his hometown. Eddie Brill is one of the celebrity judges at the Clean Comedy Challenge. Jeff Dye, Jonny Loquasto and Jessica Michelle Singleton are here, too. Brad Zimmerman has arrived for a summer stay until mid-August!
In the news:
Chicago comedy alums nominated today for Emmy Awards: W. Kamau Bell (United Shades of America), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Veep), Matt Walsh (Veep), Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Vanessa Bayer (SNL), Melissa McCarthy (SNL), Kathryn Hahn (Transparent), and Jackie Hoffman (Feud: Bette and Joan). Also nominated: shows with big Chicago provenance, including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell , Silicon Valley, and Brown Girls.
Brown Girls‘ nomination is especially exciting. It began as a Chicago web series created, written, and produced by Fatimah Asghar and Samantha Bailey, who also directs. It also stars Sonia Denis. The story is about the lives of Leila, a gay Muslim singer and Patricia, a black singer. Just last month, HBO announced it is adapting the series.
Did I miss anyone? Let me know!
The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is September 17.
There is also an award-winner to congratulate: The Open Mic Series won an Award of Merit at the national Shorts Competition. The Series is written by Kelsie Huff and Daryl Moon, directed by Jason Madeja and stars some of Chicago’s top comedians.
Following is the rest of this week’s comedy spotlight. As always, thank you to the Chicago comedy community and thank you to you for dropping by. Please confirm all details!
THURSDAY, JULY 13
My Son the Waiter: A Jewish Tragedy at the North Shore Center for Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd. 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Brad Zimmerman’s critically acclaimed one-man show is back in Chicago by popular demand! Six shows each week, Thurs.-Sunday, now through August 13. Brad Zimmerman gave CDG a great conversation here.
Waiting for Huffman at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:30 p.m. This popular original sketch show is back by popular demand after sold-out performances at 2016 Sketch Fest! Thursdays through August 3. Interview coming soon!
Andrew Santino at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. From Showtime’s I’m Dying Up Here. On the show, he’s from Ohio, but Andrew Santino is actually a Chicagoan! Through Sunday. Follow link for details.
Tuxedo Cat Comedy at Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago Ave., 8:00 p.m. Fourth anniversary show and a new venue! Featuring Erica Nicole Clark, Danny Kallas and Amy Sumpter. Hosted by TCC producers Rebecca Fass, Jerry Tran, Brittany Meyer and Le Aboav.
Clean Comedy Challenge at The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora, 8:30 p.m. With celebrity judges Dobie Maxwell, Dwayne Kennedy, Bill Gorgo, Jimmy McHugh, Eddie Brill and CCC creator Leslie Norris Townsend. Through Saturday, July 15.
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.
Jeff Dye at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Tonight and tomorrow downtown. Saturday at Zanies in Rosemont. Jeff Dye stars in NBC’s Better Late Than Never with Henry Winkler, William Shatner, Terry Bradshaw, and George Foreman. Check out this interview with Jeff Dye on WCIU’s You & Me This Morning from this morning.
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 Jeff Quintana.
FRIDAY, JULY 14
The Little Hours with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena at The Music Box, 3733 N. Southport Ave., 7:20 p.m. Aubrey Plaza and director Jeff Baena will attend and hold Q&As on Friday, July 14th at 7:20 p.m. and Saturday, July 15th at 5:00 p.m. They will also open the 9:45 p.m. screening, but no post-show Q&A.
Comedy Get Down Tour at The United Center, 8:00 p.m. Starring Cedric “The Entertainer,” Eddie Griffin, DL Hughley and George Lopez.
Jonny Loquasto 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.
SATURDAY, JULY 15
The Little Hours with Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena at The Music Box, 3733 N. Southport Ave., 5:00 p.m. Aubrey Plaza and director Jeff Baena will attend and hold Q&As on Friday, July 14th at 7:20 p.m. and Saturday, July 15th at 5:00 p.m.
Two Hour Comedy Hour at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, 7:00 p.m. With Jessica Hong, Jacob Lowery, Cleveland Anderson, Kyle Scanlan, Nate Burrows, and Jeanie Doogan
Ghouldini’s Summer Bash at Slate Arts and Performance, 3203 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. “Fun, absolutely-NO sun, drinks, sketch comedy and a screening of a very SPOOKY black and white horror film from the 1940s.” (TBA) With Blake Burkhart, Tyler Snodgrass, Megan Stalter, Shannon Noll, Mike Knish, Ben Banach, Steve Gerard and more.
She the People at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays. A comedic take on women’s lives in these times.
Damon Williams at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., 11:15 p.m. Damon Williams is a Chicagoan and guest host on Windy City Live.
Mainstage Mic at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. A new show on Saturdays in April! Each week features 60 minutes of stand-up by three top in-house comedians plus a special guest and a headlining spot by one of Chicago’s renowned comedy vets.
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.
SUNDAY, JULY 16
Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live! at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. “Eegah!” at 5:00 p.m. “Secret Surprise Film” at 8:00 p.m. Follow link for all details.
Comedy Showcase at Uncommon Ground, 3800 N. Clark St., 7:00 p.m. Featuring stand-up comedy from Jessica Michelle Singleton, Reena Calm and Natalie Jose. Dinner and comedy.
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.
Damon Williams at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m.