Visitors in town: Dean Edwards, TuRae, Sandra Bernhard, Tim Dillon, Tone Bell, Ben Moore, and Tim & Eric. Dave Helem returns to his comedy hometown!
In the news: Ian Abramson is on Comedy Central’s @Midnight tonight (Wednesday, July 19). He got his comedy start in Chicago and is known for his completely fresh and original approach to everything he does, including his April Conan appearance which made national comedy news. (This amid the sad news, just announced yesterday, that @Midnight will end its run with its 600th show on August 4.)
Matteo Lane, who also got his comedy start in Chicago, will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert tonight. I saw Matteo at Comedians You Should Know about two years ago and became a lifelong fan.
Speaking of Chicagoans on The Late Show, Keegan-Michael Key (Second City in Detroit and Chicago) was on last night. He brought Luther, who in the current political climate has understandably been provoked into some of the most combustible explosions of all time. Enjoy a cathartic moment with President Obama’s Anger Translator here.
Ticket alerts: There are so many new tickets alerts this week that I’ve got them in a separate post here.
Below is the rest of this week’s Chicago Comedy Spotlight. Please confirm all details before heading out!
THURSDAY, JULY 20
Waiting for Huffman at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:30 p.m. Lauren Huffman, Billy Sullivan and Lynne Roberts are “Waiting for Huffman.” Interview with Lauren here!
Dean Edwards at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. One of the stars of MTV’s Guy Code and a former cast member of Saturday Night Live. Through Sunday. Follow link for all show times.
Mary Lindsey Presents TuRae at The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, 8:00 p.m. Headliner: TuRae. With Taneshia Rice and Marvin Barry.
Sandra Bernhard at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, 8:00 p.m. Sandra Bernhard’s “Sandra Monica Boulevard Coast-to-Coast Tour.”
Tim Dillon at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
Tone Bell at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
Tim Cavanaugh at Zanies, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles, 8:00 p.m. 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.
Upscale: An Evening of Live Music and Stand-Up at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 10:00 p.m. Hosted by Felonious Munk (The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore, Windy City Live). Tonight: Alex Kumin, Calvin Evans and Abi Sanchez.
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 Reader and “Improviser of the Year” at the Chicago Improv Festival. This week’s friend is Christy Bonstell.
FRIDAY, JULY 21
Till Death Do Us Part at Salvatore’s, 525 W. Arlington Pl., 7:00 p.m. Dinner and whodunit? An interactive comedic murder mystery dinner show.
Our Christian Nation at MCL Chicago Comedy Theater, 3110 N. Sheffield, 7:30 p.m. “What if the extreme Christian right got everything they wanted? A hilarious political satire from Emmy winner Joe Janes.”
Don’t Kid Yourself: Summer Vacation at Volumes Bookcafe, 1474 N. Milwaukee, 8:00 p.m. Derek Moulds hosts, Sabeen Sadiq, Ian Erickson, Rebecca Loeser, James Fisher Jr., Jacob Lowrey and headliner Amy Sumpter.
Sandra Bernhard at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, 8:00 p.m. Sandra Bernhard’s “Sandra Monica Boulevard Coast-to-Coast Tour.”
Adam Putnam Presents: Pretty Sweet Comedy Showcase at Uncommon Ground, 3800 N. Clark St., 8:00 p.m. The very sweet line-up: Adam Burke, Natalie Jose, Digeo Attanasio, Prateek Srivastava and Shannon Noll.
Ben Moore 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.
Dope Ass Comedy Show 1-Year Anniversary at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. Dave Helem returns from L.A. this week for this special event (and also guest hosted Windy City Live!). With Reena Calm, Vincent B Bryant, Marilee Pheniece, Eli Hamilton, Brian Da WiLdcat Smith, Chris Condren, Nathan Brannon and Lem Slaughter. Expecting some surprise guest drop-ins, too.
Tim and Eric 10th Anniversary Awesome Tour at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, 8:00 p.m. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of Adult Swim’s Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! In Chicago July 21, 22 and 24. Check out Steve Gadlin’s interview with Tim and Eric here!
Comedy Cruise with Zanies Comedy Club depart from Shoreline’s dock at Navy Pier, 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Jeff Arcuri. Featuring Dr. Bill Miller with headliner WGN TV’s Mike Toomey.
SATURDAY, JULY 22
Therapy Players at The Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, 8:00 p.m. “Laughs that will keep you Jung.”
The Yeah Buddy Awesome Time at Bru Chicago, 1562 N. Milwaukee, 8:00 p.m. Charlie Vergos Jimmy Roberson, Paul Thomas (as Dan Peff!), Cody Wilkins, Chad Weaver and Chris Damen. Hosted by Mike Knish.
Mainstage Mic at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. 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.
Roast My Instagram at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 10:00 p.m. “Come see our panel of ‘no filter’ roasters bring you back to reality from planet Instagram as we dissect audience member’s profiles and perform a slew of scenes of how we imagine your picture perfect lives to be.” With Zach Barba, Steph Callaghan, Kearney Fagan, Nick Halkias, Eric Henry and Zach Hodes
SUNDAY, JULY 23
Hoo Ha Family Reunion Show at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, 8:00 p.m. Hoo ha! Look at this outstanding line-up! Lainie Lenertz, Megan Stalter, Deanna Ortiz, Meredith Kachel, Kristen Toomey and Reena Calm with appearances from new Hoo Ha interns Carly Kane and Kristin Fenchak. Hosted by Carly Ballerini.
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