In the news: Calvin Evans has been named one of the 2017 New Faces of Comedy at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal. The Festival is happening now and “New Faces” is a prestigious designation. The title goes to the comedians JFL believes everyone should be watching now. Zanies downtown announced this afternoon that he will be dropping in at 8:30 tonight to celebrate with a guest set with Michael Issac.
Second City announced the cast for its 106th Mainstage Revue: Kelsey Kinney, Ryan Asher, Tyler Davis, Jeffrey Murdoch, Tien Tran and Nate Varrone. Director: Ryan Bernier. Music director: Vinnie Pillarella. Stage manager: Craig Taylor. The new show opens in October.
Following is the spotlight for the first half of the week … just a fraction of all the great comedy happening in Chicago every day of the year. Second half of the week coming soon! Please confirm all details before heading out.
MONDAY, JULY 24
The Riff at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, 7:00 p.m. A unique open mic hosted by the kates. Comedians get a last-minute topic and deliver a surprise four-minute riff.
This One Woman: Bessie Coleman at Hopleaf, 5148 N. Clark, 7:30 p.m. “A comedy and variety show inspired by the life of a different famous woman every month.” Tonight: Dana Rochelle, Howard Madison, Janice V. Rodriguez, Angelica Julia Davila, Erin Conlon, Mark Rosenthal, Jo-Elle Munchak, Amy Nico Schwartz, and A.J. Miller. Co-hosted by Kyna Lenhof and Hector Manuel Reyes Junior. July’s theme is independent/patriotic women.
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! Check out Steve Gadlin’s interview with Tim and Eric here!
Manic Music Monday at Frances’, 307 E. 75th St., 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Marilee and Taneshia Rice (Kevin Hart’s Hart of the City and The Next Level).
Best Night Ever at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark, 8:30 p.m. With Kyle Scanlan, Dave Maher, Jessica Hong, Turner Barrowman (Minneapolis), Caitlin Checkeroski and Dan Peff! Plus secret special guests.
CAMP: A Comedy Show at The Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe St., 8:30 p.m. Samantha Berkman hosts Marty DeRosa, Turner Barrowman, Chelsea Hood, Nathan Simmons, Hobert Thompson, Brad Sativa Ballard and CAMP’s Tessa Orzech.
Jeff Arcuri at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Tonight and Tuesday night.
TUESDAY, JULY 25
Comedy Cocktail at the House of Blue’s Foundation Room, 329 N. Dearborn, 6:00 p.m. Always a great night of stand-up produced by comedyofchicago.com. DJ at 6:00 p.m. Comedy at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
7:30: Marvin Phipps hosts Brad Kofman, Chris Trani, Calvin Evans and Danny Kallas.
9:30: Chris Trani hosts Paul Farahvar, Kellye Howard and Joe Killgallon.
The Junk Drawer at The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. “Stand-up, sketch, solo work, storytelling, dance, magic, and more.”
Fantastic Super Great Nation Numero Uno at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The e.t.c.’s 41st revue. “ … as divided as the nation may be, there is still hilarity in our humanity.”
Winner … of Our Discontent at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The 105th Mainstage revue. Tickets sell out fast. Check site for additional shows throughout the week.
Chicago Underground Comedy’s 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. 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.
Sketch on the Rocks at The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, 10:00 p.m. “On any given night, you can witness music, stand up, sketch comedy, improv, storytelling, dance, and more…even magic! (For real, one time a magician put a cell phone inside a balloon and we all lost our minds.) Anything that our performers are willing to share, you can see on our stage. If you’d like to perform fill out the form!”
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26
You Joke Like a Girl at Volumes Bookcafé, 1474 N. Milwaukee, 7:15 p.m.
7:00 p.m. In person sign-up! 14 spots; 4 minutes each
7:15 p.m. All-women’s Comedy Open Mic
8:45 p.m. All-women’s Comedy Showcase hosted by Elyse Nylin. Featuring Suzanne Ballout, Ashley Ganski, Stephanie Weber and Dina Nina Martinez.
Everyone’s a Critic at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. A creative look at the minds behind Yelp’s most colorful restaurant reviews.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are 92 cents through July in honor of Timothy O’Toole’s founding in 1992. $10 at the door.
7:00 p.m. Allison Dunne hosts Mo Alexander, Kevin Bozeman, Danny Kallas, Shane Torres and Mo Welch.
9:30 p.m. Ricky Gonzalez hosts Kevin Bozeman, Mallory Bradford, Blake Burkhart, Danny Kallas and Nate Simmons.
The Boston Comedy Festival Showcase at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. A preview of Chicago comedians’ Boston Fest. sets.
Neko White at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.