THURSDAY, JULY 27
Waiting for Huffman at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:30 p.m. Lauren Huffman, Billy Sullivan and Lynne Roberts are “Waiting for Huffman.” I got to see the show last week and it is excellent! Sketches about life as we know it with laughs we hadn’t thought of … and won’t forget. This highly original show even has something fresh for Mariano’s shoppers. Interview with Lauren here!
Tuxedo Cat Comedy at Beauty Bar Chicago, 1444 W. Chicago, 8:00 p.m. Every 2nd and 4th Thursday. Tonight: Taneshia Rice, Tim McLaughlin, Sonal Aggarwal, Terence Hartnett, Patrick McManus and TCC producer Jerry Tran. Hosted by TCC producer Brittany Meyer. Plus surprise drop-ins!
Rat Pack Comedy at The Holiday Club, 4000 N. Sheridan Rd., 8:00 p.m. Headliner: Russell Williamson. Featuring: Alexandra Hawkey, Erik Scott, Nicky Martin and Kahlil Wilson. Hosted by Conor Cawley.
Parlour Car at Bar DeVille, 701 N. Damon, 9:00 p.m. Last Parlour Car at Bar DeVille! Next location still to be decided.
Nick Guerra at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Through Sunday. Follow link for all show times.
Jim McCue at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
Karen Rontowski 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.
Neko White at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
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 Tara DeFrancisco.
FRIDAY, JULY 28
Johnny Heller at The Wilmette Library, 3:00 p.m. A funny and informative lecture about the art of voicing audiobooks. Johnny Heller has narrated over 600 audiobooks and is a voice over coach.
Drinkers with Writing Problems Presents: Lit Up with The Kates! at Brisku’s Bistro & Bar, 4100 N. Kedzie, 7:00 p.m. Featuring Amy Sumpter, Alexandra Tsarpalas, Brittany Meyer, Soli Santos, Kim Nelson and Anita M. Mechler. Hosted by Elizabeth Gomez.
Dave Landau at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Through Sunday. Follow link for all show times.
The Devos Wear Prada at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:30 p.m. “A Midwestern Education” about how we absorb the facts and “facts” around us.
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 29
Abnormally Spellbound at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 7:00 p.m. This new comedy pilot by Prateek Srivastava debuts with a staged reading, raffle, and after-party. What happens when Nisheeth, a spelling bee champion, grows up and falls from grace into rehab? Interview with Prateek here!
Mainstage Mic at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. 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.
Beast Women Variety Show at The Prop Theatre, 3502 N. Elston, 10:30 p.m. A variety show starring women in the arts. Tonight is hosted by Michelle Power. With Isabel – Dance, Foxie La Fleur – Burlesque, Prolific – Spoken Word, Denise Medina – Comedian, Mango – Grotesque Buffoon Clown, Jackie Wolk & Marianne Schaefer – Haiku Smackdown, Melissa Richelle – Comedian, Goldie Rox – Isis Wings, Mara Maria – Acapella Songstress, The McCrystalizer – LED Hoop Dancer, Tamale – Fire Performer, Slightly Spitfire – Acro Burlesque, Christina Salem – Opera Singer and Kamani Raqs- Belly Dance.
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.
We Didn’t Write This at The Crowd Theater, 3935 N. Broadway, 11:59 p.m. There is a way to use CraigsList that no one has thought of before … until now. This show is just under forty minutes and features sketches from people who were willing to supply them via the web classified. You will not see it anywhere else and this is the closing night! Features work from writers in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and London. Director Dillon Cassidy made it all work.
SUNDAY, JULY 30
Everyone’s A Lawyer at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s newest game show. Comedians are given the facts and argue the case. Featuring Paul Farahvar, Adam Burke, Marty DeRosa and more TBA. Created by Paul Farahvar.
How to Survive a Trump Presidency at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont Ave., 8:00 p.m. If anyone can answer how, it’s going to be the comedians.
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.