Ticket alert: Gilda’s Club and Second City host The Roast of George Wendt on Saturday, September 9. Roastmaster is Jason Sudeikis (who is also George Wendt’s nephew). With Bob Odenkirk, Betty Thomas, David Koechner, “and a growing list of the biggest and brightest names in comedy for this once-in-a-lifetime evening of comedy and camaraderie to benefit Gilda’s Club Chicago and The Second City Alumni Fund.” Tickets are quite expensive. They start at $1,000, with $800 being tax-deductible. But how often do comedy opportunities like this come along and all for some great causes! More information here.
Disclosure: Writing this on a super-sized not-feeling-well-day, so please be sure to confirm all details before heading out!
MONDAY, JULY 31
Yas Queen at The Playground Theatre, 3209 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. “A variety show by women for everyone.” Tonight: Elyse Nylin, Chrissi Hartigan, Jordan Lee Cohen, Dandelion, Cool Moms, Lady Crush and Compliment Queens.
Dwayne Kennedy at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Dwayne Kennedy was a writer and correspondent for Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell and is one of the best comedians of our time. Downtown through Friday. At Rosemont Zanies on Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1
Laugh Patrol at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. “The 4th Annual Search for Chicago’s Funniest Police Officer.” Hosted by Tom Dreesen, one of comedy’s greatest.
Secrets, Lies and Alibis at Elbo Room, 2871 N. Lincoln, 8:00 p.m. Performances from Tyler Jackson, Tyler Snodgrass, Sohrab Foroozesh, Sonal Aggarwal, Krish Mohan and music from Chris Condren. Sketches inspired by the audience’s (anonymous) secrets.
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 new 105th Mainstage revue. Tickets sell out fast. Check site for additional shows throughout the week.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. 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.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2
Chalk House at The General/Logan Square, 2528 N. California, 8:00 p.m. Carly Kane, Andrew Halter, Clare Austen-Smith, Jonathan Euseppi, Tyler Snodgrass and Azhar Usman with Brandon Kieffer. Hosted by Toby McMullen.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. CYSK hosts the Big Sky Comedy Festival auditions featuring some of Chicago’s top stand-up talent.
7:00 p.m. Marty DeRosa hosts Jeff Arcuri, Adam Burke, Allison Dunne, Calvin Evans, Ricky Gonzalez, Kellye Howard, Joe Kilgallon, Felonious Munk, Rebecca O’Neal, Conner Roma, Mike Sheehan and Joey Villagomez. Doors at 6:00 p.m. Must arrive by show time or seat may be forfeited to someone else.
9:30 p.m. Ricky Gonzalez hosts Blake Burkhart, Erica Clark, Marty DeRosa, Kelsie Huff, Jonah Jurkens, Danny Kallas, Marilee, Joe McMahon, Martin Morrow, T. Murph, Jay Washington and
Russ Williamson.