Visitors in town: James Davis, Mo’Nique, Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher. Ever Mainard returns to her comedy hometown! The next four days are packed with the best of comedy and this spotlight is only a fraction of all the great things going on. I heard there was some music thing happening, too, but it sounded inconsequential … especially compared to Chicago’s comedy scene. Extra bonus: comedy will not be rained out and the crowds are good-humored.
Please confirm all details before heading out!
THURSDAY, AUGUST 3
[LAST SHOW!] Waiting for Huffman at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:30 p.m. Lauren Huffman, Billy Sullivan and Lynne Roberts are “Waiting for Huffman.” Tonight is the last chance to see this show which also was a sold-out hit at SketchFest. I got to see the show two weeks ago and it is so smart and funny. 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!
Stand Up Stand Up Presents: Brian Da Wildcat Smith at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Headliner: Brian Da Wildcat Smith. Featuring Michael Njuguna Robinson, LiZ ZiNER, Jake McKenzie and Todd Massey. Hosted by Keith Paesel.
James Davis at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. From Comedy Central’s hit Hood Adjacent with James Davis. At Zanies in Rosemont on Thursday and Friday. At Zanies downtown on 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.
Dwayne Kennedy at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Dwayne Kennedy is at Zanies downtown through Friday and at Zanies in Rosemont on Saturday. One of the best stand-ups of our generation. Follow link for all show times. Check out his web site here.
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 Ron Harlow.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 4
Defiant Thomas Brothers: Separate But Equal at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 10:00 p.m. DEFIANT THOMAS BROTHERS + LOLA BALATRO. Two of Chicago’s most acclaimed together in one evening. Defiant Thomas Brothers won top honors at HBO’s Comedy Arts Festival. Lola Balatro is the com-rock band worthy of true rock stardom. If you’re not yet among the fandom, don’t miss this opportunity to join! If you’re already there, you probably already stopped reading to go get tickets. This show will be sold out!
Bad People, Good Comedy at Seven Bar & Restaurant, 400 E. Randolph, 7:00 p.m. Hosted by Danny Kirschner. Featuring Max Thomas, Sonal Aggarwal, and Connor King. Headliner: Joe Fernandez.
Asperger’s Are Us at Laugh Out Loud Theater, 3851 N. Lincoln, 8:00 p.m. From The New York Times: “Instead of focusing on [autism], the four men who make up the troupe perform skits and monologues that reflect their thoughts, perspectives and offbeat sensibilities, often characterized by deadpan and absurd humor… the guys are not looking for sympathy laughs or polite applause. Their show is not an autism awareness campaign, they say. They want people to laugh simply because they’re funny.”
VHS Comedy: Tape it to the Limit at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. Top comic commentary and stand-up based on the most absurd videotapes in existence. Everything from action-adventure to infomercials to scary kids’ shows. Here’s a chance to see these treasure as you never have before. Tonight: Lainie Lenertz, Cameron Gillette, and Sonal Aggarwal. Hosted by Tom Wisdom and Erin Grotheer.
Adam Burke at The Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Adam Burke was voted Best Standup by readers of The Chicago Reader and won Second City’s Up Next Comedy Competition. He tours all over the country and is a panelist on NPR’s Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me! Through Sunday. Follow link for all show times.
TOLD at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:30 p.m. A new show about truth telling via improv, music, and spoken word. Rotating cast includes some of Chicago’s best: Allison Ringhand, Dina Facklis, Laurel Krabacher, Becca Barish, Lindsey Smith, Alison Gates, Dana Quercioli, Tim Lyons, Damian Anaya, Vince Portacci, Dan White, Neil Jacobsen, Lawrence Collerd, Dan Bazaldua, Justin Drogos, Meghan Babbe, Nnamdi Ngwe, & Brett Lyons.
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.
Mo’Nique at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Through Saturday. Mo’Nique’s on-screen career began with The Parkers. She had her own show, The Mo’Nique Show and won an Academy Award for her role in Precious.
And You Get a Compliment at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 11:55 p.m. Everybody gets a compliment! With the Compliment Queens: Compliment Queens: Jamie Hoskins, Courtney Matula, Mary McGroarty, Kirsten Pasia, Little Oprahs:, Ashley Bland, Jess DeBacco, Jillian Ebanks, Claudia Iao, Shelby Quinn, Kayla Pulley, and Sarah Sterling.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 5
Mainstage Showcase at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. Featuring the women of One Group Mind.
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.
We Still Like You at Collaboraction, 1579 N Milwaukee Ave, Ste 336, 9:00 p.m. Comedic storytelling about shame. Tonight: Jessie White, Jane Harrison, Charlie Vergos, and Ever Mainard! Hosted by J. Michael Osborne and Dan Sheehan!
Ever is one of the excellent comedians that Chicago lost to L.A. See her now while she’s here! I was fortunate to speak with her before she left. This video of her at Chicago Underground Comedy was acclaimed by WBEZ, The A.V. Club, jezebel.com, and has been seen by hundreds of thousands of fans on YouTube.
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.
Beast Women Summer Series at Prop Theater, 3502 N. Elston, 10:30 p.m. All-women variety revue: comedy, dance, spoken word, poetry and more. All welcome. Bonus: several of the kates are part of each week’s line-up! Follow on Facebook for details.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 6
Natasha Leggero and Moshe Kasher: The Endless Honeymoon Tour at Park West, 322 W. Armitage, 8:00 p.m. One of the best comedy memoirs: Kasher in the Rye: The True Tale of a White Boy from Oakland Who Became a Drug Addict, Criminal, Mental Patient, and Then Turned 16
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.
Jackie Fabulous at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Wednesday, August 9. Jackie was a lawyer in her former life. As a comedian, she has worked with Wanda Sykes, Roseanne and appeared on the OWN Network.
The Roast of Game of Thrones at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 9:00 p.m. Featuring Andy Fleming, Tyler Jackson, Tom Wisdom, Kent Carney, James Fisher Jr, Mary Jordan, Jamie Carbone and more TBA.
You can stay up to date with Comedians Defying Gravity by typing your email address in the box and clicking the “create subscription” button. My list is completely spam, spam, spam, spam free, and you can opt out at any time.