In town: Chris Rock, Camilla Cleese, Alice Cooper, Gina Yashere, Alex Edelman, Jo Koy, Max Amini, Eddie Pepitone, and Gaby Dunn with Alison Raskin. Judy Tenuta returns to her hometown!
Returning to their comedy home for Second City’s Roast of George Wendt this Saturday: George Wendt, Jason Sudeikis, Keegan-Michael Key, Julia Sweeney, Tim Kazurinsky, Betty Thomas, Bob Odenkirk, David Koechner, Jeff Tweedy and more TBA. (There are at least two opportunities to see Keegan-Michael Key this week. Check it out below!)
Classes: The Kates University is open for registration! Classes start September 19th (level 1) and 20th (level 2). These all-female classes are taught by Kelsie Huff and members of the kates and are a great way to make your voice heard and honed as you’ve always imagined it could be. Details here.
Starting October 5 at Story Studio Chicago, you can study Live Lit Performance with Jeremy Owens, the creator and producer of You’re Being Ridiculous, one of the funniest, most poignant, and diverse storytelling events in the city. Details here.
Following is this week’s spotlight. Please confirm all details before heading out! Thank you for dropping by and reading and thank you to the Chicago comedy community for making this blog possible!
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
Wayne’s World at Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 6:30 p.m. The city of Chicago’s free movie program. Tonight: Alice Cooper appears in person at 6:30 p.m. to introduce the film and talk about his part. Early arrival recommended.
Cocktail Comedy at House of Blues’ Foundation Room, 329 N. Dearborn, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Produced by James Allen Kamp, creator of the most excellent comedyofchicago.com. DJ Tone-Knee kicks off the evening at 6:00 p.m. RSVP for free admission. Early arrival recommended. Seats go fast! Always a great, diverse line-up of Chicago’s top comedians and surprise drop-ins.
7:30 p.m.: Marvin Phipps, Chris Trani, Ed Towns, Marty DeRosa
9:30 p.m.: Marvin Phipps, Mona Aburmishan, Doc Love, Paul Farahvar
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.
Historically Accurate Comedy at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. World history taught by comedians. Tonight’s topic: science.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. Produced by Meredith Kachel. Tonight: Nicky Martin hosts Alex Crockman, Ross Kelly, Lainie Lenertz, Kristen Lundberg, Andrew Mahar, Britt Ferguson, and Odinaka Ezeokoli. Also: Maureen San Diego, and pop-ins from Chris Condren and Giulia Rozzi.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
Psychotic Break at Schuba’s Tavern Upstairs Lounge, 3159 N. Southport, 8:00 p.m. Jenn Sodini and Dan Shapiro host this mental illness-themed variety show.
Chris Condren Album Recording at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 7:00 p.m. Presented by Comedians You Should Know. Chris Condren was twice named “best of Chicago” at the prestigious Just For Laughs festival and “Best of the Fest.” He teaches at the Second City’s Training Center and is also known as musician Thunder Davis.
Gina Yashere at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. The great Gina Yashere is a UK TV comedy star, the British correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, appeared on HBO’s Crashing and was a finalist on Last Comic Standing, among many other credits. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.
Alex Edelman at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times. Alex Edelman is an award-winning internationally touring comedian.
CDCC Presents Diverse A.F. at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:30 p.m. “Three teams made up only by LGBTQIA, Disabled and Performers of Color take to the stage to perform improvisational theater. These teams are a part of ‘Chicago’s Diverse Comedy Community’ an organization focused on creating opportunities and providing resources to diverse comedians.”
Harvey Can’t Mess With Texas at Scond City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Featuring these Texas natives: Robyn Scott, John Sabine, Saurabh Pande, Matt Lusk and Anthony LeBlanc. With Rashawn Nadine Scott, Sayjal Joshi, Dana Quercioli, Rachael Mason, Andrew Knox, Alan Linic, Brooke Breit, Claudia Wallace, Andel Sudik, and Norm Holly. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Tooles, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. Hosted by Joe Kilgallon. Featuring Odinaka Ezeokoli, Danny Kallas, Michael Meyers, and Shannon Noll. Extended set by Martin Morrow.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
Jo Koy at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Through Sunday and also next Friday-Sunday. Follow link for all show times.
Stand Up Stand Up Presents Joe McMahon at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. A stand-up showcase known for its consistently excellent line-ups. Featuring Kristen Lundberg, Mikey Manker, Sammy Arechar and more TBA.
Chris Rock: Total Blackout Tour at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., 8:00 p.m. Through Sunday, September 10! Follow link for all show times! Chris Rock is a multi-Emmy- and Grammy Award-winning comedian, SNL alum, writer, producer, director, movie star, Broadway star, two-time Academy Awards Host, and one of the best stand-ups of all time.
All Def Comedy Showcase at The Revival, 1160 E. 55th St., 8:00 p.m. Twelve comics from across the Midwest are performing tonight for an opportunity to appear on Russell Simmons’ All Def Comedy on HBO this Fall. Tonight: Just Nesh, Baldhead Phillips, Doc Love, Mike Samp, Martini Harris, Demarco Monroe, Shanie D., M. Dubs, Kelly Davis, Stick, and Jay Deep. Hosted by Chastity Washington.
Judy Tenuta Comes Home at Hamburger Mary’s, 155 S. Oak Park Ave., 8:00 p.m. Judy Tenuta is known as “The Love Goddess” and “Aphrodite of the Accordian” and encourages conversion to Judyism.
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.” Shows throughout the week. Follow link for all show times.
In Falsitas Veritas at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport, 8:00 p.m. Through Sunday. Follow link for all show times. A comedian’s search for truth in the universe. A one-man show by Cody Melcher.
Group Improvised Comedy at Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 8:00 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Long form improv (20-25 minutes) by three teams of up to 10 improvisers, each based on an audience suggestion. Follow link for details, show times and a great explanation of what makes improv an art form like no other.
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 Joe Bill.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
Keegan-Michael Key at Chris Kennedy Fundraiser at Hubbard Inn, 110 W. Hubbard, 5:30 p.m. One of at least two Keegan-Michael Key appearances in Chicago this week!!!
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Back from summer hiatus! Chicago’s all-women always-excellent and diverse comedy showcase produced by Kelsie Huff. Tonight: Angelica Julia Davila, Elizabeth Gomez, Adrienne Gunn, Denise Medina, Kyna Lenhof, Soli Santos, and Colleen Brennan. Host : Alexandra Tsarpalas.
Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin Hate Everyone But You at Lincoln Hall, 2020 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Best friends who founded the YouTube channel “Just Between Us.”
At Last the 1948 Show—LIVE! at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 7:30 p.m., 9:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Rare sketches from At Last the 1948 Show which originally aired in the U.K. in 1967 and was the acclaimed precursor to Monty Python. This Chicago event marks the first time these sketches have ever been seen on stage.
These shows were written by John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Marty Feldman. Starring Camilla Cleese with Isabeau Dornevil, Iris Kohler, Lauren Lonergan, Kristen Lundberg, and Lauren Pizzi, Python expert and chronicler Kim “Howard” Johnson, Michael McCarthy, and Bill Russell. Shows are this Friday and next.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Roast of George Wendt at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 6:00 p.m. Ticket package decides your arrival time-will you go for the show or add a pre-show tour, dinner or meet & greet? Expensive, but an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime event with all proceeds benefitting Gilda’s Club Chicago and The Second City Alumni Fund.
George Wendt is the guest of honor. Roastmaster: Jason Sudeikis. Roasters: Keegan-Michael Key, Julia Sweeney, Tim Kazurinsky, Betty Thomas, Bob Odenkirk, David Koechner, Jeff Tweedy and more TBA.
Max Amini at The Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., 8:00 p.m. With his improvisational style and fearless crowd work, every Max Amini show is different.
Las Locas Comedy at Karen Marie Salon, 1859 N. Milwaukee, 8:00 p.m. Surprise guest host TBA! Featuring Emilie Sepulveda, Janice V. Rodriguez, Rebecca V. O’Neal, Deanna Ortiz, and more TBA.
Therapy Players at The Open Door, 902 South Ridgeland Avenue, Oak Park, 8:00 p.m. This all-psychotherapists improv group has its fifth anniversary show tonight. Earlier this week, they headlined the first ever “Yes And Mental Health Conference” which focused on the connection between improv and mental health.
Judy Tenuta LIVE! at Hamburger Mary’s, 5400 N. Clark, 8:00 p.m.
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.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Story Jam Brunch at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, Noon Absolutely true stories from Chicago’s top storytellers. Stephanie Rogers’ ten-piece band has an original song for each. Interview with Stephanie here!
Actual Murderers at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 7:45 p.m. Stand-up and sketch by Actual Murderers plus performances by this month’s guests: Jason Earl Folks, Megan Stalter, and David Phillips. Interview with Joe Fernandez about Actual Murderers here!
Eddie Pepitone at Lincoln Hall, 2020 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. Eddie Pepitone is described “as a modern day cross between Jackie Gleason, Don Rickles and Eckart Tolle.”
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