Ticket alert: Lena Waithe at Chicago Ideas Week on Thursday, October 19. Lena Waithe is a 2017 Emmy Award-winning actor and writer for Master of None. She grew up in Chicago and Evanston and is a graduate of Evanston Township High School and Columbia College. She will be in conversation with Uber’s Bozoma St. John and Teen Vogue’s Elaine Welteroth. They’ll discuss the power of storytelling and how to claim that power. Tickets here. (Word must not be out about this program because once it is, tickets will be gone-get them now!)
Following is this week’s spotlight. Please confirm all details!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
No Two Black Women at Second City Training Center, 1616 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Written by Asia Martin and Brittani Yawn.
Rising Star Showcase at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Up-and-coming Chicagoans.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Cocktail Comedy at House of Blues’ Foundation Room, 329 N. Dearborn, 6:00 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. Stand-up showcases at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 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: Chris Trani, Maya Mays, Sonal Aggarwal, and Jeff Arcuri
9:30: Jonah Jukens, Maya Mays, Chris Trani, and Abi Sanchez
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: Comedy Secrets at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. Comedians tell secrets, but only if the audience swears never to tell. Produced by Meredith Kachel.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Rose and Rosie at Park West, 322 W. Armitage, 8:00 p.m. The comedy YouTube stars from the U.K.
Peter Gwinn’s Launch Pad at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:30 p.m. The Emmy-Award winning Colbert Report writer presents his choice of the best of Chicago’s improv and sketch.
Shindig at Public House Theatre, 3914 N. Clark, 8:00 p.m. Cody Melcher and Alexandra Tsarpalas host a party with celebrity friends.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. Danny Kallas hosts Mike Bobrinskoy, Bobby Condon, Calvin Evans, Ricky Gonzalez, Kristen Lundberg, and Ryan Niemiller.
Dear Diarrhea at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. True embarrassing diary confessions.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Harland Williams at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Through Sunday. Follow link for all show times.
Mother Cluckers at Anderson’s Bookshop, 26 S. La Grange Rd, LaGrange, 8:00 p.m. Cast: KT Speetzen, Amy Sumpter, Heather Morgan, Susie An, Chris Hauri, Edith Lule & Erin Conlon.
Days for Girls at Volumes Bookcafé, 1474 N. Milwaukee Ave., 7:00 p.m. Readings and Performances by Alicia Swiz, Carly Oishi, McKenzie Chinn, JH Palmer and more TBA. Proceeds benefit Days for Girls, an organization that distributes menstrual hygiene products to girls and women in parts of the world where these products’ scarcity means time lost from school and work.
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 Brian Boland.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Funny Ha Ha: The Witching Hour at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 6:30 p.m. Comedy and storytelling from Women & Children First co-owner Sarah Hollenbeck, The Wilder Life author Wendy McClure, Mac & Cheese Productions℠ Head Cheese-It Saya Hillman, Eat Only When You’re Hungry author Lindsay Hunter, sitcom writer Zina Camblin, Kates cast member and Mother of the Year Adrienne Gunn, and DNA Info editor and Girl Talk host Jen Sabella. Hosted by Claire Zulkey.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Always an excellent night of stand-up and diverse voices. Produced by Kelsie Huff. Tonight: Brittany Meyer, Kelsie Huff, Maggie Tomasek, Laura Hugh, Jillian Ebanks, Molly Kearney, Tocarra Mallard, and Alison Connolly. Hosted by Denise Medina. Seats go fast! Arrive early!
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1
She The People: Girlfriends’ Guide to Doing it For Themselves at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m. The women of Second City take on everything that needs taking on!