Visitors in town: Bridget Everett, Trevor Noah, Whitney Cummings, Aasif Mandvi, Mark Normand, Michael Kosta, Valerie Bertinelli, and Sheba Mason (who’s here through October 22). JB Smoove, Sheryl Underwood, Earthquake, Corey Holcomb, and DC Young Fly are all here for the Sweetest Day Comedy Jam, which also stars Chicagoan Taneshia Rice. Returning to hometown Chicago: Lena Waithe and Dave Helem.
UPDATE/JUST ANNOUNCED 10/20: Saturday Night Live’s newest (Chicago) cast members, Chris Redd and Luke Null are appearing at Paper Machete on Saturday. See below for more details.
In the news: Trevor Noah will be filming The Daily Show at The Athenaeum Theater this Monday, October 16 through Thursday, October 19. Until this evening, word was that all tickets have been taken, but the news tonight is that more stand-by seats have just been released. You may want to try your luck with stand-by given the rarity of this event. Tickets are free. Go here for more info: https://www.showclix.com/event/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah-chicago
You can visit The Daily Show’s Donald J. Trump Presidential Twitter Library inside Union Station’s Great Hall, 225 S. Canal St., from Friday, October 20-Sunday, October 22, 10 a.m.-10: p.m.
Ticket alert:
October 25-28: Judy Gold at Zanies in Rosemont.
April 6 and 7, 2018: Weird Al and Emo Philips at The Vic. Tickets on sale here on October 20.
Please confirm all details above and below!
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MONDAY, OCTOBER 16
Ladylike at Café Mustache, 2313 N. Milwaukee, 8:00 p.m. “Ladylike is a storytelling show where women tell the most disgusting stories they’ve got. Ladylike is a safe space for everyone, inclusive of all femme-identifying and non-binary individuals.” Tonight: Sarah Vulpio, Sarah Perry, Jillian Ebanks, Elyse Brendlen, Himabindu Poroori, and Shannon Noll. Hosted by Carly Ballerini.
The Armando Diaz Experience at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Tonight’s special monologuist is former Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17
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 p.m. Chris Trani, Mona Aburmishan, Abi Sanchez, Marty DeRosa
9:30 p.m. Mickey Housley, Leonardo Luciano, Mona Aburmishan, Danny Kallas
Second City’s 106th Mainstage Revue at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The all new revue is here! Written and performed by Ryan Asher, Tyler Davis, Kelsey Kinney, Jeffrey Murdoch, Tien Tran and Nate Varrone. Show times throughout the week. Follow link for all details.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. A groundbreaking showcase where Cameron Esposito, Beth Stelling, TJ Miller, Dan Telfer, Kumail Nanjiani, just to name a few, got their start. Produced by Meredith Kachel.
Generation Latinx at iO, 1501 Kingsbury, 10:00 p.m. A variety show featuring comedians and musicians of Latino/a heritage.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18
Aasif Mandvi at The Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, 7:00 p.m. Aasif Mandvi is here as part of a Chicago Ideas Week panel about “Life’s Big Questions.”
A Night of Stand-Up with Sheba Mason at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln, 7:30 p.m. Sheba Mason is in town through October 22 with her nationally acclaimed show based on her father’s life, The Jackie Mason Musical. But tonight is the only night to catch her stand-up!
Stir Friday Night at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:30 p.m. The Asian-American comedy troupe presents its monthly variety show.
Mom Genes Presents: Dial M for Mom at Café Mustache, 2313 N. Milwaukee, 8:00 p.m. Spooky comedy from the great Ghouldini. Featuring stand-up from Noah Rocklin, Sonal Aggarwal, and Melody Kamali (leaving Chicago for NYC). Headliner: Cody Melcher (leaving Chicago for LA).
Laughs in the Lounge at Rogers Park Social, 6920 N. Glenwood, 9:00 p.m. Stand-up showcase hosted by Marla Depew. Featuring Adam Bindert, Alex Crockman, Sharup Karim, Heather King, and Whitney Wasson.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19
Lena Waithe at The Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, 7:00 p.m. The Emmy Award-winning writer, actor and comedian is here as part of a Chicago Ideas Week panel “A Seat at the Table: Finding Equal Footing Through Storytelling.”
Bridget Everett at Park West, 322 W. Armitage, 8:30 p.m. Bridget Everett is like all the energy of the sun and the moon and the cosmos gathered together into one transformational night of comedy and music. She was kind enough to speak with me in 2015 and the interview actually won a #1 Best Post of the Month award on ChicagoNow.com. All credit to the gorgeous grit and glitter that’s Bridget Everett.
The Jackie Mason Musical at The Skokie Theater, 7924 Lincoln, Skokie, 8:00 p.m. Through October 22. Show times: Thurs., Fri., and Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sun. at 3 p.m. Also, Saturday, Oct. 21 at 4:00 p.m. Starring Jackie Mason’s daughter, Sheba Mason. An intriguing story about the relationship between Jackie Mason and Sheba’s mom, Ginger Reiter, set to music and comedy. Sheba was the baby at the center of the paternity suit filed against Jackie Mason in 1988.
Whitney Cummings at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, 8:00 p.m. The “I’m Fine and Other Lies” tour. Ticket price includes a copy of her new book of the same name, all about tackling adversity with humor and honesty.
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.
Mark Normand at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 7:30 p.m. Through Sunday. Follow link for all show times. Mark Normand’s credits include his Comedy Central Half Hour, Conan, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Inside Amy Schumer, TruTV, VH1’s Best Week Ever, Last Comic Standing, @midnight, and more.
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 Jo Feldman.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20
Trevor Noah at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Tonight, and Saturday (October 21), and next Saturday (October 28). Follow link for all show times. Note: this is Trevor Noah’s stand-up show, not The Daily Show, which is being filmed here earlier in the week.
The Dope Ass Comedy Show at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. Dave Helem returns to his hometown to headline and host. Featuring Keith Bigkeef Jackson, Sonny Bhatt, Mickey Housley, Diacos Love and Reena Calm. Musical guest: hip hop/violinist Lil Sharp. Surprise drop-ins always a good possibility, too.
Shark Tank: The Musical at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. “Ever watch the tv show Shark Tank and think ‘That show would make a great musical!’ Well, your friends at The Annoyance did.”
Michael Kosta at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. The Daily Show correspondent is here for one night only.
The Lincoln Lodge at Under the Gun Theatre, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m. This famed stand-up showcase is now headquartered at Under the Gun. Stand-up showcase on Friday and Saturday nights.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21
Paper Machete at The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway, 3:00 p.m. This free show always has a fabulous once-in-a-lifetime line-up and this week is sure consistent with that. Saturday Night Live’s Chriss Redd and Luke Null appear with Prateek Srivastava, Andrew Bentley, Becca Brown, Erin Diamond, Tom Fell, Melody Kamali, Carly Oishi, and Julia Weiss. Cabaret tunes from the Abbi Rajasekhar Trio and headlining band Get Up With The Get Downs. ARRIVE EARLY FOR SEATS-2 Hours early would not be unreasonable.
Valerie Bertinelli at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka, 6:30 p.m. Valerie is a Food Network host and starred in Hot In Cleveland and One Day At A Time. She is here to sign her new cookbook. Tickets required!
Sweetest Day Comedy Jam at Arie Crown Theater at McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Dr., 7:00 p.m. Featuring Taneshia Rice, Corey Holcomb, JB Smoove, Sheryl Underwood, Earthquake, and DC Young Fly.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 22
Everyone for Everytown at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:00 p.m. A night of comedy and music to benefit the organization Everytown for Gun Reform. A live auction throughout the show will raise funds for the Leah Brown Memorial Fund.
Stand Up for Pits at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 7:30 p.m. Featuring Rachael Mason, Susan Messing, Rebecca Corry and more comedians TBA. Proceeds benefit the rescue and care of pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs.
Boo Ha: A Spooky Halloween at Schubas Tavern, 3159 N. Southport, 8:00 p.m. Hoo Ha Comedy’s Halloween Party with Brittani J. Ferguson, Sarah Squirm, Grace Thomas, Melody Kamali, James Fisher Jr., Lainie Lenertz, and Megan Stalter. Hosted by Carly Ballerini.
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