Visitors in town: Ilana Glazer and Phoebe Robinson, Lily Tomlin, Hari Kondabolu, Emma Willman, Kyle Ayers, and Andy Dick. Returning to their comedy hometown: Jill Soloway, Sonia Denis and Dino Stamatopoulos.
Chicago comedians on late night: Stephen Colbert will be a guest on Conan tonight (along with all-time great Rod Man who’s not a Chicagoan, but I can never get enough of his comedy). Keegan-Michael Key is on Conan on Tuesday. Pat McGann will be on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Wednesday.
Following is this week’s spotlight. Please confirm all details!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Ilana Glazer and Phoebe Robinson at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport, 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Ilana Glazer (Broad City) and Phoebe Robinson (WNYC’s 2 Dope Queens) are crossing the country on their YQY (Yaaas Queen Yaaas) tour.
CAMP: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:30 p.m. Stand-up showcase. Tonight: Tessa Orzech hosts David Drake, Kristen Lundberg, Sonia Denis, Conor Delehanty, Conor Cawley, and CAMP’s own Samantha Berkman.
The Mixer at The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, 10:00 p.m. Attend a workshop by some of the city’s top improvisers and instructors. At 10:30, everyone has the opportunity to become part of a team and perform in a long form show. Hosted by Kevin Reader and Bryan Duff of Lumberjack Tsunami. Brand new and seasoned performers all welcome.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7
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, Lucky Luciano, Mona Aburmishan, and Abi Sanchez
9:30: Chris Trani, Maya Mays, Derrick Smith, and Russell Williamson
Dream Freaks From Space at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The 106th Mainstage revue. Written and performed by Ryan Asher, Tyler Davis, Kelsey Kinney, Jeffrey Murdoch, Tien Tran and Nate Varrone. Four stars from the Chicago Tribune. Show times throughout the week. Follow link for all details.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. One of comedy’s most groundbreaking showcases. Cameron Esposito, Beth Stelling, TJ Miller, Dan Telfer, Kumail Nanjiani got their start here. Produced by Meredith Kachel.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 8
David Drake Album Recording at Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. David Drake records his second album.
MINT at 3110 N. Sheffield, 7:30 p.m. A night of musical improv from different Chicago teams. The show is followed by a showcase act or an invite to audience members to join the jam.
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. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Follow link for details, show times and a great explanation of what makes improv an art form like no other.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Chicago Comedy Film Festival at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m. The Festival’s opening reception and shorts presentation at The Harold Ramis Film School. The Festival goes through Saturday, November 11 and after tonight, moves to The New 400 Theater at 6746 N. Sheridan.
Here are two of this year’s many films:
Room for Rent (Friday)
For the Love of George (Saturday)
Tuxedo Cat Comedy at Beauty Bar Chicago, 1444 W. Chicago Ave., 8:00 p.m. Stand-up showcase. Kristen Lundberg, Kahlil Wilson, Carly Ballerini, Conor Delehanty, Connor King, & TCC producer Le Aboav. Hosted by TCC producer Rebecca Fass.
Risk! At Lincoln Hall, 2020 N. Lincoln Ave., 8:00 p.m. Kevin Allison, of MTV’s hit sketch comedy show The State, created this show where “where people tell true stories they never thought they’d dare to share in public.”
Defiant Thomas Brothers at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 10:30 p.m. Award-winning Chicagoans Seth and Paul Thomas are in demand around the country. Take this one-night only chance to see them while you can!
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s all-women, always diverse, excellent and memorable stand-up show produced and created by Kelsie Huff. Tonight: Sarah Perry. Sarah Weidmann, Elyse Nylin, Adrienne Brandyburg, Jan Slavin, Beth Schmidt, Kat Herskovic, and hosted by Elizabeth Gomez. Arrive early for seats!
Code Switch Live at Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, 8:00 p.m. “Code Switch is a team of seven NPR journalists of color who are fascinated by the overlapping themes of race, ethnicity and culture, how they play out in our lives and communities, and how all of this is shifting.” Tonight: a Chicago-centric conversation with special guests Eve Ewing, Natalie Moore and Hari Kondabolu.
Damon Williams at Riddles Comedy Club, 5055 W. 111th Street, Alsip, 8:00 and 10:30 p.m. Damon Williams celebrates 25 years in comedy.
Funnier By the Lake at Madame ZuZu’s, 582 Roger Williams Ave, Highland Park, 8:00 p.m. Stand-up showcase with Larry Bloom, Katie Meiners, Corey Wood, Kristin Lytie, and Mike Stricker.
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 with shows on Friday and Saturday nights.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11
Jill Soloway at the First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, 77 W Washington St., 1:00 p.m. The multi-award winning writer and director of Transparent and I Love Dick in conversation with Alison Cuddy. Jill is a Chicagoan who got her comedy start at The Annoyance Theatre. This event is part of the Chicago Humanities Festival. (Although this event is sold out, I always recommend checking in closer to the event. I’ve had good last-minute luck before.)
The 773 Social at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:00 p.m. This oasis of theater and creativity is renovating. Tonight’s proceeds go to the fortieth anniversary campaign to build an even “stronger home for Chicago artists.” Tonight features a special interactive edition of Stage 773’s famous Cupid Has a Heart On, now in its eighteenth year!
Emma Willmann and Kyle Ayers at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m., 9:00 p.m., and 11:15 p.m. Saturday-Monday. Follow link for all show times.
Wishin’ Control at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 7:00 p.m. The Main Stage theatrical. This 90-minute comedy uses long form improv to move from scene to scene and includes one hundred different characters and beautiful, surprising transitions. Saturdays beginning in November.
Lily Tomlin at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Lily Tomlin currently stars with Jane Fonda in the Netflix series hit, Grace and Frankie. Lily Tomlin is a multi-award winning comedian, actor, producer and writer with hits on television, film, page and stage since her breakout performances as Ernestine and Edith Ann on Laugh-In in 1969. She has won seven Emmys, two Tony Awards, a Grammy, two Peabody Awards, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Chicago’s Comedy Scene Radio at 12 Handles Ale House, 1827 Knapp Dr. Crest Hill, 8:00 p.m. Vince Carone, Kat Rybarski, and Mike Stricker. Hosted by Ben Hamilton.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Everybody Has An Andy Dick Story at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 6:00 p.m. Screening of the new Andy Dick documentary and a showcase with Andy Dick in person and Dino Stamatopoulos, plus surprise guests with their own Andy Dick stories.