Visitors in town: Kate Huffman, Nikki Glaser, Gabriel Routledge, John Hodgman, Steve Burton with Bradford Anderson, Erik Griffin, James Adomian, and the New York Kings of Comedy: Mark Viera, Talent Harris, Drew Fraser, Rob Stapleton, and Capone.
In the news: Kelsie Huff, Meredith Kachel, Erica Clark, James Kamp, and Charna Halpern spoke to the Chicago Sun-Times about sexual harassment in the Chicago comedy scene. Read it here. Meredith also spoke with Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano today on WLS.
Following is this week’s spotlight. Please confirm all details!
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13
I’m Too Fat For This Show at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 6:30 p.m. The award-winning show from actor and writer Kate Huffman’s (Fresh Off the Boat, Castle). A one-hundred percent honest and comedic look at two decades of life with an OCD-triggered eating disorder.
The Riff at Diversey River Bowl, 2211 W. Diversey, 7:00 p.m. Hosted by Mona Aburmishan and Erin Conlon. Be inspired by quick minds at work! Comedians get a last-minute topic to riff about.
Manic Music Mondays at Frances’, 307 E. 75th St., 8:00 p.m. Music and comedy showcase hosted by Taneshia Rice and Marilee.
CAMP: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:30 p.m. Samantha Berkman hosts Matty Ryan, Mickey Housley, Scott Duff, Megan Stalter, and Tessa Orzech
Best Night Ever at Gman Tavern, 3740 N. Clark, 9:00 p.m. Stand-up showcase. Tonight: Mike Cronin, Alex Stypula, Rima Parikh, Sabeen Sadiq, Winslow Dumaine, Jessica Hong, and Dave Losso. Hosted by Mike O’Keefe.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Dream Freaks From Space at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. The new 106th Mainstage 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. Four stars from the Chicago Tribune. Follow link for all details.
Gabriel Routledge at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. The winner of the Seattle International Comedy Competition and Atlanta’s Laughing Skull Comedy Festival. Gabriel has also appeared on Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, Nickelodeon’s Nickmom Night Out, Laughs on FOX, and Comics Unleashed. Shows throughout the week (Thursday in Rosemont). Follow link for all show times.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. One of Chicago’s most renowned stand-up showcases. Alums include Kumail Nanjiani, Dan Telfer, Cameron Esposito, Beth Stelling, and TJ Miller. Tonight: Stephanie Weber hosts Jordan Holmes, Jonathan Baldizon, Austin Lafond, Joey Villagomez and Alex Kumin. Produced by Meredith Kachel.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
Mom Genes at Café Mustache, 2313 N. Milwaukee, 8:00 p.m. Headliner: Kristen Lundberg. Featuring: Maggie Tomasek, Ashley Ray, David Freeburg, and James Fisher Jr.
An Evening with John Hodgman at The Music Box, 3733 N. Southport, 7:00 p.m. John Hodgman talks with Peter Sagal about his new book, Painful Beaches. Presented by The Book Stall.
Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 7:00 p.m. I’m not sure if this is comedy, but these two General Hospital stars are promising a fun 90-minute Q&A with laughs.
Kellye Howard Album Recording at Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Kellye Howard is a wonderfully engaging and relatable comedian, writer, and actor whose comedy has been featured on OWN, Comedy Central, TBS, NBC, FOX, and WGN. She has also written and starred in two critically acclaimed one-woman shows. Her podcast, Kellye Talks is available on iTunes, Soundcloud, and Stitcher.
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.
Laughs in the Lounge at Rogers Park Social, 6920 N. Glenwood, 9:00 p.m. Marla Depew hosts Casey Coppess, Molly Harris, Laura Hugg, Aaron McDavis, and Prateek Srivastava.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16
New York Kings of Comedy at The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. Featuring Mark Viera, Talent Harris, Drew Fraser, Rob Stapleton, and Capone.
Witty Women at The Book Cellar, 4736-38 N Lincoln Ave, 7:00 p.m. The 11th annual evening with witty women authors. Featuring Amy Guth, Stacey Ballis, Claire Zulkey, Wendy McClure, and Jen Lancaster
Nikki Glaser at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all showtimes.
Erik Griffin at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 7:30 p.m. Erik Griffin was one of the stars of this summer’s I’m Dying Up Here (as Ralph) on Showtime. He also has a new comedy special on Showtime, The Ugly Truth. At Zanies in Rosemont on Friday and Saturday.
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 Casey Whitaker.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17
James Adomian at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday night (8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.) A Lincoln Lodge production. Follow link for all show times. James Adomian is known for his stand-up, characters and impressions, including as the “Bernie” half of the Trump vs. Bernie comedy team with Anthony Atamanuik.
You & Me at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 9:00 p.m. Michael Patrick Thornton and a guest improvise in a show that has been called “Hilarious, horrifying, and human. Quite magical, really.” Michael Patrick Thornton is an award-winning actor, director and comedian. You also know him from Private Practice. He is an excellent, uplifting person to follow on Twitter.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18
Pat Brice 40th Birthday Tribute Show at Guaranteed Rate Field (White Sox Park), 333 W 35th St., 6:00 p.m. A stand-up show in honor of Chicago comedian Pat Brice who died ten years ago. All proceeds go to the Steve O. Harvey Family Fund. Steve was also a Chicago comedian who died young, leaving behind his wife and baby daughter who was also ill. “This show will have an amazing lineup of some of the best comedians to emerge from Chicago in the last 15 years.” More about Pat Brice here. More about Steve Harvey here.
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.
You’re Being Ridiculous at Uncommon Ground, 1401 W. Devon, 7:30 p.m. Hilarious, unforgettable storytelling. Brooke Allen, Erin Diamond, Stephanie Diaz, Eileen Dougherty, Adrienne Gunn, Sarah Hollenbeck, Brenna Kearney, Jeremy Owens, and Karen Shimmin
Stand Up Comedy Night at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, 10:00 p.m. John McCombs hosts Levi DhaKomedian, Sarah Perry, Jhovany Diaz, Alex Crockman, and headliner Sydney Davis Jr. Jr., who has just released her stand-up special Wasted (Potential) on Amazon. This second show follows a very successful debut.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19
BAPS at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 7:00 p.m. Plymouth Rock Landed on Us with fabulous line-up: Mesha Arant, Eunji Eunji, Rho Hudson, and Lily Be.
Cure It Comedy with Pat McGann at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 7:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit childhood cancer research. Pat McGann hosts Chicago stand-up all-stars Adam Burke, Jim Flannigan, Kevin Bozeman, Sean Flannery, and Jeanie Doogan.
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