Visitors in town: Iliza Shlesinger and Billy Gardell. Returning to hometown Chicago: Michael Palascak, Liza Treyger, and Nick Offerman.
Ticket alerts!
December 6: Aaron Weaver returns to Chicago’s Comedians You Should Know for his live album recording. Get your tickets soon!
December 29: Hannibal Buress at Lyric Opera House with special guest Thundercat.
June 12, 2018: Carol Burnett at The Chicago Theatre
In the news: Emmy-winning writer, comedian, and Evanston Township High School alum Lena Waithe is Out magazine’s Artist of the Year. Look for her on the cover!
Following is the rest of this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30
In the Lymelight Live Recording at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 6:30 p.m. Ali Moresco and Sarah Aiken host the first ever live recording of their podcast about life with Lyme disease. Guest: hypnotist/comedian Chris Jones. “In The Lymelight aims to bring humor and knowledge to an otherwise somber topic with comedic relief.”
Tuxedo Cat Comedy at Beauty Bar, 1444 W. Chicago Ave., 8:00 p.m. Featuring Alison Dunn, Scott Duff, Nour Hadidi, Rima Parikh, Chris Higgins, TCC producer Brittany Meyer, and surprise guests. Hosted by TCC producer Jerry Tran.
Michael Palascak at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times. Michael Palascak’s relatable, engaging, original comedy has been featured on just about every late night show including Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show, Conan, and Comedy Central. He was also a finalist on Last Comic Standing in 2015.
Liza Treyger at Zanies 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Sunday. Follow link for all show times. Liza Treyger was one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “10 comedians you need to know.”
Slide Show at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 8:30 p.m. Comedians take over a Powerpoint production. Fran Hoepfner (The Onion), Grace Thomas (Clickhole), David Brown (Shrimp Boys), Sarah Sherman (HELLTRAP NIGHTMARE), Megan Stalter (The Lincoln Lodge, Freak Fest), Brad Rohloff (Zine’s Not Dead). Hosted by Luke Taylor (HELLTRAP NIGHTMARE, The Shrimp Boys).
Sweet Babies Comedy Showcase at Cole’s Bar, 2338 N. Milwaukee, 9:00 p.m. A new comedy showcase. Tonight: Megan Stalter, Toby McMullen, Casey Larwood, Deanna Ortiz, Max Friedman, and Chelsea Hood.
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.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1
Nick Offerman at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. “A collection of his sawdusty musings on survival in the wild, living with enthusiasm, and most importantly, the cultivation of fulsome body hair.”
Iliza Shlesinger at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, 8:00 p.m. This tour is also a book launch for Girl Logic.
Billy Gardell at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, 8:00 p.m and 10:15 p.m. Friday and Saturday (7:00 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.). The star of Mike & Molly got his start in stand-up. I keep thinking he’s a Chicagoan because Mike & Molly takes place in Chicago and co-star Melissa McCarthy is from Plainfield. But Billy Gardell is a Pittsburgh native.
VHS Comedy: Under the Mistletape at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. Top comic commentary and stand-up based on the most absurd videotapes in existence. Everything from action-adventure to infomercials to scary kids’ shows. Here’s a chance to see these treasure as never before. Tonight: hosts Tom Wisdom and Ian Erickson host Le Aboav (Tuxedo Cat Comedy), Jamie Carbone (Thunderfest), John Margelewski (BEEF Comedy Roast Battle), and Ashley Ray (The AV Club).
The Lincoln Lodge at Under the Gun Theatre, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m. This famous stand-up showcase is now headquartered at Under the Gun with shows on Friday and Saturday nights.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2
The Annoyance Christmas Pageant at The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 7:00 p.m. An Annoyance spin on two holiday classics: A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
The Blackout Diaries at Under the Gun Theatre, 956 W. Newport, 10:00 p.m. Comedians and civilians tell their craziest true drinking stories and then the audience has a chance to ask questions. Creator and host Sean Flannery is one of the best comedic storytellers of our time and was named best stand-up by The Reader readers’ poll. This show has been recommended by just about every media outlet in the city.
Everything Happens So Much at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. A cathartic and comedic view of a very bad year.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3
The Second City’s Holidazed and Confused: Mandatory Merriment at UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., 7:00 p.m. Throughout the week. Follow link for all show times.
Ladies Night Out at Riddles Comedy Club, 5055 W. 111th Street, Alsip, 8:00 p.m. Featuring Marilee Marilee, Taneshia Rice, Fab Monroe, and Lyssa Laird.
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