Visitors in town: Josh Gondelman, Mark Curry, Steve Rannazzisi, Mike Birbiglia, Jim Norton, Michael Carbonaro, Rhett & Link, and Bob Garfield. Lots of people returning to their comedy hometown: Aaron Weaver will record his debut album on Wednesday. Later in the week: Tim Meadows, Beth Stelling, Danielle and Tiffany Puterbaugh, and Nate Weatherup.
Ticket alerts:
December 25: Joel Chasnoff will be back at City Winery with “Christmas for the Jews.”
January 17 and 18: Richard Lewis at Zanies in Chicago
In the news:
Two Chicagoans, Taneshia Rice and DeRay Davis will appear on HBO’s All Def Comedy on Friday, December 8, at 9:00 p.m. CST.
Three Chicagoans have new albums: Cameron Esposito and Rhea Butcher and CJ Sullivan.
Crain’s Chicago Business went behind-the-scenes at Cards Against Humanity.
Today, Jill Valentine, executive director of the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, announced the 2018 line-up.
Following is this week’s spotlight. Please confirm all details!
MONDAY, DECEMBER 4
Josh Gondelman at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. Through Wednesday. Josh is an Emmy-award winning writer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and co-creator and co-tweeter of the Shorty award-winning Twitter account “Modern Seinfeld”.
3Peat at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:00 p.m. One of iO’s most renowned improv teams. An audience suggestion inspires a monologue and long-form improv.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5
Dream Freaks Fall 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.
Not Yet Famous at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. A showcase featuring Chicago’s rising female and queer comedic talent. Cast: Saliha Muttalib, Sonal Aggarwal, Mellisa Lynn Moore, Mona Aburmishan, Brittany Meyer, Molly Kearney, Jillian Ebanks, Elyse Nylin, Marsella Lopez, Dina Nina Martinez, Alexes Elizabeth, and more TBA.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. ChUC presents “TJTV Fall Sweeps” with Tyler Jackson.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6
Aaron Weaver: Live Album Recording at Comedians You Should Know, 622 N. Fairbanks Court, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Aaron Weaver tackles the mysteries of life, big and small. One-night only opportunity to be part of his album recording. Aaron was kind enough to speak with me here.
The Momedians of Momedy at Davenport’s Piano Bar, 1383 N Milwaukee Ave, 8:00 p.m. Starring a fabulous line-up of comedian moms: Denise Medina, Colleen Brennan, Jessica Besser-Rosenberg, Jan Slavin, Lia Berman, and hosted by Kat Herskovic.
Trapped in the Netflix at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:30 p.m. Wednesdays through December 27. Written and performed by Mishu Hilmy. Directed by Matt Fox. What happens if you literally get sucked into Netflix? What does Black Mirror look like from the inside? Would you survive Mumblecore or emerge unscathed from House of Cards? Find out tonight and through the end of the month.
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.
Nate Weatherup at Zanies, MB Financial Park, Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. Nate Weatherup is a former teacher and Zamboni driver who got his start in Chicago.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7
Beth Stelling with the Puterbaugh Sisters at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport, 8:00 p.m. Beth is a nationally touring headliner who has been featured on @Midnight, Chelsea Lately, The Pete Holmes Show, Conan and The Standups series on Netflix. She is also a writer on Pete Holmes’ Crashing on HBO. Beth and the Puterbaugh Sisters – Tiffany and Danielle – all got their start in Chicago. Thank you to all three for being some of the first comedians to speak with me! Beth Tiffany and Danielle
Stand Up Stand Up at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Headliner: Allison Dunne. Featuring Taneshia Rice, Mona Aburmishan and more TBA.
Steve Rannazzisi at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. In Rosemont on Friday and Saturday. From the FX comedy series The League.
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 Tyler Dean Kempf.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s all-women stand-up showcase created and produced by Kelsie Huff. Always a great evening of diverse and excellent comedy. Arrive early for seats! Tonight: Amy Sumpter, Erica Reid, Jessica Besser-Rosenberg, Courtney Bianca, Kate Streit, Janice Rodriguez, and Marla Depew. Hosted by Host: Alexandra Tsarpalas. Last kates show of 2017!
Mike Birbiglia: The New One at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.,7:00 p.m. Mike Birbiglia wrote and starred in Don’t Think Twice, my favorite movie of 2016. He has released four comedy albums for Comedy Central and the New York Times’ Neil Genzlinger said about his last show, it was “the best night I’ve spent in a theater in a very long time.” He is also a best-selling author and a finalist for the Thurber Prize for American Humor.
Tim Meadows at The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive, Aurora, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday night. Tim Meadows got his start at Second City in Chicago and went on to become one of Saturday Night Live’s most long-time and popular cast members (ten seasons). TV and movie credits are too many to list, but include Marry Me, The Goldbergs, Bob’s Burgers and The Colbert Report.
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.
Mark Curry at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Follow link for all show times. In addition to his stand-up, Mark Curry is know for starring as Mr. Cooper in the TV series Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper.
Jim Norton at Thalia Hall, 1807 S. Allport,8:00 p.m. Jim Norton is a comedian, radio personality, bestselling author and actor. His most recent stand-up special is Mouthful of Shame, streaming now on Netflix.
Michael Carbonaro at The Genesee Theater, 203 N Genesee St, Waukegan, 7:30 p.m. The star of the hit TV show The Carbonaro Effect.
Nate Weatherup at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, 8:30 and 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday night. Nate Weatherup is a former teacher and Zamboni driver who got his comedy start in Chicago.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9
Rhett and Link at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The YouTube comedy duo are on their Tour of Mythicality.
Wishin’ Control at The Comedy Clubhouse, 1462 N. Ashland, 7:00 p.m. The new 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.
Ruggedly Jewish at Park West, 322 W. Armitage, 7:30 p.m. Bob Garfield in an evening of storytelling about life on the road as a journalist and off.
Arguments and Grievances Returns to Chicago at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. Featured debates: Adam Burke vs Reena Calm (Faking it vs making it), Nicky Martin vs Bobby Budds (Andrew Dice Clay vs Andrew WK), Tristan Smith vs Erin Grotheer (George W Bush vs Jeb Bush), Winslow Dumaine vs Jason Eal Folks (Lakes vs Pools).
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10
The Second City’s Holidazed and Confused: Mandatory Merriment at UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North, 7:00 p.m.