Visitors in town: Heather McDonald, Rob Lowe, Heathens of Comedy. Returning to their hometown: Jim Gaffigan, Aries Spears, Dave Helem, Sean White, and Megan Gailey.
At Zanies: Dulce Sloan (The Daily Show), Mark Reedy, Megan Gailey, Charlie Berens, Rob Sherwood, and Michael Easton with Roger Howarth (General Hospital).
At The Improv: Aries Spears
Ticket Alerts:
May 25-27 at The Comedy Bar: Angelo Lozada (warm-up for The Daily Show)
May 31-June 3 at The Improv: Deon Cole (Conan, Angie Tribeca, Blackish, Grownish, Chicagoan!)
July 11-14 at Zanies: Jermaine Fowler (Superior Donuts)
Sept. 21 at The Chicago Theatre: Andy Borowitz: The Make America Not Embarrassing Again Tour. Tickets officially go on sale on May 18, but there is a pre-sale beginning May 15 at 10:00 a.m. with promo code REPORT. Check it out here.
Following is this week’s comedy Spotlight, just a fraction of all the original comedy shows happening around the city. I have a directory of comedy venues and regular weekly shows here and a longer list of ticket alerts here. Please confirm all details!
MONDAY, MAY 14
CAMP: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:30 p.m. Stand-up showcase. Tonight: Tessa Orzech hosts Jim Flannigan, Meredith Kachel, Gena Gephart, Sohrab Foroozesh, Andy Fleming, Tucker Brookshire and CAMP’s Samantha Berkman.
TUESDAY, MAY 15
[LAST WEEKS!] Julia Sweeney: Older & Wider at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Sit in the living room of a favorite Saturday Night Live alum while she tells you the best stories of her post-SNL life. Well, it’s not actually Julia Sweeney’s living room, but she has a knack for connecting with audiences and making any venue feel like home. The evening is about her ups and downs, relationships, parenting, and what it’s like to be famous and then fit back into every-day life on the North Shore (in Wilmette). Don’t miss! Follow link for all show times.
Little Sarah’s Big Night Out at The Empty Bottle, 1035 N. Western, 8:30 p.m. Hosted by Sarah Squirm, who was named the city’s best stand-up by the Chicago Reader. Tonight: Ashley Ray, Jack Bensinger, Megan Stalter, Kate O’Connor, Gena Gephart, and Steve Schaberg. Musical guest: Mood Killer.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. One of Chicago’s most acclaimed stand-up showcases. Arrive early for seats! ChUC producer Meredith Kachel hosts: Sean White returning to his comedy hometown, Molly Kearney, Joe Nudelman, Chelsea Hood, Sam Wiles, Mary Zee, BUTT (a/k/a Joe McAdam Chris Stephens), and Vincent Bryant.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 16
[LAST WEEKS!] Julia Sweeney: Older & Wider at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Sit in the living room of a favorite Saturday Night Live alum while she tells you the best stories of her post-SNL life. Well, it’s not actually Julia Sweeney’s living room, but she has a knack for connecting with audiences and making any venue feel like home. The evening is about her ups and downs, relationships, parenting, and what it’s like to be famous and then fit back into every-day life on the North Shore (in Wilmette). Don’t miss! Follow link for all show times.
Laughs in the Lounge at Rogers Park Social, 6920 N. Glenwood, 9:00 p.m. Free stand-up showcase! Donations appreciated. Marla Depew hosts Sonal Aggarwal, Anthony Bonazzo, Joel Broughton, Rebecca Loeser, and KJ Whitehead.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. This stand-up showcase lives up to its name. Allison Dunne hosts Abi Sanchez, Monica Nevi, Sammy Arechar, Sean White, Marty DeRosa, and Butt (Joe McAdam & Chris Stephens).
THURSDAY, MAY 17
You Go Girl? At Bookends and Beginnings, 1712 Sherman Avenue, Alley #1, 6:00 p.m. Megan Stielstra (humor writer and author of The Wrong Way to Save Your Life) and Renee Engeln (Beauty Sick: How the Cultural Obsession with Appearance Hurts Girls and Women) discuss “Coming of Age in the Present Moment.” Discussion will be moderated by Nina Barrett, co-owner of Bookends and Beginnings.
Heather McDonald at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, 8:00 p.m. The Juicy Scoop podcast live. The podcast averages 1.3 million downloads a month.
Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:00 p.m. Through Sunday, May 20. Excellent line-up throughout the weekend includes Patti Vasquez, Tamale Sepp, Clown Car to Sicily, Out on a Whim and many more. Complete schedule here.
FRIDAY, MAY 18
West Suburbs All Jokes Aside Mother’s Day Special Edition at Tailgater’s Sports Bar, 431 W. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook, 8:30 p.m. Comedy show and R&B with Leon Rogers and friends.
Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:00 p.m. Through Sunday, May 20. Excellent line-up throughout the weekend. Complete schedule here.
Don’t Kid Yourself: Mandatory Fun at Volumes Bookcafe, 1474 N. Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m. Michael Robinson and Rima Parikh host Adrienne Brandyburg, John Norman, Darius Kennedy, Jennie Mac, and Dave Maher. Free show about the indignities of childhood. Tonight: enforced fun like unwanted music lessons and no-fun sports.
Dope Comedy Show at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 9:00 p.m. Hosted by Dave Helem.
Heather McDonald at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Heather McDonald was a writer, producer and on-air personality at Chelsea Lately. She has also written with the Wayans brothers and authored bestsellers.
Killing Your Darlings at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., 10:00 p.m. Five stand-ups must each present fifteen minutes of new material. Here’s why Justin Golak created the show.
SATURDAY, MAY 19
Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 3:00 p.m. Through Sunday, May 20. Excellent line-up throughout the weekend. Complete schedule here.
Jim Gaffigan at Laugh-A-Ball at the Sheraton Grand Chicago, 301 E. North Water St., 6:00 p.m. Jim Gaffigan makes a special appearance at the 57th Annual GI Research Foundation Ball.
Heathens of Comedy at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 7:30 p.m. With Lee Mays, Steve “Pops” Gaines, Michael Moore and Bobbie Jo Stevens.
[LAST WEEKS!] Lucky: A Musical at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 10:30 p.m. Inspired by the American Girl book, The Care and Keeping of You. Lucky is a hilarious look at navigating those early college days according to the precepts of American Girl. Expect pop-driven anthems and a lot of relatability and answers to what it takes to find yourself. Produced by an all-female team with an all-female band. Through May 26.
Rob Lowe: Stories I Only Tell My Friends at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph, 8:00 p.m. “An all-new, peek behind the curtain at Hollywood, fame, fatherhood and marriage.”
SUNDAY, MAY 20
Story Jam at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph at 12:00 p.m. Stephanie Rogers has built her acclaimed live lit and music show around diversity and originality. Story Jam is personal stories paired with original songs. Today: a rare Chicago appearance from storytelling champ Shannon Cason, plus Nestor Gomez who has won more Moth Slams and Grand Slams than anyone alive. Stephanie was kind enough to speak with me here.
Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 12:00 p.m. Last day! Complete schedule here.
[LAST WEEKS!] Julia Sweeney: Older & Wider at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 4:00 p.m. Sit in the living room of a favorite Saturday Night Live alum while she tells you the best stories of her post-SNL life. Well, it’s not actually Julia Sweeney’s living room, but she has a knack for connecting with audiences and making any venue feel like home. The evening is about her ups and downs, relationships, parenting, and what it’s like to be famous and then fit back into every-day life on the North Shore (in Wilmette). Don’t miss! Follow link for all show times.
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