Visitors in town: Finesse Mitchell and Angelo Lozada are here. Plus, there’s an extensive line-up of great comedy at The Promontory where TruTV’s Laff Mob’s Laff Tracks is recording live through Wednesday. Complete list of participating comedians here.
At Zanies: Mark Reedy, Dan LaMorte, Larry Reeb, Pat McGann
At The Improv: Comedy School Graduation, Piff the Magic Dragon, Russ Williamson
In the news: Dave Maher was on NPR’s This American Life this weekend talking about the time he was prematurely eulogized on Facebook. Listen here. His acclaimed Dave Maher Coma Show told the story in depth during several extended runs at The Annoyance Theatre. Dave is now raising funds to bring the show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His Kickstarter is here.
Second City and DePaul University are joining forces to offer a degree in comedy filmmaking. Enrollment begins this fall. Details here.
Saturday Night Live premiered a trailer for the new Chicago-based Dick Wolf series. Critics are saying Chicago Improv may be even more dramatic than Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. Judge for yourself here.
Ticket alerts:
November 13-14: Tenacious D at the Riviera Theatre.
The Printers Row Lit Fest announced a bunch of events that comedy fans will want to attend:
June 9: 11:00 a.m.-11:45 a.m. Dave Itzkoff, New York Times reporter and author of the new Robin Williams biography Robin.
June 9: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, author of three books about classic television: Seinfeldia, Mary and Lou and Rhoda and Ted, and Sex and the City and Us.
June 9: 12:00 p.m.-12:45 p.m. Nicole Hollander, author and groundbreaking syndicated cartoonist (Sylvia). Her most recent book is the illustrated memoir We Ate Wonderbread: A Memoir of Growing Up on the West Side of Chicago.
June 9: 1:15-1:45 p.m. at the Lil’ Lit Park Stage. Humor writer and award-winning illustrator DJ Corchin.
June 9: 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Chris Nashawaty, author of Caddyshack: The Making of a Hollywood Cinderella Story in conversation with Michael Phillips.
June 9: 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Violet Ramis Stiel, author of the new memoir Ghostbuster’s Daughter: Life with my dad Harold Ramis.
June 10: 11:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Sloane Crosley (humor writer) and Marina Squerciati (Chicago P.D. TV series); Introduced by Elizabeth Taylor
June 10: 1:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. A conversation about graphic novels with artists and authors Adrian Tomine, Chris Ware, Hillary Chute, and Nick Drnaso.
Lil’ Lit Park Stage Host: Award-winning comedy writer and storyteller par excellence, Nili Yelin a/k/a “The Storybook Mom”.
Keep checking back at printersrowlitfest.org for details as they become available.
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Following is this week’s Spotlight, including Memorial Day Weekend. Thank you for stopping by and thank you to the Chicago comedy community for making this blog possible. Please confirm all details!
MONDAY, MAY 21
The Armando Diaz Experience at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Tonight’s special guest is Yuriy Sardarov from NBC’s Chicago Fire.
Laff Mob’s Laff Tracks at The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. Through May 23. Join TruTV and DJ Cipha Sounds while they record Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks. Produced by the creators of HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and Comedy Central’s This Is Not Happening. Tickets are free, but reservations are required.
Early Show: Billy Sorrells, Krystyna Hutchinson, Jason Banks, Pretty Ricki, Chris Distefano, Dave Helem
Late Show: Chaunte Wayans, Mike Troy, Correy Bell, Dave Temple, Gina Brillon, Ali Siddiq
TUESDAY, MAY 22
Julia Sweeney at the Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N. State, 6:00 p.m. SNL alum Julia Sweeney will be interviewed by Chicago journalist Jen Weigel.
6:00 p.m. Tour the Saturday Night Live exhibit.
7:00 p.m. Doors open for discussion.
7:30 p.m. Discussion
Comedy Cocktail 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 9:00 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 p.m. Jonah Jurkens hosts Jaime De Leon, Carly Kane and headliner Calvin Evans.
9:00 p.m. Joe Kilgallon hosts Peter Sullivan, Kellye Howard and headliner Marty DeRosa.
Laff Mob’s Laff Tracks at The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. Through May 23. Join truTV and DJ Cipha Sounds while they record Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks. Produced by the creators of HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and Comedy Central’s This Is Not Happening. Tickets are free, but reservations are required.
Early Show: Cee Jay Craxx, Orlando Leyba, Rita Brent, Drew Fraser, Orlando Baxter, Gina Yashere
Late Show: Ricky Del Rosario, Shatara Curry, Kevin Damn Fool Simpson, Vanessa Fraction, Kyle Erby, Owen Smith
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:00 p.m. Stephanie Weber hosts Grace Thomas, Annie Russell, John Margelewski, Amy Sumpter, comedy duo Ruth and Ellaine, Le Aboav, and Odinaka Eziokoli.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 23
Laff Mob’s Laff Tracks at The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, 7:00 and 9:30 p.m. Through May 23. Join truTV and DJ Cipha Sounds while they record Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks. Produced by the creators of HBO’s Def Comedy Jam and Comedy Central’s This Is Not Happening. Tickets are free, but reservations are required.
Early Show: Sydney Castillo, Matteo Lane, Fatimah Talia, Corey Rodrigues, Sarah Sherman, Yamaneika Saunders
Late Show: Ronnie Jordan, Von Decarlo, Connor McSpadden, Sydnee Washington, Calvin Evans, Brad Williams
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks, 9:30 p.m. Blake Burkhart hosts Mike Cronin, Joe Kilgallon, Marty DeRosa, Reena Calm, Allison Dunne, and Cameron Gillette.
THURSDAY, MAY 24
The Comedy Nosh at Max and Benny’s Restaurant, 461 Waukegan Rd., Northbrook, 7:00 p.m. Hosted by Larry Bloom. Featuring Kat Rybarski and Bill Gevirtz. Headliner: Vince Carone.
Stand Up for Kids Comedy Night at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, 7:00 p.m. Cocktails at 7:00 p.m. Show at 8:00 p.m. with WGN Radio’s Patti Vasquez, WGN TV’s Ana Belaval and the Toronto Comedy Festival’s Ralphie Roberts.
Stand Up Stand Up Presents Michael Robinson at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. Featuring Michael Robinson, Kyle Scanlan, Carly Ballerini, Jake McKenzie and more TBA.
FRIDAY, MAY 25
Finesse Mitchell at Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. An evening of stand-up with the Saturday Night Live alum and more TBA.
Lucy’s Comedy Café at the Raue Center, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, 8:30 p.m. Brian Williams and Steve DeClark with headliner Dobie Maxwell.
FUMPFest at Holiday Inn, 1000 Busse Rd., Elk Grove Village, 6:00 p.m. A weekend of comedy music. Through Sunday. Follow link for all show times.
Angelo Lozada at the Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 8:00 p.m. and 10: p.m. One of the many things Angelo Lozada is known for is warming up the audience at The Daily Show.
SATURDAY, MAY 26
The Kates Love Summer at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln, 7:00 p.m. Always an unforgettable night of top-talent comedy and diverse viewpoints. Created and produced by Kelsie Huff. Tonight: Amanda Cohen, Alisa Rosenthal, Mariann Aalda, Annie Russell, Samantha Berkman, Liz Greenwood, Laura Scruggs, and Nikki Nigl. Hosted by Denise Medina. Seats go fast! Early arrival recommended!
Mariann Aalda:
Arguments & Grievances at @North Bar, 1637 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. The comedy debate returns to Chicago for one night only! During its time here, it was named “Best Variety Show” by Chicago magazine.
Tonight’s topics:
- Lael O’Shassenesy vs Sammy Arechar (T vs A)
- Tim McLaughlin vs Adam Burke (Snoop Dogg vs Snoopy the Dog)
- Molly Kearney vs Jason Melton (Letters vs Numbers)
- Cameron Gillette vs Whitney Chitwood (Kissing Boys vs Kissing Girls)
Angelo Lozada at the Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Through Sunday. Angelo Lozada is know for many things, including warming up the audience at The Daily Show.
The Red Carpet Sceening of “Choke on That” at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee, 5:30 p.m. Red Carpet at 5:30 followed by a special screening of the sketch comedy series Choke On That. Also featuring stand-up performances by Tanisha Rice (HBO’S All Def Comedy and Kevin Hart Presents: The Next Level) and Brian “Da Wildcat” Smith (Shaq All-Star Comedy Jam).
[LAST WEEK!] 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.
Ben’s Wild Story at Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, 8:00 p.m. Legendary TV personality Ben Hollis made a forever mark on the Windy City with his Emmy Award-winning show Wild Chicago. But what was happening behind the scenes? This show is an intimate look at his real life. A lot of great original music, too. One night only!
SUNDAY, MAY 27
[LAST WEEK!] 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 everyday life on the North Shore (in Wilmette). Don’t miss! Follow link for all show times.
Angelo Lozada at the Comedy Bar, 500 N. LaSalle, 7:30 p.m. One of the things he is known for is warming up the audience at The Daily Show.
MONDAY, MAY 28
The Armando Diaz Experience at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Tonight’s show features Sean Athy who is “a beloved iO bartender and phenomenal storyteller that’s packing his bags and moving to Ireland.”
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