Visitors in town: Carol Burnett, David Sedaris, Ira Flatow (and the Science Friday crew) and Kenny DeForest.
At Zanies: Pat McGann (Chicago), Tuesday Ten Showcase (Rosemont), World Series of Comedy (Rosemont), Dobie Maxwell (St. Charles), Michael Palascak (St. Charles).
At The Improv: Warren B. Hall and Felipe Esparza.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details!
MONDAY, JUNE 11
CAMP: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:30 p.m. Free stand-up showcase. Samantha Berkman hosts Matty Ryan, Rosebud Baker, Joe Fernandez, Spark Tabor, Rima Parikh, and CAMP’s Tessa Orzech.
Robbie Ellis at Second City’s Judy’s Beat Lounge, 230 W. North Ave., 8:30 p.m. Robbie Ellis is Second City’s music director. Tonight is his “East Coast Tour.” He’ll includes songs from his new album Pumpkins.
TUESDAY, JUNE 12
Carol Burnett at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., 7:30 p.m. Carol Burnett’s multi-award winning comedy has resonated for seven decades. Her new Netflix series is A Little Help where adults get sage advice from kids. Tonight (and tomorrow night) is sure to be another hit from a true original.
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. Joey Villagomez hosts Brooks Sullivan, Chris Trani and closer Kellye Howard.
9:00 p.m. Mickey Housley* hosts Adam Bowman, Pat Chase and closer Joe Kilgallon.
*Mickey Housley is the author of the new book Chronicles of a Stand-up Guy: A Peek Into The Daily Grind Of A Comedian.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13
Carol Burnett at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., 7:30 p.m.
Exercise videos don’t usually make me feel understood. This one does:
Boy Girl Sleepover at The Pony Inn, 1638 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. A stand-up showcase hosted by Stephen Hoover, Sarah Perry and Sohrab Foroozesh. “We are not only dedicated to giving equal opportunities to both men and women in the Chicago comedy scene, but also to newcomers, out of towners, open-micers, showcasers and headliners.”
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. This show has sold out twenty-two consecutive times this year. Tonight, Marty DeRosa hosts Ricky Gonzalez, Russ Williamson, Chastity Washington, Jonah Jurkens, Joe Kilgallon, and Allison Dunne.
THURSDAY, JUNE 14
David Sedaris at The Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., 6:00 p.m. Unless you were one of the lucky first people to respond to a Book Cellar announcement, you won’t get inside to hear David Sedaris speak. Space is too limited. But being David Sedaris, he has promised to sign any of his books for everyone who shows up, even the crowd that’s sure to be waiting outside. Call the Book Cellar to buy his latest book, Calypso, and to reserve a spot in line outside the store. I once waited in line for hours to meet David Sedaris and it was worth every second. He is exactly like his writing: friendly, empathic, upbeat, interested in everyone and he may even be giving away souvenirs.
Tuxedo Cat Comedy at Beauty Bar Chicago, 1444 W. Chicago Ave., 8:00 p.m. Free stand-up showcase. Jerry Tran hosts Jenn Snyder, Kahlil Wilson, Mallory Bradford, Alex Skeleton, Tom Wisdom, and Tuxedo Cat’s Le Aboav.
FRIDAY, JUNE 15
Shade: An Actually Diverse Comedy Show at Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. Tonight and tomorrow night. This show features “comedians from marginalized communities – people of color, LGBTQIAP.” With Sonal Aggarwal, Clare Austen-Smith, Matt Brown, Collier Free, Colette Gregory, Zak Stemer, Malic White and KJ Whitehead.
Back Room Comedy at aliveONE, 2683 N. Halsted, 9:00 p.m. Free show. Featuring Amy Sumpter, Scott Duff, Maya May, and Aaron McDavis. Produced by Colleen Brennan, Courtney Buckwalter, Lauren Hooberman and Jessica Besser-Rosenberg.
Kenny DeForest at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m. Tonight and tomorrow night.
Squeaky Wheels at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Catherine McDonnell’s and Catharine Savage’s new sketch show will resonate: “the world is not a perfect place, and sometimes being nice and easygoing means you get walked all over. Because after all, Squeaky Wheels get the grease. But what if you don’t like being squeaky? What if you don’t know how to be squeaky?” This show finds the funny while exploring “what it means to speak up for yourself in a world that tells us to be quiet.” Fridays in June. NOTE: iO site doesn’t seem to be working recently. Here’s the phone number: (312) 929-2401.
SATURDAY, JUNE 16
High Fiber Comedy Class at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, 11:00 a.m. The first week of a stand-up comedy class for people 55 and up. (Warning: they card. “Age exceptions will be made under extreme pressure from family members or your dog!”) Graduation is July 8. Taught by Bill Gorgo, one of stand-up’s best. “Whether you hope to become the next top comedian, learn a few comedy skills, or just have fun learning more about the world of standup comedy, it all starts here!”
High Fiber Comedy at The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Dr., Aurora, 8:00 p.m. The comedians of this hit show urge you to “join the movement.” Founded by the hilarious and brilliant Jan Slavin, there is no other stand-up showcase like it in the Chicago area or maybe anywhere. Read about it here.
Science Friday Live at The Harris Theater, 205 E. Randolph, 7:30 p.m. Live podcast recording. WBEZ’s Passport Podcast Series brings this eclectic, humorous, relatable science fiesta to Chicago. Host Ira Flatow will shine light on Chicago science stories with help from Eugenia Cheng (mathematician at the Art Institute of Chicago), Meenakshi Wadhwa (former Field Museum curator), Second City comedians Jen Connor and Ross Taylor, WBEZ’s Curious City team, and Francesca Casadio (conservation scientist at the Art Institute of Chicago).
You’re Being Ridiculous:Pride! at Women & Children First Bookstore, 5233 N. Clark, 7:00 p.m. Hilarious, true stories by Carly Ballerini, Ada Cheng, Erin Diamond, Nestor Gomez, C. Russell Price nd YBR creator Jeremy Owens.
Not Your Mother’s Hysteria at The Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s award-winning all-psychotherapist improv troupe. Tonight they present all new material, plus improv based on audience suggestions. “Their revue Phobia Shmobia won a standing ovation at the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, and they brought down the house at the International Society for the Study of Self Injury, where they performed at the happy hour.”
Kenny DeForest at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m.
Shade: An Actually Diverse Comedy Show at Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. This show features “comedians from marginalized communities – people of color, LGBTQIAP.” With Sonal Aggarwal, Clare Austen-Smith, Matt Brown, Collier Free, Colette Gregory, Zak Stemer, Malic White and KJ Whitehead.
SUNDAY, JUNE 17
Sketchtopia at Steppenwolf, 1650 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. A collaborative between playwrights with and without disabilities. Not all will be comedic, but they will be “eclectic and often irreverent.”
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