Visitors in town: Michael Che, Alan Cumming and the Mortified folks.
At Zanies: Dr. Bill Miller (Chicago and Rosemont), Nate Craig (Chicago), Marty DeRosa with Adam Burke (Chicago). As of this posting, this week’s St. Charles shows are still TBA.
At The Improv: Gary Owen
In the news: on July 13, Jim Gaffigan’s Noble Ape will be released on CD, video and in select theaters. Jim brought Noble Ape to Chicago last fall and was kind enough to speak with me about this very personal tour and his new dramatic movie roles here. The Wall Street Journal wrote about those roles just last week.
Super Troopers 2 is out on DVD on July 17 (available now on digital). It’s a worthy and joyful sequel to the iconic Super Troopers. Chicagoan Jay Chandrasekhar directed, co-wrote, and co-starred in both and was kind enough to speak with me here, plus new interview coming soon! Another meownumental event: Jay threw out the first pitch at the Cubs/Cincinnati Reds game on Sunday, July 8. (Look for Jim Gaffigan in ST and ST2!)
Ticket alerts:
August 22-25: Jermaine Fowler at Zanies
August 31-September 2: Melissa Villasenor at Zanies
Following is this week’s spotlight. Don’t leave the house without confirming all details!
MONDAY, JULY 9
Having It All at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Storytelling and improv about being female.
TUESDAY, JULY 10
Free comedy writing class at Zanies, Parkway Bank Park, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont, 5:00 p.m. Space is limited! For more information and to RSVP, contact Steven Springer via Facebook or email: stevenjspringer@hotmail.com.
Alan Woodrow at Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., 6:30 p.m. Free family book club event with Alan Woodrow, author of comic novels for middle schoolers and tweens. Tonight: a lively discussion about the epic battle of cat vs. dogs as featured in Alan’s Pet Wars which will be available for sale. Advance registration required. Follow link for all details.
Ratas de Dos Patas at Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. A comedy variety show “helping the public assimilate with Latino culture one show at a time.”
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. Chris Trani hosts St. James Jackson, Rudy Schultz, and Joey Villagomez.
9:00 p.m. Joey Villagomez hosts Vik Pandya, Joe Kilgallon, and Correy Boyd-Bell.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 11
The Second City’s Summer Blockbuster at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. Hooray for summer! Well, not always. Mosquitoes, West Nile, poopy beaches, regrettable people setting off fireworks from July 5 until whenever … Second City roasts summer’s good and bad.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 9:30 p.m. Jonah Jurkens hosts Scott Duff, Chris Higgins, Adam Burke, Michael Robinson, Shannon Noll, and Erica Clark.
THURSDAY, JULY 12
Here at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:00 p.m. A two-person improvised musical with Tara DeFrancisco and Rance Rizzutto. Here is recommended by the Chicago Tribune, and the Sun-Times said it was “not to be missed.” The show has toured worldwide. Here is a clip from Riga, Latvia:
FRIDAY, JULY 13
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 4736 N Lincoln Ave, 7:00 p.m. Now in its eleventh year, the kates is Chicago’s all-women comedy showcase created and produced by Kelsie Huff. Always a memorable evening with Chicago’s top talent. Denise Medina hosts LeeAnn Yops, Carly Ballerini, Katie Sirles, Eunji Eunji, Rebecca Fass, Edith Lule, and Merrit Landsteiner. Arrive early for seats!
Therapy Players at The Outta Space, 6840 32nd Street, Berwyn, 7:30 p.m. Chicago’s award-winning all-psychotherapist improv group. “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.” True laugh therapy. Shows typically sell out, so advance purchase is recommended. The Therapy Players are in Palatine tomorrow night.
Legal Immigrant at Ravinia, Highland Park, 8:30 p.m. A one-man show by actor and author Alan Cumming a/k/a Dr. Dylan Reinhart on CBS’s Instinct. He has received over forty awards for his humanitarian work and social activism.
One Woman No Show at ComedySportz, 929 W. Belmont, 10:00 p.m. “Chicago’s most mysterious comedy show.”
SATURDAY, JULY 14
Mortified Live at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., 6:00 p.m. Now there is camaraderie and pride in being mortified. No more shame! At Mortified, “performers share the embarrassing things they created as kids (old diaries, letters, lyrics & more).” Tonight features Zoë Jobe, Jessica Johnston, Amie Losi, Adam Mizner, and Liz Ward.
Therapy Players at The Lamplighter Inn, 60 North Bothwell, Palatine, 7:30 p.m. Chicago’s award-winning all-psychotherapist improv group. Tonight: “Not Your Mother’s Hysteria.”
A Lill Annoyance Stand-Up Show at Annoyance Theater, 851 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. All I know about tonight’s line-up is that it includes Dave Maher and that’s an excellent reason to go!
Michael Che at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Early show is sold out! Michael Che is Saturday Night Live’s co-head writer and Weekend Update co-anchor. Interesting interview at Vulture.com. Did you know “Che” is not his last name? It’s his middle name, given to him by a history-loving dad.
SUNDAY, JULY 15
Silly Point Sundays at The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, 9:15 p.m. This improv team of all Indian performers draws on personal stories and cultural heritage. They’ll be joined each week by additional talent from the Chicago comedy and arts community. Produced by John Hildreth.
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