Visitors in town: Eric Andre, Alex Pavone, Travis Irvine, Chris Higgins and Hampton Yount. Lil Rel Howery returns to his hometown for Hannibal Buress Presents a Sunday in Chicago.
At Zanies: Vince Carone (Chicago), Gabriel Rutledge (Chicago), Frank Caliendo (Chicago), Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson (Rosemont), Taylor Williamson (Rosemont), Calvin Evans (Rosemont) and Tom Clark (St. Charles).
At The Improv: The Kates and Chingo Bling.
BREAKING NEWS 9/2/18: The Chicago Theatre announced on Sunday morning that Dave Chappelle will do a guest set at tonight’s Hannibal Buress show.
Ticket Alert: Marina Franklin returns to hometown Chicago and The Vic to record her first comedy special Single Black Female on Friday, September 14. Tickets are free and you can get them here.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home.
MONDAY, AUGUST 27
Monday Night Live at iO,1501 N. Kingsbury, 6:30 p.m. The SNL sketch writing class shows what they’ve got. Some iO alums who’ve gone on to Saturday Night Live: Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Bill Hader, Jason Sudeikis, Vanessa Bayer, Aidy Bryant, Tim Meadows, Seth Meyers, Mike Myers and Cecily Strong (who, despite a lifelong love of the show, almost didn’t audition, but Charna Halpern persuaded her to do it).
This One Woman: Madonna at Hopleaf, 5148 N Clark St., 7:30 p.m. Performances inspired by Madonna. Featured: Anita M. Mechler, Linda Orr, Justin Flowers, Aaron A ARon, Patty Vaccarella, Tori Rosin Szekeres, Liz Greenwood, and Charlotte Hamilton.
The Armando Diaz Experience at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. A special guest monologist inspires long-form improv. Tonight’s guest: musician ShowYouSuck.
CAMP: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 2055 W. Roscoe, 8:30 p.m. Free stand-up showcase. Tonight Samantha Berkman hosts Sarah Perry, Arish Singh, Calvin Evans, Caitlin Checkeroski, Alex Pavone and CAMP’S Tessa Orzech. Cash donations appreciated and go to performers.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 28
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. Anthony Bonazzo, Tony Foxworthy, Chris Trani, Mickey Housley
9:00 p.m. Correy Boyd Bell, Max Shanker, Paul Farahvar, Adam Burke
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. Follow link for show times throughout the week. Second City debuts its new Mainstage revue in the fall, so see this hit show now while you can!
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 9:30 p.m. One of Chicago’s best known, longest running showcases whose alums include Cameron Esposito, Kumail Nanjiani and Kyle Kinane. Tonight Meredith Kachel hosts Sohrab Foroozesh, Sarah Perry, Mickey Housley, Mallory Bradford, Rob Gleeson, Krish Mohan, Chris Higgins and out of town guests Alex Pavone (New York) and Travis Irvine (Ohio).
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29
Three Asian Women On Stage at the Same Time at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. “A sketch revue that portrays the representation that’s missing” with Susan Xu, Kirsten Pasia and Claudia Iao.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N. Fairbanks Ct., 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Two weekly shows to choose from in August. The 7:00 p.m. show features twelve comedians auditioning for a chance to be part of this nationally renowned stand-up showcase. The 9:30 line-up is Comedians You Should Know.
7:00 p.m. Joe Kilgallon hosts Luis Arevalo, Zachary Boyce, Alex Crockman, Joe Degrand, Kristin Fenchak, Rebekah Gibson, Matt Maliszewski, Maya May, John McCombs, Ryan McGirr, Michael Palmenderi, Jesse Rothenberg and Andrew Shankman. Follow link to find out how to get free tickets to the 7:00 p.m. show.
9:30 p.m. Blake Burkhart hosts Marty DeRosa, Allison Dunne, Josh Ejnes, Joe M. Kilgallon, Jonah Jurkens and Chastity Washington.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 30
Chicago Fringe Festival at various locations in Jefferson Park, 7:00 p.m. Comedy, theater, dance, spoken word all around Jefferson Park. Through Labor Day, Monday, September 3.
The Kates at The Improv, Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. Hosted by kates creator, producer, comedian extraordinaire Kelsie Huff (Windy City Live, The Jam). “The kates mission is to showcase talented and hilarious female identified performers by creating inclusive and positive environments; This encourages artists to express their comic point of view in unique and non-apologetic ways.” Always an outstanding and unforgettable show.
Tonight Kelsie Huff hosts Jillian Ebanks, Amy Sumpter, Reena Calm and Chastity Washington.
Stand Up Stand Up Presents Kristen Toomey at Little Olive Lounge, 1540 N. Milwaukee Ave., 9:00 p.m. Anything Kristen comments on – family, culture, the idiocy of conventional thinking – will stick with you and keep you laughing for a long time. She is a a producer of Comedians You Should Know and is just back from performing at the prestigious Montreal Just for Laughs Festival. Tonight also features Ohio gubernatorial candidate Travis Irvine, Abi Sanchez, Colorado’s Chris Higgins and SUSU’s Mike Robinson and Keith Paesel. Hosted by Todd Massey. Music from DJ Bergadelic.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 31
Chicago Fringe Festival at various locations in Jefferson Park, 7:00 p.m. Comedy, theater, dance, spoken word all around Jefferson Park. Through Labor Day, Monday, September 3.
Drinkers with Writer Problems at The Kedzie Inn, 4100 N. Kedzie, 7:30 p.m. Stories about writing. Elizabeth Gomez hosts Kim Nelson, Beth Dugan, Jeff Phillips, Archy Jamjum, Mitch Hagan and musical guest Zak Houde.
PREACH at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Teachers, caregivers and activists challenge apathy and bring a revolutionary spirit to long form improv and spoken word.
Hampton Yount at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W Newport, 8:00 p.m. Hampton Yount is the voice of Crow T. Robot on Mystery Science Theater 3000 and a writer for The Eric Andre Show. His comedy has been featured on Comedy Central, MTV and Conan. He is also the co-host of the podcast Suicide Buddies, a comedy/history/mental health podcast. This weekend he is recording his third comedy album. Also Saturday night.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Chicago Fringe Festival at various locations in Jefferson Park, 1:00 p.m. Comedy, theater, dance, spoken word all around Jefferson Park. Through Labor Day, Monday, September 3.
Late Late Breakfast at The Hideout, 1354 W. Wabansia, 2:00 p.m. Stand-up surrounded by all sorts of comedic surprises. Interrobang said it’s one of the best comedy shows in the U.S. this year.
Hampton Yount at Under the Gun Theater, 956 W Newport, 8:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Chicago Fringe Festival at various locations in Jefferson Park, 1:00 p.m. Comedy, theater, dance, spoken word all around Jefferson Park. Through Labor Day, Monday, September 3.
Royal Xanadu: A Cancer Cruise at Second City’s Blackout Cabaret, 1608 N. Wells, 6:00 p.m. A ship’s crew tries to create a memorable experience for a passenger with cancer. One of the cast members is battling lymphoma and a portion of this show’s proceeds will help cover medical bills. Sundays through September 16.
Hannibal Buress Presents A Sunday in September at The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., 7:00 p.m. Hannibal Buress, Lil Rel Howery, Eric Andre, and Vic Mensa. BREAKING NEWS Dave Chappelle will be there for a guest set!
The Kiki Variety Show at Transister, 5224 N. Clark, 7:00 p.m. “Chicago’s most fabulously funny comics, storytellers, improvisers and musicians. Fabulous! Funny! Free!” Located at a store full of interesting unique finds, too. First Sunday of the month.
We Have Questions at Second City’s de Maat Theater, 1608 N. Wells, 8:00 p.m. This week’s question is “Do I have to?” Featuring Larn Divito, Jocelyn Geboy and Micah Philbrook. Hosted by Patrick Gill.
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