Visitors in town: James Adomian, Jon Heder. Jaboukie Young-White returns to his hometown. Details below!
At Zanies: Russ Williamson (Chicago), Marty DeRosa (Chicago), Steven Haas (Chicago), Jake Johannsen (Chicago and Rosemont), April Macie (Chicago and Rosemont), Nate Weatherup (Chicago), Mr. Showtime (St. Charles).
At Riddles: Damon Williams Comedy Jam.
At The Improv: Steve Trevino.
In the news:
Chicago media guru Robert Feder reports that The Museum of Broadcast Communications may extend its interactive behind-the-scenes exhibit Saturday Night Live: The Experience through September 2019. The exhibit is currently scheduled to close this month.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was especially Chicago last week. Friday night’s show featured an interview with Michelle Obama and music by Common. On Tuesday, November 27, Stephen Colbert let his guests interview him. Jake Tapper asked him if there was a specific career moment in the past that led to his success today. The answer was “yes.” There was such a moment and it goes back to an evening at Schubas, a bar on Chicago’s north side which is still a great venue today.
Time magazine named the best stand-up specials of 2018 and several Chicago comedians made the list: Cameron Esposito, W. Kamau Bell and John Mulaney. Entire list here.
Chicago comedians on TV:
Wednesday, December 5: Jeff Garlin on The Ellen Show.
Thursday, December 6: Bonnie Hunt on The Talk.
Friday, December 7: Kathy Griffin on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, DECEMBER 3
Planes, Trains and Automobiles at ArcLight Cinema, 1500 N. Clybourn, 7:30 p.m. This classic holiday comedy starring Steve Martin and John Candy starts with a snowstorm in Chicago.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4
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. Doc Love hosts Chris Trani, Ben Noble, Abi Sanchez.
9:00 p.m. Mickey Housley hosts Dave Maher, Paul Farahvar, Marty De Rosa.
Ten Dollar Comedy at Second City’s Judy’s Beat Lounge, 1616 N. Wells, 8:30 p.m. This weekly showcase features Chicago’s talented improv, stand up, and sketch comedians. Produced by Potential Boyfriends, a comedy collective based in Chicago and Los Angeles.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5
Paper Machete Cockail Hour at The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway, 6:30 p.m. “Free, 90-minute, intermission-less live magazine.” Comedians, singers, writers and all sorts of interesting folks.
Home for Hanukkah with Bubbe at ComedySportz, 929 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. “An interactive holiday experience.”
Psychotic Break at Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s only mental illness and addiction-themed variety show. Tonight hosts Dan Shapiro and Jenn Sodini “dissect their most embarrassing coping mechanisms for you.” Featuring Catherine Eves, Noah Maria and Laura Hugg.
Huggable Riot at Annoyance Theatre, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. Huggable Riot presents its fourth annual holiday show, Noel-O-L. A sketch comedy show about all the roles people end up playing during the holiday season.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6
Our Screwed-Up Families at Volumes Bookcafe, 1474 N. Milwaukee, 7:00 p.m. Donald Evans hosts personal holiday stories and readings by Ben Tanzer, Anne-Marie Akin, Hannah Jennings, and Pete Anderson. Volumes says, “Hannah is going to read Thurber parodying Hemingway in an homage to The Night Before Christmas. Ann-Marie is bringing her guitar and will sing an off-white tune. Come on out–the more, the merrier.”
TJ & Dave at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. After a long hiatus, the world-renowned improv duo is back! TJ & Dave have inspired a book (Improvisation at the Speed of Light) and a movie (Trust Us This is All Made Up). Onscreen, you can also see TJ in The Studio B Series and Dave in AMC’s Lodge 49.
ComedySportz at CSz, 929 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. ComedySportz has weekly improv shows that are perfect for the entire family.
When Jeff Tried to Save the World at The Music Box, 3733 N. Southport, 9:45 p.m. Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) and writer Kendall Goldberg will be in attendance for a post-screening Q&A. The film also stars Jim O’Heir (Parks and Recreation, Lullaby League), who got his comedy start in Chicago.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7
EbonyEssenceJet Presents: Wanted at The Storefront, 1579 N. Milwaukee, 7:30 p.m. Four African-American comediennes known for their “topical and conscious humor.”
Doing Our Moms: Christmas is Coming at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 10:30 p.m. Hosted by Emily Anderson. Each week, comedians will do sketches impersonating their moms during the holiday season, including Emily Anderson as her mother Judy. Emily says, “I’m happy to have you exploit my foibles for the sake of art. It’s a hilarious, sometimes heart-wrenching, joyful celebration of mothers and their unique brands of crazy/amazing. Love you, Mom!”
James Adomian at Lincoln Lodge, Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m. James Adomian portrayed Bernie Sanders during the 2016 Trump vs. Bernie tour, just one of his memorable comic works. Tonight and tomorrow night.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8
Paper Machete at The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway, 3:00 p.m. Comedians, artists, singers, actors. Always a memorable one-of-a-kind afternoon, sometimes with surprise drop-ins. Arriving an hour early for seats isn’t crazy. Follow link for line-up – usually announced a few days before show.
James Adomian at Lincoln Lodge, Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m.
The Two Hour Comedy Hour at Gallery Cabaret, 2020 N. Oakley, 7:00 p.m. Two-hour stand-up extravaganza with top Chicago talent and it’s free! Follow Two Hour Comedy Hour on Facebook and Twitter for line-up updates.
Jaboukie Young-White and Clare Austen-Smith at Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Jaboukie Young-White was recently featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and is the newest correspondent for The Daily Show. Clare Austen-Smith is one of the hosts of the monthly comedy show, Just Us Gals. Hosted by Rima Parikh and Naomi Spungen.
Whirled News Tonight at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Adding satire and humanity to this week’s news stories.
Dang! Hot Bits! At iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 11:55 p.m. Cameron Davis, Kathy D’Onofrio and Phoebe Perry host comedians testing their hottest, newest material.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 9
Chicago’s Best Stand-Up at Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
7:00 p.m. Rob Gleeson, Sammy Arechar, Kevin Williams, Paul Farahvar and more TBA.
9:00 p.m. Adam Burke, Kellye Howard, Joe McMahon, Joe Kilgallon and more TBA.
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly Sweater at Second City’s UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. A celebration and roast of the holiday season’s best and worst.
Jaboukie Young-White and Clare Austen-Smith at Sleeping Village, 3734 W. Belmont, 7:00 p.m. Jaboukie Young-White was recently featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and is the newest correspondent for The Daily Show. Clare Austen-Smith is one of the hosts of the monthly comedy show, Just Us Gals. Hosted by Rima Parikh and Naomi Spungen.
107th Mainstage Revue at Second City, 1616 N. Wells, 7:00 p.m. The new Mainstage Revue is here! See what Second City is sprinkling with magic comedy dust now. The show is still new and it’s an exciting time to see it. Material is being finalized and audience reactions help shape what future audiences will see. Follow link for many show times throughout the week.
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