Visitors in town: Joel Chasnoff and AJ Lubecker return to their hometown! Moody McCarthy is here with Joel.
Bruce Bruce, DL Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer and Arnez J are here for an early New Year’s Comedy Jam.
At Zanies: Pat McGann, Michael Palascak, Landry.
At The Improv: Christopher Titus.
At Riddles: Damon Williams.
New Year’s Eve Comedy Spotlight is here.
Ticket Alerts!
Emmie Blotnick at Zanies: Chicago January 3-6
Laurie Kilmartin at Zanies: Rosemont January 3-5
Lucas Brothers at UP Comedy Club January 4-6
Dulce Sloan at Zanies: Rosemont January 18-19 and Chicago January 20
Emma Willman at Zanies: Chicago January 23-26
Adele Givens at The Improv January 31-February 2
Marsha Warfield at Zanies: Chicago February 6-8 and Rosemont Feb. 9
Marlon Wayans at The Improv February 22-24
Dave Attell at The Improv March 15-17
Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! If you don’t, comedy is here! Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, DECEMBER 24
Oy to the World at @North Bar, 7:00 p.m. “Are you sick of being left with no plans on xmas eve, feeling like a fakakta schlub?” if you can answer “yes,” or “sometimes” or you’re just looking for great comedy, follow the link for details! Le Aboav and Reena Calm host Adam Kwaselow, Rebecca Fass, Joe Nudelman, Yoni Heisler, Ellen Wesley, Seth Davis, Aaron Klopfer, Naomi Spungen, Andrew Tavin, Bill “Jew” Gevirtz, Brian Karpas, Lindsay Lucido, Bobby Budds and more TBA.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25
Joel Chasnoff’s Christmas for the Jews at City Winery, 1200 W. Randolph, 8:00 p.m. (or go earlier for dinner) Joel Chasnoff’s hilarious and relatable comedy makes this show my favorite Chicago tradition! He has performed on stage and screen in nine countries, two off-Broadway shows, a USO comedy tour of Japan and Korea, more than 1,000 Jewish events in North America and Europe, and Israeli late-night TV. He is the author of The 188th Crybaby Brigade: A Skinny Jewish Kid from Chicago Fights Hezbollah. Joel studied at iO, UCB and The PIT. He is an improv performer and teacher.
A portion of proceeds are dedicated to his foundation, Project Elijah. I can’t believe a whole year has gone by since he kindly spoke with me here.
Tonight Joel hosts headliner Moody McCarthy. Featuring “Funniest Rabbi in Chicago” Barry Schechter.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26
AJ’s Chicago Holiday Throwdown at The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted, 8:00 p.m. AJ Lubecker was one of Chicago’s fastest rising stars – and the youngest comedian to host Friday nights at Laugh Factory – and then he left for L.A. He’s back for one night only with all new stand-up, a new short film and a line-up including Deanna Ortiz, Kevin Lobkovich, James Fisher and YouTube’s Number Six with Cheese, Corey and Sean. AJ was kind enough to speak with me here and here.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27
Messing With Mason at The Annoyance, 851 W. Belmont, 8:00 p.m. One night only! Susan Messing and Rachael Mason! They’re know as two of the best improvisers in the world and people travel from around the globe to study with them. Get tickets now – this show will sell out!
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28
The Improvised Shakespeare Company at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. This award winning, nationally touring ensemble has been going strong since 2005 (or 1564 depending on how you look at it). They were named Chicago’s best improv group by the Chicago Reader.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 29
New Year’s Comedy Jam at UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine Ave., 8:00 p.m. Starring Bruce Bruce, DL Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer and Arnez J.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30
Every Other Sunday Presents: A Benefit for Heather Morgan at Shakers, 3160 N. Clark, 7:00 p.m. Free show with all donations going to help comedian Heather Morgan cover cancer treatment not covered by insurance. Featuring: Le Aboav, Tim Cox, Kate Cullen, Liz Greenwood, Sarah Manning, Elyse Nylin, Elaine Orion, Chris Trani, and Random Fandom Improv. Hosted by Stuart Allard.
Everyone’s a Lawyer at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s hit comedy game show created and hosted by comedian and attorney Paul Farahvar. Paul has been named one of the “Top 40 Up and Coming Comedians in America in 2017” and one of “Top 40 under 40” lawyers in Chicago, so you can expect a great night of comedy and legal drama as comedians take the stage to present the funniest arguments in real life cases. Tonight’s comedians at law to be announced.
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