Visitors in town: Ramy Youssef, Caitlin Kunkel, Chris Fleming, Rick Overton, The Capitol Steps.
At Zanies: Brad Wenzel (Chicago and St. Charles), Emma Willmann (Chicago), Dan LaMorte (Rosemont).
At The Improv: Rocky LaPorte, Mitch Fatel.
At Riddles: Chastity Washington.
Fillet of Solo, a storytelling and comedy festival continues! Details here.
RhinoFest, Chicago’s longest running fringe festival continues. Details here.
Following is next week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before venturing into the upcoming tundra.
MONDAY, JANUARY 21
Story Jam at Evanston SPACE, 1245 Chicago Ave., Evanston, 7:30 p.m. “This special show will honor the work of Dr. Martin Luther King with premiere national tellers and podcasters—including the magnificent Shannon Cason (popular host of NPR’s Homemade Stories and The Trouble); the renowned Mama Edie Armstrong, who marched beside Dr. King; local star and award-winner Archy Jamjun; powerhouse diva Lynne Jordan; the ever-endearing Nestor Gomez (who has won more national Moth Slams and Grand Slams than anyone alive); RC Riley, who has already gotten rave reviews for her edgy solo show; and several amazing musical guests.”
TUESDAY, JANUARY 22
Ramy Youssef at Lincoln Lodge/Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m. Ramy Youseff is a Muslim-American comedian from New Jersey. He is creator and star of the upcoming Hulu series Ramy, scheduled to premiere this year. He also recently appeared on Mr. Robot and in Gus Van Sant’s new film Don’t Worry He Won’t Get Far on Foot. At the Lincoln Lodge tonight and tomorrow night.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23
Caitlin Kunkel at Bookends and Beginnings, 1712 Sherman Avenue, Alley #1, Evanston, 6:00 p.m. Caitlin Kunkel is a comedian, comedy writer and co-author of New Erotica for Feminists: Satirical Fantasies of Love, Lust, and Equal Pay. She is here for “an interactive conversation in which she’ll invite the audience to share feminist fantasies of their own.”
Ramy Youseff at Lincoln Lodge/Under the Gun Theater, 956 W. Newport, 8:00 p.m.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
Momedians of Momedy at Skokie Theatre, 7924 N. Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, 7:30 p.m. The year is young, but I already know this will be one of the best line-ups of 2019! Colleen Brennan hosts fellow Momedians Kat Herskovic, Denise Medina, Jan Slavin, Eunji Kim, and Kellye Howard.
Chris Fleming at The Vic, 3145 N. Sheffield, 7:30 p.m. Chris Fleming is known for his stand-up and for being Gayle Water-Waters on his popular YouTube channel.
Stand Up Science at Laugh Out Loud Theater, 3851 N. Lincoln Ave., 7:00 p.m. Presented by award-winning comedian and science podcast host Shane Mauss. Comedy and science with local scientists, comedians and other special guests. Includes a discussion with the audience after the show.
Capitol Steps at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, 7:30 p.m. Never a better time to see these award-winning nationally touring political satirists. This is their “Make American Grin Again” tour. “The performers have worked in a total of eighteen Congressional offices and represent sixty-two years of collective House and Senate staff experience and performed for five US Presidents.” Through Sunday.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25
Capitol Steps at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, 8:00 p.m. Through Sunday.
Dreamboat and The Harold Team Smokin’ Hot Dad at iO, 1501 N. Kingsbury, 8:00 p.m. Dreamboat stars iO performers that are also members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Rick Overton at The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Dr., Aurora, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. A short list of Rick Overton’s credits: The Drake on Seinfeld, Pam’s Dad on The Office, Adult Swim’s Children Hospital, ABC’s Last Man Standing, The Middle, The Kroll Show and many more screens big and small. Tonight and tomorrow night.
The Hutchins Plan at The Revival, 1160 E. 55th St., 8:00 p.m. Are lawyers funny? Find out tonight when University of Chicago law professors Randal Picker and Geof Stone, the Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor of Law, join The Hutchins Plan Ensemble for an evening of classic long-form improvisation. Improv as we know it was born at the University of Chicago when some students decided to create The Compass Players which later became Second City. Read here about how the University of Chicago influenced comedy forever.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 26
Dave Maher Coma Show at Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave., 3:00 p.m. There is no show like this anywhere in the world … except when Dave Maher took it to Edinburgh last summer. It’s all about Dave’s coma, how he came to be in a coma, the news of his death, the eulogies and what it’s like when your life is returned to you. Transcendent, inspiring and hilarious. Not to be missed! Today and tomorrow at Rhinofest. Sign up to get Dave’s newsletter here.
Capitol Steps at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Through Sunday.
Rick Overton at The Comedy Shrine, 4034 Fox Valley Center Dr., Aurora, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
She the People at Second City’s UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave., 8:00 p.m. “Sisters doing it for themselves.” Thursday-Sunday.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 27
Capitol Steps at North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, 2:00 p.m.
Dave Maher Coma Show at Prop Thtr, 3502 N. Elston Ave., 3:00 p.m. There is no show like this anywhere in the world … except when Dave Maher took it to Edinburgh last summer. It’s all about Dave’s coma, how he came to be in a coma, the news of his death, the eulogies and what it’s like to have your life returned to you. Transcendent, inspiring and hilarious. Not to be missed! Sign up to get Dave’s newsletter here.
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