Visitors in town: Gabriel Iglesias, the Stanford University improvisers, and Robert Smigel returns to his comedy hometown.
At Zanies: Robbie Slowik (Chicago), Dr. Bill Miller (Chicago), Marcella Arguello (Chicago), Tim Walkoe (Rosemont), Larry Reeb (St. Charles)
At Riddles: Teddy Carpenter
At The Improv: Ian Bagg
Ticket Alerts:
April 4-7: Jeff Garlin at Zanies in Rosemont and Chicago
April 6: Pat Tomasulo’s Laugh Your Face Off at Park West. Proceeds benefit the Facial Pain Research Foundation.
April 13: Amy Sumpter records her first album at the Athenaeum
May 18: Preacher Lawson records his special at the Vic
June 8: Jonathan Van Ness at The Chicago Theatre
In the news:
This past Friday, Sean Flannery made his second appearance on Comedy Central’s This is Not Happening.
What do Maria Bamford, Seth Rogen, Jonathan Van Ness, Sam Richardson and Baron Vaughn have in common? Their moms all revealed secrets on Beth Stelling’s new podcast We Called Your Mom, which Beth co-hosts with her own mom. Details at sweetbeth.com/podcast
Chris Redd is on the cover of this week’s Splash Magazine with a great story about his time in Chicago.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, MARCH 25
A Love Letter to Myself at Revolution Brewing, 6:00 p.m. This variety show celebrates women’s voices. Produced by Women in Comedy.
DePaul x Stanford Improv Festival at The Playground Theater, 6:30 p.m. A “cross-coastural celebration of comedy.”
TUESDAY, MARCH 26
Chicago’s Best Stand-Ups at The Laugh Factory, 9:15 p.m. This show is also an audition for Montreal’s prestigious Just for Laughs Festival. Felonious Munk, Rob Gleeson, Audrey Jonas, Maddie Wiener, Clark Jones, Matty Ryan, Alex Kumin, Marty DeRosa, Brian ‘Da Wildcat’ Smith, Shannon Noll, Joey Villagomez, Chris Bader and more TBA.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27
Rx Comedy at Second City, 8:30 p.m. Celebrating and showcasing the healing power of comedy.
More Just for Laughs audition shows: Character auditions at iO, 7:30 p.m. and stand-up auditions at
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 9:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, MARCH 28
Conversations in Comedy with Robert Smigel at Museum of Broadcast Communications, 6:00 p.m. The Emmy Award winning Saturday Night Live writer and genius behind Triumph the Insult Dog got his start at Second City’s Players Workshop in 1982. Arrive at 6:00 and tour the Museum’s acclaimed SNL exhibit while you still can. It’s in its last week! Discussion with Robert Smigel at 7:00 p.m.
The Nice Jewish Girls Comedy Tour at Skokie Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Everything produced by the brilliant, hilarious Jan Slavin is comedy gold. Tonight stars Jan, Eunji Kim, Jessica Besser-Rosenberg, Kat Herskovic, Lia Berman, Mallory Bradford and Reena Calm.
Just for Laughs Showcase presented by Mary Lindsey at The Revival, 7:30 p.m. The all-star Chicago line-ups continue. Chastity Washington hosts Vince Acevedo, Correy Bell, Jesnaira Baez, Sonny Bhatt, EM Brown, Timothy Wilson, Dyon Brooks, Jay Reid, Khaleel Farooqie, Jason Hillman, Mickey Housley, Mike Sampson, Willie Lynch, Jr. and Brandon Glover.
FRIDAY, MARCH 29
Dance and Laugh Comedy Showcase at Dress Up & Dance, Mundelein, 7:00 p.m. Produced by Funnier by the Lake. Follow link for complete calendar.
Gabriel Iglesias at Allstate Arena, 8:00 p.m. The “Beyond the Fluffy Tour” will also be in Peoria tomorrow night.
The Therapy Players at Skokie Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s multi-award winning all-therapist improv group.
Science Riot at The Den Theatre, 8:00 p.m. STEM professionals take a crash course in stand-up and bring you the comedy in science and the science in comedy.
The Mash Up Americans at Sleeping Village, 8:00 p.m. This WBEZ podcast is about “navigating hybrid cultures and identities in these richly textured United States.” Amy S. Choi and Rebecca Lehrer host chefs Jennifer Kim and Diana Dávila, comedian Alex Kumin, games, giveaways and music.
SATURDAY, MARCH 30
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s all-women stand-up showcase created and produced by Kelsie Huff. Always an outstanding and unforgettable evening.
SUNDAY, MARCH 31
Everyone’s A Lawyer at The Laugh Factory, 7:00 p.m. Comedian (and lawyer) Paul Farahvar and some of Chicago’s funniest stand-ups set the bar high when it comes to comedic arguments.
Women’s Comedy Night at Lo Rez Brewing, 8:00 p.m. This stand-up showcase celebrates Women’s History Month. RSVP recommended.
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