In town: Paula Poundstone, Janelle James, Vicki Barbolak, Brett Walkow, Nate Bargatze, Rob Gleeson, and Thomas Middleditch with Ben Schwartz.
At Zanies: Jeff Garlin (Chicago and Rosemont), B. Simone (Chicago), Lenny Schmidt (Chicago and Rosemont), Vince Carone (Rosemont). At Zanies St. Charles: World Series of Comedy.
At The Improv: Carlos Mencia
At Riddles: LaRoyce Hawkins, Tony T.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, APRIL 1
Feminine Comique Graduation Class at Under the Gun Theater, 8:00 p.m. Free show with an opportunity to see Chicago’s up and coming talent.
TUESDAY, APRIL 2
The Second City’s Greatest Hits at Second City, 8:00 p.m. Current Second City stars perform sketch and music originally created by alums Chris Farley, Mike Myers, Bonnie Hunt, Tim Meadows and more. Experience classic Chicago comedy.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3
Rx Comedy at Second City, 8:30 p.m. Mona Aburmishan hosts Lea Ciastko, Rick March, James Knowles, Denise Medina, and Chris Trani. “Recovery is no joke but laughing matters.” These sober shows celebrate the healing power of comedy.
Feminine Comique Graduation Class at Under the Gun Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Free show with an opportunity to see Chicago’s up and coming talent.
THURSDAY, APRIL 4
The Baruch Meir Bar Mitzvah Show at the Skokie Theatre, 7:30 p.m. Comedian Brett “Baruch Meir” Walkow “shares his unique take on Jewish life and his awkward journey from boyhood to manhood.”
Conference: Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor at The Double Tree, Oak Brook Conference for professionals committed to making a difference through humor. Through April 7.
Grinning from Fear to Fear at Second City, 8:00 p.m. The new 43rd E.T.C. revue. Show times throughout the week.
FRIDAY, APRIL 5
Comedy for Caregivers at Double Tree, Oak Brook, 6:30 p.m. A special comedy presentation for caregivers featuring Chicago’s only all-therapist improv group: The Therapy Players, plus Comedy Dance Chicago, and therapeutic humor experts Joyce Saltman and Cole Thomas. Free event, but advance registration required.
Open Books and Laugh at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. The great line-up matches the great cause. Host: Rob Gleeson (NCIS, How I Met Your Mother), BEN AND KATE (FOX), REVIEW (Comedy Central), Taneshia Rice (Kevin Hart Presents: The Next Level, Def Comedy Jam), Chris Bader (Just For Laughs), Chastity Washington (BET Comic View, Coming to the Stage & HBO Def Jam), Maurice Shaw, Sammy Arechar (NBC Universal & Second City’s Break Out Fest).
Janelle James at Lincoln Lodge/Under the Gun Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Tonight and tomorrow night. Over the next three months, Lincoln Lodge is bringing three of stand-up’s most exciting comedians to Chicago beginning with Janelle James this week. Follow this link for all details. The New York Times said Janelle James is one of “3 Savvy Comics Who Shine Where Sex and Politics Intersect” (with Emmy Blotnick, and Liza Treyger who will headline for Lincoln Lodge in May.)
Chicago Comedy Film Festival at Columbia College, 6:00 p.m. Through April 7. Follow link for complete schedule.
SATURDAY, APRIL 6
5th Annual Laugh Your Face Off at The Park West, 6:00 p.m. WGN-TV’s Pat Tomasulo and his wife Amy created this event and so far have “raised over $1.2M for the Facial Pain Research Foundation and their efforts to find a cure for trigeminal neuralgia- one of the worst pains known to mankind.” Fabulous comedy, food and raffles. Pat was kind enough to speak with me here.
Janelle James at Lincoln Lodge/Under the Gun Theatre, 8:00 p.m.
The Morning After with Marilee & Just Nesh at @North Bar, 8:00 p.m. “Live Music, Q & A, and Stand Up Comedy From Chicago’s Dynamic Duo.” Tonight and tomorrow.
Chicago Comedy Film Festival at Columbia College, 12:00 p.m. Through April 7. Follow link for complete schedule.
Paula Poundstone at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Skokie, 8:00 p.m. Paula Poundstone is one of the fastest, funniest minds in comedy.
Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz at Chicago Theatre, 8:00 p.m. A completely different show every time.
Nate Bargatze at The Vic, 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. “A Good Problem to Have” Tour.
SUNDAY, APRIL 7
Chicago Comedy Film Festival at Columbia College, 12:00 p.m. Last day! Follow link for complete schedule.
The Morning After with Marilee & Just Nesh at @North Bar, 4:00 p.m. “Live Music, Q & A, and Stand Up Comedy From Chicago’s Dynamic Duo.” Tonight and tomorrow.
Vicki Barbolak: Trailer Nasty at The The Den Theatre, 7:00 p.m. Vicki Barbolak was a Top 10 sensation on 2018’s America’s Got Talent.