In town: Iliza Schlesinger, Jo Firestone, and Nic Sampson. Rebecca O’Neal and Dave Helem return to their hometown.
At Zanies: Dwayne Kennedy (Chicago and Rosemont), Jon Huck (Chicago), Stone Cold and the Jackal Tour with Steve Burton and Bradford Anderson (Rosemont), Dougie Almeida (St. Charles).
At Riddles: Mario Tory.
Ticket alerts:
May 13: You’re Being Ridiculous workshop at The Book Stall.
August 1-2: Melissa Villasenor at Zanies.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, APRIL 15
Essay Fiesta at The Book Cellar, 7:00 p.m. Comedic, memorable storytelling. Free show with all donations to 826CHI. Arrive early for seats!
Rebecca O’Neal at The Hideout, 7:00 p.m. Rebecca O’Neal returns to her hometown! In Chicago, she hosted WCIU’s One Night Stand Up. She was named a TBS “Comedian to Watch” in 2018. Featuring Skyler Higley, Ashley Ray and Odinaka Ezeokoli.
TUESDAY, APRIL 16
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 9:00 p.m. Nicky Martin hosts Brendan Burns, Marz Timms, Marty DeRosa, Chad Weaver, Dan Alten and the ChUC debut of Sandy Lee.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17
Comedy for Cancer at The Tivoli Theater, Downers Grove, 8:00 p.m. Pete McMurray hosts comedians Patti Vasquez, Tim Cavanagh, Paul Farahvar and the Live Pete Show.
Rx Comedy at Second City, 8:30 p.m. Laura Hugg hosts Mark James Heath, Michele Alley, Tim Cox, Tim Brennan and Whitney Wasson. “Recovery is no joke, but laughing matters.”
Windy City Women Comedy Showcase at Riddles, 7:00 p.m. A special People to People taping looking for the best female comic.
LOL: A Comedy Benefit for the Natural Resources Defense Council at Sleeping Village, 7:00 p.m. Matty Ryan hosts Alex Kumin, Erica Nicole Clark, Azhar Usman, Adam Burke, and Chastity Washington.
THURSDAY, APRIL 18
Merriam: a Matzah Ballin’ Good Time at Townhall Apartments, 5:30 p.m. “A hilarious drag musical just in time for Passover!”
She the People at Second City, 8:00 p.m. The women of The Second City roast the patriarchy.
Just Us Gals at Sleeping Village, 8:00 p.m. With Nic Sampson (visiting from New Zealand), Sabeen Sadiq (Best Night Ever), Mallory Bradford (Laugh Factory) and more TBA. Hosted by Clare Austen-Smith, Naomi Spungen, and Rima Parikh.
Iliza Schlesinger at The Coronado Performing Arts Center, Rockford, 7:00 p.m. The “Elder Millenial Tour.”
FRIDAY, APRIL 19
Iliza Schlesinger at The Chicago Theatre, 8:00 p.m. The “Elder Millenial Tour.”
Cards Against Humanity: Late Night Writers Room at Co-Prosperity Sphere, 8:00 p.m. BYOCS. (Bring your own card suggestions.)
Dope Comedy Show at @North Bar, 9:00 p.m. Dave Helem returns home from L.A. to host stand-ups from all over TV and comedy. Tonight: Joey Villagomez, Timothy Princetdub Wilson, Kellye Howard, Jarrell Scott Barnes and Russell Williamson. Music from Jamie Shriner. Frequent surprise drop-ins.
Jo Firestone at Lincoln Lodge/Under the Gun Theater, 8:00 p.m.
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Jo Firestone at Lincoln Lodge/Under the Gun Theater, 8:00 p.m.
Las Locas Comedy at The Mozart, 8:00 p.m. Janice V Rodriguez hosts Lucy Martinez (Feminine Comique), Jess Martinez (Payday Showcase), Jamie Shriner (Wife Material), Marci Deloney (Improv), Jari Baez (Mikey O). Tickets sell out fast!
SUNDAY, APRIL 21
Blanket Fort at The Crowd Theater, 7:00 p.m. “Recommended by Thrillest, Blanket Fort is a comedy variety show that features some of Chicago’s weirdest acts–all within the comforts of a giant blanket fort.” You can feel at home and wear PJs! Standup from Keenan Lloyd, Sketch from Nobody Asked For This, musical comedy from Adrienne Stout, stand-up from Marik Mavrakys, Keith Evans, Carly Ballerini, and Ashley Ray. Produced and hosted by Max Shanker, Brad Rickert, and Elsie How.
Jimmy Buffett’s Big Ol’ Easter Sunday Silver Screen Luau at Annoyance Theatre, 7:30 p.m. A unique Easter celebration.
Thanks for Coming Out at iO, 8:00 p.m. Written and performed by Caleb Hearon and Nick Murhling. This show “explores the joys, eccentricities and anxieties of modern gayness and showcases a few people in that world’s orbit.”
Missed Calls at Annoyance Theatre, 9:30 p.m. “We’re terrible at answering our phones so we get a lot of voicemails. To start the show we’re going to listen to one of our voicemails with the audience, which we’ve never heard before, and it will be the inspiration for a series of improvised scenes. We will also be answering more voicemails as the show continues, and those voicemails will be the inspirations for a new set of scenes. You could also leave us a voicemail at 662-729-1869, and it may be used in one of our future shows.”
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