Visitors in town: Jay Duplass, Steve Martin and Martin Short, Julio Torres, Ana Fabrega, the Real Comedians of Social Media, Acapella, Cee-Y. Jim Gaffigan and Chris Redd return to their hometown.
In town to film Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks’ free shows at The Promontory: Chris Redd, Gina Yashere, Ronnie Jordan, Orlando Leyba, Janelle James, Rachel Feinstein, Yamaneika Saunders, Clayton English, James Davis, Chaunte Wayans, Michelle Buteau, Ali Siddiq. Details below.
At Zanies: Donnell Rawlings (Chicago), Andy Woodhull (Chicago), Larry Reeb (Rosemont), Warren B. Hall (St. Charles).
At The Improv: D.L. Hughley, Luis De Alba.
At Riddles: Jeff B, Marlon Mitchell, Muhammad.
Ticket alerts:
June 11-12 Netflix presents Jeff Garlin at Park West
June 15-20: Jimmy Carrane announced his new one-person show World’s Greatest Dad (?) on Saturdays at Second City’s Judy’s Beat Lounge. Tickets on sale soon. Read about it here.
July 20: Off the Mound with Ryan Dempster & Friends: Jeff Garlin, Anthony Rizzo, Moises Alou, Jeremy Roenick and more TBA at Park West .
Oct. 18-19: Jim Gaffigan brings his new tour Secrets and Pies to the Chicago Theatre.
Nov. 15 John Cleese at Genesee Theatre.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, MAY 20
Methtacular! at Steppenwolf, 7:00 p.m. “Steven Strafford’s hilarious and harrowing autobiographical account of his three years as a crystal meth addict in Chicago.” Also tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m.
Feminist Comedy Night at Zanies, 8:00 p.m. Celebrating the fourth birthday of the USNC-UN Women Chicago Chapter. Tonight is “a one-of-a-kind Feminist Comedy Night in support of UN Women! Afterwards, the comedians will participate on a panel discussion on issues surrounding comedy and feminism.”
Messing with Mason at The Annoyance, 9:00 p.m. Susan Messing and Rachael Mason. Two of comedy’s most renowned improvisers together again!
Ladylike’s 3rd Anniversary Show at Café Mustache, 8:00 p.m. This show is going strong for its combination of honesty, comedy, validation and the power of talking about the gross things that tend to happen in life. Stories from Alice Weird Al Whatley, Rima Parikh, Carinda Rae Larson, Rachel Inberg, Samantha Berkman. Hosted by Allison Dunne. Music by Natalie G Alford.
TUESDAY, MAY 21
Post Game of Thrones Therapy at Volumes Bookcafé, 7:00 p.m. With WBEZ Nerdette host Greta Johnsen and author Julia Fine who are both known for their GOT recaps and commentary. This wonderful bookcafé adds, “Volumes staff will also be on hand all week to chat, as always.”
Methtacular! at Steppenwolf, 8:30 p.m. “Steven Strafford’s hilarious and harrowing autobiographical account of his three years as a crystal meth addict in Chicago.”
Ra Ra Ra at The Hideout, 6:30 p.m. A new podcast about connection, laughter and rage featuring diverse performances and hosted by Sonal Aggarwal and Meg Indurti.
Jay Duplass at The Music Box Theatre, 7:15 p.m. Jay Duplass (Transparent) and Tatiana Maslany are here for a screening of their new movie Pink Wall. They will also participate in a post-screening Q&A.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22
Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks at The Promontory, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Live TV taping. Ronnie Jordan, Chris Redd, Orlando Leyba and more TBA. Free show. Note arrival and registration requirements.
The News with Maggie Smith at Second City, 8:30 p.m. A live taping of this acclaimed satirical news show.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 9:30 p.m. Blake Burkhart hosts Nicky Martin, Adam Burke, Joe Kilgallon, Mickey Housley, Malic White, Molly Kearney.
THURSDAY, MAY 23
Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks at The Promontory, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Live TV taping. Taneshia Rice, Janelle James, Rachel Feinstein, Yamaneika Saunders and more TBA. Free show. Note arrival and registration requirements.
Jim Gaffigan at The Music Box Theatre, 8:30 p.m. Jim Gaffigan is here for a special screening of his new film Light From Light followed by a Q&A with Jim and director Paul Harrill. Jim kindly spoke with me in 2017 about his decision to add dramatic film roles to an already extraordinary career.
The Comedy Nosh at Max & Benny’s, Northbrook, 7:00 p.m. Larry Bloom hosts Marcos Lara, Michelle Krajecki and headliner Oscar Carvajal. A “Funnier By The Lake” Production.
IFC Showcase at The Improv, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. IFC Comedy Showcase Presented by Twizzlers featuring: Kevin Bozeman, Jim Flannigan, Russ Williamson, Joey Villagomez, and Pablo Rodriguez. Hosted by Katie Meiners.
FRIDAY, MAY 24
Julio Torres at Museum of Contemporary Art, 6:00 p.m. Part of the Common Artists Parts of Speech Project. Free event. This evening, comedian and writer Julio Torres (Saturday Night Live) “reflects on how comedy acts as a vehicle for criticism, persuasion, and even manipulation.”
Steve Martin and Martin Short at Genesee Theater, Waukegan, 8:00 p.m. The “Now You See Them, Soon You Won’t” Tour.
Love and Laugh Hour Chicago at House of Hope, 6:00 p.m. The Real Comedians of Social Media present a seminar with Kev OnStage and Mrs. KevOnStage followed by a comedy show. Hosted by Tahir Moore, with performances by Tony Baker and headlined by KevOnStage. Real talk and comedy about marriage and relationships.
Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks at The Promontory, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Live TV taping. Gina Yashere, Michelle Buteau, Ali Siddiq and more TBA. Free show. Note arrival and registration requirements.
SATURDAY, MAY 25
Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks at The Promontory, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Live TV taping. Clayton English, James Davis, Chaunte Wayans and more TBA. Free show. Note arrival and registration requirements.
SUNDAY, MAY 26
Chic-A-Go-Go at The Promontory, 1:00 p.m. All ages. A taping of Chicago’s iconic dance, music and comedy party for kids.
Feed Wolf Ice Cream: A Comedy Show About Death at Nox Arca Theater, 7:00 p.m. See Dave Maher’s new work for free as he develops this one-man show for Edinburgh Fringe. He says profound things through comedy and is one of Chicago’s greats.
Comedy Flight at DuSable Museum of African American History, 5:00 p.m. A night of family friendly live music and comedy. Special guest comedian Acapella will be here from Nigeria and will perform with Maryland’s Cee-Y and Chicago’s own Mc Attraction.
Julio Torres and Ana Fabrega at The Hideout, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Julio Torres and Ana Fabrega wrote and star in HBO’s upcoming Los Espookys with Fred Armisen.
Everyone’s A Lawyer at Laugh Factory, 9:00 p.m. The comedy game show created and hosted by Paul Farahvar. With Adam Burke (Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me!, Man of The People WGN), David Carter and Kyle Scanlan (Reader‘s Best Comedian, 2018).
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