In town: Catherine Cohen, Kenny DeForest, Will Miles, Joe Rogan, Jonathan Van Ness, Joe DeRosa and Patrick Walsh. Deon Cole, Clark Jones and Liza Treyger return to their hometown.
At Zanies: Jason Cheny (Chicago and St. Charles) Dr. Bill Miller (Chicago), Pat McGann (Rosemont).
UPDATE MONDAY, JUNE 3: Jeff Garlin announces surprise appearances at Zanies on Friday, June 7 and Saturday June 8 in advance of his Netflix taping at Park West next week.
At The Improv: Louie Anderson, Jason Nash, Pablo Rodriguez.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, JUNE 3
Deon Cole at The Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. This Emmy nominee is a stand-up, actor (Black-ish, Grown-ish, Angie Tribeca), writer (Conan) and game show host with Tiffany Haddish (Face Value).
CAMP: A Comedy Show 3 Year Anniversary! at The Village Tap, 8:00 p.m. Samantha Berkman hosts Geoff Asmus, Marilee, Audrey Jonas, Molly Kearney, Sohrab Forouzesh, Joe McMahon and headliner CAMP’s own Tessa Orzech.
Run the Jokes at The Hideout, 7:00 p.m. Clark Jones (HBO), Will Miles (Chris Gethard Show, HBO), and Kenny DeForest (HBO, Late Night with Seth Myers, truTV).
Monkey Wrench presents Bernardine Dohrn at The Hideout, 9:00 p.m. The FBI once called Bernardine Dohrn “the most dangerous woman in America.” A lawyer and former member of the Weather Underground, she has a unique perspective on the day’s most urgent issues and will also talk about her advocacy work. Humor and conversation followed by performances by Monkey Wrench’s favorite comedians. Hosted by Arish Singh.
Serve Something Funny at Maggiano’s Little Italy, Vernon Hills, 6:00 p.m. Funnier by the Lake presents dinner and stand-up. Larry Bloom hosts Tracey Lester, Oscar Carvajal and headliner Sarah Manning.
My Body is Perfect at The Annoyance, 9:30 p.m. A one-woman show about body positivity and the messages we tell ourselves. Written and performed by Maria Konopken. Characters, storytelling, poetry, and a dance party.
TUESDAY, JUNE 4
Salute to Pride at Second City/UP Comedy Club, 8:00 p.m. Follow link for show times throughout the month.
Kevin Bozeman at Avli, Winnetka, 5:30 p.m. Laible Productions presents dinner and stand-up with nationally touring headliner Kevin Bozeman (Last Comic Standing, HBO, Windy City Live).
Chicago Underground Comedy 14th Year Anniversary at Beat Kitchen, 9:00 p.m. Chad Weaver hosts city all-stars Marilee, Odinaka Ezeokoli, Kristen Toomey, Tommy MacNamara Geoffrey Asmus, Meredith Kachel, Nicky Martin, Stephanie Weber and the ChUC debut of Tom Ryan.
Deon Cole at The Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. This Emmy nominee is a stand-up, actor (Black-ish, Grown-ish, Angie Tribeca), writer (Conan) and game show host with Tiffany Haddish (Face Value).
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5
Joe DeRosa at North Bar, 8:00 p.m. Writer, actor, podcaster, stand-up.
Psychotic Break at Schuba’s upstairs, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s mental health and addiction-themed variety show. Free. Featuring comedian Jeremiah Davis, writer John Ess and musician Emily Wrolson.
Deon Cole at The Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. This Emmy nominee is a stand-up, actor (Black-ish, Grown-ish, Angie Tribeca) and writer (Conan) and game show host with Tiffany Haddish (Face Value).
10 Years of Cole’s Comedy Open Mic Celebration at Cole’s Bar, 9:30 p.m. Tonight begins a month of free shows celebrating Cole’s Open Mic milestone. Tonight’s line-up: Special Guest TBA (Comedy Central, Late Night with Seth Meyers), Alex Kumin, (Feminine Comique), Sarah Squirm (Adult Swim, Netflix). Why is Cole’s the best and most famous open mic in the city? Zach Freeman has ten reasons in the Chicago Tribune.
THURSDAY, JUNE 6
NBC/Second City Breakout Comedy Festival at Second City, 7:30 p.m. “Showcasing some of the hottest, emerging and seasoned comedic acts in stand-up, sketch and improv.” Through Sunday.
Comedy Sportz Pride at CSz, 8:00 p.m. Follow links for shows celebrating Pride throughout the month.
Pyramid Scheme Presents Bill Gevirtz at Commonwealth Tavern, 8:00 p.m. Headliner Bill Gevirtz with producers Austin Lafond, Andrew Mahar, and Dwayne Murphy Jr. Featuring Casey Larwood, Lancey Joe, and Samantha Berkman.
Congrats on Your Success at Cards Against Humanity Theater, 7:00 p.m. Stand-up with Malic White, Robert Flannagan, Mallory Bradford and headliner Marty DeRosa. Performances by Congrats producers, Alex Dragicivech, Billie Bullock and Odinaka Ezeokoli.
FRIDAY, JUNE 7
Catherine Cohen: The Twist? She’s Gorgeous at The Hideout, 9:00 p.m. Original comedy and music. “The ups and downs of life as an immortal millennial who is bravely addicted to attention.” Accompanied by Henry Koperski. Look for this rising star on screens big and small.
Double Consciousness: A Guide to Being Black in America at The Revival, 8:00 p.m. Writers and performers include Natalie Green, Briane Goodrum, Richard Inman, Julie Merica, Ty Riggs and Lauren Walker. Directed by Antoine Mckay (Writer, Producer, Actor (Empire) and Artistic Director).
Joe Rogan at UIC Credit Union 1 Arena, 8:00 p.m. Stand-up, podcaster, MMA commentator and former Fear Factor host.
Diamond Comedy Hour at Laugh Factory, 10:00 p.m. Alex Kumin, Liza Treyger and more TBA.
NBC/Second City Breakout Comedy Festival at Second City/UP Comedy Club, 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. “Showcasing some of the hottest, emerging and seasoned comedic acts in stand-up, sketch and improv.” Through Sunday.
SATURDAY, JUNE 8
NBC/Second City Breakout Comedy Festival at Second City/UP Comedy Club, 7:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. “Showcasing some of the hottest, emerging and seasoned comedic acts in stand-up, sketch and improv.” Through Sunday.
Multiple Sclerosis is No Laughing Matter at The Continental, 8:00 p.m. A fundraiser for Katie Zane with 100% of proceeds going to Katie. Comedy, music, food, raffle. Performances by Sharron Palm, Keegan Buckingham, Casey Larwood, Sam Prickett, Jennie Mac, The McCrystalizer.
Therapy Players: Jung at Heart at Open Door Theater, Oak Park, 8:00 p.m. Tickets regularly sell out for this premier award-winning all-therapist improv group. Advance reservations recommended.
Jonathan Van Ness at The Chicago Theatre, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. This lovable, kind, funny hairdresser, podcaster, figure skater and co-star of Queer Eye 2 brings his “Road to Beijing” Tour to Chicago. His podcast Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness was named one of the best of 2018 by vulture.com.
SUNDAY, JUNE 9
NBC/Second City Breakout Comedy Festival at Second City/UP Comedy Club, 7:30 p.m. “Showcasing some of the hottest, emerging and seasoned comedic acts in stand-up, sketch and improv.” Through Sunday.
Standup NBC Showcase at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. T Murph, Calvin Evans and more TBA.
Generation Latinx at iO, 8:00 p.m. “A Chicago-based company featuring a cast and crew of culturally and linguistically diverse performers with Latin heritage.”
We’ll See You In Hell Live at North Bar, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Live podcast recording. Joe DeRosa and Patrick Walsh “discuss … a different horror/ sci-fi/ fantasy film each week. The guys go off on tangents aplenty, break balls, and test the limits of their friendship while riffing on classics, underrated gems, and plain old crap.”
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