Visitors in town: Ron Funches, Celeste Barber, Will Martin and Emily Holland. Aretha Sills and Sonia Denis return to their comedy hometown.
At Zanies: Karen Rontowski (Chicago and St. Charles), Jared Logan (Chicago), Jim McCue (Rosemont).
At The Improv: Bret Ernst.
At Riddles: Damon Williams, Big Keef, Jay Gee, Famo. On Sunday: The Summer Comedy Bash with Taneshia Rice and Bobby Wright.
Ticket alerts:
The Second City walking tour is back for summer and fall. Info here.
Oak Park native Kathy Griffin announced that her new docu-comedy A Hell of a Story will be in theaters for one day only-July 31! Tickets here.
Six episodes of I Love Lucy will air in theaters across the country on August 6, Lucille Ball’s birthday. Details here.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, JUNE 17
Dads of Comedy at Galway Bar & Grill, Elmhurst, 8:00 p.m. Hosted by Steven Springer. Featuring Mike Stricker. Headliner: Vince Maranto.
Essay Fiesta at The Book Cellar, 7:00 p.m. Diverse voices and funny unforgettable storytelling.
Ladylike at Café Mustache, 8:00 p.m. A safe inclusive space for women to tell the most disgusting stories they’ve got. Tonight: Mary Kate Beck, Meghana Indurti, Mary Novokhovsky, Kaleena Slate, Jessica Mance, Emily O’Meara. Hosted by Gena Gephart. Music from Natalie G Alford.
TUESDAY, JUNE 18
Ra Ra Ra at The Hideout, 6:30 p.m. New podcast recording with Meg Indurti and Sonal Aggarwal. Featuring comedians, musicians and performers from all over the country. Purpose, comedy, rage.
Salute to Pride at Second City, 8:00 p.m. Show times throughout the month.
Comedy Cocktail at House of Blues Foundation Room, 6:00 p.m. Music at 6. Comedy at 7:30 p.m. Anthony Bonazzo hosts Laura Hugg, Matt Riggs, Rebekah Gibson, Jeanie Doogan and Big Keef.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19
10 Years of Cole’s Comedy Open Mic Celebration at Cole’s Bar, 9:30 p.m. Sonia Denis, (Brown Girls, Comedy Central), Sarah Squirm. Chicago’s most celebrated open mic celebrates ten legendary years.
News with Maggie Smith Live Taping at Second City, 8:30 p.m. “Like The Daily Show? Like Last Week Tonight? Then you’ll love this show.”
Go Hard Comedy: Juneteenth Spectacular at Laugh Factory, 10:00 p.m. With Kellye Howard and more TBA. After party after the show.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 9:30 p.m. Adam Burke hosts Taneshia Rice, Marilee, Chelsea Hood, Big Keef, Jonah Jurkens.
THURSDAY, JUNE 20
You’re Being Ridiculous at Steppenwolf, 8:00 p.m. One of Chicago’s funniest storytelling shows celebrates PRIDE.
Ron Funches at Thalia Hall, 8:00 p.m. The “Merriment Marauder” Tour.
FRIDAY, JUNE 21
Viola Spolin Improvisation Workshop at The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, 9:30 a.m. An opportunity to study and participate in the theater games that created Second City. Taught by Aretha Sills, Viola Spolin’s granddaughter and an improv guru in her own right. Follow link to RSVP.
You’re Being Ridiculous at Steppenwolf, 8:00 p.m. One of Chicago’s funniest storytelling shows celebrates PRIDE.
Funnier By The Lake Comedy Night at Small Town Brewery Taproom, Wauconda, 8:00 p.m. Monthly stand-up show hosted and produced by Larry Bloom and Bobby Hayes. Tonight: Mike Hover, Melissa Richelle, Sophia Smarandescu, Robert Rule.
Back Room Comedy at aliveOne, 9:00 p.m. The one-year anniversary show. Free, but limited space. Early arrival recommended. Seth Davis (NBC5; Comedy Central’s The Daily Show; Zanies; Laugh Factory), Liz Greenwood (Producer, Token; Women in Comedy Festival; World Series of Comedy – Top 50 Comics), Lauren Hooberman (Zanies Female Funnies; Lady Laughs Comedy Festival, Chicago Women’s Funny Festival), Meg Indurti (Producer, Team Us Comedy; Co-host and Producer, RA RA RA; Stand Up NBC Semi-Finalist in 2017; NBC Break Out Comedy Festival), Kevin Kellam (DJ, 101WKQX; Funnier by the Lake).
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
Total Loss at iO, 7:00 p.m. “A comedy show about death. The Boston Globe calls it ‘a must-see.’ Part comedy, part tribute.” With Will Martin and Emily Holland. More here.
You’re Being Ridiculous at Steppenwolf, 8:00 p.m. One of Chicago’s best, funniest storytelling shows celebrates PRIDE.
Pat Tomasulo at Theatre at The Center, Munster, IN, 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Late show sold out! Early show added. Chicago’s funniest sports anchor and host of the late night hit, must-watch comedy show Man of the People.
Mike Toomey at Big Laughs Comedy Showcase, Buffalo Grove Community Arts Center, 7:30 p.m. With headliner Mike Toomey. Featuring Katie Meiners. Special guest Jeremy Drazner. The Chicago Tribune says “[Mike Toomey is] one of the funniest and most talented performers to ever work in Chicago.”
World’s Greatest Dad(?) at Second City, 6:00 p.m. Jimmy Carrane became a first time dad at age 52 at the same time his own complicated father was dying. More with Jimmy here.
SUNDAY, JUNE 23
Celeste Barber at Thalia Hall, 7:00 p.m. Celeste Barber is an Australian comedian and an Instagram sensation. Check out her work here.
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