Visitors in town: Renee Taylor, Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin, Sam Taggart, Tom Segura, Weird Al Yankovic
At Zanies: Shane Torres (Chicago, Rosemont), Eddie Ifft (Chicago), Tuesday Top Ten (Rosemont), Ralphie Roberts (Rosemont), Larry Reeb (St. Charles).
At Riddles: Damon Williams Comedy Series celebrates Mike Samp’s birthday.
In the news: South Side premiers on Comedy Central at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24. South Side was shot on location in the Englewood neighborhood and stars some of Chicago’s top comedy talent. The show already has excellent reviews from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Vanity Fair, The Hollywood Reporter and Indiewire.
Ticket alerts!
September 21: Rachel Bloom “What am I going to do with my life now?” Tour at the Chicago Theatre.
September 28: Sopranos 20th Anniversary Celebration. A comedic retrospective with Steve Schirripa (Bobby Baccala), Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy) and Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) at The Arcada.
September 28: Amanda Seales at the Chicago Theatre.
September 29: Eric Andre at the Chicago Theatre.
October 18-20: Jim Gaffigan’s “Secrets and Pies” Tour at the Chicago Theatre.
November 21-22: Nick Kroll at The Vic.
November 23: Cristela Alonzo’s “My Affordable Care Act” Tour at The Vic.
Book release: Jeannie Gaffigan’s When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People will be released on October 1.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Thank you to the Chicago comedy community for making this blog possible. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, JULY 22
This One Woman: Frida Kahlo at Hopleaf, 7:30 p.m. “A variety showcase where the performers comment on a different famous woman each month.” Tonight: Amy Sumpter, Laura Hugg, KJ Whitehead, A.J. Miller, Morgan Eliza Cooper, and Angelica Julia Davila. Free show. Donations appreciated and go to performers.
TUESDAY, JULY 23
Just Between Us at Lincoln Hall, 8:00 p.m. Gaby Dunn and Allison Raskin bring their popular podcast to Chicago to celebrate the release of their new novel Please Send Help. With special guest Symphony Sanders. Signed book included in ticket price.
Renee Taylor’s My Life on a Diet at North Shore Center for Performing Arts, Skokie, 7:30 p.m. The fabulous award-winning comedian and actor is here through August 4 with her new one-woman show. She was Fran Drescher’s mom on The Nanny and in 2016, starred in the Netflix movie The Do-Over with Adam Sandler and in the TV show Rock in a Hard Place, among many other unforgettable roles on TV and Broadway. Don’t miss the chance to see this true comedy legend in person! Follow link for performances throughout the week.
Cancer is Gorgeous at The Crowd Theater, 8:00 p.m. Comedian and storyteller Jonathan Euseppi met the love of his life, got married and within four months of marriage was diagnosed with a rare cancer. Cancer could have shut down his life, but he decided otherwise. “If he was going to die he promised himself he was going to look gorgeous! Through drag, makeup, and totally overhauling his wardrobe Jonathan began a journey of self love and self acceptance. Cancer is Gorgeous is the queer cancer love story you have been waiting for!” Tuesdays through the end of July.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 24
Sam Taggart at The Hideout, 9:00 p.m. With Sarah Squirm.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 9:30 p.m. Blake Burkhart hosts Jeanie Doogan, Dave Maher, Amy Shanker, Marty DeRosa, Ed Towns, Joey Villagomez.
THURSDAY, JULY 25
Messing with Mason at The Annoyance, 9:30 p.m. Special appearance: Susan Messing and Rachael Mason are two of the most renowned improviser’s in the world. Breathtaking!
Tom Segura at The Coronado Theater, Rockford, 7:30 p.m. “Take it Down Tour.”
FRIDAY, JULY 26
Dance & Laugh Comedy Showcase at Dress Up & Dance, Mundelein, 7:00 p.m. Tonight: Amy Nico Schwartz, Mike Wiley, Mona Aburmishan, John McCombs. Produced by Larry Bloom.
The Young Hustle Show: Sweet July at Laugh Factory, 10:00 p.m. By Zach Freeman in the Chicago Tribune: “Five reasons you need to check out Young Hustle comedy.”
SATURDAY, JULY 27
The Kates at The Book Cellar, 7:00 p.m. Denise Medina hosts Janice V. Rodriguez, Erin Grotheer, Katie Sirles, Jackie Cooper, Sommer Austin, Sandy Lee, Tiff Svitko. Always a memorable evening of Chicago’s best talent. Arrive early-seats go fast!
Stand Up Stand Up Summer Series at secret rooftop location, 7:00 p.m. Follow link for contact info.
Feed Wolf Ice Cream: A Comedy Show About Death at Nox Arca Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Don’t miss this chance to see Dave Maher’s new show. This sure-to-be-a-hit show is free as Dave prepares it for Edinburgh Fringe (where his Dave Maher Coma Show was a stand-out last year).
Chicago’s Finest Stand-Up at Ten Ninety Brewing Co., Glenview, 7:30 p.m. Last Saturday of every month.
SUNDAY, JULY 28
Participatory Arts Family Day at Hull House, 12:00 p.m. Storytelling workshop with the great Lily Be, theater games and more. All events are free with RSVP and open to all ages. Follow link for more info.
Everyone’s a Lawyer at The Laugh Factory, 3175 N. Broadway, 7:00 p.m. Chicago’s hit comedy game show created and hosted by comedian and attorney Paul Farahvar. Paul was named one of the “Top 40 Up and Coming Comedians in America in 2017” and one of “Top 40 under 40” lawyers in Chicago, so you can expect a great night of comedy and legal drama as comedians take the stage to present the funniest arguments in real life cases.
Weird Al at Ravinia, Highland Park, 8:30 p.m. The multi Grammy-winning, biggest-selling comedy recording artist in history is here with his “Strings Attached” Tour. (One of my favorite hobbies is line up Weird Al’s video with the one he’s parodying, play them at the same time, and see how ingenious he is!)
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