Visitors in town: Leslie Jones, Ali Wong, Patton Oswalt, Bernadette Peters, Katya (RuPaul’s Drag Race), John O’Hurley. Rainn Wilson and Steven Castillo return to their hometown.
At Zanies: Gary Meikle (Chicago), Ken Garr (Chicago), Steven Haas (Chicago), Kira Soltanovich (Chicago), Felonious Munk (Chicago), Phil Palisoul (Rosemont), Tuesday Ten Showcase (Rosemont), Dobie Maxwell (St. Charles).
At Riddles: Jozalyn Sharp, Reggie Regg.
At The Improv: Pablo Rodriguez, Jon Reep.
Ticket alert:
September 28: Jonathan Van Ness at the Music Box Theatre sponsored by Chicago Ideas Week.
Chicago comedians on late night:
Monday, August 12: Bob Odenkirk on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kathy Griffin on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Lauren Lapkus on Lights Out with David Spade
Wednesday, August 14: Jim Gaffigan on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Megan Gailey on Lights Out with David Spade.
Thursday, August 15: Robin Thede and Jeff Garlin on Lights Out with David Spade.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, AUGUST 12
Manic Music Mondays at Frances’, 7:00 p.m. Live music and comedy hosted by Just Nesh every Monday. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Free before 8:00 p.m.
CAMP: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 8:00 p.m. Samantha Berkman hosts Steven Castillo (SNL), Adam Burke (NPR’s Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!), Mateen Stewart (Funny or Die), Le Aboav (Tuxedo Cat), Malic White (Neofuturists), AJ Marroquin (StrangerMagick) and CAMP’s Tessa Orzech.
Derry Queen’s Big Queer Variety Show at the Hideout, 9:00 p.m. Comedy and drag. Derry Q hosts Allison Reese-Shapiro, Abortia De Rossi (Tony Orlando), Jordan Lee Cohen, Caleb Daniel, AJ Marroquin, Lily Reed.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 13
Comedy Cocktail at House of Blues Foundation Room, 6:00 p.m. Music at 6. Comedy at 7. Anthony Bonazzo hosts Samantha Berkman, Chris Trani, Paige Blurr, Joe Kilgallon, Big Keef. Produced by James Kamp of comedyofchicago.com.
Jackpot Comedy at The Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Comedy and prizes! Featuring Mark Simmons, Mateen Stewart, Lael O’Shaughnessy, Taneshia Rice, Andy Fleming and more TBA.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 9:00 p.m. Meredith Kachel hosts Michelle Spies, Meg Indurti, Mary Zee, Toler Wolfe, Steven Castillo, Hobert Thompson and the CHUC debut of Dane Arden.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14
The Second City’s Totally Bonkers Improv Showdown at Second City, 11:30 a.m. A Second City experience for the kids.
Messing with Mason at The Annoyance, 8:00 p.m. Two world-renowned improvisers.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15
Leslie Jones at The Vic, 7:30 p.m. The multi-talented comedian from Saturday Night Live’s stage and writers room.
Laughter Heals Comedy Show at Joe’s on Weed, 6:00 p.m. Hosted by National Association of Hispanic Nurses-Illinois Chapter. With Gwen LaRoka, Ken Garr, Chris Trani and Joey Villagomez.
Patton Oswalt at The Den Theatre, 7:00 p.m. Tonight and tomorrow night.
Building a Brand with Improv: Lessons from a Cutting Edge Marketer at DePaul University, 6:00 p.m. Succeed in marketing with strategies inspired by improv. DePaul professor James Mourey teaches this special workshop courtesy of Chicago Ideas Week.
Seinfeld Night at Northwestern Medicine Field, Geneva, 6:30 p.m. Kane County Cougars vs. Peoria Chiefs. First 1500 fans get a J. Peterman bobblehead. Special appearance by Seinfeld‘s J. Peterman (John O’Hurley).
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16
Ali Wong at The Chicago Theatre, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Early show is sold out, but a few tickets are left for the late show. Ali Wong’s book Dear Girls will be released on October 15.
Funnier By The Lake at Small Town Brewery Taproom, Wauconda, 8:00 p.m. Larry Bloom and Bobby Hayes host Paul Miller, Sarah Manning, Liz Stockwell, Mike All.
Patton Oswalt at The Den Theatre, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. The award-winning comedian, writer and actor.
Drink Date Laugh at The Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. An interactive comedy/game show about dating and love … with prizes. Featuring Paul Farahvar, Sarah Perry, Andy Fleming, Kyle Scanlan, Pat Tomasulo, Steve Gillespie and more TBA.
Just Chilling at The Cornservatory, 7:30 p.m. “ … six friends trying to have a nice Friday night on the third day of the zombie apocalypse.” Read the review here.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17
Ali Wong at The Chicago Theatre, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Early show is sold out, but a few tickets are left for the late show.
Trump In Space at Laugh Out Loud Theater, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. L.A.’s hit comedy makes its Chicago debut. Lyrics and script by Landon Kirksey and Laugh Out Loud alum Gillian Bellinger. Music by Sam Johnides and Tony Gonzalez.
Just Chilling at The Cornservatory, 7:30 p.m. “ … six friends trying to have a nice Friday night on the third day of the zombie apocalypse.” Read the review here.
Bernadette Peters at The Paramount Theater, Aurora, 8:00 p.m. A one-night only performance from this multi-talented star of Broadway, film and television who is also known for her comic roles.
Katya: Help Me I’m Dying at The Vic, 8:00 p.m. From RuPaul’s Drag Race, Katya brings her stand-up show to Chicago for two nights. All ages.
Cards Against Humanity: Late Night Writers Room at Museum of Contemporary Art, 7:30 p.m. Audience members pitch new card ideas and inspire improv. Hosted by the creators and writers of Cards Against Humanity.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 18
Katya: Help Me I’m Dying at The Vic, 8:00 p.m. From RuPaul’s Drag Race, Katya brings her stand-up show to Chicago. All ages.
Rainn Wilson at Baha’i Temple, Wilmette, 7:00 p.m. The actor and comedian who grew up in the Baha’i Faith in Wilmette is also the founder of SoulPancake.com, a platform about life’s big questions. He will give an interactive talk about spiritual ideas inspired by Baha’i. This presentation is part of the Temple’s summer youth series and is open ONLY to young adults ages 13-30.
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