Visitors in town: Dan Perlman.
At Zanies: Eliot Chang (Chicago, St. Charles), Patti Vasquez (Chicago), Sean Donnelly (Chicago, Rosemont), Jared Fried (Chicago, Rosemont), Dr. Bill Miller (Rosemont), Top Ten Showcase (Rosemont)
At Riddles: TBA
At The Improv: The Plastic Cup Boyz.
Ticket alert: Woof And: Improv with Dogs at The Annoyance Theatre on September 8. Performers’ scene partners will be dogs! All dogs are adoptable. The evening is a fundraiser for Chicago Canine Rescue.
Following is this next week’s Spotlight through Labor Day. Two shows honor educators as the school year begins. I’ve done my best to get an “A” in accuracy, but please confirm all details before leaving home in case I made what my dad called CARELESS MISTAKES and I call “cracking under the pressure.” (Ack! Still suffering from Post Traumatic School Disorder. Thankfully, there’s comedy to balance out life and stress.)
MONDAY, AUGUST 26
CAMP: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 8:00 p.m. Samantha Berkman hosts a fabulous lineup: Kristen Toomey, Shannon Noll, Sohrab Forouzesh, Jim Flannigan, Jeff Scheen and CAMP’s Tessa Orzech. Follow link for details on free tickets.
This One Woman at Hopleaf, 7:30 p.m. “A variety showcase where the performers comment on a different famous woman each month.” This month’s performances are inspired by Yoko Ono. Kyna Lenhof and Linsay Eanet host Lisa Colleen, Anita M. Mechler, Mark Rosenthal, Liz Stockwell, Neil Arsenty, Dave Urlakis (Awkward Spaceship), and Janice V. Rodriguez. Free show. Donations appreciated.
Spillover Salon at Briar Street Theatre, 9:00 p.m. A special announcement from Blue Man Group Chicago: “We’re picking up some beer, inviting over some friends, and doing something unlike anything we’ve done before. For $10 you get a seat, a beer on us, and an offbeat ‘dark day’ engagement. Join us for a stripped-down night of experimentation and be the first to see us spill over the edge. All Chicago’s theatres are dark, but we’re turning on a few lights. Bring your opinions, not your kids. This event is 18 years or older.”
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27
Deck the Hallmark Sneak Peek at Second City, 7:00 p.m. Second City’s holiday production is currently in development, but tonight you can be first on deck for a sneak peek. Tonight and Wednesday night.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28
Fortune Teller Show at The Annoyance Theatre, 8:00p.m. Improv and tarot.
Deck the Hallmark Sneak Peek at Second City, 7:00 p.m. Second City’s holiday production is currently in development, but tonight you can be first on deck for a sneak peek.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29
That Show Tonight at Foxhole Creative, 8:00 p.m. Abe Rabinowitz, Kevin Pomeroy and Hari Rao host this monthly showcase of comedy, music and magic. Tonight: comedy by Liz Greenwood, Peter Casey and Sabeen Sadiq. Music by The Limbos.
Dan Perlman at North Bar, 8:00 p.m. Dan was named one of the 2018 New Faces at Montreal Just For Laughs and is a headliner at Caroline’s In New York. He has appeared on TruTV, MTV2 and was a cast member on MTV’s Vidiots and is an award-winning writer for screens big and small.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
Empathy at Steppenwolf, 8:00 p.m. Stories about empathy. Not a comedy show, although there are comedians in the lineup. But there will definitely be humor and the profound sense of connection and perspective you get at a great comedy show. Presented by the Muslim Writers Collective. Tonight: Nadya Nauman, Taaha Mohamed Ali, Selma Demir, Sabeen Sadiq, Fatima Shareef, Mairi Glynn. Also tomorrow night with a different lineup.
The Young Hustle Show at Laugh Factory, 10:00 p.m. Featuring Skyler Higley, Clay Hurlbut, Nick Ogle, St James Jackson and more TBA. Check out Zach Freeman’s Five reasons you need to check out Young Hustle Comedy in the Chicago Tribune.
Can I Borrow a Pencil? An Educator’s Stand-Up Showcase at Second City, 10:30 p.m. “Comedians that currently work or have worked in a school. From classroom teachers to coaches, everyone here made a positive impact on children. This lineup of comedians is not one to be missed!” Jeremy Drazner hosts Andrew Shankland, Lilly Allison, Kimberly Marion, Blair Bomber, Prateek Srivastava, Tyler Ross.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
The Kates at The Book Cellar 7:00 p.m. Created and produced by Kelsie Huff (Windy City Live, The Jam). Chicago’s all women stand-up group. Always a memorable evening of diverse voices with Chicago’s top talent. Arrive early for seats. Amy Sumpter hosts Jess Martínez, Katie Zane, Jazmyn Ortega, Amber Autr, Jamie Shriner Biddle, Rosamund Lannin, Amy Nico Schwartz.
Love, Chaos, and Dinner at Teatro ZinZanni at The Cambria Hotel, 7:00 p.m. “International cirque, comedy and cabaret.” A three-hour show with a four-course dinner.
Chicago’s Best Stand-Up at The Laugh Factory, 7:15 p.m., 9:15 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
7:15: Pat Tomasulo, Joe McMahon and more TBA.
9:15: Featuring Pat Tomasulo, Molly Kearney, Alex Kumin, Joe McMahon and more TBA.
11:30: Correy Boyd-Bell, Sarah Sherman, Joe McMahon and more TBA.
Empathy at Steppenwolf, 8:00 p.m. Stories about empathy. Not a comedy show, although there are comedians in the lineup. But there will definitely be humor and the profound sense of connection you get at a great comedy show. Presented by the Muslim Writers Collective. Tonight: AK Agunbiade, Hiba & Najah Bhatty, Arti Ishak, Abbas Salem, Sahar Dika.
Truth and Confidences at Second City’s Judy’s Beat Lounge, 10:30 p.m. “A character study about believing in yourself and having the courage to just say, ‘fuck it.’”
Aye That’s That Show at Wise Owl Drinkery & Cookhouse, 8:15 p.m. Marcus Shakes hosts Mike Samp (Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes). Featuring TJ Stokes, Melissa Richelle, Torrence Scales and Mo Good.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
Spend the day at Second City
10:00 a.m. Neighborhood walking tour. Behind-the-walls secrets of Second City.
12:00 p.m. Second City Brunch.
4:00 p.m. The Best of Second City.
6:00 p.m. Post Mortem with graduates of Second City’s Bob Curry program.
8:00 p.m. Jimmy and Johnny. Improv greats Jimmy Carrane and John Hildreth with a special guest. First Sundays.
10:00 p.m. Algorithm Nation or the Static Quo. The 107th Mainstage revue. Final shows!
This is just one of many possible ways to stack shows and spend Sunday at Second City. Follow link for all details.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Stories from The Beat Lounge at Second City, 8:30 p.m. Second City’s storytelling show.
Monkey Wrench at The Hideout, 9:00 p.m. Host Arish Singh presents a show in solidarity with CPS teaches. In addition to talented Chicago stand-ups, there’s a discussion with Kenzo Shibata, CPS teacher and founding member of CORE (Caucus of Rank-and-file Educators).
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