Visitors in town: Kevin James, Eliot Chang. Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen are together at the Chicago Theatre. Joel Hodgson, Frank Conniff and Trace Beaulieau bring MST3000 to Chicago. Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray are in Waukegan for Whose Live Anyway?
At Zanies: Jacob Williams (Chicago), Ritch Shydner (Chicago, Rosemont, St. Charles), The Big and Tall Comedy Tour (Chicago), Chris Franjola (Chicago, Rosemont), Mike Cannon (Chicago), Top Ten Tuesday (Rosemont), Mike Toomey (Rosemont),
At The Improv: Marlon Wayans. Plus: Comedy Workshop Graduation Show.
At Riddles: Damon Williams, Jay Deep, Abu Ali. On Saturday, October 5, two shows celebrate one of the greatest comedians of all time, Chicagoan Bernie Mac on what would have been his 62nd birthday.
Ticket alerts:
Biggest Mistake Night is always an inspiring event at Chicago Ideas Week. This year, comedians Meghana Indurti and Audrey Boyle are part of the panel on Tuesday, October 15.
Jenny Slate at The Vic on November 8.
If you missed DePaul’s day-long conference on breaking into screenwriting (there was a comedy session), you didn’t miss it. You can see it here.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Starts and Fits: A Conversation with Halpern, Pasquesi, Kazurinsky, Messing at iO, 8:00 p.m. Author Mark Larson interviews four of the most famous folks in improv. Charna Halpern, Dave Pasquesi, Tim Kazurinsky and Susan Messing are also featured in Mark’s new book: Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater.
CAMP: A Comedy Show at Village Tap, 8:30 p.m. Samantha Berkman hosts Pat Tomasulo, Reena Calm, Spark Tabor, Cameron Little, Alexa Jaeger and CAMP’s own Tessa Orzech. Free show.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 1
Spooky Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 9:00 p.m. “Scary Mallory Bradford brings you Chicago’s most frightening comics.” Tom Ryan, Jillian Ebanks, Casey Larwood, Marty Derosa, Andy Fleming and the ChUC debut of Ali Drapos.
Comedy Cocktail at House of Blues Foundation Room, 6:00 p.m. Music at 6:00. Comedy at 7:00. Produced by comedyofchicago.com. RSVP online for free admission. Tonight: Ed Towns hosts Chris Higgins, Paige Blurr, Tim Smith, Reena Calm and closer Joe Kilgallon.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2
Something Rotten at Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire, 1:00 p.m., 7:30 p.m. What if you were able to predict the hit music of the future and write it first? That’s what happens to two brothers in Shakespeare’s time. Will they successfully pen the first hit musical and confirm their place in the pop culture stratosphere? Something Rotten was a hit on Broadway and New York Magazine called it “The Producers + Spamalot + The Book of Mormon. Squared Through October 20. Most Wednesdays-Sundays. Follow link for all show times.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 9:30 p.m. Ed Town hosts Blake Burkhart, Joe Kilgallon, Sam Tallent, Jarrell Scott Barnes, Sarah Perry, Kelsie Huff.
Same Time Next Door at Laugh Out Loud Theater, 8:00 p.m. Improv in different rooms and places.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 3
Kevin James at The Chicago Theatre, 7:30 p.m.
Mother Cluckers at Anderson’s Bookshop, Lagrange, 8:00 p.m. “Comedy for parents … And those who’ve had parents.” Featuring Catherine Dee, Stacey Marie Zapalac-Wixted, Denise Medina, Melissa Richelle, Danette Mark and Rachael Kay Albers. Tonight: celebrating superheroes. After-party at Barrel House Social following the show.
Whose Live Anyway? at Genesee Theatre, Waukegan, 7:30 p.m. With Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
Holy Ghost Bingo: God, Goblins and Games at Royal George Theater, 8:00 p.m. A Halloween interactive comedy by Vicki Quade. Through November 10. Follow link for all show times.
Traumarama: A Story of Recovery at The Den Theatre, 7:30 p.m. “Liz Greenwood provides an honest, darkly comedic take on the after-effects of trauma in her solo show about her recovery process following an assault. This show explores PTSD, the criminal justice system, and the way we talk about violence against women.” Written and performed by Liz Greenwood. Directed by Cari Maher.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5
Bernie Mac Birthday Celebration Show at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Bernie Mac Foundation. Special guests, surprise drop-ins and more TBA. Celebrate the life of this legendary Chicago comedian gone too young at age 50 in 2008.
Traumarama: A Story of Recovery at The Den Theatre, 7:30 p.m. “Liz Greenwood provides an honest, darkly comedic take on the after-effects of trauma in her solo show about her recovery process following an assault. This show explores PTSD, the criminal justice system, and the way we talk about violence against women.” Written and performed by Liz Greenwood. Directed by Cari Maher.
Lightfoot Loose at Second City’s de Maat Studio Theatre, 7:00 p.m. “A high-energy show about a Chicago mayor in her honeymoon phase, but how will she navigate a scandal? Blending sketch, improv, music, Kevin Bacon and dance, come see what happens when a mayor not named Rahm or Daley gets put to the test.”
We Still Like You at Cards Against Humanity Theater, 10:00 p.m. Erin Grotheer and Samantha Berkman host Lily Schulder, Spark Tabor, Rebekah Gibson, Max Thomas, Logan Scott Hendry. “Do you have a story from your past that makes you feel weird? We Still Like You is a show centered around sharing those stories with a room full of friendly strangers. Featuring a lineup of some of Chicago’s best comedians, as well as stories from the audience, We Still Like You is all about sharing. Because if we’re all idiots, none of us are.” Tickets are half-price ($5) if you get them online.
AC2 at the Chicago Theatre, 8:00 p.m. “An intimate evening with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen.”
Eliot Chang at @North Bar, 8:00 p.m. From Comedy Central and his videos where’s he’s known to “annihilate hecklers.”
Cocktails and Humor at CH Distillery, 7:00 p.m. Comedy and craft cocktails. Vik Pandya hosts Chris Higgins, Molly Kearney and headliner Kristen Toomey.
Mystery Science Theater 3000 at Cadillac Palace Theatre, 8:00 p.m. The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6
Second City Neighborhood Tour at Second City, 10 a.m. In its last month of the year! A walking tour where Second City secrets are revealed.
Traumarama: A Story of Recovery at The Den Theatre, 3:00 p.m. “Liz Greenwood provides an honest, darkly comedic take on the after-effects of trauma in her solo show about her recovery process following an assault. This show explores PTSD, the criminal justice system, and the way we talk about violence against women.” Written and performed by Liz Greenwood. Directed by Cari Maher.
The Roast of Joker at Laugh Factory, 7:00 p.m. Friends, colleagues and enemies roast the Joker.
Frankenprov at Second City, 8:00 p.m. Second City students share stories for the season.
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