Visitors: Jim Gaffigan and Corey Holcomb return to their hometown. Corey Holcomb is here with the Sweetest Day Comedy Jam which also brings Lavell Crawford, Nephew Tommy, Kountry Wayne, D.C. Young Fly, and Tony Roberts.
The Chicago Podcast Festival continues through Sunday with Underculture, Improv4Humans with Matt Besser, Podcast: The Ride, Action Boyz, Please Make This and A Brew with You. Schedule and all details here.
At Zanies: Gabriel Rutledge (Chicago), Daniel Van Kirk (Rosemont), Mike Siegel (St. Charles).
At The Improv: Godfrey, Comedy Workshop Graduation Show.
At Riddles: “A Night of Comedy” hosted by Damon Williams on Thursday. On Sunday: D-Man hosts Serena Monay, Marni P., Shamicka, Ronnie George and Ill Will.
Chicago comedians in the news:
Whitney Chitwood’s new album Bakery Case will be released on October 18 on the prestigious Stand Up! Records label. Pre-order here.
Cameron Esposito’s new book Save Yourself can now be pre-ordered here or even better, from your favorite indie bookstore.
Deon Cole’s new special Cole Hearted is available for streaming on Netflix.
Ticket alerts:
October 21: Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Road Show with Kevin Smith and Jason Mewes at The Music Box. Details here.
October 24: Ernie Kovacs: A Centennial Celebration of his Life and Work at Film Row Cinema with Columbia College’s Director of Comedy Studies Ann Libera and Kelly Leonard of Second City at 7:00 p.m. Ernie Kovacs was of the most inventive comedians in television history and he has a lot to do with the best of TV comedy today. Free! Details here.
November 12: Kelsie Huff and Friends at Zanies. With Sonal Aggarwal, Brittani Ferguson,Gwen La Roka. Details here.
November 17: Story Jam at City Winery with Patti Vasquez, Dave Pasquesi, Peter Sagal, Antoine McKay and Tracy Baim. This special event benefits The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. Details here.
November 25 and December 10: Kristen Toomey at Zanies. Details here.
December 13: Nemr at The Laugh Factory. Details here.
January 26, 2020: Bruce McCulloch’s Tales of Bravery and Stupidity at Lincoln Hall. Details here.
April 16-18, 2020: Maz Jobrani at The Den Theatre. Details here.
Following is the rest of this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17
What’s it like to be you, Evanston? at 1100 Florence Gallery, Evanston, 7:00 p.m. Emmy Award-winning Ben Hollis (Wild Chicago) hosts “What’s It Like to Be You?” when he asks David Bowie’s Chicago bodyguard that question and interviews other fascinating folks who may not be famous, but whose stories are just as fascinating. (This could mean you.)
Whitney Chitwood and Friends at The Newport Theater, 8:00 p.m. Whitney Chitwood is celebrating her album release with a lineup of Chicago’s top stand-up talent and then she’s doing thirty minutes of completely brand new material. Her album Bakery Case will be released on October 18 on the prestigious Stand Up! Records label. Pre-order here.
But You Can’t Hide at Second City, 9:00 p.m. A comedic and compassionate look at what humans hide about them(our)selves.
[LAST WEEKEND!] 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.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
Holy Ghost Bingo: God, Goblins and Games at Royal George Theater, 8:00 p.m. A hilarious Halloween interactive comedy by Vicki Quade. Every weekend through November 10. Highly recommend – review here! Follow link for all show times.
Sweetest Day Comedy Jam at Arie Crown Theater, 8:00 p.m. Starring Lavell Crawford, Corey Holcomb, Nephew Tommy, Kountry Wayne, D.C. Young Fly, and Tony Roberts. Tonight and tomorrow night.
Jim Gaffigan’s Secrets and Pies at The Chicago Theatre, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The all new “Secrets and Pies” Tour.
55th & Heartbreak at The Revival, 8:00 p.m. “A hilarious, fast-paced comedy … inspired by today’s headlines and cultural issues” starring Chicago’s South Side. Written & Performed by: Nick DiMaso, Dani James, Devin Middleton, Edgar Nevarez, Tawny Safieddine, and Tori Wynn. Directed by Ali Barthwell. Music by Calvin Carter.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
Jim Gaffigan’s Secrets and Pies at The Chicago Theatre, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The all new “Secrets and Pies” Tour.
Holy Ghost Bingo: God, Goblins and Games at Royal George Theater, 8:00 p.m. A hilarious Halloween interactive comedy by Vicki Quade.
Sweetest Day Comedy Jam at Arie Crown Theater, 8:00 p.m. Starring Lavell Crawford, Corey Holcomb, Nephew Tommy, Kountry Wayne, D.C. Young Fly, and Tony Roberts.
Las Locas Comedy at Dstrkt Bar & Grill, 8:00 p.m. ¡The Calabaza Spice Show! with Ilsa Morales (Feminine Comique), Jess Martinez (Las Locas Comedy), Adrienne Brandyburg (BAPS Comedy), Eliana La Casa (Comedy Central en Español), Whitney Chitwood (Laugh Factory). Hosted by Janice Rodriguez.
A Little Sumpin’ Funny at Lagunitas Brewery, 8:00 p.m. Craft beer and comedy with host Mary Kate Beck, Paige Blurr, Spark Tabor, Molly Kearney and headliner Marty DeRosa.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
Holy Ghost Bingo: God, Goblins and Games at Royal George Theater, 2:00 p.m.
Jim Gaffigan at The Chicago Theatre, 7:00 p.m. The all new “Secrets and Pies” Tour.
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