Visitors in town: David Sedaris, Nick Kroll, Heather McDonald, Cristela Alonzo, Dolph Ziggler, Sara Tiana.
Robert Kelly, Ron Bennington, Jim Florentine and Rich Vos are here for the “Kreeps with Kids” tour.
Chris Redd returns to his hometown with Kenan Thompson.
At Zanies: Jake Johannsen (Chicago, Rosemont), Jimmy Shubert (Chicago, Rosemont), Chris Cotton (St. Charles).
At Riddles: Jim Perry, Damon Williams, J. Anthony Brown.
At The Improv: Craig Shoemaker, Challenge Mania Live, Freedom to Laugh.
Ticket alerts:
November 25-26: Second City’s 24-Hour Improv Festival with Steve Albini, The Blisters, Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Ryan Dempster, Jeff Garlin, Joe Nunez, Chris Redd, Horatio Sanz, Ty Segall, Sally Timms, Jeff Tweedy, Melissa Villaseñor, George Wendt, Yo La Tengo and many more TBA. This 18th Annual 24-hour long improv and music marathon benefits Poverty Alleviation Charities’ “Letters To Santa” program. Tickets and details here.
Do you need comedy on Thanksgiving? Second City is one of the only venues open on the holiday and tickets sell out early. Get tickets in advance here.
Following is the rest of this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Ben Hollis at 1100 Florence Gallery, Evanston, 7:00 p.m. Eight-time Emmy Award-winner Ben Hollis (Wild Chicago) hosts his ingenious show, What’s It Like to Be You? Do you enjoy the Thanksgiving ritual where you go around the table and everyone has to say why they’re grateful? Whether you do or you don’t (that would be a “don’t” for me), Ben is offering extreme Thanksgiving preparedness tonight. I have been to many of his shows. They are some of the best evenings of my life. This Chicago television icon is as wonderful, friendly and warm in person as he is onscreen.
Ben Hollis with Tim Kazurinsky at last month’s show:
David Sedaris at The Auditorium Theatre, 7:30 p.m. He is known for surprising people in the lobby before the show, but no matter what, seeing this hilarious genius in person is always unforgettable. Tonight is all-new stories, an audience Q&A and a book signing.
Tuxedo Cat Comedy at Beauty Bar, 8:00 p.m. Free stand-up show with Matty Ryan, Audrey Jonas, Cody Wilkins, Maddy Weiner, Beckett Kenny, Rodescu Hopkins. Hosted by Casey Larwood.
Satire and Humor Festival at Second City, 7:00 p.m. “For people who write funny on purpose … Join us for a weekend of workshops, panels, and shenanigans.” Through November 24. Tonight is an extra session of “Writing topical satire … fast!” in advance of the Festival’s start tomorrow.
Nick Kroll at The Vic, 7:30 p.m. All three days of Nick Kroll’s Chicago shows sold out really fast, but I recommend calling the venue and checking out vividseats.com (tickets get cheaper closer to the show)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22
Heather McDonald: The Juicy Scoop at City Winery, 8:00 p.m. Heather McDonald wrote, produced and appeared on E!’s Chelsea Lately. Her stand up special is I Don’t Mean to Brag. Her podcast, filming live for this show, is The Juicy Scoop. She has too many television credits to list and her shows consistently sell out around the country. A third show was added to Chicago by popular demand.
Nick Kroll at The Vic, 7:30 p.m. All three days of Nick Kroll’s Chicago shows sold out really fast, but now the theater has released more. Vividseats.com can also be a good option for sold-out shows.
Christmas Bingo at The Royal George, 8:00 p.m. “Get into the Christmas spirit with Christmas Bingo: It’s a Ho-Ho-Holy Night. Brush up on your Yuletide trivia, play for actual prizes in this uniquely interactive show. Vicki Quade, co-creator of the smash hit Late Nite Catechism, tackles the wackiest myths and most outrageous facts about Christmas, including jolly old St. Nick’s origins and where candy canes come from.” Fridays and Saturdays 8:00 p.m., Sundays at 2:00 p.m. through Dec. 29.
Satire and Humor Festival at Second City, 6:00 p.m. “For people who write funny on purpose … Join us for a weekend of workshops, panels, and shenanigans.” Through November 24. Follow link for full schedule and details.
You’re Being Ridiculous at The Hideout, 6:30 p.m. The ninth anniversary show. Starring Lily Be, Betsy Haberl, Robin Kacyn, Matthew Lippman, Lupe Nunez, Jeremy Owens, Julie Starbird, and LeeAnn Yops.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Satire and Humor Festival at Second City, 10:00 a.m. “For people who write funny on purpose.” Through November 24. Programs throughout the day. Follow link for full schedule and details.
Kenan Thompson’s Ultimate Comedy Experience at Laugh Factory, 3:00 p.m. The kids’ showcase. Hosted by Chicagoan Cortez Macklin of Nick Cannon’s Wild N’ Out on VH1.
The Therapy Players: Five Year Itch at Open Door Repertory Company, Oak Park at 8:00 p.m. “This month marks the 5th anniversary of the Therapy Players debut performance at the Open Door! And what better way to celebrate than a visit from the comedy doctors! Come join the fun as Chicago’s premiere all-psychotherapist comedy improv troupe returns to our stage! Come early, because you won’t want to miss a minute of this appointment. The doctors will see you now!”
Fallen Angels Comedy at DMen Tap, 8:00 p.m. Free show with Chris Trani, Spark Tabor, Tim Smith, and more TBA. Produced by Joe Horan and Tyler Horvath.
Kreeps with Kids at The Patio Theater, 8:00 p.m. With Robert Kelly, Ron Bennington, Jim Florentine, and hosted by Rich Vos. Hosted by @North Bar.
The Gogo Show at The Lincoln Loft, 8:00 p.m. Phylicia McLeod, Sonal Aggarwal, Samantha Berkman, Leslie Hull, Molly Hart with Sommer Austin and Anna Lucero.
Cristela Alonzo at The Vic, 8:00 p.m. Cristela Alonzo created and starred in ABC’s Cristela, becoming the first Latina woman to create, produce, write, and star in her own primetime comedy in the U.S.
Heather McDonald at City Winery, 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Two stand-up shows tonight.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24
[LAST DAY!] Satire and Humor Festival at Second City, 10:00 a.m. “For people who write funny on purpose.” Programs throughout the day. Follow link for full schedule and details.
Feed Wolf Ice Cream at Nox Arca Theatre, 7:00 p.m. “What happens when we die? Dave Maher (This American Life, Steppenwolf Theatre) knows definitively, and in Feed Wolf Ice Cream, he shows you. Confront the mysteries of death and our lives in this interactive comedy show featuring vulnerable personal stories and surreal comedy rituals.”
Kenan Thompson’s Ultimate Comedy Experience Nationwide Comedy Showcase at The Laugh Factory, 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. With Saturday Night Live’s Emmy Award-winning Chris Redd and Kenan Thompson and more TBA. Competition winner gets a trip to NYC to join the cast of Saturday Night Live and an experience with Kenan Thompson.
DZ Comedy Tour at @North Bar, 11:00 p.m. Dolph Ziggler with Sara Tiana.
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