Visitors in town: Joe DeRosa, Trixie Mattel, Todd Barry, Tim and Eric.
At Zanies: Dobie Maxwell (Rosemont), Mia Jackson (Rosemont), Tim Walkoe (Chicago), Dwayne Kennedy (Chicago), Moses Storm (Chicago), Tuesday Ten Showcase (Rosemont), Intro to stand-up class with Bill Gorgo (Rosemont).
At The Improv: Warren B. Hall, Felipe Esparza.
At Riddles: Ambrose Jones.
Ticket alert: Fortune Feimster at The Vic on June 6.
Classes are in session: Classes start this week at the Lincoln Lodge’s Stand-Up Seminary, including Feminine Comique, sketch writing and storytelling. Register here.
Following is this week’s Spotlight. Please confirm all details before leaving home.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17
Chicago’s Best Stand-Up at The Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Featuring Tim McLaughlin, Andy Fleming, Kristen Toomey, Sarah Perry and more TBA.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
Freshman at The Hideout, 9:00 p.m. “A show about your terrible early art” as recommended by the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Magazine.
Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 9:00 p.m. One of Chicago’s most famous stand-up showcases. Cameron Esposito and Kumail Nanjiani started here. Stephanie Weber hosts Tyler Horvath, Britt Ferguson, Carly Kane, Geoff Asmus, Devin Middleton, Mallory Bradford and a debut from George Elrod.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Quick Fix Comedy Showcase at Revolution Brewing, 7:30 p.m. With Russ Williamson (Windy City Live, Laugh Factory, Zanies, Comedy Bar), Carly Kane (NBC’s Breakout Comedy Festival), Drew Loryn (Laugh Factory, Zanies), Kenyon Adamcik (Laugh Factory, Zanies, opened for Big Jay Oakerson). Produced by: Marcus Banks, St James Jackson, Chris Grieco, Andre Hashem. Free show.
Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 7:00 p.m., 9:30 p.m. Joe DeRosa album recording.
Trixie Mattel at Park West, 8:00 p.m. “… music, comedy and unnecessary costume changes.”
Caleb Says Things with Friends at The Hideout, 9:00 p.m. From @calebsaysthings: “CHICAGO! this show @hideoutchicago is gonna be unreal fun. I’m revealing every crush I’ve ever had by first and last name. drag from @aunty_chan, standup from Rachel Hall, music from @andrewtothemic, sketch from Kristen & Alonso.
pov: you’re a close friend venting to me about a situation where you were entirely in the wrong pic.twitter.com/jGVesg228V
— ᴄᴀʟᴇʙ ʜᴇᴀʀᴏɴ (@calebsaysthings) December 2, 2019
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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20
Three revues at Second City, 8:00 p.m.
1. Mainstage: “Do You Believe in Madness”
2. 44th e.t.c. Revue (brand new!)
3. “She the People”
Follow link for show times throughout the week.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Happy Valen-TINAs Day at iO, 8:00 p.m. Las Tinas improv. Review in Chicago Tribune here.
FBTL Comedy Showcase at Spirit Water Brewery Distillery Taproom, Cary, 8:00 p.m. Larry Bloom and Bobby Hayes host Liz Greenwood, Mike All, Darius Kennedy, Megan McMurtry. Free show. Tips to comedians appreciated.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Tim And Eric: 2020 Mandatory Attendance World Tour at The Chicago Theatre, 8:00 p.m. “Spoofs, goofs and insanity, including some very special surprises they can’t talk about right now.”
Todd Barry at Thalia Hall, 7:30 p.m. This award-winning internationally touring headliner also has a receipt museum.
Founder’s Comedy Show with the Lincoln Lodge at Chicago Athletic Association, 8:00 p.m. Britt Ferguson, Deanna Ortiz, Casey Larwood, Dan Drees, Gena Gephart, Jarrell Scott Barnes, Geoff Asmus.
Positive Energy at Timothy O’Toole’s, 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Comedians You Should Know honors Brody Stevens with a fundraiser for American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Tickets and more about Brody Stevens here.
Evanston Laughs at Gibbs Morrison Cultural Center, Evanston, 7:30 p.m. Aaron Foster hosts Ben Noble and Lawrence Owens.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Sautéed Stand Up: A Cooking Comedy Competition at The Lincoln Lodge, 7:00 p.m. “Two teams of two comics perform their best ten minutes to be judged by a panel of three chefs … throughout the show they’ll … cook a dish to be judged as well.” Raffle following the show.
Razowsky & Friends at The Laughing Academy, Glenview, 7:00 p.m. An improv showcase. With David Razowsky, a star now, and his students (stars of tomorrow).
The Free for All at The Playground Theater, 7:30 p.m. A “hybrid variety show” with improv and stand-up.
Nos Reiremos de Esto at North Bar, 9:00 p.m. Stand-up with Jean Mary Curro and Alex Goncalves.
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