Chicago comedians in the news:
Gwen La Roka, the winner of HBO’s Latino Comedy Competition, is the voice of Mom in Viva Kids Films’ Around the World in 80 Days. This new animated feature will be released in theaters on May 6.
Subscribe to Pat Tomasulo’s newsletter to be the first notified when his new comedy special What A Time to Be Alive is released. Coming soon!
Lena Waithe was a guest on Dr. Henry Louis Gates’ Finding Your Roots on PBS.
Langston Kerman and Chris Redd are co-creators and co-stars of the new television series Bust Down, a comedy about workers at the Diamondback Casino in Gary, Indiana. Now streaming on Peacock. Nekia Nichelle reports from the premiere here.
There’s new information about The Murray Brothers Caddyshack Restaurant opening soon in Wilmette (where the Murray brothers grew up). Details here.
Matt Balaker has a new podcast! Matt is the author of Greg Giraldo: A Comedian’s Story. Matt is technically not a Chicago comedian, but definitely a friend of Chicago comedy. He will interview “experts in business, comedy, and literature in hopes of free riding off their knowledge.” Subscribe on Apple, YouTube and Google Podcasts. In his first episode he interviews Chicagoan Carol Roth.
Breaking news today from North Bar’s Jim Weber: “Just a quick update as the news starts to spread – the building has been sold which includes the bar. So there is a chance I will have to be out by the end of the month. It’s sad and frustrating but nonetheless out of my hands. I want to thank everyone for their support and kindness. I will post more details about the final nights of shows that will happen next week. If you have a ticket to an upcoming show you will be notified soon of venue change. I apologize for any inconvenience. Sorry this message is short with not much detail, but I will follow up in next day or so with some firm dates.”
Ticket alerts:
April 15: Fran Lebowitz at Auditorium Theatre
April 24: Randy Rainbow Book Tour at House of Blues
May 20: Esther Povitsky at Thalia Hall
June 17: Hannah Einbinder at The Den Theatre
August 18-20: Dave Attell at The Den Theatre
November 12: Amy Schumer at The Chicago Theatre. On sale March 25.
In Chicago this week:
Zanies Chicago: Sugar Sammy, Stand Up Stand Up with Marty DeRosa, Jeff Arcuri, Calvin Evans, Prateek Srivastava, Dame Grant, Nacho Redondo.
Zanies Rosemont: Jeff Arcuri, Sugar Sammy.
Riddles: Laughs on Larro, Bubba Dub, Toxic But Funny
The Improv: Brendan Schaub. Sign up to receive emails and texts from The Improv for your chance to win free and discounted tickets.
In addition, check out these ten original events through Sunday (including the World Comedy Expo)! I’ve also got a miles long list of 2022 Ticket Alerts here. Thank you to the Chicago comedy community for making this blog possible. Please confirm all details before leaving home.
THURSDAY, MARCH 24
A Dope Comedy Show at North Bar, 8:00 p.m. Dave Helem hosts Lyssa Laird, Calvin Evans, Leon Rogers, Comedian Roy, Clark Jones.
Sorry for Killin’ Showcase at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Featuring Zako Ryan.
New Faces Showcase at Lincoln Lodge, 7 pm and 9 pm Auditions for the prestigious Montreal Just for Laughs Festival in July with Chicago’s best up-and-coming comedians.
FRIDAY, MARCH 25
The Therapy Players at Theater Above the Law, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s only award-winning all-therapist improv show! Tonight and tomorrow night.
World Comedy Expo all around the city, 7:00 p.m. Follow link for the extraordinary shows, workshops and panels at Laugh Factory, Second City, The Annoyance and The Den Theatre. Through Sunday, March 27.
Matteo Lane at Park West, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Matteo Lane got his comedy start in Chicago and was a recent guest on The Drew Barrymore Show among many other credits.
SATURDAY, MARCH 26
Time to Laugh at Sketchbook Brewing, Skokie, 7:00 p.m. 100% of the proceeds will support World Kitchen’s work in Ukraine. Stand-up by Janice Rodriguez, Nick Davis, Nico Carter. Improv by Devil’s Daughter and Groovebox. Music and comedy by Scoochie Boochie.
Todd Barry at The Den Theatre, 7 pm and 9:15 p.m. Todd Barry’s crowd work is legendary. He has also been featured on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Late Show with David Letterman, Conan and Late Night With Seth Meyers, Flight of the Concords, Chappelle’s Show, Spin City, and Sex and the City. His voice can be heard on Bob’s Burgers and many more. He is the author of the critically-acclaimed memoir Thank You For Coming To Hattiesburg.
SUNDAY, MARCH 27
Lesley Nicol’s “How the Hell Did I Get Here?” at Greenhouse Theater Center, 3:00 p.m. “In this delightful new musical, instead of her beloved character, “Mrs. Patmore,” cooking up an extravagant meal, Lesley is serving up this fabulous musical autobiography about her incredible life.” Follow link for all showtimes through April 3.
Sean Hayes in Good Night, Oscar at the Goodman Theatre, 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The story of a favorite late-night guest and “the high cost of baring one’s soul for public consumption.” Follow link for all show times.