Jerrod Carmichael/Photo by Bo Burnham
CHICAGO COMEDIANS IN THE NEWS
My favorite holidays are when there’s a new comedy video from the award-winning duo Pure & Weary (Katherine Biskupic and Leah Frires). For a scary, happy, funny, spooky Halloween surprise, check out HORROR BABY here. Pure & Weary got their start in Chicago. They are now based in L.A. and in demand nationwide.
Amy and Pat Tomasulo’s commitment to finding effective treatment and a cure for trigeminal neuralgia was featured in the Chicago Tribune on October 29 in an article by Darcel Rockett.
Live comedy returns to iO this week! In June 2020, iO co-founder Charna Halpern put the theater up for sale citing crushing tax bills. At the time, a Change.org petition with over 2,000 signatures was circulating demanding the transformation of iO into a more inclusive and welcoming space and the acknowledgement of past racism. Chicagoans Scott Gendell, Larry Weiner and Steve Sacks bought iO in 2021. In June 2022, iO announced the members of its new DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access) Advisory Board: Mesha Arant, Kim Iheme, Luis Cortes, Terri Lynne Hudson, Mark James Heath, Max Thomas and Natty Galde. iO’s new mission statement highlights its commitment to creating “a space for individuals of all backgrounds, identities and abilities” and to “educate and provide opportunities to the next generation of comedic talent.” You can find iO’s new schedule of shows and classes here.
Chris Redd‘s new special Why Am I Like This airs on HBO Max this Thursday, November 3, produced by Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco. Over the weekend, Chris reassured fans that he is “ok and healing fast” after he was attacked last week as he arrived at the Comedy Cellar in New York City where he was scheduled to perform. He will appear on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live tonight (recorded prior to the attack).
Chicago author Eden Robins‘ new novel When Franny Stands Up will be released tomorrow. Franny becomes a standup in mid-century Chicago against all odds. Women & Children First is sponsoring an in-person launch party on November 3. Eden will be in conversation with Britt Julious. Details here.
More Chicago comedians on late night: Bashir Salahuddin with South Side co-creator Diallo Riddle on The Tonight Show on Thursday, November 3. Cecily Strong on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Thursday, November 3. Also, Rainn Wilson will be on The Talk on Friday, November 4.
BREAKING NEWS: The Hideout announced today that it will be on hiatus as of November 7 following reports of racism and other harmful occurrences. Read the Hideout’s statement here. Mykele Deville wrote here about the trauma and pain he experienced during his time as the venue’s Program Director. The comedy show Funny HaHa has announced the postponement of its November 11 show. No word yet on the fate of David Cross’s November 16-17 appearances which were mostly sold out.
TICKET ALERTS
November 13: TORNADO the 12th with Sage Huston, Cassie Middlemist, Christine Ferrera, Sukhjit Singh, Evelyn Troutman, Matt Loxleyat The Newport Theater
November 16: Portrait of a Bunch of Ladies on Fire: A Sketch Revue with Anna Howerton, Angelique Boyd, Elizabeth Fulton, Jenna Howard-Delman, Katie Wilson, Norah Flaherty, Roe Wagner, Rylie Ann Taylor at The Newport Theater
December 7: Trailer Park Boys’ Randy’s Christmas Tour at Martyrs
December 25: Joel Chasnoff’s Christmas for the Jews at City Winery
January 21-22, 2023: Taylor Tomlinson at The Chicago Theatre
THIS WEEK AT:
Zanies Chicago: Super Six Showcase, Mike Cannon, Ian Bagg, Challenge Mania, Calvin Evans, Jessica Kirson
Zanies Rosemont: New Material Night, Bad Momz of Comedy with Orly K.G. Mike Cannon, Bobcat Goldthwait, Eric Eaton
Riddles: Roni Shanell, Marc Henderson, Comedian Gemini, Marni P, Brandonn Bhouse, Alex Thomas, B Cole, Em Brown
The Improv: Nathan Timmel, Jimmy O. Yang
PLUS …
The following stellar original only-in-Chicago comedy shows. Please confirm all details before leaving home. Thank you for dropping by to read the blog. Thank you to the Chicago comedy community for making everything possible and for making the world better one laugh at a time.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31
Halloween Comedy Extravaganza at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Costumes, prizes and standup with Sarah Perry, Joe Fernandez, Lyssa Laird, Jamie Shriner.
Campfire at The Annoyance, 8:00 p.m. Paranormal experts and all true spooky stories.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1
A Real Good Time with Lucy Porter at The Golden Dagger, 9:15 p.m. Lucy Porter hosts comedians and musicians and on first Tuesdays, musical director Dayanara Uribasterra on keys.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Bad Momz of Comedy at Zanies Rosemont, 7:00 p.m. A night of acclaimed and hilarious moms! Orly K.G. hosts Colleen Brennan and Lia Berman – you may have recently seen these three funny moms garnering accolades from Kelly Clarkson and Jay Leno. And even more great comedian moms joining tonight: Patti Vasquez, Susie An and Lindsay Porter.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Chingona Comedy Hour at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Las Locas Comedy’s Janice Rodriguez and Jess Martinez host Lele Mason, Colleen Brennan, Michelle Cantu, Kendra Jamaica and headliner Dina Nina Martinez.
Not Your Average Joe at iO, 8:00 p.m. “Have you ever had to go through life with the same name as everyone else?” (Me: No, but I am definitely curious about what that’s like.)
PoeProv at iO, 8:00 p.m. Edgar Allan Poe+Improv.
Anarchy at iO, 10:30 p.m. An improvised rock opera.
PussyVerance at iO, 10:30 p.m. “This dark and absurd sketch revue is a glimpse into the minds and sweat-riddled night terrors of young queer women.”
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Melissa Villasenor at The Den Theatre, 7:15 p.m. This SNL alum also has two shows on Saturday: 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Randy Rainbow at The Genesee Theatre, Waukegan, 8:00 p.m. The Pink Glasses Tour.
Jerrod Carmichael at Steppenwolf, 10:00 p.m. Tonight and tomorrow night. There is an earlier show each night, but they’ve long sold out. Tickets still available for late shows. This is the Chicago debut of this award winning comedian’s new show “Jerrod Carmichael: Ari told me I Lack focus“
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Paper Machete at The Green Mill, 3:00 p.m. This is always a great and unforgettable afternoon – and a new show every week. Arrive early -seats go fast!
Robbie Ellis at The Annoyance, 7:30 p.m. The Annoyance’s music director throws a launch party for his new comedy album Metric System.
Dinner and Comedy at Trio Grille, Marengo, 7:00 p.m. Dinner at 7:00 p.m. and comedy at 8:00 with JT Newton, Bill Gorgo, Patti Vasquez and special guest Denise Medina.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6
LDR Viewing Party at The Annoyance, 6:30 p.m. “LDR is a web series about an improviser who moves to Chicago and must navigate her long-distance relationship with her girlfriend. Before the premiere, we will be screening the companion series LDR Zoomies and sharing interviews of strangers’ experiences with long-distance. After the premiere of the first three episodes of LDR Season 1 Vol. 1, we’ll then round out the night with a short improv set from the cast of the web series.”