CHICAGO COMEDIANS IN THE NEWS
Free tickets for Comedians Defying Gravity readers to one of the best shows in the city! Have you ever left a comedy show wanting more? Like you definitely laughed – a lot! But often, a set just makes me more intrigued. Who are these comedians really? What’s their actual life? What inspires their comedy? What if you could hear all that secret backstory immediately? You can!! This is the genius of Paul Farahvar. Paul, a nationally touring headliner, has created scores of successful shows and podcasts and has a knack for bringing audiences all the insight and connection we’re craving. His show Stand Ups, Sit Down is at the Laugh Factory next Monday, February 26, March 18 and 25th (check back for more dates). National and local standups do their sets, then sit down with Paul to talk about it. If you email him at pfarahvar@gmail.com, you’re in for free! Follow Paul at paulfcomedy.com. Paul, thank you!
Alex Edelman’s Just For Us is at Steppenwolf through February 24. I was amazingly fortunate to see this one-man show in previews at the Den in 2021 and again last year. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever seen in my life and I’ll gladly go as many times as I can. It’s the true story of what happened when Alex, a Jewish guy, crashes a meeting of Jew-hating white nationalists. What happened? Did he make it out unscathed? Did they? You must go and find out! If you can get a ticket. Alex has taken this show around the country and across the ocean. Tickets sell out everywhere. This show resonated in 2021 and today, well … I felt like it was somehow breathing for me and restoring me to life. You can be any religion, any background, feel like an insider or a chronic outsider — you will have a blast and leave with new insight into humans including yourself. Also, it’s hilarious. Just go see it. TICKETS
Adam Burke recorded his second album Weaponized Empathy at the Newport Theater. I was there and ever since, looking forward to hearing it again. Laughs for smart people who want smart comedy from comedians smart enough to challenge the status quo. Release day is February 23 at A Special Thing records. Adam is a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me and last week, was a returning guest on Negin Farsad’s podcast Fake the Nation. Follow Adam on Instagram.
More Chicago comedians with albums out this week:
Bernie Mac Tapes from a King on Kevin Hart’s LOL Records label
Kyle Kinane announced new tour dates and a new special Dirt Nap, available for pre-order now on 800 Pound Gorilla. Tickets for November’s Kinanesgiving at Thalia Hall are also on sale now and will definitely sell out.
TJ Miller’s Smooth Peanut Butter
Netflix is a Joke is coming up in May live in Los Angeles. Lots of Chicago names, including Marsha Warfield, Beth Stelling, Kumail Nanjiani, Brandi Denise, John Mulaney, Ever Mainard, Sebastian Maniscalco, Janelle James, Deon Cole, Chris Redd, Geoffrey Asmus, Nate Bargatze, Caleb Hearon, River Butcher, Arsenio Hall, Matteo Lane, Mo Welch, Jay Washington, Langston Kerman, Craig Robinson, Dave Helem, Flame Monroe, Pete Holmes, Luke Null, Liza Treyger, Joel Kim Booster, TJ Miller, Jeff Arcuri, plus Fresh Faces of Chicago presented by Chicago’s Laugh Factory. Complete list: Netflix is a Joke 2024.
Caleb Hearon will star in Lilly Wachoski’s (The Matrix) next film, Trash Mountain. Caleb co-wrote the film about a gay Chicago man navigating a return to his Missouri hometown after the death of his complicated hoarder dad. More in Variety. Caleb is at Thalia Hall on April 1. Tickets are going fast.
Chicago Humanities Festival has excellent comedy programming and you can now catch up online. Listen to Henry Winkler and D’Arcy Carden here. Samantha Irby and Abby McEnany here. Bob Odenkirk and Tim Meadows on finding your comic voice here.
Following are thirteen shows happening this week only in Chicago. Please confirm all details before leaving home! For a really long list of advance ticket alerts and more great shows, please check out my entire 2024 List.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Reena Calm at Zanies Chicago, 7:00 p.m. Reena Calm is a nationally uniquely touring headliner. Follow her on Instagram and reenacalm.com.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20
Fresh Faces of Chicago at Laugh Factory, 7:30 p.m. Lele Mason, Kellye Howard, Lyssa Laird, Em Brown
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Letterkenny Presents a Night of Standup at The Vic, 8:00 p.m. Headliner Mark Forward (Coach), with Jeff McEnery (Alexander) and Letterkenny and Shoresy writer Allie Pearse.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Date My Friend at Lincoln Lodge, 7:00 p.m. Six comedians set up six friends. Watch what happens live!
River Butcher at The Den Theatre, 7:15 p.m. River is a standup, writer and actor based in Los Angeles. He is a standup, actor and writer whose credits include Ellen, Conan, A League of Their Own and Comedy Central.
50 First Jokes at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Fifty of Chicago”s best comedians share their first new jokes of 2024. Clark Jones, Chelsea Hood & more TBA.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23
Live Comedy Night at Madame ZuZu’s, Highland Park, 8:00 p.m. Katie Meiners, Yoni Heisler & headliner Raghu Abithatla. Madame ZuZu’s is owned and operated by Billy Corgan and designer Chloe Mendel.
Don’t Tell Comedy in (secret location in) West Town, 8:00 p.m. Tomorrow night in Lincoln Park. Follow link for location and reservations.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24
Fortune Feimster at The Chicago Theater, 7:00 p.m. The Live Laugh Love! tour.
Girl Heaven at Second City, 7:30 p.m. The America Runs on Women all-female sketch revue. Ashley G. Robbins, Aubree Thelen, Charlsie Bastian, Erica Salas, Hannah Perez, Maddy Casale, Rae Wagner, and Shelby Deutsch. Music directed by Matt Wolf. Directed by Elizabeth Fulton.
If You Know, You Know streaming from The Annoyance, 10:00 p.m. A new variety show series celebrating Chicago Black comedians.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Comedy Night at Tag’s Bakery, Evanston, 7:00 p.m. Michelle Krajecki, Jimmy Carrane, Larry Bloom Seth Davis, Kelly Migacz
T Murph at The Laugh Factory, 7:00 p.m. From Hulu’s Woke, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Comedy Central.