CHICAGO COMEDIANS IN THE NEWS
Paul Farahvar appeared on Fox 32 to talk about life in comedy and his upcoming shows at Zanies on April 2.
Kellye Howard appeared on ABC 7 Chicago and WGN to talk about next Sunday’s ‘M’ES’S’ing Around Comedy at the Laugh Factory. The show will benefit Multiple Sclerosis Research and patient support. M.S. patients are invited to attend for free. Watch both TV appearances on Kellye’s Instagram page.
Hear Paul and Kellye together on Paul’s new podcast Why Are You Awake? Paul also has episodes with Dwayne Kennedy, Adam Burke, Calvin Evans, Lauren Vino, Jonah Jurkens and more HERE
Josh Johnson is The Daily Show‘s newest correspondent.
800 Pound Gorilla reports that Nate Bargatze has recently had a surprise opening act – it’s Jimmy Fallon working on new standup material.
Bill Murray returns as Dr. Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters Frozen Empire this Friday. Kumail Nanjiani joins the Ghostbusters cast.
Technically not a Chicago comedian, but Chicago favorite Maria Bamford and her husband Scott Cassidy announced a new comic book which goes behind the scenes of their courtship. Fantagraphics will release Hogbook & Lazer Eyes this summer. Pre-order here.
CHICAGO COMEDIANS ON LATE NIGHT
Monday: Rachel Dratch on Late Night with Seth Meyers (rerun from 1/8)
Wednesday: Janelle James, who got her comedy start as a mom in Champaign, IL, on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
Thursday: Matt Walsh on After Midnight (rerun from 1/30)
Friday: Megan Gailey on After Midnight (rerun from 2/6)
Saturday: Ayo Edebiri (honorary Chicagoan from The Bear) hosts Saturday Night Live with musical guest Jennifer Lopez (rerun from 2/3)
ADVANCE TICKET ALERTS
May 11: Tom Dreesen’s From Harvey to Hollywood at The Den Theatre
May 12: Orly K.G. hosts Mo Good, Avril Granato, Eunji Kim, Jeanie Doogan at Bad Momz of Comedy Mother’s Day Show at Zanies Rosemont
May 13: Orly K.G.’s hosts Mo Good, Avril Granato, Eunji Kim, Maggie Hughes DePalo at Bad Momz of Comedy A Mother’s Day Hangover Show at Zanies Chicago
May 13: Denise Medina hosts Mother’s Day Comedy Night with Patti Vasquez, Laura Hugg, Susana Rodriguez at The Barrel Room at Harbor Brewing Co., Lake Villa
September 14: Deon Cole My New Normal at Wintrust Arena. Pre-sale begins Wednesday, March 20 with code DC2024. Public on-sale is Friday, March 22.
October 25: Marc Maron at North Shore Center for Performing Arts, Skokie
December 6-7: Bill Maher at CIBC Theatre
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Several nights this week require the super power of being in two places at once because this entire week is A WEALTH OF EXTREME TALENT. Here are some highlights of this only-in-Chicago week bursting with stars. Confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, MARCH 18
Paul Farahvar’s Stand Ups, Sit Down at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Fabulous lineup of top talent plus a bonus you won’t find anywhere else. After their set, comedians sit down with Paul for the inside scoop on how their material came to be. With Calvin Evans, Grace Lieshman, Jamie Shriner, Hannah Ljungholm, Dan Cass. Free tickets for Comedians Defying Gravity readers! Email Paul at pfarahvar@gmail.com.
TUESDAY, MARCH 19
Daniel de Visé at American Writers Museum, 6:00 p.m. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author discusses and signs his new book The Blues Brothers: An Epic Friendship, the Rise of Improv, and the Making of an American Film Classic. “This book tells the story of the epic friendship between John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, the golden era of improv, and the making of a comedic film classic that helped shape our popular culture.” ALSO STREAMING.
Abi Sanchez at Zanies Chicago, 7:00 p.m. This Chicago comedian won the HBO Latino Comedy Contest and was selected to perform at the prestigious Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal.
Laurie Kilmartin at Lincoln Lodge, 7:00 p.m. The writer for Conan, The Late Late Show with James Corden and Jimmy Kimmel Live brings her hourlong standup special to Chicago.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20
Stand Together at The Annoyance, 7:00 p.m. Eunji Kim directs this weekly standup showcase, part of the DePaul Comedy Arts program.
Zarna Garg at Park West, 7:30 p.m. For a sample of how great Zarna Garg is, listen to This American Life: Math or Magic? I’m surprised that tickets are still available, but that’s good news because she is a treat. If you’d like to go to the Annoyance tonight, Zarna Garg is at Park West tonight and tomorrow.
Dummy In Diaspora at The Annoyance, 9:30 p.m. “A coming of age solo show written and performed by Esho Rasho, follows Essa, a Middle Eastern American boy at various ages in his life.”
THURSDAY, MARCH 21
My Best Friend is Black at Lincoln Lodge, 8:00 p.m. Named “Best Comedy Show” by the Chicago Reader. Tonight is the Women’s History Month show.
Alonzo Bodden at The Den, 7:15 p.m. Alonzo Bodden is a regular panelist on NPR’s Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me! and the winner of a very popular comic showcase on a major network. He has starred in multiple comedy specials and appeared in hit TV shows and films. He is especially outstanding at creating an instant warm connection with his audience. I’ve been lucky enough to see him in person (as well as on screen) and always feel sad when the show is over and never ready to say goodbye. Always a guaranteed great time.
FRIDAY, MARCH 22
Judy Gold at Zanies Rosemont, 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. TONIGHT AND TOMORROW NIGHT. I’ve been looking forward to adding Judy Gold to this post for a long time! One of the greats. An internationally touring headliner and bestselling author.
SATURDAY, MARCH 23
Ali Wong at The Chicago Theatre, 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Each time Ali Wong added a show to her Chicago visit it sold out, so she is now here through Monday! Follow link for all show times. She is the star of hit specials and shows, including Netflix’s Beef. Ali Wong is an Emmy, Golden Globe, and NAACP Image Award winner.
Nicholas Bernardi’s Sweaty in Pink at Davenport’s Cabaret, 8:00 p.m. “The one-man ham musical spectacular created by actor and comedian Nicholas Bernardi (originally from Prospect Heights), who played Bret “The Hitman” Hart on NBC’s Young Rock. Catch this absurdist performance packed with lyrical gold in this genre-blending showcase of his original music. Partly Satirical. Partly Earnest. Mostly Ridiculous. One Man. One Mic. Lots of Sweat.” This show is 21+.
SUNDAY, MARCH 24
Kellye Howard Special Event at Laugh Factory, 7:00 p.m. Kellye Howard is a nationally touring headliner, actor and writer. She was one of the stars of OWN Network’s My Life is a Joke and frequently appears on television and stage. She was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2013. Comedians with a connection to M.S. and similar conditions will be here tonight: Kristen Toomey, Pat Tomasulo, Eunji Kim, Tribble, Lisa Beasley, Tonight is “a light-hearted comedy show centered around funny, joyful, educational, and empowering humor during MS awareness month. Packed with hilarious comedians, fun prizes, and more. The event is FREE for individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.” All proceeds go to MS research and patient support.