CHICAGO COMEDIANS IN THE NEWS
Major comedy happening in Chicago this week! The What’s Funny Comedy Festival begins tomorrow night and goes through Sunday. Events include a tribute to Mary Lindsey, standup from Sherri Shepherd, and an opportunity to attend Lil Rel Howery‘s standup special television recording. Schedule below!
She’s Got Issues magazine published this hilarious, very relatable article 61 Ways I Turned Into My Mother – One Liners by @BadMomzofComedy by Orly K.G., Jan Slavin, Colleen Brennan, Lia Berman, Avril Granato and Susie An.
Deon Cole‘s new comedy special Ok, Mister premiers tomorrow on Netflix. This is his third Netflix special. He’s got riffs, observations and lots of laughs on topics like aging, dating, and “bedroom mishaps” and is “playfully candid” throughout.
Matt Fortis’ new book Fifty Key Improv Performers (Routledge 2024) includes several Chicago improv stars. A chapter titled “Second Wave Luminaries” highlights the contributions of Viola Spolin, Susan Messing, Jonathan Pitts, TJ & Dave, Joe Bill, Oui Be Negroes, and more.
Emil Wakim is one of three new cast members on Saturday Night Live. Emil was born in Chicago and grew up in Indiana. He is the first Lebanese-American to join the cast. Saturday Night Live‘s 50th season begins on September 28.
Angie McMahon and Marz Timms appeared on WGN’s Daytime Chicago to talk about the new standup class, Female is Funny at Comedy Plex in Oak Park. Angie created the class after a comedian-to-be requested it. Marz also spoke about the success of this new club which he opened in January. Angie has been on faculty at Second City for twelve years. Look for the next round of classes to begin on October 1. Comedy Plex also has standup classes for kids!
Langston Kerman‘s new special Bad Poetry is now streaming on Netflix. Bad Poetry was filmed at the Green Mill and directed by John Mulaney.
John Mulaney is returning to Broadway to star in All In: Comedy About Love. The play opens on December 11 and will feature a supporting cast of rotating comedy stars. John’s Broadway debut was in 2016 with Nick Kroll in Oh, Hello. Here’s more about All In in the New York Times.
Alex Edelman won an Emmy Award last night for Just For Us, his one-man show about infiltrating a meeting of white supremacists. One of the earliest places he worked out the show was the Den Theatre in 2021. You can now see Just For Us on HBO.
ADVANCE TICKET ALERTS
September 28: Atsuko Okatsuka at The Chicago Theatre
October 2: Kate McKinnon at Chicago Humanities Festival at Athenaeum Center
October 12: The Therapy Players at The Den Theatre
October 16: Randy Rainbow at Chicago Humanities Festival at Harris Theater
October 22-23: Tim Meadows, Matt Walsh, Joe Canale, Brad Morris at iO
October 26: Kelly Leonard in conversation with late night TV writers at Chicago Humanities Festival at Northwestern’s Norris Center, Evanston
October 26: Barry Sonnenfeld at Chicago Humanities Festival at Northwestern’s Ryan Center, Evanston
November 2: Sarah Silverman at The Chicago Theatre
November 8-9: Larry David at The Chicago Theatre – tickets going very VERY fast!
November 17: The Therapy Players at The Cornservatory
January 3-4: Kevin Hart at The Chicago Theatre
PLUS these 18 unique shows happening only in Chicago this week. Please confirm all details before leaving home!
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Yohay Sponder at Laugh Factory, 7:00 p.m. This Israeli comedian was prophetic in this interview last year. He is now being mobbed at shows like a rock star because everyone wants as much time in his presence as possible. His optimism, insight and humor are a soul balm for our times. He is absolutely a rock star of comedy and over this past year, that has been confirmed. This year’s American tour is almost sold out all over the country, but Chicago still has a few tickets left tonight. Reserve your ticket soon and you’ll definitely see what I’m talking about! (IYKYK!)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
What’s Funny Comedy Festival at Truth, 7:30 p.m. Opening night of the Festival. Sharrelle Pierce hosts Jamal Russell, Lele Mason, Jesnaira Baez, Niem Lyon, Taquita Love, Blair Christian, Ben Noble, Marilee.
Cancer Culture Comedy Show at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Supporting Ryan Mackinnon in his cancer battle. With Mo Good, Josh Ocean Thomas, Noa Noel, Aaron Klein, Zach Liss.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18
Jeff Garlin Surprise Pop Up Show at iO, 7:00 p.m.
Rocky LaPorte at The Improv, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m. His hilarious down-to-earth, relatable style means anything he says is funny. Rocky LaPorte is known also for being a great person who is there for friends and family. He is a nationally touring headliner who has appeared on TV and in the movies.
What’s Funny Comedy Festival at Bar 10 Doors, 8:00 p.m. WGCI’s Leon Rogers hosts Harold Pierre, Dawn B, Comedian Jugo, T-Ray Sanders, Sheldon Calhoun, Comedian Roy, Diane Corder, Uncle Hank, Comedian Muhummad, Schmitty B.
What’s Funny Comedy Festival at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. Headliner B. Cole with Rick Younger and Felonious Munk, David Bradley, Austin Warren, David Donnick, Lyssa Laird,
Tiny Thickums.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19
Wait Wait … Don’t Tell Me! at The Studebaker Theater, 7:30 p.m. NPR’s hit show hosted by Peter Sagal and a panel of comedy’s fastest minds. Very fun to attend in person.
Chaunté Wayans at The Den Theatre, 7:15 p.m. Chaunté Wayans is a member of one of comedy’s greatest dynasties and an advocate for LGBTQ rights, mental health, and addiction.
What’s Funny Comedy Festival at The Promontory, 7:00 p.m. Just Nesh hosts Good Vibes Only with Correy Bell, Meechie Hall, Erica Clark, Jay Washington, Wild Beale, Gwynn Factor, Chanel Ali, Stephon Raickett.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
Jeff Garlin at North Shore Center for Performing Arts, Skokie, 7:00 p.m. Only about 10 tickets left! Since one of the funniest most original shows on TV, Curb wrapped up, Jeff has been hosting The History of Curb Your Enthusiasm podcast with Susie Essman. His standup also includes candid talk about some of life’s struggles.
What’s Funny Comedy Festival at DuSable Museum, 7:00 p.m. A Tribute to Mary Lindsey with a curated lineup of her favorite comedians.
What’s Funny Comedy Festival at DuSable Museum, 9:00 p.m. Lavar Walker hosts Da Future of Comedy Showcase.
Marlon Wayans at Grossinger Motors Arena, Bloomington, IL, 7:00 p.m. Marlon Wayans is also at the Genesee in Waukegan on Saturday night.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
Moshe Kasher at The Den, 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. A nationally touring headliner, podcaster (with wife Natasha Leggero), and TV and filmwriter. He also has a really interesting, unique life story. His two memoirs are Kasher in the Rye (2012) and Subculture Vulture (2023).
Laugh Your Face Off at Park West, 6:45 p.m. WGN anchor Pat and Amy’s Tomasulo’s epic annual fundraiser to benefit trigeminal neuralgia research. With comedy by Pat, Kristen Toomey, Calvin Evans, Rocky LaPorte, Kyle Ayers. Please note different start times for patients, donors, ticket holders.
What’s Funny Comedy Festival at DuSable Museum, 7:00 p.m. Lavar Walker hosts Da Future of Comedy Showcase Part II. The Saturday Pass will get you admission to this show and to Sherri Shepherd’s late show!
What’s Funny Comedy Festival at DuSable Museum, 9:00 p.m. Sherri Shepherd headlines!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
Lil Rel Howery at DuSable Museum, 7:00 p.m. Stand up comedy special television taping.