Melissa Villaseñor/Photo by Julia Stoyanova
CHICAGO COMEDY IN THE NEWS
- Arlieta Hall’s acclaimed documentary Finding Your Laughter will be featured at the Chicago International Film Festival on October 15 and 17. This deeply personal film welcomes you into Arlieta’s family as she cares for her dad, who has Alzheimer’s. Arlieta’s original and moving approach—using the principles of improv to communicate with him—is a beautiful portrait of caregiving, love and preserving a patient’s dignity. The film is funny, heartbreaking and always authentic. I was lucky enough to see Finding Your Laughter in early previews and I look forward to seeing it again. Arlieta’s insights made a major positive difference for me during my own dad’s battle with Alzheimer’s.
- Adam Burke‘s memoir With Whom I Am Well Pleased is now available for pre-order!
- Marlon Wayans will receive the Career Achievement Award at this year’s Chicago International Film Festival. You can be there when it happens on October 19. Tickets are still available.
- Cultured interviewed Amita Rao about her breakout role as Issa on FX’s Adults, and Rao shares some interesting observations about the Chicago comedy scene where she launched her career.
- Did you know that Joan Rivers spent some of her formative comedy years in Chicago? Rick Kogan wrote about her Chicago connection in the Chicago Tribune.
- Read about John Mulaney‘s bookstore adventure while on tour in Eugene, Oregon.
- Lucia Whalen made the news with a very Chicago experience—a clash with construction from inside her very bedroom. She made even Chicago construction original and funny—which says a lot about the greatness -and fortitude – of Chicago comedians.
- A Josh Johnson–Matteo Lane collab! It’s a crowdwork/advice special that aired two weeks ago – and already has a million views!
- A fun article in The Beat (“The Blog of Comics Culture”) accompanied Josh Johnson on his unofficial side tour—visiting comic book stores wherever his comedy tour takes him.
- Not a comedy show, but it is hosted by a comedian. The OWN Network announced that its dating show Ready to Love, hosted by Nephew Tommy, will head to Chicago for its new season – which begins October 2!
- Mojo Brookzz’ new special I Know You Lying debuts on Netflix on October 2.
- Cameron Esposito has a new special out on 800 Pound Gorilla. In Four Pills, she catches us up on some significant life milestones.
- Sherry Shepherd is about to make Broadway and Disney history. She will be Aladdin‘s first female genie on Broadway. You can catch her magic October 16-January 3, 2027
- Netflix is filming its adaptation of Lynn Painter’s bestselling YA rom-com Better Than the Movies around Chicago through October 21. On September 29, the production will be at Town House Books in downtown St. Charles. The movie stars Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono, with Deacon Phillippe, Judy Greer, Luke Kirby (Lenny Bruce in Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Claire Coffee, and is directed by Julia Hart.
- I’m grateful to Time Out for inviting me to recommend the Chicago comedians for its annual Comedians to Watch feature. The article came out just a few days ago. I’m always so happy to see our city’s amazing talent recognized!
Following are fifteen shows happening only in Chicago this week! Please confirm all details before leaving the house! And please visit my Big List of Chicago Comedy Events because this is just a small sampling. Much more listed HERE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
The Future of Comedy Festival at Lincoln Lodge, 8:00 p.m. The Festival continues through the weekend with specially curated showcases. The Future of Comedy Festival is the annual fundraising event for Lincoln Lodge, Chicago’s only nonprofit stand-up comedy venue and training center—and one of the best places to discover the city’s extraordinary talent.
Preeti Thaker’s Forty, Apparently at Labrynth Club, 9 pm. Rhinofest. Special guests: Lauren Hooberman & Isabella Sinisterra.
Jared Freid at The Comedy Vault, Batavia, 7 pm & 9:30 pm. Through Saturday. Jared Freid is known for his very funny and empathetic takes on relationships, dating, and family including in his new book, Walking Red Flag: Dating Advice from Your Favorite Guy Friend—and in his second Netflix special, The Family Plan, just out this month. His engaging, conversational style is very fun to experience in person, so I recommend heading to Comedy Vault first and then continuing a lovely Jared Freid weekend at home.
I visited The Comedy Vault for (somehow!) the first time a few weeks ago and highly recommend making a whole night of it: dinner in St. Charles, comedy in this former bank building transformed, then dessert at Coffee, Cones & Cabernet in Geneva, owned by Food Network star Alain Roby and his wife, Esther. One of the best nights ever.
Melissa Villaseñor at The Den Theater, 6 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. She was the first Latina SNL cast member and there seems to be nothing she can’t do. She is known for her standup, sketch, impressions, music, and artwork – and for her new middle school graphic novel Cat and Lola: School Picture Day.
Standup Throw Down Millenials VS Gen X at Second City, 7 p.m. Todd Glover’s long-running game show definitively decides: which generation is funnier? Millenials or Gen X? Todd kindly revealed some behind-the-scenes here.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27
Sashay at Laugh Factory, 1 p.m. Brunch with Derry Queen, Matt Loxley and notable drag queens and queer comedians. There’s also a Lip Sync Showdown and lots of opportunities to walk away with prizes and renewed energy for the week ahead.
Laughs @ The Local Note, Evanston, 8 p.m. I love this: Five Chicago Comedians, four Northwestern Comedians, plus one headliner at Evanston’s new jazz club. Follow link for details.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28
Super Six Showcase at Zanies Chicago, 7:00 p.m. An always fun, surprise, curated lineup.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
Pandemonium, Please Hold at Second City, 8:00 p.m. The 114th Mainstage Revue. Many showtimes throughout the week. Often sold out. Get tickets in advance. This is an especially strong production tackling the specific daily stressors of our times with insight and fantastic comedy. The cast is extraordinarily strong, with Cat McDonnell and Bill Letz among the standouts. You definitely don’t want to miss this one.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30
Chaunté Wayans at The Den, 7:15 p.m. Yes, she is a member of the comedy dynasty and very much her own person, too.
Sir Thomas Madden at The Den, 8:00 p.m. The comedians and rock icons (formerly of the band Lola Balatro), Paul Thomas and Jeff Madden, return as Sir Thomas Madden. I can’t wait to see what these innovative, award-winning comedians have come up with now. They’re known for highly original shows that give you unforgettable fodder for conversation long after you leave the theater. Through October 3.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1
Fifth Annual Latina Comedy Festival at Lincoln Lodge. MANY fabulous shows through Saturday. Find out more about the comedians and schedule here.
Matthew Broussard at The Comedy Vault, Batavia, 7:30 p.m. Thru Saturday, Oct. 3. Follow link for all showtimes. Matthew Broussard describes himself as “the byproduct of a Cajun chemist and Jewish microbiologist.” I can vouch as a fan – ever a dull moment!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
Bill Burr at The Chicago Theatre, 7:00 p.m. Also Saturday.
Devil’s Daughter at iO, 7:30 p.m. One of Chicago’s longest running improv teams.