Comedy
Winter shows to catch
December
The Annoyance Christmas Pageant The Annoyance presents its annual kid-friendly holiday show, which retells two classic children’s TV specials—A Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red- Nosed Reindeer—with a sardonic but still family-friendly edge. The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W Belmont Ave (773-697-9693, theannoyance .com). Fri at 8pm, Sun at 3pm; $18, kids under 12 $14. Through Dec 20.
Bridget Everett Chardonnay- fueled New York cabaret star Everett mines laughs from raunchy songs and boundary-free audience interactions. Lincoln Hall, 2424 N Lincoln Ave (773-525-2501, lh-st .com). Dec 4 at 7, 10pm; $20.
John Oliver The host of HBO’s indispensable Last Week Tonight and former Daily Show correspondent returns to stand-up mode for four shows on the cusp of the New Year. The Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St (312-462-6300,
thechicagotheatre.com). Dec 30, 31 at 7, 10pm; $55–$75.
The Second City’s Holidazed & Confused Revue The Second City’s off-night winter sketch revue pokes fun at all the crazy and insufferable parts of the holidays. The Second City Mainstage, 1616 N Wells St (312-337-3992,
secondcity.com). Mon at 8pm, Sat at 4pm; $17–$38. Through Dec 28.
I Congrats on Your Success
Comedians You Should Know
This weekly night of comedy, curated by a group of funny dudes (current regulars include Marty DeRosa, Danny Kallas and Mike Lebovitz), puts local stand-ups on your radar. Timothy O’Toole’s, 622 N Fairbanks Ct (312-642- 0700,
comediansyoushouldknow.com). Wed at 9pm; $5, at the door $10.
January
Bob Saget Occupying an odd slot in pop culture, Saget is primarily known for having played milquetoast everydad Danny Tanner on Full House and for hosting America’s Funniest Home Videos, but then he’s also built a reputation as an incredibly raunchy stand-up comedian. Thalia Hall, 1227 W 18th St (312-526-3851,
thaliahallchicago.com). Jan 17 at 8pm; $39–$85.
Tomorrow Never Knows 2016 The Hideout plays host to the comedy element of TNK, with stand- up sets by scruffy dreamboat Nick Thune on January 14, seasoned oddball Bobcat Goldthwait on January 15 and socially conscious smarty Hari Kondabolu on January 16. The Hideout, 1354 W Wabansia Ave (773-227-4433, hideoutchicago .com). Jan 14, 15 at 7, 10pm; Jan 16 at 7pm. $20.
MARIA B., LOGAN SQUARE “A solid, free, BYOB comedy show in a bookstore? Hello, everything I want from my neighborhood.”
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February
Tracy Morgan The former Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock star mounts a comeback tour after his yearlong recovery from a devastating 2014 automobile accident. Morgan’s
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TIMEOUT.COM/CHICAGO December 2015–February 2016
SNL hosting gig in the fall proved that he’s back to form. The Venue at Horseshoe Casino, 777 Casino Center Dr, Hammond, IN (219-473-6351,
caesars.com /horseshoe-hammond). Feb 5 at 8pm; $44–$64.
Ongoing
Chicago Underground Comedy This outstanding night of comedy takes in four to five comics each week. Keep your eye on these folks: they’re going places. Alums of the 10-year-old show include Kumail Nanjiani, Beth Stelling and Cameron Esposito. Beat Kitchen, 2100 W Belmont Ave (773-281- 4444, chicagoundergroundcomedy .com). Tue at 9pm; $5.
FREE Congrats on Your Success This BYOB stand-up showcase’s loose, friendly vibe is reinforced by interactive bits and between-set segments that engage attendees with the show’s hosts and producers (among the rotating crew are Charlie Rohrer, Sonia Denis and Rebecca O’Neal), who describe their audience as “DTF.”Uncharted Books, 2620 N Milwaukee Ave (
facebook.com /congratsonyoursuccesscomedy). First Thu of the month at 7pm.
The Lincoln Lodge Having relocated to Subterranean after the loss of its longtime space in the now-closed Lincoln Restaurant, the country’s longest continuously operating home for alt-comedy continues to be a fine place to see emerging stand-ups. Subterranean, 2011 W North Ave (773-251-1539, thelincolnlodge .com). Fri at 8:30pm; $10.
Messing with a Friend Each week, legendary improviser Susan Messing and a different friend segue from scene to scene, creating characters and situations along the way that are weird, wild and wonderful. The Annoyance Theatre, 851 W Belmont Ave (773- 697-9693,
theannoyance.com). Thu at 10:30pm; $5.
The Second City’s 104th Mainstage Revue Still unnamed at press time, Second City’s follow- up to Panic on Cloud 9 features a strong cast of holdovers (Chelsea Devantez, Paul Jurewicz and Daniel Strauss) and newcomers (Rashawn Nadine Scott, Sarah Shook and Jamison Webb) directed by e.t.c. vet Ryan Bernier. The Second City Mainstage, 1616 N Wells St (312- 337-3992,
secondcity.com). Tue– Thu at 8pm; Fri, Sat at 8, 11pm; Sun at 7pm; $23–$48.
Soul Brother, Where Art Thou? A markedly diverse sextet hits playful and piercing tones in the e.t.c.’s latest revue, which goes to some admirably dangerous places. A strong cast brings plenty of soul to the stage. Second City, 1616 N Wells St (312-337-3992,
secondcity.com). Tue–Thu at 8pm; Fri, Sat 8, 11pm; Sun at 7pm; $23–$48.
TJ & Dave This two-man show puts master improvisers TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi together for an hour of long form. iO Chicago, 1501 N Kingsbury St (312-929-2401,
ioimprov.com/chicago). Wed at 10:30pm; $10.
Whirled News Tonight This weekly winner deserves its prime-time slot. Scenes are based on articles that audience members clip from the daily papers and post to the wall. iO Chicago, 1501 N Kingsbury St (312- 929-2401,
ioimprov.com/chicago). Sat at 8pm; $14.
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Comedy
PHOTOGRAPHS (FROM TOP): MELISSA MAMROTH; LEV KALMENS
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