Comedy
Fall shows to catch
September
Matt Braunger This big, goofy Chicago native, once a regular on MADtv, released a new album, Big Dumb Animal, earlier this year. It shows off Braunger’s power to get his audiences wrapped up in his hopelessly silly bits and broad physicality. UP Comedy Club, 230 W North Ave, third floor (312- 662-4562,
upcomedyclub.com). Sept 17–19; $20.
The Defiant Thomas Brothers The sketch duo of Paul Thomas and Seth Thomas (no relation) first made a splash in Chicago in the mid- aughts with edgy bits, often touching on attitudes about race (Seth is black, Paul white) before breaking up in 2006. They reunite for a weekly show. Donny’s Skybox Theatre, 1608 N Wells St (312-337- 3992,
secondcity.com). $15. Through Oct 23.
Gayco’s newest revue LGBT sketch group Gayco has been staging same-sex snickers for nearly two decades. Their latest collection will likely grapple with the changing legal landscape for the gay community. Under the Gun Theater, 956 W Newport, second
I Improvised Shakespeare Co.
floor (773-270-3440, underthegun
theater.com). Sept 12–Oct 31; $12 .
Hitch*Cocktails Performers improvise a full-length Hitchcockian thriller, all while drinking their faces off at the onstage bar. Annoyance Theatre and Bar, 851 W Belmont Ave (773-697-9693, theannoyance .com). $20. Through Sept 25.
Jen KirkmanComedian Jen Kirkman should be familiar thanks to her regular appearances on Chelsea Lately and Drunk History. She brings her self-deprecating brand of humor to UP Comedy Club for a three-night stand. UP Comedy Club, 230 W North Ave, third floor (312-662-4562, upcomedyclub .com). $20. Sept 10–12.
Porn Minus Porn Did somebody order a pizza? Under the Gun’s ensemble stages readings of real porn scripts with all the sex scenes excised. Under the Gun Theater, 956 W Newport, second floor (773- 270-3440, undertheguntheater. com). $12. Through Sept 26.
October
Babysitter Massacre ’78: The Musical Public House spoofs those ’70s slasher films in which the call always seems to be coming from inside the house. Public House Theatre, 3914 N Clark St (773-230- 4770,
pubhousetheatre.com). Oct 1–31; $20 .
Lewis Black Cranky, crotchety and left of center, Black hits the target with his political comedy. The Daily Show alum hits town on his The Rant Is Due Part Deux tour. Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St (800-745- 3000, thechicagotheatre .com). Oct 10; $39.50–$75.
BROOKE A., ROGERS PARK “Improvised Shakespeare is way more fun than regular Shakespeare! The actors’ ability to take audience suggestions and fit them into a Shakespearean structure on the fly is unreal. I doth laughed my ass off.”
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Margaret Cho No topic is off-limits for the outspoken, groundbreaking comedian Cho—particularly not her Korean-American family. She returns to Chicago on her psyCHO tour, with new material about the insane state of the world, including racism and police brutality. Chicago Theatre, 175 N State St (800-745- 3000,
thechicagotheatre.com). Oct 3; $29.50–$59.50.
November
Improvised Star Trek iO brings back a favorite with this Star Trek fan-fiction heaven. Audience
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TIMEOUT.COM/CHICAGO September–November 2015
members suggest an episode title and then enjoy it being created in front of them. Wear your best character costume and brainstorm a few ideas with your peers in the crowd. iO Chicago, 1501 N Kingsbury St (312-929-2401,
ioimprov.com/ chicago). Nov 6–Dec 18; $14.
Jim Jefferies Filthy-mouthed and adorable because of it, this Australian comedian—who has three hour-long TV specials and completed two seasons of his interesting series Legit (first on FX, then on FXX, where good FX shows go to get canceled)—performs vitriolic, honest stories and stand- up that both charm and offend. Vic Theatre, 3145 N Sheffield Ave (773- 472-0449,
jamusa.com/the-vic). Nov 13–14; $39.50.
Kyle Kinane Kinane is like a comedy god to us. The former Chicagoan manages to be both cerebral and lowbrow all in one punch, and his storytelling powers are phenomenal. UP Comedy Club, 230 W North Ave, third floor (312- 662-4562,
upcomedyclub.com). Nov 19–21; $20.
Ongoing
Bye Bye Liver: The Chicago Drinking Play Drinking games and boozy high jinks rule at this night of interactive comedy. Public House Theatre, 3914 N Clark St (773-230- 4770,
pubhousetheatre.com). Fri, Sat at 8, 10pm; $22.
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
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.
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/congratsonyour successcomedy). First Thu of every month at 7pm.
The Improvised Shakespeare Co. Suggestions from the audience inspire the improv team to create an entirely new show with Elizabethan flair. Expect a full hour of
Shakespearean references, proper language and plenty of laughs. iO Chicago, 1501 N Kingsbury St (312- 929-2401,
ioimprov.com/chicago). Thu at 8pm; Fri at 8, 10:30pm; $16
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.
MINT In the weekly Musical Improv Night at MCLChicago, improvisers can be found makin’ things up to a beat, melody and rhyme scheme. MCL Chicago, 3110 N Sheffield Ave (773-610-5930,
mclchicago.com). $5. Wed at 7:30pm.
Panic on Cloud 9 The Second City’s 103rd mainstage revue is a solid collection of sketches without much of a cohesive arc. Stick around after the late shows to see the cast try out material for the 104th revue, set to open in November. Second City, 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 Second City 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, second
city.com). Tue–Thu at 8pm; Fri, Sat 8, at 11pm; Sun at 7pm; $23–$48
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Comedy
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