Chicago comedians in the news:

Abi Sanchez was a winner of the second HBO & NYLFF Annual Latino Stand-Up! Comedy Competition and is now one of the stars of the comedy special Entre Nos: The Winners 2 streaming on HBO Max.

Katherine Biskupic and Leah Frires (Pure & Weary) headline the Coachella Valley Comedy Festival on October 24.

Tom Thakkar appeared on The Tonight Show on October 14.

Kumail Nanjiani spoke with Vulture about life, marriage, comedy and joining the Marvel universe. The article also appears in print in the October 11 issue of New York Magazine. Disney/Marvel’s Eternals opens on November 5.

Ticket alerts:

Erica Rhodes at The Comedy Shrine: November 12-13.

I have a forever updating list of hot ticket alerts from now through June 2022 and growing here. Tickets are selling out very fast these days.

Following is just a fraction of all the great original comedy happening in Chicago this week. Things are still in flux – please confirm all details.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 19

Ladylike at Lincoln Lodge, 8:00 p.m. One of the city’s most popular shows. “A storytelling show where women and non-binary performers tell their grossest stories.”

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 20

Together At Last at Second City, 7:00 p.m. “A non-stop celebration of how we have persisted and even thrived during these impossibly difficult times.”

Good Vibes Only at The Promontory, 8:00 p.m. Comedy and music with Taneshia “Just Nesh” Rice and South City Collective.

Masters of Comedy Showcase at Zanies Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Steve Cochran, Mike Toomey, John Dacosse, Vince Carone, and Ralphie Roberts.

Gimmie the Light at The Hideout, 9:30 p.m. Showcase of groundbreaking BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ comedians and artists. Hosted by comedians Sonal Aggarwal and Max Thomas.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21

Inventing Improv: A Behind-the-Scenes Preview & Discussion 6:00 p.m. ONLINE A preview of Inventing Improv, the newest addition to WTTW’s Chicago Stories series. Explores the life and legacy of Viola Spolin, the mother of improv comedy and Second City. Includes a conversation with Jude Leak, producer and writer of the film, Aretha Sills, granddaughter of Viola Spolin and daughter of Second City co-founder Paul Sills; Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award winner Alan Alda; Academy Award nominee Bob Balaban; actress, producer, writer, and comedian Frances Callier; comedian and actress Angela V. Shelton; and historian Mark Larson.

Black Lung Libations & Laughs at Black Lung Brewing Company, Round Lake Beach, 7:00 p.m. Standup with Denise Medina & Friends: JT Newton, Soli Santos and special guest Jeff Warren. Free show.

Comedy is Back! at Gman Tavern, 8:00 p.m. With Zako Ryan, Anthony Bonazzo, Matt Brown, Manny Acosta, Erica, Nicole Clark, TJ Sopoci and Special Guest.

Sam Morril at The Den Theatre, 8:00 p.m. Through Saturday, October 23. Follow link for all show times.

Jessica Kirson at Zanies Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 22

Dana Gould and Bobcat Goldthwait at The Music Box Theatre, 7:30 pm. The two comedians appear in person to screen and answer questions about their new film Joy Ride: “Frenemies and veteran comedians Dana Gould and Bobcat Goldthwait, having learned very little from their near-fatal car accident, get back on the road and journey throughout the American South. The documentary captures the duo as they carefully navigate highways and their decades-old contentious friendship; reflecting upon their careers and relationship with comedy. Buckle up.”

Bruce Bruce at The Improv, Schaumburg, 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Through Sunday. Follow link for all show times. Almost sold out. New times added.

Randy Rainbow at The Chicago Theatre, 8:00 p.m.

Wisecrackin’ at Second City’s Judy’s Beat Lounge, 8:30 p.m. The award-winning comedy game show.

Lucy’s Comedy at The Raue Center, Crystal Lake, 8:30 p.m. Ted Willson hosts Hari Rao and headliner Dr. Bill Miller.

Madame ZuZu’s Live Comedy Night Highland Park, 8:00 p.m. Standup at Billy Corgan’s tea house. Colleen Brennan hosts Christina Lundin, Mike Stricker and headliner John McCombs.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23

No, Diya at The Lincoln Lodge, 7:00 p.m. “A stand-up comedy show headlined by Diya Basrai, musing about the strangeness of growing up.”

Mike Land & Friends at EIKU, LLC, Antioch, 7:30 p.m. Personal stories and life experiences through comedy.

The Therapy Players at The Skokie Theatre, Skokie, 8:00 p.m. Chicago’s only all-therapist award-winning improv troupe present their original production “Pants Back On!”

Martin Lawrence Lit AF Tour at Credit Union 1 Arena, 7:30 p.m. Martin Lawrence hosts Adele Givens, Earthquake, Donnell Rawlings, B. Simone, Benji Brown.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24

David Sedaris at Nichols Concert Hall, Evanston, 3:00 p.m.

Jay Davis Presents Creative Hustle at The Den Theatre, 7:00 p.m. “Creative entertainers of all kinds together on one platform.”

The Legend Series Presents MOLLY with Susan Messing & Norm Holly at The Annoyance, 9:30 p.m. A chance to see the internationally renowned improvisors.