CHICAGO COMEDIANS IN THE NEWS

Chicago comedians are on the national stage talking about Will Smith, Chris Rock and the Oscars. Curtis Shaw Flagg, president of operations at Chicago’s Laugh Factory, appeared on Fox News here. Chris Redd was Will Smith on Saturday Night Live.

Colleen Brennan and Janice Rodriguez released the third season of Defending Indiana today! The two comedians welcome a series of guests who reveal surprising truths and humor about the neighbor we thought we knew (but didn’t until now). You can listen here.

Vicki Quade is putting her hit comedy platform to work to help Ukrainian refugees. Her production company Nuns4Fun Entertainment is collecting funds at all performances to help the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth aid refugees in Poland and Ukraine. Enjoy Late Night Catechism, Easter Bunny Bingo: Jesus, Resurrection & Peeps, and Bible Bingo at the Greenhouse Theater Center or donate directly at nazarethcsfn.org.

The Laughing Academy in Glenview will host a mini comedy camp for kids K-5 during spring break on April 20. Details here.

Cathryn Michon and W. Bruce Cameron are donating all proceeds from the “A Dog’s Courage Tour” to UAnimals, helping animals on the ground in Ukraine and to Best Friends Animal Society. Order your personalized signed book from Book Soup by April 13. Put your inscription instructions in the comment section.

WGN anchor Pat Tomasulo has released his debut comedy special What A Time to Be Alive. You can see it here!

TICKET ALERTS

April 15: Fran Lebowitz at The Auditorium Theatre

May 7: Sarah Cooper at The Chicago Humanities Festival at UIC Dorin Forum

May 8: The Mothers at The Laugh Factory. Steven Springer hosts  Jan Slavin, Mariann Aalda, Linda Collins, Lindsay Porter, Rhonda Cohn,Diane Corder at The Laugh Factory.

May 12: Neal Brennan at The Den Theatre. Tickets on sale April 7.

May 15: Zarna Garg at The Laugh Factory

September 15-17: Jeff Ross at The Improv, Schaumburg. (His shows are great, but I’ll never understand people who volunteer to be roasted – and they will! It’s like stepping in front of an FBI sharpshooter. If you understand why, please tell me. Maybe it has something to do with the title of his book I Only Roast the Ones I Love. Truly one of the best comedy memoirs.)

October 13-16: Chris Rock added more shows at The Chicago Theatre. Tickets still available.

THIS WEEK:

At Zanies Chicago: Rachel Feinstein, Bonnie McFarlane, Jason Tartrick, Calvin Evans

At Zanies Rosemont: “Wednesday with Friends”, Raanan Hershberg, Rob Gleeson

At Riddles: Robert Kane hosts Comedian Stick

At The Improv: David Arnold, D.L. Hughley

Following are ten more original shows happening only in Chicago over the next five days. More advance ticket alerts on my giant 2022 calendar here. Please confirm all details before leaving home!

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 6

WTF Is Happening in Ukraine at The Annoyance, 8:00 p.m. A history lecture by Professor Lydia House.

Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 8:00 p.m. Jackie Cooper hosts Paul Farahvar, Gena Gephart, Dale McPeek, Mike Samp, Jamie Shriner, Pat Tomasulo.

THURSDAY, APRIL 7

Paul Farahvar‘s Stand Up Then Sit Down at Lincoln Lodge, 8:00 p.m. Top comedians do stand up and then sit down for revealing interviews. With Paul, Kyle Scanlan (Chicago Reader, Best Stand Up 2017) and Jonah Jurkens (Comedians You Should Know, Blackout Diaries).

Las Locas Comedy at Laugh Factory, 8:00 p.m. The Chingona Comedy Hour featuring Janice Rodriguez, Jess Martinez, Fab Monroe, Irma Ruiz, Jillian Ebanks, Susana Rodriguez, Yazmina Tega.

FRIDAY, APRIL 8

Second City’s 110th Mainstage Revue 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Brand new material and cast. Often sold out. Advance purchase recommended.

John & Paul: Strictly Platonic at Rhino Fest at Pride Arts Center, 8:00 p.m. “Chicago sketch comedy veterans John Klingle and Paul Brennan bring their anarchic humor back to the stage in a raucous celebration of dysfunctional friendship.”

SATURDAY, APRIL 9

Paper Machete at The Green Mill, 3:00 p.m. Free comedy and music showcase. Always a stellar lineup. Arrive early for seats!

River Butcher at The Den Theatre, 7:30 p.m. River Butcher began their career in Chicago and is a nationally touring headliner. Bobcat Goldthwait opens. In 2021, River appeared on Comedy Central Stand Up Presenting A Different Kind of Dude.

Best of Annoyance Sketch at The Annoyance, 9:30 p.m. An hour of Annoyance’s funniest.

SUNDAY, APRIL 10

Keenan Thompson’s Ultimate Comedy Experience at Laugh Factory, 6:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m. Kristen Toomey and more TBA.

9:00 p.m. Correy Boyd-Bell and more TBA.