"Mollywood"
Comedy central
Need a good laugh? Try one of these funny shows
April 15, 2008
Mollywood
A new musical satire of John Hughes-Molly Ringwald films of the '80s by local actor-writers Scott Bradley and Jonny Stax ("Carpenters' Halloween").
Campaign Supernova! or How Many Democrats Does it Take to Lose an Election?
The Second City e.t.c.'s 31st revue explores what happens when you take two political parties and divide them by three candidates during a presidential election year.
Brat Pack: The Musical
773-598-4549
Audience suggestions fuel an improv musical based on classic '80s coming-of-age flicks such as “Sixteen Candles,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Pretty in Pink” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
I Know What You Did Last Election
312-337-3992
Convention fever meets conspiracy theories in this politically themed, hip-hop and improv-infused sketch show.
Whitney Houston, We Have a Problem!
800-838-3006
GayCo Productions remounts their inaugural sketch comedy revue, which explores LGBT issues from a '90s perspective.
The Original Improv Gladiators: Season Three
312-409-6435
Two to four improv teams perform 10-15 minute sets judged by local actors and comics. The winning team faces the in-house Improv Gladiators in the second round. The ultimate champions at the end of the run win their own late night show at the Cornservatory. BYOB.
Bear Force One
773-561-4665
In this comedic homage to the Harrison Ford thriller "Air Force One," a fictional secretary of agriculture becomes the first gay president after a series of assassinations.
Die! Mommie, Die!
773-883-1090
In this parody of '60s thriller films, artistic director David Cerda stars as a washed-up singer with an ungrateful husband and kids who attempts to find happiness with a very "gifted" gigolo. Penned by Charles Busch ("Vampire Lesbians of Sodom").
No Country for Old White Men
The 95th sketch comedy revue takes a look at YouTube shenanigans, a visit by the British House of Commons, sweet soul food, girl power and other topics related to the current presidential race.
Schadenfreude Rent Party
773-576-6070
The ensemble celebrates their 10th anniversary with performances at six local bars, featuring a rotating roster of musical and comedy guests.
Salute My Shorts!
312-409-6435
Features seven comedic one-act plays and monologues about racism, taxidermy, fruit-tarianism and the complexity of human relationships by local playwright Julia Weiss.
You Are Poop
773-598-4549
An R-rated abstract comedy in which a man and a woman are distracted from their argument about who's the bigger jerk by an arrogant commodore, his beautiful girlfriend, a rogue theater critic and a man with too many jobs.
Space Future
773-561-4665
In this new parody of rock musicals, an unsuspecting slacker becomes responsible for saving the universe--and the future of music--from an evil galactic overlord. Features live music by a four-piece rock band.
Judy in Disguise with Glasses
800-838-3006
In this humorous solo show by Chemically Imbalanced Comedy co-founder Angie McMahon, a best-selling self-help author speaks to young writers at a "Low Self-Esteem" conference about instances where she displayed low self-esteem and how she conquered it.
Super Bad Delegates
312-337-3992
Second City Outreach & Diversity performs hit sketches from The Second City Chicago and Detroit archives, humorous songs and improv with an urban multicultural twist.
Boozelegger's Ball
773-598-4549
Big Dog Eat Child performs an interactive sketch comedy show about drinking, relationships, sex, sports, TV, zombies and more. Drink specials include $3-$4 bottled beer and wine.
Quit Your Job!
Audience suggestions fuel a series of sketches about the horrors of the workplace. Drink specials include $10 buckets of domestic beer and $3 well drinks.
ComedySportz
Two teams of professional comedians compete in this improv show. Includes live musical accompaniment.
Bye Bye Liver: The Chicago Drinking Play
Grab a $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon, a $3 well drink or a $10 bucket of five domestic beers and get ready for booze-themed sketch comedy and interactive drinking games. No BYOB allowed.
pHrenzy
773-732-5450
Eight improv artists compete for audience votes and suffer arbitrary eliminations during a fast-paced show.
Whirled News Tonight
Audience members select news articles to inspire this satirical improv show.
Big News
773-880-0199
Each week, a team creates and performs a scripted show with sketches based on local and national news and politics, including a "Saturday Night Live Weekend Update"-style news medley.
Chicago Underground Comedy
773-281-4444
A rotating lineup of five comics from Second City, I.O. and national clubs.
The Harold
Improv teams explore an audience suggestion using scenes, games and monologues. The 8 p.m. Saturday shows also feature "The Del Tones," an improv musical. The 8 p.m. Friday shows include "The Movie," experimental improv.
Messing with a Friend
Local comedians fill a rotating spot opposite Susan Messing in this two-person improv show.
Edge Comedy's Big Fancy Open Mic
312-733-6000
Dave Odd hosts performances by local comics. Want to get onstage yourself? Sign up before 8 p.m.
The Lincoln Lodge
773-251-1539
A weekly comedy show features a rotating cast of comedians, hosts, musicians and variety acts, as well as video segments and an audience contest.
Fourth Friday's Comedy Night
773-472-4405
Seth Thomas hosts a rotating line-up of local and national performers.
Chemically Imbalanced Comedy
773-865-7731
In Chemically Imbalanced Comedy's eighth show, stand-up comics host a rotating line-up of local and national improv and sketch groups.
Bodyslam! The Rise and Fall of CAWC
773-561-4665
A comedic epic in which two innocent brothers struggle against sinister promoters, steroid use and emerging egos when they join the world of professional wrestling. Expect original songs, a Battle Royale and an onstage ring.
The Beatbox
A fast-paced, longform improv set mixed with hip-hop and a human beatboxer, based on audience suggestion. Features battle raps, scratched scenes, samples and a rap finale based on that show's characters.
Chicagoland and Fishnuts
773-561-4665
Local comics Sue Gillan, Noah Gregoropoulos, Paul Grondy, T.J. Jagodowski and Sue Salvi perform an improv set as Chicagoland. The four-person improv troupe Fishnuts opens.
The Devil Wears Chanklas
312-337-3992
Salsation Theatre Company performs a sketch show that explores America's immigration issues from Latino and non-Latino perspectives.
The Greatest Stories Never Told...TOLD!
773-598-4549
An R-rated sketch comed show about ficitonal adventures in the old west, on battlefields and in fairy lands.
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
773-275-5255
The longest-running show in Chicago, it's a one-hour blitz of 30 extremely brief plays.
