Comedy central
Need a good laugh? Try one of these funny shows
October 1, 2008
Funny 1st Sundays
- Beef & Brandy - 127 S. State St. - Loop
Chicago comedian Lil Rel (as seen on BET's "Comic View" and Jamie Foxx's "Laffapalooza") hosts performances by local and national comics, followed by DJ sets till 1 a.m. Tickets include a complimentary buffet (7-8 p.m.). Show begins at 8 p.m.
Co-Ed Prison Sluts
- The Annoyance Theatre - 4830 N. Broadway - Uptown
The Annoyance Theatre remounts its long-running inaugural production, a campy musical comedy about the adventures of male and female inmates serving time for sex offenses.
Improvised Shakespeare
- iO - 3541 N. Clark St. - Wrigleyville
An evening of off-the-cuff comedy features the bard's themes and Old English language. Expect power struggles, star-crossed lovers, sprites, kings, queens, princesses, sword-play, rhyming couplets, asides, insults and disguised identities.
Entertaining Julia
- Town Hall Pub - 3340 N. Halsted Ave. - Boystown
Local comics host a music and comedy variety show aimed at amusing Julia, the Town Hall Pub bartender.
ComedySportz
- ComedySportz Theatre - 929 W. Belmont Ave. - Lakeview
Two teams of professional comedians compete in this improv show. Includes live musical accompaniment.
Bye Bye Liver: The Chicago Drinking Play
- Chicago Center for the Performing Arts - 777 N. Green St. - River West
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
- Stage Left Theatre - 3408 N. Sheffield Ave. - Wrigleyville
Eight improv artists compete for audience votes and suffer arbitrary eliminations during a fast-paced show.
Whirled News Tonight
- iO - 3541 N. Clark St. - Wrigleyville
Audience members select news articles to inspire this satirical improv show.
Chicago Underground Comedy
- Beat Kitchen - 2100 W. Belmont Ave. - Chicago
A rotating lineup of five or more comics from Second City, I.O. and national clubs.
The Harold
- iO - 3541 N. Clark St. - Wrigleyville
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. Thursday shows also feature "BASH! A One-Man Musical."
Messing with a Friend
- The Annoyance Theatre - 4830 N. Broadway - Uptown
Local comedians fill a rotating spot opposite Susan Messing in this two-person improv show.
Edge Comedy's Big Fancy Open Mic
- Chicago Center for the Performing Arts - 777 N. Green St. - River West
Dave Odd hosts performances by local comics. Want to get onstage yourself? Sign up before 8 p.m.
Fourth Fridays Comedy Night
- Town Hall Pub - 3340 N. Halsted Ave. - Boystown
Chicago comedian Seth Williams hosts a rotating line-up of local and national performers.
Chemically Imbalanced Comedy
- Chemically Imbalanced Theater - 1420 W. Irving Park Rd. - Chicago
In Chemically Imbalanced Comedy's eighth show, stand-up comics host a rotating line-up of local and national improv and sketch groups. BYOB.
Chicagoland and Fishnuts
- The Annoyance Theatre - 4830 N. Broadway - Uptown
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.
Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind
- The Neo-Futurarium - 5153 N. Ashland Ave. - Ravenswood
The longest-running show in Chicago, it's a one-hour blitz of 30 extremely brief plays.



