As the weather gets colder, the comedy season shifts into full swing. There is a lot of activity planned for Chicago and the surrounding areas this season — the return of one of the most bodacious teams ever, a member of a successful comedy union works solo, and an incisive stand-up takes a break from his controversial new evening gig for a special appearance.
Showtimes, prices and acts vary, and sometimes performances are canceled at the last minute.
Call ahead for more information.
And be sure to look in the pages of the Tribune’s Friday section for comedy club and other types of comic action.
Zanies-Chicago
1548 N. Wells St.
312-337-4027
Zanies-Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles
630-513-1761
Zanies-Vernon Hills
230 Hawthorne Village Commons, Vernon Hills
847-549-6030
Bob Nelson: Clownish character act, Sept. 21 in Chicago, Sept. 22 in St. Charles, and Sept. 23 in Vernon Hills.
Jeff Dunham: Ventriloquist, Oct. 14-15, Vernon Hills.
Lewis Black: “Daily Show” commentator, Oct. 26-28, Chicago.
Tommy Davidson: Of “In Living Color,” Nov. 1-2, Chicago; Nov. 3-4, Vernon Hills.
Jake Johannsen: Quirky storyteller, Nov. 9-10, Chicago; Nov. 11, Vernon Hills.
The Amazing Jonathan: Silly comic magician, Nov. 16-18, Vernon Hills.
John Caponera: Fast-food pitchman and former Chicagoan, Nov. 22, Nov. 24-25, Chicago.
Taylor Mason: All-around performer, Nov. 22, Nov. 24-25, Vernon Hills.
Bobcat Goldthwait: Dec. 1, St. Charles; Dec. 2-3, Vernon Hills.
Chicago Theatre
175 N. State St.
312-902-1500
D.L. Hughley: Sept. 23. See “Best Bets” on page 5.
Donny’s Skybox Studio Theater
1608 N. Wells St.
312-337-3992
Rob Paravonian: The former Chicago comic musician performs his latest show “Rock Monologues,” Sept. 22 and Sept. 29.
Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre
24 W. Randolph St.
312-902-1500
Penn & Teller: Sept. 26-Oct. 1. See “Best Bets” on page 5.
Star Plaza Theatre
Interstate Highway 65 and U.S. Highway 30, Merrillville, Ind.
219-769-6600 or 312-559-1212
Sinbad: The big comic with the big grin returns with his brand of irreverent humor and all-ages appeal, Sept. 29.
Carrot Top: The redheaded comedian uses props as the punchlines of his jokes, Oct. 14.
Gallagher: The king of prop comics makes a mess of himself for his annual Halloween show, Oct. 28.
“The Blue Collar Comedy Tour”: Jeff Foxworthy and Bill Engvall headline an evening of humor for regular folk, with Ron White and Larry the Cable Guy? Nov. 18.
The Neo-Futurarium
5153 N. Ashland Ave.
773-275-5255
The Neo-Futurists: The sketch comedy troupe debuts a promising new stage show, “Jokes and Their Relation to the Unconscious,” Nov. 2-Dec. 9.
New Arie Crown Theatre
2301 S. Lake Shore Drive
312-791-6190
Dennis Miller: Nov. 3. See “Best Bets” on page 5.
The Center for Performing Arts at Governors State University
University Park
The Flying Karamazov Brothers: Oct. 14. See “Best Bets” on page 5.
Centre East
North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie
847-673-6300 or 312-902-1500
Al Franken: The Emmy- and Grammy-winning political humorist may give his assessments of the just-concluded presidential election, Nov. 17.
The Noble Fool
16 W. Randolph St.
773-202-8843
The Noble Fool Theater Company: The comic theater group opens its new space with inaugural comedy musical “The Viking Show,” Dec. 1-Jan. 8.
