It’s easy to lose your sense of humor when the thermometer plunges below freezing for days on end and the workday grind till spring seems endless. But if you think there’s nothing funny about winter in Chicago, try warming up to these homegrown comedy nights.
Donny’s Skybox Theatre at The Second City
You’ve impressed your family, your snooty sorority sister and your out-of-town boss with visits to The Second City’s mainstage, but where do you think those actors got started? Donny’s Skybox hosts 10 different sketch and improv shows weekly, all featuring current and former students from The Second City Training Center. Powerhouse troupes such as Fowler Family Radio Hour and Pimprov have returned for short runs, and this month’s roster includes the all-Asian sketch ensemble Stir-Friday Night (7:30 p.m. Saturday).
When: Thursdays-Sundays, times vary
Where: 1608 N. Wells St. (Piper’s Alley)
Tickets: $8-$12; 312-337-3992
“Rising Star Showcase” at Zanies Comedy Night Club
This lineup of 10 to 15 emerging local stand-up artists often includes 2007 “Funniest Person in Chicago” winner Hannibal Buress and frequent Zanies headliner John Roy. The rotation also features top names from other city showcases, comedians who’ve emceed Zanies’ national acts and occasional star students from Zanies classes. The depth of talent attracts an audience of young Chicagoans who are serious (so to speak) about comedy, along with a sprinkling of out-of-town business people.
When: 8:30 p.m. Feb. 11 and 18
Where: 1548 N. Wells St.
Tickets: $10 plus a two-item food/beverage minimum; 312-337-4027 or chicago.zanies.com
“Comedy Over Coffee”
at Kate the Great’s Book Emporium
An all-female stand-up lineup packs this Andersonville bookstore; the crowd includes performers’ friends and family, bookstore regulars and neighborhood residents. You get free coffee and special deals on new and used books — but just because the monthly showcase takes place in a bookstore doesn’t mean it’s stuffy. The walls are lined with bookshelves, yes, but there’s also erotic and tattoo-themed art.
When: 7 p.m. every first Saturday of the month
Where: 5550 N. Broadway
Tickets: $10 suggested donation,
773-561-1932
“New Faces Comedy Showcases” at Chicago Center for the Performing Arts
Edge Comedy founder Dave Odd hosts several stand-up events around town, but when he’s not on stage, he cruises open mics in search of emerging and new-to-Chicago talent for this showcase. The weekly event is essentially an audition for six to eight comics hoping to earn a spot at his other gigs; it attracts an audience of 30 to 60 weekly.
When: 8:30 p.m. Thursdays
Where: 777 N. Green St.
Tickets: $8-$10; 312-733-6000 or theaterland.com
“So You Think You’re Funny” at ETA Creative Arts Foundation
At this South Shore institution, you can catch sets by Windy City funnymen fresh from HBO’s “Def Comedy Jam,” including Da Wildcat, Lil Rel, Damn Fool, Marlon Mitchell and Meechie Hall. Stick around afterward for an open mic session that attracts aspiring older female performers and cutting-edge young bucks. Because the audience demographic is wide-ranging, some open mic performers here get nervous about using profanity. One clever dude brings down the house by creating his own language — he tells a long series of jokes and inserts code words for curses.
When: 7 p.m. every third Wednesday of the month
Where: 7558 S. South Chicago Ave.
Tickets: $10; 773-752-3955 or eta creativearts.org
“Cheap Beer Improv” at The Annoyance Theatre
You’d expect the group that created “Love is Dead: A Necromantic Musical Comedy” and “Body Slam: The Rise and Fall of CAWC” to produce an innovative student show, but they had to rename it to get anyone to notice. “We used to call it ‘Corrupt Ferret,’?” says managing director Mike Canale. “But when we changed the name, we started getting more of an off-the-street audience instead of just friends of the performers.” And just how cheap is this beer? PBRs are $2; well drinks go for $3.
When: 8 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Feb. 6
Where: 4830 N. Broadway
Tickets: $2 at the door; 773-561-4665
