The schools are open, the nights are longer, and the corn has finally stopped sweating. What could it all mean? Simple, that fall is right around the corner. And with the arrival of autumn comes the increase in the amount of time Chicagoans will be spending indoors. What better way to do so than by laughing? As we bask in the final few weeks of summer, here are some stand-up comedy options for fall.
ILIZA! Live: Iliza Shlesinger’s million-plus Instagram followers will be the first to tell you that this comic’s star is doing nothing but rising and rising. With six Netflix specials, a self-titled sketch show and the podcast “Ask Iliza Anything,” Shlesinger is bringing her “ILIZA! Live” tour to the Chicago Theatre. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; msg.com
Funny is Female: Oak Park’s newest comedy venue will be celebrating the bold voices of the women of the comedy scene — both in Chicago and across the country — as the Comedy Plex presents the first edition of its Funny is Female Comedy Festival this October. Oct. 24-26 at Comedy Plex, 1128 Lake St. Lower Level, Oak Park; comedyplex.com/fif-festival
The Lesbian Lodge: The Lesbian Lodge grew from a great American artistic tradition: spite. In 2023, after a disgruntled patron complained about the amount of queer women on stage at the Lincoln Lodge (too many, in his opinion), a group of comics banded together to show just how many queer women the theatre really could promote — and The Lesbian Lodge was born. The show celebrates the queer women of the Chicago comedy scene, featuring new acts every month. Doors open at 5 p.m., allowing plenty of time for, in their words, “yearning gazes” and cocktails before the comics take the stage. Next at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave.; eventbrite.com
Ron Funches: Audiences can see how a filmed comedy special comes to life by joining Ron Funches at the Den Theatre. Funches, known for his appearances on “Conan,” “The Tonight Show” and “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” as well as his starring role in Apple TV+’s “Loot,” will be taping his latest special in front of a live Chicago audience. Chicago holds a special place for Funches, he spent much of his elementary school years in Woodlawn. This latest project follows his 2019 special “Giggle Fit.” 7:15 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; thedentheatre.com
Roast Battle Chicago: Based on the Comedy Central hit “Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle,” this show features Chicago comics engaging in a war of insults where the sharpest barbs win the top prize. A combination of stand-up and verbal boxing, overseen by an ever-changing panel of judges, “Roast Battle Chicago” goes up the last Sunday of every month at Zanies Rosemont. Next at 8:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Zanies Rosemont, 5437 Park Place, Rosemont; rosemont.zanies.com
Alex Borstein is Thirsty: Known to audiences for her time as no-nonsense talent manager Susie on “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and as Rhode Island resident Lois Griffin on “Family Guy,” Alex Borstein brings her latest live show to Chicago. Borstein, who was raised in Highland Park, will be playing the Den, where she’ll be dissecting what it’s like, in her words, to be “sandwiched between two soul-sucking kids and two eccentric, aging parents.” 7:15 p.m. Oct. 14 at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; thedentheatre.com
My Best Friend is Black: This monthly variety show features stand-up, improv and music that provides a platform for Black comics from across the city. Featuring a rotating cast of comics as well as stand-up and musical guests, the show runs every fourth Thursday of the month at the Lincoln Lodge. Next at 8 p.m. Sept. 25 at Lincoln Lodge, 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave.; eventbrite.com
Janeane Garofalo: Since bursting onto the scene in the early 1990s, Garofalo has been a consistent and fiercely funny force in the comedy scene. She’s appeared in films like cult-classics “Wet Hot American Summer” and “Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.” A member of the ensemble of the Emmy Award-winning “Ben Stiller Show,” she was later nominated for her own Emmy during her time on “The Larry Sanders Show.” Garofalo also appeared on “Saturday Night Live,” “Mad About You” and “The West Wing.” She’ll now bring her acerbic wit and unflinching honesty to the Den Theatre for a three-night run. 7:15 p.m. Oct. 15-17 at the the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave.; thedentheatre.com
Fortune Feimster – Takin’ Care of Biscuits: Host of SiriusXM’s “What a Joke with Papa and Fortune,” Feimster’s latest tour follows the release of her 2024 Netflix special “Crushing It.” Her previous specials, “Good Fortune” and “Sweet and Salty,” were both nominated for Critics Choice Awards. Now, Feimster will bring her unique brand of storytelling comedy and Southern charm to Chicago. 8 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.; msg.com
Nasser Al-Rayess: The “Shawarma King” of comedy will be visiting Chicago this fall, where he’ll bring his sharp wit and dynamic exploration of his identity as an Arab American to Zanies Chicago. His shows blend comedy, Arabic music and a friendly atmosphere to expose Arab culture to a wider audience. 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at Zanies,1548 N. Wells St.; chicago.zanies.com
Ryan P.C. Trimble is a freelance writer.
FALL ARTS 2025
Look for all of our guides, Top 10 lists and critics’ picks for what’s coming:
- MOVIES and TV AND STREAMING
- THEATER, COMEDY and DANCE
- CLASSICAL MUSIC AND JAZZ, plus LIVE MUSIC concerts for pop, rock and hip hop
- ART OPENINGS and MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS
