Chicago comedians in the news:

Chicagoan and “mother of improv” Viola Spolin was the focus of WTTW’s Chicago Stories on Friday, October 22. WTTW kicked off the event with an open-to-the-public Zoom featuring Aretha Sills, Mark Larson, Alan Alda, Bob Balaban, producer Jude Leak, and Frances Callier and Angela V. Shelton (a/k/a Frangela). Alan Alda remarked that Viola Spolin’s methodology is the most valuable thing that happened to him in his professional life. Bob Balaban, who studied with Viola Spolin as a junior in high school, said the experience was the most fun thing he ever did and one of the most helpful things that ever happened to him. You can see the conversation here and Inventing Improv: A Chicago Stories Special and more bonus material here.

Mel Brooks’ History of the World Part 2 is finally happening! The long-awaited follow-up will air on Hulu as an eight-episode series. Also on the writing/producing team: Chicagoan Ike Barinholtz along with Wanda Sykes and Nick Kroll.

Ticket Alerts:

November 1: Welcome back event at Second City for the improv community.

November 13: Tom Dreesen’s Still Standing: The Man Who Made Sinatra Laugh at CD&ME Special Events in Frankfort, IL

March 15, 2022: Tig Notaro at The Chicago Theatre

Following is a very small sample of all the original comedy happening only in Chicago this week. Details still change in this plandemic, so please confirm everything before leaving the house. You can also find my miles-long, constantly updating list of ticket alerts from now to 2022 here.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 25

CAMP: A Comedy Show at Lincoln Lodge and ONLINE, 8:00 p.m. Tessa Orzech (CAMP Co-Founder) hosts: Victoria Vincent, Chelsea Hood, Terence Hartnett, Mo Good, Beckett Kenny, Cameron Gillette.

The Vibes at Second City’s e.t.c. Theater, 8:00 p.m. A variety show of diverse voices with 10% of proceeds going to a community organization. A new monthly event.

The Chicago Moth Storyslam at Lincoln Hall, 7:00p.m.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26

Comedy In Pink at Zanies Rosemont, 7:00 p.m. A FUNdraising event and night of comedy presented by B Posi+ive Productions. Proceeds donated to the Equal Hope Organization whose mission is “to save women’s lives by eliminating health disparities in Illinois through the lens of breast cancer” and other cancers that primarily impact women.

Eight @ Eight at The Comedy Shrine, Aurora, 8:00 p.m. The Spooktober Special edition.

The Bob Curry Fellowship 2021 Showcase at Second City, 8:00 p.m. “The prestigious Bob Curry Fellowship is an opportunity to cultivate the best and brightest new voices in comedy.”

Chicago Underground Comedy at Beat Kitchen, 9:00 p.m. The Oops All Scary Halloween Show with Derry Queen, Matt Loxley, Eunji Kim,
Alex Collyard, Seynique Smythe, Sean Flannery, Maureen San Diego
and Zach Peterson.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27

Comedians You Should Know at Timothy O’Toole’s, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Laugh with the Ladies at Zanies Rosemont, 8:00 p.m. All-women showcase. Follow link for all details.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28

Alex Edelman at The Den Theatre, 7:00 p.m. Alex Edelman is an internationally award-winning comedian and writer. U.K. magazine Chortle wrote about his comedy, “Every story is a precision-engineered Rolls-Royce of a routine, perfectly timed and constructed.” Alex Edelman’s site is here. At the Den Theatre through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.

The Monster Smash Comedy Show at Riddles, 7:00 p.m. Featuring the comedians of Alex Ortiz’s Monster Smash music video. Comedy and costume party. A presentation of Latin Laffs and Urban Grind TV.

Ron Placone & Graham Elwood at North Bar, 8:00 p.m. “Comedy, Fun, Activism, Sing-alongs.”

Comedy Tub: Chuckle Bubbles at The Kedzie Inn, 8:00 p.m. Laura Hugg hosts Justin Golak, Luis Arevalo, Sophia Smarandescu, and special guest, MC Leitsy.

Campfire at The Annoyance Theatre, 9:30 p.m. “A night of terrifying true stories and improv.”

That Time of the Month at The Comedy Shrine, Aurora, 8:00 p.m. “A variety show for the gals.”

Howling Halloween Hoedown at The Comedy Shrine, Aurora, 9:30 p.m. Dance party hosted by hosted by Comedy Shrine Player Emily Ramirez.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 29

Alex Edelman at The Den Theatre, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all showtimes.

Holy Ghost Bingo at Greenhouse Theater Center, 8:00p.m. “God, Goblins & Games.” A very energizing, happy night of fun and laughter for everyone. Through October 31. Follow link for all show times.

Punchlines Comedy Benefit Tour with Zainab Johnson, Yasmin Elhady, Ahamed Weinberg, Mo Kheir at The Apollo Theater, 8:00 p.m. “The latest comedy installment of the Penny Appeal USA and illMuslims illarious series. The nine-city nationwide comeback tour headlines six of the funniest comics across North America: Zainab Johnson, Yasmin Elhady, Paul Elia, Ahamed Weinberg, Moses The Comic, and Mo Kheir. These comics represent diversity in the expression of faith, ethnicity, professional background, and identity.”

Jim Breuer at The Improv, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Through Saturday. Follow link for all show times.

Sashay! Queer Comedy! at Laugh Factory, 11:30 p.m. Featuring Beckett Kenny and more TBA. Games, prizes, fun, drag, and standup.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

Joey Villagomez at Zanies Chicago, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Joey Villagomez has appeared on HBO, Comedy Central and Windy City Live, among many others.

Alex Edelman at The Den Theatre, 8:00 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. Alex Edelman is an internationally award-winning comedian and writer. U.K. magazine Chortle wrote about his comedy, “Every story is a precision-engineered Rolls-Royce of a routine, perfectly timed and constructed.” Alex Edelman’s site is here.

Steven Castillo at Lincoln Lodge, 8:00p.m. “The SNL writer behind such hits as “Stu,” “Robe,” “Muppet Show,” and ,”Weezer” and more…. Come watch him do an hour of his musical stand up, share stories about SNL, and tell why Elon Musk made him cry.”

Splatter Theater at The Annoyance, 8:00 p.m. Whoa. Follow link for tickets and warnings.

Pumpkin Spiced Comedy at Laugh Out Loud Theater, Schaumburg, 8:00 p.m.

Chicago’s Best Standup at Laugh Factory, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Featuring Ali Drapos, Abi Sanchez, Pat Tomasulo, Kellye Howard and more TBA.

The Witching Hour at Lincoln Lodge, 11:00 p.m. “A Halloween pop up show featuring the most hilarious women, non-binary, and lgbt+ comics in the city of Chicago! Wear your costume because we’ll be awarding prizes for the best dressed, top prize $50!”

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31

Spookfest 2021 at The Annoyance, 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. “Four spooky shows! One crazy night! One low price!”

Chicago’s Halloween Standup Comedy Extravaganza at Laugh Factory, 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.