Step away from the Netflix marathon and find your way into one of these local theaters for a belly laugh this week. Your guide to Chicago’s affordable and under-the-radar comedy scene awaits.
Friday, April 29
Nate Varrone’s Pontiac Dreams
851 W. Belmont Ave. 773-697-9693
Annoyance regular and Second City National Touring Company understudy Nate Varrone offers up an hour of sketch comedy, music, animation, weekly guests and more in this one-man show directed by Danny Catlow. 8:30 p.m. $10. Tickets: theannoyance.com
Bye Bye Liver
3914 N. Clark St. 773-230-4770
Drink in this booze-themed weekly showcase of sketches spiked with interactive drinking games. 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. $18-$22. Tickets: pubhousetheatre.com
Saturday, April 30
“All Jokes Aside” discussion
1301 E. 57th St. 773-684-1300
Investment banker Raymond Lambert opened legendary Chicago comedy club All Jokes Aside in 1992 and helped launch some of the biggest black comedians to stardom, including Chris Rock, Mo’Nique and Jamie Foxx. At this book talk, Lambert, who’s now an adjunct professor at Columbia College, discusses his memoir about the experience with comedian and podcast host Tim Barnes. 5 p.m. Free. RSVP at semcoop.com
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Sunday, May 1
Character Assassination: The Roast of Hamilton
3175 N. Broadway 773-327-3175
Founding father Alexander Hamilton might be having the best year ever: The Broadway show based on his life just nabbed a Pulitzer AND he didn’t get bumped off the $10 bill as planned. So now a costumed cast of Chicago comedians featuring Andy Fleming, Rebecca O’Neal, Goodrich Gevaart and more aims to take the guy down a notch with a roast. 9 p.m. $17-$30. Tickets: laughfactory.com
Monday, May 2
CIF Presents The League of Improv Heroes, Droppin’ $cience, and an iO Harold team
1501 N. Kingsbury St. 312-929-2401
Three seasoned improv teams bring the on-the-spot laughs as part of Chicago Improv Festival 2016. 8:30 p.m. $10-$15. For more information: chicagoimprovfestival.org
Tuesday, May 3
Been There, Still There
1608 N. Wells St. 312-337-3992
Second City alumni Bruce Jarchow and Nancy McCabe Kelly kick off Chicago Improv Festival 2016 with this headlining show about a Baby Boomer couple road-tripping to Wisconsin for a destination wedding and reminiscing along the way. 8 p.m. $25. Tickets: secondcity.com
Gwendolyn Purdom is a RedEye contributor.
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