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.
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Thursday, June 9
All Caps
1501 N. Kingsbury St. 312-929-2401
Internet trolls rejoice! This new show lets an audience member step out from behind the anonymity of a computer screen and rant IRL on a topic of his or her choice only to have those frustrations morphed into a long-form improv set produced by T.J. Jagodowski, of iO and Sonic commercials fame, and Peter Gwinn, a former staff writer for “The Colbert Report.” 10 p.m. $5. Tickets: ioimprov.com
Friday, June 10
Tapped
1229 W. Belmont Ave. 773-975-8150
Whistleblowing, NSA spying and governmental privacy concerns get the musical comedy treatment as this production—winner of 2015’s Premier Premieres Festival at MCL Chicago—kicks off a monthlong run. 7:30 p.m. $20-$35. Tickets: theaterwit.org
Saturday, June 11
Late Late Breakfast Pilot Shoot
1354 W. Wabansia Ave.
Hosts and co-creators Tyler Jackson and Danny Maupin’s mixed-format show invites a variety of comedians to be funny while taking part in random themed challenges (a puppet show? Beauty pageant?). This month’s show, featuring national comedians Giulia Rozzi, Ryan Singer, Ben Kronberg, Will Miles and Megan Gailey, will also be taped for a TV pilot. 1:30 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m. $25. Space is limited. Tickets: latelatebreakfast.com
Sunday, June 12
Kevin Williams’ Primed for Late Night
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500 N. LaSalle St. 312-836-0499
Up-and-coming comics get prepped for their eventual late-night talk show appearances in this monthly River North showcase hosted by Kevin D. Williams. 7:30-9 p.m. $20-$30. Tickets: comedybarchicago.com
Monday, June 13
A Storm of Limbs
1501 N. Kingsbury St. 312-929-2401
Brothers and longtime improvisers Mark and Scott Piebenga deliver their first collaboratively written show. 8 p.m. $12. Tickets: ioimprov.com
Gwendolyn Purdom is a RedEye contributor.