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.
THURSDAY, DEC. 22
Prashanth
More Top Picks Best Neck And Shoulder Massagers
500 N. LaSalle St. 312-836-0499
A writer and performer for the upcoming Netflix series “Bill Nye Saves the World,” Chicago native Prashanth Venkataramanujam just might be living out our junior high science class dreams. He’s back in town to headline this standup set. 8 p.m. $20-$30. Tickets: comedybarchicago.com
FRIDAY, DEC. 23
Simmer Brown: Celebrate the Real Savior’s Birth
1910 W. Irving Park Road 773-998-1284
The “savior” in this celebration is stand-up comedian and comedy collective Simmer Brown’s co-founder Prateek Srivastava, who was selected for this year’s NBC Break Out Comedy Festival at Second City. Touring comedian Sam Norton headlines the returning showcase, with additional performances from improviser Sherman Edwards, hip-hop/rock musician Natalie G. Alford and more. 8 p.m. $10-$15. Tickets: simmerbrowncomedy.brownpapertickets.com
Yippee Ki-Yay Merry Christmas: A ‘Die Hard’ Christmas Musical
3110 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-610-5930
Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without Bruce Willis saving a Los Angeles office holiday party from crazed German terrorists. MCL Chicago brings back their popular action classic parody for the season, complete with musical numbers, fight scenes and explosions. 8 p.m. $22. Tickets: mclchicago.com
SUNDAY, DEC. 25
Fiddler on the Roof Sing-A-Long
3733 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-6604
To kick off the first night of Hanukkah, this audience participation-heavy screening will show the Academy Award-winning 1971 film version of the classic musical about life in a tight-knit Jewish community in Russia. 6 p.m. $12. Tickets: musicboxtheatre.com
MONDAY, DEC. 26
Afterthoughts: A Comedy Roast Show!
More Top Picks Greenworks Pro 80v
3175 N. Broadway St. 773-327-3175
Comedians present their best bits as their peers write anonymous jokes about each performance. The notecards are then read out loud to the audience and hilarity ensues in this brutal roast-style showcase featuring Kristin Fenchak, Marty DeRosa, Carly Kane and others. 8 p.m. $10. Tickets: laughfactory.com
TUESDAY, DEC. 27
Mr. Write Live with Paul Brittain
1501 N. Kingsbury St. 312-929-2401
“Comedy Bang Bang” and “Saturday Night Live” vet Paul Brittain records his podcast “Mr. Write” live at this special event with help from Richard Bunn and Tim Baltz, plus other guests. 8 p.m. $12. Tickets: ioimprov.com
Want to see your show in Set the Scene? Us too! Send details to Morgan Olsen at [email protected] for consideration.