Everyone needs to laugh, now more than ever. The world is a tire fire but at least comedians are mining jokes from it all.
Chicago has been a mecca for comedy for decades — thank you, iO and Second City — and the suburbs are cultivating a thrilling comedy scene. From the northern Chicago Suburbs to northwest Indiana, there are several options to see live comedy throughout the week. Here are a few places to get a laugh.
Alsip
Riddles Comedy Club: 5055 W. 111th St. 708-422-5055; riddlescomedy.com.
Open mic nights are Mondays; other shows are held throughout the week. Check the schedule for upcoming events.
Aurora
The Bit Theater: Fox Valley Mall, 4034 Fox Valley Center Drive. 331-900-4248; bitimprov.com.
This club is a live performance and teaching theater specializing in long-form improv. On Feb. 2, there will be at show called Groundhog Day Replay, where one improviser, with the help of the audience, relives the same scene over and over again until it’s perfect. There are shows featuring improv groups, amateur nights and a monthly kids comedy show the second Sunday of the month.
Two Brothers Roundhouse: 205 N. Broadway. 630-264-2739; facebook.com/snfcomedy.
At 8 p.m. most Thursdays, the Still Not Friday free standup comedy showcase features up-and-coming comedians.
Batavia
The Comedy Vault: 18 E. Wilson St. 630-454-4174; comedyvaultbatavia.com.
Open mic nights are on Wednesdays at this thriving comedy club, which features a full slate of performers. The Writing Lab is a new interactive event occurring at 8 p.m. the first Monday of the month, in which performers will get feedback from other comics and audience members after their set.
The club also books national acts — actor and comedian Kevin Nealon (“Saturday Night Live,” “Happy Gilmore”) performs four sold-out shows Feb. 9-10. Actor, writer and comedian David Koechner (“The Office,” “The Goldbergs,” “Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues”) performs five shows March 14-16, including “The Office Trivia with Todd Packer” March 14.
Bolingbrook
CG’s Comedy Club: The Promenade, 619 E. Boughton Road, Suite 125. 630-410-8906; cgscomedyclub.com.
This club has performers on Fridays and Saturdays; check the calendar for open mic nights and special events.
Crystal Lake
Raue Center for the Arts: 26 N. Williams St. 815-356-9212; rauecenter.org.
Lucy’s Comedy is a monthly night of standup comedy curated by comic and radio personality, John DaCosse. The next event is Feb. 16 with Ralphie Roberts and St. James Jackson.
Additionally, GreenRoom Improv has a monthly residency consisting of clean, family-friendly improv comedy shows. The next date is Feb. 17.
Elgin
Hemmens Cultural Center: 45 Symphony Way. 847-931-5900; Cityofelgin.org/1570/Hemmens-Cultural-Center.
Speaking of GreenRoom Improv, the troupe takes over the Hemmens the first Friday of the month; the next date is Feb. 2.
Frankfort
CD and Me: 23320 S. La Grange Road. 815-469-7315; cdandme.co/events.
The club has frequent comedy shows, including local standup Pat McGann doing a sold-out show Feb. 3 and Tom Cotter, a comedian from “America’s Got Talent,” on Feb. 24.
Glenview
The Laughing Academy: 3230 Glenview Road. 847-724-2787; thelaughingacademy.com.
This establishment holds improv classes and workshops for kids, teens and adults as well as Academy After Hours adult shows. The next Academy After Hours standup show is Feb. 2.
Lemont
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Digs on Canal featuring Gelsosomo’s: 316 Canal St. 630-243-7210; digsoncanal.com.
Comedy Night at Digs is offered monthly; check Facebook or the website for upcoming events.
Libertyville
Improv Playhouse: 735 N. Milwaukee Ave. 847-968-4529; improvplayhouse.com.
This theater features regular improv and standup comedy shows as well as other plays and murder mystery nights. The next comedy night is with local comics on Feb. 2.
Lockport
Lock and Mule: 1025 S. State St. 815-526-0825; facebook.com/LockAndMule.
The Bad Momz of Comedy presents a Galentine’s Day show Feb. 13.
Embers: 933 S. State St. 815-552-3031; emberstaphouse.com/embers-events.
This restaurant and nightclub occasionally hosts comedy nights; the next one is a Valentine’s Comedy Night Feb. 10.
Orland Park
Orland Park Civic Center: 14750 Ravinia Ave. 708-403-6100; orlandpark.org/departments/recreation-parks/theatre.
No Limit Laughs Orland Park Comedy Improv Players perform 18-and-over shows at 8 p.m. the third Friday of the month. A Kids Improvable shoe for kids ages 11-18 is from 6 to 7 p.m.
St. Charles
Moonlight Theatre: 7 S. 2nd Ave. 630-549-0072; moonlighttheatre.com.
In addition to bands, theatrical performances and cabaret, this former vaudeville theater frequently hosts comedians, open mic and improv nights. Upcoming acts include national comedian Jeff Allen Feb. 2, the Midnight Comedy Showcase featuring 10 up-and-coming comedians Feb. 9 and the St. Charles Women’s Club celebration with the St. Charles Comedy Posse Feb. 22.
Schaumburg
The Chicago Improv: 5 Woodfield Mall Store K120B. 847-240-2001; improv.com/chicago.
This suburban location hosts standup comedians every weekend. Sheryl Underwood of “The Talk” fame performs Feb. 2-3 while Emmy award-winner Jeremy Piven (“Entourage”) is up to the plate Feb. 9-10.
Laugh Out Loud Theatre: 601 N. Martingale Road. 847-240-0386; laughoutloudtheater.com/Schaumburg.
This establishment offers three levels of improv classes and sketch comedy writing as well as an open mic night every first and third Sunday of the month. “Cabin Fever” is an improv show running every Thursday. “Love Me Tinder” is a romance-themed improv show occurring at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Feb. 24.
Tinley Park
Tinley Park Performing Arts Center: 16801 S. 80th Ave. 708-342-4200; tinleyparkdistrict.org/location/tinley-park-performing-arts-center.
Fourth Wall Improv presents open mic nights and improv comedy; check the website for events.
Northwest Indiana
Chesterton
East Wind Acupuncture: 210 N. Calumet Road. disposabletheatreproductions.com.
Disposable Theatre Productions is a Northwest Indiana improv comedy group that performs throughout the area and calls this studio home.
Hobart
The Hobart Art Theatre: 230 Main St. 219-942-1670; brickartlive.com.
The theater frequently books standup comedians. Up next on Feb. 15 is comedian Uncle Lazer, of Austin, Texas, and “Late Night Catechism: 30th Anniversary Live” is March 2.
East Chicago
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Hidden Gem Hookah Bar: 3929 Main St. Facebook.com and search Hidden Gem Hookah Bar.
This establishment frequently holds stand-up nights.
Various locations
Tomfoolery Fun Club: This touring comedy team of Tom and Michele Byelick perform around the area. Next up is Feb. 10 at Orak Shrine, 3848 Frontage Road, Michigan City, Indiana; an Easter Bunny Bingo sketch comedy show at Calumet College of St. Joseph, 2400 New York Ave., Whiting; and a 10th anniversary special March 9 at Langel’s Pizza, 2833 Highway Ave., Highland. 219-595-9372; tomfooleryfunclub.com.
Annie Alleman is a freelance reporter for the Beacon-News.