"I love places where it sucks in the winter," comedian Joe Rogan boomed excitedly by way of introduction as he took the stage Friday night at the Civic Opera House in a white shirt and jeans…
Most concertgoers are familiar with musical headliners being preceded by opening acts " bands that get the crowd warmed up with a set before the main performers go on. Perhaps less well know…
For a man who made a point of highlighting his aging and detailing how his body isn't faring particularly well in the transition, comedian Martin Lawrence " who rose to stardom in the early …
How do you kick off your summer when your day (or "Night") job is on a break until the fall? If you're Colin Jost " co-anchor for "Weekend Update" on "Saturday Night Live" " you stop by Chic…
With the stand-up specials he's already put out, the late-night shows he's written for and the Emmy-winning TV show "Louie" that he writes, directs, edits, executive produces and stars in, i…
Call me a pessimist, but based on the trailer (and Adam Sandler's track record), the new Netflix-produced film "The Do-Over" (starring Sandler and David Spade) looks likely to be bad. I mean…
Several years ago I saw Jeff Garlin perform a stand-up set (at Steppenwolf, of all places). While meandering serenely across the stage Garlin pointedly remarked, "I'm the world's most comfor…
Searching for Iliza Shlesinger in Netflix right now will result in three titles. Two of them (2013's "War Paint" and 2015's "Freezing Hot") are available to stream at the moment, though I wo…
"I've kept ya'll long enough," Wanda Sykes languidly remarked in her uniquely identifiable speech pattern towards the end of her 90-minute set at the Chicago Theatre Saturday night. "Let me …
"I've kept ya'll long enough," Wanda Sykes languidly remarked in her uniquely identifiable speech pattern towards the end of her 90-minute set at the Chicago Theatre Saturday night. "Let me …
Is there a young comedian out there (aside from Aziz Ansari, maybe) who has less to prove at the moment than Trevor Noah? Well, on stage at least. After taking over Comedy Central's venera…
Is there a young comedian out there (aside from Aziz Ansari, maybe) who has less to prove at the moment than Trevor Noah? Well, on stage at least. After taking over Comedy Central's venerate…
This I promise: Until Friday, when they will have left town, you will not find two comedians having a better time on a Chicago stage than Gil Faizon and George St. Geegland: two frumpy, dump…
"I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be to see this year out," John Oliver started earnestly, before he gave the audience his mischievously amicable grin. "Not physically, obviously." No, …
"I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be to see this year out," John Oliver started earnestly, before he gave the audience his mischievously amicable grin. "Not physically, obviously." No, t…
Starting with Sketchfest 2016 and looking ahead to May, here are our comedy recommendations for the new year. Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival: Holding tight to its title of world's largest s…
Starting with Sketchfest 2016 and looking ahead to May, here are our comedy recommendations for the new year. Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival: Holding tight to its title of world's largest sk…
RECOMMENDED By the time the titular déjà vu kicks in during the second act of this fast-paced revue (Second City's 104th on the mainstage), the audience is already so heavily invested in…
Pulling sketch material from various past revues, this mash-up succeeds in bringing, as the introductory voiceover promises "speed, volume and hilarity" to weekend matinees and Tuesday night…
RECOMMENDED Several years ago I saw a play written by Brett Neveu called "The Earl." In it a group of siblings beat each other up in a warehouse while citing a set of intricate rules for the…
In the crowded and competitive world of Chicago comedy, improvisational teams constantly come and go. Groups can be hot one week, performing a recurring show in a well-known comedy venue, an…
In the crowded and competitive world of Chicago comedy, improvisational teams constantly come and go. Groups can be hot one week, performing a recurring show in a well-known comedy venue, an…
By Danielle Levsky Maren Rosenberg has a puzzle for you. But she's also got one of her own. Rosenberg, Master of Mayhem/Principal Producer, has been working with a team of creative professio…
RECOMMENDED When I first read the description of Meridith Friedman's "The Firestorm," I thought I could categorize this play with all the others. I had been down this road countless times wi…
Within a minute of taking the stage at the Chicago Theatre Thursday night in jeans and a buttoned-up dress shirt, comedian Bill Burr is working the perplexed and frustrated angle he's cultiv…