Stand Up

CHICAGO – Stand-up comic Liz Miele is a true comedy veteran, even in her current youth. She began her career at age 16 and has kept up with the evolution of both comedy and reaching an audience, as her previous YouTube specials have millions of views. Her new special, “The Ghost of Academic Future,” will be available on YouTube September 6th, 2022.

CHICAGO – As performance ramps up again in 2022, one of the great comic voices on the stand-up comedy scene is Katie Hannigan. The veteran jokester has recently released a comedy album, the perfect-for-the-times title of “Feeling of Emptiness.” Ms. Hannigan riffs on herself essentially, with sharp observations on being a woman in these particular times.

CHICAGO – She is one of the best and most established improv artists in Chicago, the City of Yes-And. Susan Messing makes history wherever she goes, including her residency at the Annoyance Theatre with her famous “Messing with a Friend” revue, an ongoing and completely improvised hour of hilarity. Messing will be a part of the inaugural World Comedy Expo (natch), performing two shows (click link for tickets and info), MESSING WITH MASON, THE 1-Zs and plus facilitating a workshop, IMPROV FOR STAND UP.

CHICAGO – It’s time to laugh, and just in time the World Comedy Expo is coming to Chicago this weekend – March 25th-27th, 2022 – and is offering an international showcase of stand-up comics, improvisation, sketch, panels and workshops all on the topic of generating laughs. Kelly Sheenan of Chicago is a co-founder.

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on The Eddie Volkman Show on WSSR-FM (Star 96.7 Joliet, Illinois) on February 25th, 2022, reviewing the TV series “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” with Season Four currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

CHICAGO – It is Chicago where New York City native Harry Wood is debuting his first play, entitled “Roast,” through The Comrades theater company at the Greenhouse Theater Center. The comic drama, about a gathering of stand up comics and relatives to “roast” – rather than eulogize – a deceased fellow comedian, is a World Premiere that runs through August 18th, 2019. For tickets and more information, click here.

CHICAGO – Sarah Silverman is a one-of-a-kind anarchistic comedian, but she is also making her mark as an actor. She was featured in her new indie film, “I Smile Back,” at the 51st Chicago International Film Festival, where she received the “Breakthrough Performer Award” and walked the Red Carpet on Friday, October 16th.

CHICAGO – One of the more emotionally stunning screenings at the Chicago Critics Film Festival (CCFF) was a film about a comedian. Barry Crimmins is a beloved comic, with a stable of famous friends. But he also had a secret in his past, and it’s all explored in “Call Me Lucky,” directed by fellow comic traveler Bobcat Goldthwait.

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CHICAGO – The British wit John Oliver has stormed the shores of the former colonies with his dry antics, as featured correspondent on “The Daily Show” and his recurring role on “Community.” His stand-up was featured at the TBS “Just for Laughs Chicago” comedy festival, playing before a packed house at The Vic Theater.