Just for laughs
Comedy acts coming to Joliet, Chicago area
By Scott Deininger
SPECIAL TO THE HERALD NEWS
If you're ready to get your laugh on, great comedy is coming to the Joliet area, as well as to Chicagoland.
[ more ]
Here are some of the can't-miss acts playing locally.
Scott Derenger entertains the crowd with his comedy at the Road House on 6.
JOHN PATSCH / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERRialto Square Theatre
Friday, Nov. 14 — Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, from the hit TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" perform non-stop, audience-interactive improv comedy. 8 p.m. Tickets from $21.50 to $41.50.
Saturday, Dec. 13 -- "You might be a redneck if" you want to see stand-up comedian and Grammy Award nominee Jeff Foxworthy. 6 and 9 p.m. Tickets from $33 to $53.
Friday, March 19 — Paul Rodriguez, a veteran of stand-up comedy and actor in nearly 30 movies, shows pride in his Latino heritage during his live performance. Rodriguez will also be a part of "The Original Latin Kings of Comedy" concert soon to be released by Paramount Pictures. 8 p.m. Tickets from $28 to $43.
Friday, April 16 -- From the TV show "The Hughleys" and "The Original Kings of Comedy" comes D.L. Hughley. 8 p.m. Tickets from $28 to $53.
"We want to provide comedy for all demographics, younger to older, African-Americans to Hispanics," said Nancy Bertnik, Rialto's director of programming. "And with downtown Joliet being more and more developed, many people are finding out about Rialto's shows for the first time. The feedback on our comedy acts has been great."
For more information on Rialto's shows, call (815) 726-7171 or visit www.rialtosquare.com.
College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn
Friday, Jan. 16 -- Laughter Arts Festival featuring comedians Harry Anderson from "Night Court" and Bobcat Goldthwait from "Police Academy" and hosted by Jim Gaffigan, who has appeared nine times on "The Late Show With David Letterman." 7 and 9:30 p.m. Tickets $32/$31.
Sunday, March 7 — "A Couple of Blaguards." The brotherly comedy duo of Frank (author of "Angela's Ashes") and Malachy (frequent "Tonight Show" guest) McCourt perform a vaudevillian act about being raised in Ireland then escaping to the United States. 7 p.m. Tickets $28/$27.
The shows will take place in the 800-seat Mainstage Theater, one of three theaters located inside the McAninch Arts Center.
"We cater to our college-age students somewhat, but most of our acts are community-focused. After all, the average age of our students is 33," said Janie Oldfield, director of performing arts at COD. "Comedy is generally an easy and low-cost production. We like to have different acts come through and book comedy about every three months."
For more information on shows at COD, call (630) 942-4000 or visit www.cod.edu/artscntr.
Governors State University, University Park
Saturday, Nov. 15 — From the TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood perform non-stop, audience-interactive improv comedy. 8 p.m. Tickets $35 to $44.
Friday, Jan. 17 — "This Funny American Life" starring Chicago comedians and radio personalities Steve Cochran (WGN) and Spike Manton (WCKG) along with clever stand-up comic Tim Clue. "This Funny American Life" is an evening of contemporary comedy looking at life, love and raising kids. 8 p.m. Tickets $20 to $29.
Saturday, Feb. 28 -- Vicki Lawrence from "The Carol Burnett Show" and "Mama's Family" performs her "Two Woman," one-person show. 8 p.m. Tickets $52 to $43.
May 8-10 -- The comedy-musical "Forever Plaid." A story of four teen-age boys who dreamt of singing like "The Four Aces" only to die in a car-bus accident with Catholic school teens en route to see the Beatles. The boys' lives ended there, but "Forever Plaid" was just beginning. An all-ages show. 8 p.m. on the 8th; 3 and 8 p.m. on the 9th; 1 p.m. on the 10th. Tickets: adults $29 to $37 and kids $24 to $32.
"There's a steady diet of comedy coming here the next few months," said Bert Dikelski, the executive director at Governors State's Center for Performing Arts, a 1,200-seat theater.
"From September through May, we have at least one comedy show a month. And we're nearly sold-out for the 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' show with people of all ages coming from all over Chicagoland."
Road House on 6, Channahon
Every third Thursday. Next show — Nov. 20. Check local listings for exact show times and dates. They just had their first comedy night Oct. 16 with a crowd of nearly 100 packing the Chicago-feel bar. National touring comedians performing live, stand-up comedy. For more information, call (815) 521-9840.
Chicagoland comedy clubs
Barrel of Laughs — Senese's Winery 10345 S. Central, Oak Lawn: Shows Friday at 8 and 10 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 and 10 p.m., Sunday at 7 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. Wednesdays, stand-up open mike. (708) 499-2969. www.seneseswinery.com.
Comedy Comedy — Wyndham Lisle, 3000 Warrenville Road, Lisle. (630) 226-9700. www.comedycomedylive.com.
Riddles — 15750 S. Harlem, Orland Park: Show times Friday and Saturday night 8 and 10 p.m., Sundays at 8, 10 and midnight, "Harlem Night." Thursdays at 8 p.m., stand-up open mike. (708) 444-0234. www.riddlescomedyclub.com.
Zanies — 1548 N. Wells, Chicago. Shows Friday at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.; Saturday at 7, 9 and 11:15 p.m.; Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday at 8:30 p.m. (312) 337-4027. www.zanies.com.
Upcoming shows Oct. 29 and 30. Elayne Boosler. (Scott Derenger will be hosting all week.)
Nov. 5 and 6. Larry the Cable Guy.
Nov. 12 and 13. From "Saturday Night Live," Tracy Morgan.
Nov. 21-23. Chicago's own John Caponera.
Dec. 16-21. "Uncle Lar" Larry Reeb.
Dec. 26 and 27. Jim Gaffigan.
Zanies Pheasant Run Resort -- 4051 E. Main, and St. Charles. Shows Friday at 8 and 9:45 p.m., Saturday at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. (630) 513-1761. www.zanies.com.
Hawthorn Village Commons -- Vernon Hills. Shows Friday at 8 and 9:45 p.m. and Saturday at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. (847) 549-6030. www.zanies.com.
Upcoming shows Friday and Saturday. From Comedy Central's new "The Man Show," Doug Stanhope.
Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Elayne Boosler.
Nov. 7 and 8. Larry the Cable Guy.
Nov. 14 and 15. Tracy Morgan from "Saturday Night Live."
Nov. 21-22. From "The Howard Stern Show," Stuttering John and Friends.
An in-depth listing of every comedy show, from open-mics to theater acts, in the Chicago area can be found at www.chicagoreader.com.
10/23/03
