Preview: Chicago Underground Comedy

RECOMMENDED
Chicago Underground Comedy continues its tradition of exceptionally strong booking this week, featuring local all-stars Fay Canale, Robert Buscemi, Brendan Mcgowan, Carrie Callahan, Marty DeRosa and national headliner Dwayne Kennedy. Canale and Callahan are the lineup’s femme fatales, but their styles are so different they could be called opposites. Canale is brash, crass and unflinchingly confrontational. Callahan is sweet, subtle and painfully, hilariously, self-deprecating, the perfect foil to the arrogant swagger of Canale’s delivery. Buscemi is one of Chicago’s best known alternative comedians, and his continued success guarantees his time in the city is fleeting. Mcgowan is arguably the best storyteller on the local stand-up scene, and his average-guy delivery and recountings of drunken debauchery give his delivery a “that’s my buddy” vibe. DeRosa helps run equally as-cool stand-up room “The Comedians You Should Know Show” at Fizz, and his hands-in-his-pocket delivery and his affable style of observational humor make him a consistent fan favorite. Headliner Kennedy is pretty much the funniest comic in town, and his appearances on “Conan” and the like prove it. This is a must-see show. (Max Minor)

At Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, (773)281-4444. This production is now closed.

Funny Man from Chicago: A Preview of Damon Williams at Riddles Comedy Club Damon Williams has spent the past twenty-eight years building a reputation as one of Chicago’s smoothest funnymen, able to rock the house in top venues with predominantly Black audiences while also earning spots as a frequent guest on shows ranging from radio legend Tom Joyner's to WLS-TV’s long-running, recently cancelled talk show “Windy City Live.” These days, he’s best known…
Comedy's New Force: Logan Square Improv Uses the Chicago Network to Innovate an Art Form Logan Square Improv has emerged as another key player on the local scene.
Glimmer in the Grey: A Preview of Ingri Fiksdal at the MCA Chicago A temporary reprieve from the bleakness of February.
Redrawing the Map: A Preview of "Cartography of Peace" by South Chicago Dance Theatre A new show that blends surrealist poetry, improvisatory opera techniques, new music and dance.
Chicago’s Up and Coming: A Preview of Synapse Arts’ “New Works” at the Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Synapse's program provides essential resources, professional development and mentorship to unique artists at a crucial moment along their artistic path.
You Can’t Beat the Clock: A Preview of Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble’s “Getting Old Sucks” at Ebenezer Lutheran Church A whole-hearted look at the ups and downs of growing older through a series of interwoven stories about this inevitable reality that connects us all.

Related Stories