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The Best Chicago Comedy
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They're number 1!
Someone recently pointed out to me that “Best” like “Beauty” is in the eye of the beholder. What makes something THE best? For The Comedy Examiner, its what makes something endure, innovative, successful, and/or flat out funny. While objectivity is the goal here, I make have put a few personal favorites on to these Best lists. See if you can guess which ones.
The Comedy Examiner 2008 Best of Lists PART 1.
(Part 2 Will be the Best Comedians in Chicago)
The Best Comedy Venues
It goes without saying, though I’m about to say it, that Chicago is comedy Mecca, the best comedy in the world, right here in our own city. There are so many that I had to break Best Comedy Venues down in to several categories.
The Best Sketch Venue:
(Comedy GIANT) The Second City. 1616 N. Wells St., Box Office: 312-337-3992. Their website says it all, “Since 1959, The Second City has established itself as a Chicago landmark and a national treasure. The theater that launched the careers of such comic greats as John Belushi, Mike Myers, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and more offers nightly comedy shows…” Their and mores? Tina Fey, Nichols & May, Dan Castellaneta, Steve Carell, Steven Colbert, Alan Arkin, Fred Willard, Harold Ramis, John Candy, Joan Rivers, George Wendt, Bob Odenkirk, Amy Sedaris, Adam McKay, Horatio Sanz, you know? And mores. They have satirized, parodied, and deconstructed pop culture. Nothing is sacred or taboo from religion to politics. Obama’s wife even came to see “Between Barak and a Hard Place.” Hands down the Best Sketch in the city… plus a bonus after show improv set on certain nights. The best.
First Runner Up? Schadenfreude. From their movable feastish Rent Parties to their Emmy nominated TV show, Schadenfrued has been proven to deliver sturdy sketch since 1997.
The Best Improv Venue:
iO Chicago, 3541 N. Clark St., Box Office: 773-880-0199. iO may just be the best improv venue in the world. It is the home of Longform Improvisation and on the forefront of the art form. iO and Second City's alumni lists are almost identical. There is an unofficial farm system between Second City and iO where iO seems to be the Triple A for Second City. Learning iO's signature piece The Harold seems to bring the utter best out of its performers and teams. It is a place where anything can happen on stage and often does. Best iO Teams include TJ&Dave, Carl and The Passions, 3033, The Reckoning, Cook County Social Club, and a host of others. Tim Meadows is even coming home to do a Sunday night show at iO. The Best.
First Runner Up? The Annoyance. We know The Annoyance is famous for its sketch and musicals like Co-ed Prison Sluts, The Perfect Wave, Splatter Theater, George Bush is a Great Man, and Manson: The Musical to name a few, but with shows on the improv roster like Messing With A Friend, Chicagoland, Fishnuts, Bad Touch, and Davey Dickrocket you cannot deny that their make-em-ups are for sure Best worthy.
The Best Standup Venue:
Chicago Underground Comedy
Comedians You should Know
The Lincoln Lodge
It's almost a dead heat and/or 3 way tie between these 3 congregations of stand ups. All 3 companies are young, hip, funny, and smart and frequently cast members cross over from sow to show. It's the Chicago way. Even Second City and iO Share casts. With names like TJ Miller, Monte, Hannibal Buress, Prescott Tolk, Jared Logan, Ken Barnard, Fay Canale, Dan Telfer, Nick Vatterott, Allison Leber, Carrie Callahan, Adam Burke, Robert Buscemi, Michael Palascak, and Steve O dotting all 3 rosters you really can't go wrong. Just throw a dart and go see any one of 'em. Sure you can see David Allan Grier a Zanies... but why not see The Best?
The Best Comedy Variety Venue:
The Lakeshore Theater. 3175 N. Broadway, Box Office: 773-472-3492. The Lakeshore theater has shows like the variety game show Impress these apes and a Found Footage Film Festival. The up right citizens brigade is in residence there and the guys from MST3K just previewed their new show there. TJ Miller and The Sklar Brothers both have sets coming up at the LST. They have shows for Kids, Gays, and Holidays. That. Is. The. Best.
The First Runner Up? The Chicago Theatre. Where else could you see The Backyardigans Live and Kathy Griffin?
The Best Open Mics
Schubas
The Globe
Whiskey Road
Again, you'll see all the Chicago Greats doing standup at these open mics, Tolk, Logan, Barnard, Burke, Callahan, etc., and you'll get a chance to perform yourslef too... if you want. What these open mics have in comon, besides thier amazing comics, is the quality of show. Open mics are usually a chance to work out new bits but the bits you'll see at any one of these will be polished, precise, and funny... The Best.
The Best Comedy Venues That Don’t Know They Are:
1. Clark and Addison after a Cubs game.
2. Diner/Dinner Grill at about 3am... before it burnt down... and probably when it's rebuilt.
3. John Barleycorn any time, any day. Either one.
4, Navy Pier in July/August on a weekend.
5. Ribfest.
6. The Brauhaus on live Polka Music Night.
Stay Tuned for PART 2!
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