Comedy for summer 2025: Stand-up comics, including some from ‘SNL'
Some of comedy's biggest names will be visiting over the next few months, including several you know from 'Saturday Night Live.'
Trevor Wallace: Naperville-born Wallace, who got his start as a Vine comic before eventually earning 10 million followers on TikTok, is bringing his 'Alpha Beta Male' tour to the Chicago Theatre. A stand-up, actor and podcaster, Wallace is known for, in his own words, 'making fun of the people closest to him' in low-budget but relatable videos like 'Moms Going Through Your Room in High School' and 'The Guy Who Never Left His Hometown.'
Alex Edelman: Edelman is bringing his latest show, billed as blurring the line between 'his stand-up comedy roots and narrative-driven storytelling,' to Chicago in June. Edelman is known for his Special Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning production 'Just for Us,' and he's also soon returning to the small screen; he will appear in Peacock's 'The Paper,' a spinoff of 'The Office,' starting this fall. 'What Are You Going to Do' will play for one night at the Den Theatre.
Damon Wayans Jr.: Fresh from leading 'Poppa's House' on CBS, which he starred in with his father, Wayans is hitting the road. Wayans is known for his Critics' Choice Award-nominated turn as Brad Williams on 'Happy Ending' (ABC), as well as his run as Coach on Fox's 'New Girl,' and will be taking the stage of the Chicago Improv for five shows over three nights.
Roast Battle Chicago: Based on the Comedy Central hit 'Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle,' this show features Chicago comics engaging in a war of insults where only one comic comes out on top. A combination of stand-up and verbal boxing, overseen by an ever-changing panel of judges, 'Roast Battle Chicago' goes up on the third Thursday of every month.
Hilarious Habibis: The Los Angeles-based Hilarious Habibis (produced by comics Gena B. Jones and Lynn Maleh) aims to highlight Middle Eastern and North African comics with fresh lineups every round. They're bringing their show to Chicago for one night only.
WERK: From comics to storytellers to drag performers, WERK features an all-queer lineup every month at Lincoln Lodge. Their Pride Month show in June always sells fast, so get tickets early.
James Austin Johnson: Known for his uncanny impression skills — most notably as 'SNL's' current President Trump — Johnson joined the show in 2021. He's impersonated everyone from Jay-Z to Bob Dylan to Joe Biden. Known for voicing the Grinch in Wondery's podcast series ''Tis The Grinch Holiday Podcast,' as well as his roles in 'Inside Out 2' and 'A Complete Unknown,' Johnson will be appearing at the Den Theatre for two shows.
Emil Wakim: Chicago-born and raised Wakim will be returning to his hometown for a three-night run at Zanies. In the fall of 2024, Wakim joined 'SNL' for its 50th season, becoming the first Lebanese-American cast member in the show's history. Previously, he was chosen as a New Face of Comedy at 2022's Just for Laughs festival in Montreal. His work has also been featured on 'The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,' in pop-up shows with Don't Tell Comedy, and on Comedy Central's 'Stand-Up Featuring.' Wakim will play five shows over three nights at Zanies.
Melissa Villaseñor: She's a comic, impressionist and visual artist who was a cast member of 'SNL' from 2016 to 2022. As a voice actor, Villaseñor has appeared in 'Toy Story 4,' 'Wreck-It Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks the Internet' and 'Dog Man.' She is also the host of the podcast 'Laughing with Myself.' She is the author of 'Whoops … I'm Awesome,' an original self-help workbook of stories and activities. She will perform three shows over two nights at the Den Theatre.
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