Matt Braunger
9 p.m. June 15
An actor since childhood, Matt Braunger studied theatre in New York and improvisation in Chicago under such luminaries as Susan Messing and Del Close. His television credits include Chelsea Lately, NBC's Up All Night, John Oliver's New York Stand-up Show, MADtv, The United States of Tara, The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and The Late Show with David Letterman. In 2009, he was named one of Variety's Top 10 Comics to Watch. His debut album Soak Up The Night was released by Comedy Central Records and named to the iTunes REWIND Top 20 Albums of 2009. In 2010, he recorded his half-hour Comedy Central special, and in 2011 recorded an hour-long special entitled Shovel Fighter. Braunger has also performed at a variety of prestigious comedy festivals including the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, the TBS Comedy Festival Las Vegas and Austin's South By Southwest.
Sarah Silverman joins TBS Just For Laughs festival line-up
SHOW PATROL
The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About An Hour
7 p.m. June 16
America has elected its first black president, and in response, some say racism has redoubled--no, re-quadrupled--its efforts. While the economy fails, racism is thriving. And meanwhile black people wonder if they elected a black president or a president who is black. And the country is bankrupt. We're still fighting wars in places where we have no business... or plan... or even a business plan. Lucky for us, W. Kamau Bell is here to make (non)sense of all of it all. The W. Kamau Bell Curve is a comedic exploration of the current state of America's racism, combined with a little (unknown) history, a little presentation, and a whole bunch of Kamau. And because racism is always attacking in new ways and from new angles, Kamau attacks back by constantly adding new material. The Curve is a seamless mix of stand-up comedy, video and audio clips, personal stories and solo theatrical performance.
Pete Holmes: You Made It Weird
9 p.m. June 16
Everybody has secret weirdness--Pete Holmes gets comedians to share theirs. You Made It Weird is a weekly podcast by comedian Pete Holmes where he interviews other comedians and actors and makes it weird.
iO THEATER
Scott Adsit, Jon Glaser and Kevin Dorff
8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. June 13 and 14
Scott Adsit (Emmy award-winning 30 Rock), Jon Glaser (Adult Swim's Delocated) and Kevin Dorff (CONAN Delocated) performed together at iO and Second City back in the day… Watch as they gloriously reunite this week only, improvising fast and furiously. Try and keep up!
Scott Adsit & Jet Eveleth
11:59 p.m. June 15
A special bonus performance with Scott Adsit and Jet Eveleth: two improv stalwarts with a knack for the absurd. Expect lovable characters and more than a little weirdness.
PLAYGROUND THEATER
The Pet Project Series
June 13 and 14
Some of the best acts get an hour to just do whatever the heck they want. The performers have free-reign to produce new and exciting comedy and frankly, things might get a little interesting. Don't worry, though -- we picked some good ones so things won't get too weird (we hope!).
- WiseSnatch--Wednesday, June 13, at 7:30 p.m.
- The Other Other Guys--Wednesday, June 13, at 8:30 p.m.
- Chris Condren--Wednesday, June 13, at 9:30 p.m.
- My Manns--Wednesday, June 13, at 10:30 p.m.
- NICE--Thursday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m.
- Hovdees--Thursday, June 14, at 8:30 p.m.
- Brian Babylon--Thursday, June 14, at 9:30 p.m.
- Seeder & Lee--Thursday, June 14, at 10:30 p.m.
ALONE: Chicago's Best Solo Acts
8 p.m. June 15 and 16
For the fourth year running, ALONE unites the city's best solo artists and puts them up in one place. Their rich character work and silly sensibilities unite for one hilarious evening, a run-down of the great solo work happening all over the Windy City. Wendy Mateo will host the shows featuring Adam Cole, Antony Oberbeck, Barry Hite, Christine Tawfik, Conner O'Malley, Greg Hess, Hans Holsen, Katy Colloton and Timmy Mayse.
Never Been To Paris
8 p.m. June 15 and 16
Never Been to Paris is Sean Flannery's one-man show about the last 12 or so times he nearly killed himself by accident. Flannery mixes wild, hilarious stories with photos from the events, voicemails and even some animation: "It's a bit like watching someone's vacation photos," Flannery explains, "if that person nearly killed himself 14 times during the vacation."
LINCOLN LODGE
The Blackout Diaries
8:30 p.m. June 13
The Blackout Diaries is an interactive comedy show where people tell real stories, mostly about drinking. Then you, the audience, can ask the performers questions. It's a hilarious blend of stand-up, improv, multimedia (photos /videos from events are often displayed) and, most importantly, a combination of real people – cops, teachers, engineers – telling stories alongside some of the nation's most respected stand-up comics. The show is produced in conjunction with Chicago Underground Comedy and is regularly presented the final Saturday of every month at The Beat Kitchen.
