If you’re a fan of comedy, Chicago is a great place to be. Improv studios and clubs galore, comedy buffs gravitate to this city and The TBS Just For Laughs Festival is satisfying our cravings for live comedy by organizing a number of performances throughout the area for the 2013 Festival. Just For Laughs consists of 59 comedy shows taking place June 11th-16th. With so many shows and so little time, we devised a list of troupes and comedians we think any lover of comedy should try and see.
1. Knuckleheads
If you’ve been watching Saturday Night Live recently, you know that Tim Robinson, Cecily Strong, and Aidy Bryant have been more than valuable additions to the cast. Lucky for us, the three have joined forces to create comedy troupe Knuckleheads and will be putting on multiple performances of improv, sketch comedy and more five times this week!
2. Maria Bamford
I remember stumbling across The Maria Bamford Show two years ago and subsequently seeking out all of her work. Bamford’s anxious, jittery personas are central to her comedy and her performances (whether television, live, documentary, etc.) will leave you part-exhausted from laughter and part-concerned. Her already-commendable body of work is growing as I write this, so make sure to try and see her while she’s in town.
3. Chelsea Peretti
A lot of people can relate to comedian Chelsea Peretti. She’s smart as a whip and very blatant, but she draws you in with her down-to-earth, self-deprecating and sarcastic humor. Her work through all comic media makes for a substantial, immersive show and if you have a chance to see one of her four sets, you should definitely check her out.
4. David Cross & His Super Duper Pals
I think we’ve all seen David Cross on screen, but David Cross off screen is a whole other story. He takes off the actor’s veil and audiences see a much more raw, vulgar man before them. Add outrageous comedians Doug Benson, Brian Posehn, Paul F. Tompkins and Todd Glass to the mix and I honestly don’t know what to expect—what I do know is that it will be funny. And you won’t regret going.
5. Seth Meyers with Special Guests Al Madrigal and Hannibal Buress
Best known for his work on SNL as a cast member, head writer, and weekend update correspondent, Seth Meyers is also an excellent standup comic. I saw him live in April 2012 and thoroughly enjoyed watching him lampoon himself, politics, and the audience. And Al Madrigal and Hannibal Buress are joining him? Can’t handle it. You may recognize Madrigal as a regular correspondent on The Daily Show and Hannibal Buress as a former writer AND actor of 30 Rock (remember the recurring homeless guy?).
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