The Lakeshore Theater’s mission is simplicity itself: To be an artist-driven theater dedicated to comedy as an uncompromising form of expression rather than a simple means to force herds of hapless customers to buy watered-down drinks and scarf down undercooked chicken wings.
A comedic “Art House” if you will, the Lakeshore Theater is, in the world of comedy, what Kurusawa is to Michael Bay, what Daniel Johnston is to Britney Spears and yes, what Doug Stanhope is to Dane Cook. Every other comedy room in the Country plays “top 40” – we play jazz.
The Lakeshore Theater’s artistic director Chris Ritter works year-round with Paul Provenza (director of The Aristocrats) to bring Chicago the very best and most original practitioners of the Art of Comedy from all over the world.
We believe the Comedic Arts encompass many forms. While the Art of Comedy includes stand-up artists, it also includes theater, improv, sketch, music and forms too original and inventive to even be described.
A quick look down the Lakeshore’s schedule for any given week reveals what we might immodestly call the Best and Most Eclectic Lineup of Quality Comedy Shows at Any Commercial Theater Anywhere. Our roster has included established stars like Janeane Garofalo, Michael Ian Black and Julia Sweeney; current cutting-edge standup heroes such as Louis CK, Maria Bamford. Eugene Mirman, Patton Oswalt, Todd Barry and Doug Stanhope; up-and-coming geniuses like Reggie Watts, Kristen Schaal and Kumail Nanjiani; and fantastic, envelope-pushing theatrical comedy along the lines of DeanCameron’s Nigerian Spam Scam Scam, Craig Anton & Ron Lynch’s The Idiots and the amazing Billy The Mime. The Lakeshore’s exciting partnership with the legendary Upright Citizens Brigade ensures a monthly influx of superior improv and sketch comedy from the UCB outposts on both coasts.
Our artists aren’t always appropriate for TV. Great Art isn’t like that. We encourage you to support Lakeshore’s comic artists whether you’ve heard of them or not – the one’s that you haven’t heard of are the one’s most likely to stun and amaze you by showing you things you’ve never seen before.
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The Lakeshore Theater Flex Pass is here!
What a Deal! The Lakeshore Theater is proud to introduce the One and Only, Genuine, Original Flexpass: Your ticket to any six performances at the Lakeshore Theater for a total cost of only $100!
Over the past year, the Lakeshore has taken the Chicago entertainment scene by storm with an unprecedented program of great comedians (Janeane Garafalo, Louis CK, Kristen Schaal), exciting theatrical shows (The Bicycle Men) and dynamic musical acts (Tegan & Sara, Yo La Tengo, Daniel Johnston). Chicago Magazine named us “The Best Place to See Comedy in Chicago” while the local press saw our shows landing nearly endless critical and popular accolades. And we’re only just getting started, with upcoming shows scheduled by Daniel Tosh, Flight of the Conchords star Rhys Darby, and Doug Benson from Best Week Ever along with an ongoing roster of alternative music acts and our regular featured acts like Lipshtick, Chicago Dance Crash and the Blerds.
The Flexpass has no expiration date, is non-refundable and has no cash value. Its use is limited to two (2) admissions per artist, per engagement.
Purchase your Flexpass today by calling the Lakeshore Theater box office at (773) 472-3492
About me: Lakeshore Theater features the country’s top, edgy comedians, with current engagements including Sweeney, Doug Stanhope, Mike Birbiglia, Maria Bamford and Scott Capurro.
"We want to provide a venue in Chicago for the edgiest, most challenging, rule-breaking comics working today."
--Chris Ritter, Owner & Artistic Director
Instead of the more mainstream fare found at other local theaters and clubs, Lakeshore Theater offers programming you won’t see anywhere else in Chicago. We hope to introduce some new artists and their work to the Chicago audience, and make Lakeshore Theater the place to see smart, adventurous comedy presented as art by genuine artists.
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Who I'd like to meet: 2.8 The Lakeshore Jumble
2.12 The Lakeshore Jumble
2.13 The Lakeshore Jumble
2.13 The Lakeshore Jumble
2.14 Maz Jobrani
2.14 Maz Jobrani
2.19 Amy & Freddy
2.19 Jamie Kilstein
2.20 Jamie Kilstein
2.20 Jamie Kilstein
2.21 Jamie Kilstein
2.21 Jamie Kilstein
2.27 Glenn Wool
2.27 Glenn Wool
2.28 Glenn Wool
2.28 Glenn Wool
3.5 Rick Shapiro and Brendon burns
3.6 Rick Shapiro and Brendon burns
3.6 Rick Shapiro and Brendon burns
3.7 Rick Shapiro and Brendon burns
3.7 Rick Shapiro and Brendon burns
3.7 Amy & Freddy Late Night
3.8 Meet the Maker: Julia Sweeney "Letting Go of God"
3.14 Paul F. Tompkins
3.14 Paul F. Tompkins
3.19 Amy & Freddy
3.21 Howie Day
3.27 The Jill and Julia Show with Julia Sweeney and Jill Sobule
3.28 Joey Page
4.10 Jeff Dye
4.10 Jeff Dye
4.11 Jeff Dye
4.11 Jeff Dye
4.25 Colin Hay from Men at Work
6.26 Chicago's Gay Men's Chorus Presents Over the Rainbow
6.27 Chicago's Gay Men's Chorus Presents Over the Rainbow
6.27 Chicago's Gay Men's Chorus Presents Over the Rainbow
RIFFRAFF news: more theatrical openings after our Chicago premiere May 29th -- Batavia, IL (W burbs of Chicago) opening June 5th and Portage, IN (just over the border from Chicago) opening June 12th. Spread the word! And if you're on facebook too, friend us on there. Type in the director's name, Justen Naughton, into the search box. PEACE -The Crew
I'm coming back Thanksgiving Sunday to perform a Minneapolis Songwriter Circle with Lonnie Knight and Laurie Akermark. The big treat for me is having Chicago's Michi play her violin with me. She is stunning. Please help me spread the word. Nov 30, 7-9, Bill's Blues 1029 Davis St, Evanston 847 424 9800. $10
Glad I found you. Hope someone you know can make it to LilFest in Evanston/Wilmette this weekend. Just wrote a new song, You Belong. Please come, lilfest. com/#Schedule.
Day by Day. Week by Week. Month by Month. September gets closer and closer. The time is almost upon us when "THE DARK COMIC" is on stage. Hide the children. Bring out the Cigarettes. Pour the Shot of Jack and Jack & Coke. If you think you know what Madness is you have NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO idea. The world becomes Darker this September. What kind of cigarette smoking "DARK COMIC" would I be if I didn't tell you? Now all I have to do is find a way to smoke cigarettes in the Oval Office.
