RECOMMENDED

Sporting a giant, nasty afro and a t-shirt that says “Less Humans More Robots,” an audience member could suspect that 2006 Andy Kaufman award-winner Reggie Watts is about to push the limits of avant-garde comedy—in reality, he’s probably about to push the limits of his vocal chords. While primarily considered more of a “performer” than a “stand-up comedian,” Watts does delve into a bit of dialogue and absurdist punch lines; one story, about pushing his grandfather off a balcony and to his death, ends with Watts saying his grandfather, “didn’t make a sound, which showed his commitment to silence.” But Watts’ best attribute is one killer set of pipes, boasting a vocal range of ten octaves (we’ll assume some hyperbole involved) and the ability to imitate a whole slew of instruments and sound effects, making him like a more likable version of that “Larvell ‘Motor Mouth’ Jones” character from “Police Academy.” Many of Watts’ jams—often performed live through layering loops of his vocal beatboxes and basslines—fall comfortably in the “just really damn impressive” category, even with little or no actual jokes involved. But when the comedy does come paired with Watts’ bewilderingly high musical talent, it’s just that more effective. Watch his CollegeHumor.com video “What About Blowjobs?” to see the most impressive performance of the lyrics “Cradle the balls!” ever conceived. (Andy Seifert)

January 9 at Lakeshore Theater. 3175 N. Broadway, (773)472-3492

RECOMMENDED

You better believe if there’s something wrong in the fabric of society, Chicago’s own Dwayne Kennedy is gonna try to wrap his head around the problem. His brand of social observational comedy refuses to shy away from any controversial topics of interest—9/11 (which he says cramped his theory that “the white man is the devil”), racism and slaves are all free to be comedically bandied about. What’s just as appealing about Kennedy’s routine is that after the tension is released and the laughter subsides, some thoughtful and serious commentary exists. For instance, Kennedy insists that all races will remain edgy with one another unless some sort of dialogue occurs and we start asking questions of one another. “You could say like, ‘Hey white man, how come you’re so tense and afraid?’ Kennedy says. “’And then he could say, ‘Hey black man, how’d you get into my apartment?’ Then the healing begins.” (Andy Seifert)

January 13-14, 16-18 at Zanies, 1548 N. Wells, (312)337-4027.

RECOMMENDED

A sure sign of a comedian who’s not all that self-centered or too neurotic: the ones that can make fun of themselves just as mercilessly as they would a celebrity. L.A.-based comedian Mike Bridenstine, who’s done a fine job poking fun at Pamela Anderson and Eminem (through his semi-internet meme “Every Eminem Song Ever,” which mostly only features the words “8 Mile,” “Detroit,” “Haley,” and “Mom”) has also found a plethora of ways to tie a variety of subjects to his somewhat pathetic state of existence, like gaining excess weight, being a Cubs fan and even Terrell Owens’ rumored attempted suicide. “The cool part about it, his publicist went on and said, ‘There’s no way T.O. tried to kill himself. T.O. has twenty-five million reasons not to commit suicide,’” he says. “I’m watching like, ‘That’s awesome. I was just at the bank; I clearly have sixty-eight reasons not to commit suicide.’”

January 2 at Lincoln Lodge, 4008 North Lincoln, (773)248-1820

RECOMMENDED

The first thing you will notice about Kevin Hart is that he’s comically short and knows it. His upcoming album uses its title, “I’m a Grown Little Man,” to get the amusement from his five-foot, four-inch height out of the way so that he can use the rest of the time ripping through other, non-short people jokes (though he does say he yearns to have a son he can name “Lil’ Kev,” just so people will call him “Big Kev”). Animated, fiery and oftentimes hilariously argumentative in a harmless sort of way, Hart’s always moving, screaming, shrieking and convulsing if it means a laugh. Theatrics, though, aren’t the meat of his act. Hart’s mostly a substance-first, style-second kind of a comic, even if the substance is about things like fat-ass toddlers. “I saw this lady like three weeks ago; this lady had one of the fattest asses I’ve ever seen in my life,” he says. “She was like three or four years old. … I ain’t never seen a Pamper like that. Huggies don’t make those.”

December 30 at Zanies, 1548 North Wells, (312) 337-4027.

RECOMMENDED

You probably have never heard of South Side comedian Robert Hines, but perhaps you’re one of the 800,000 views to his alter-ego’s You Tube video, “Jones Big Ass Truck Rental and Storage,” the newest internet meme created by Hines and local sketch group Big Dog Eat Child. Local entrepreneur Toby Jones will store anything – rusty bicycles, antique silverware, buses, weed, you name it—in an abandoned warehouse for the low, low price of $10.99 a month! “Now friends, you may ask yourself, ‘how in the hell can he store this stuff for such a cheap price?’” Toby asks. “The fact of the matter is I’m pretty drunk right now.” While Jones may be one of the year’s best internet characters, it’s thankfully not the only part of Hines’ act. Potential targets of Hines’ chuckle-worthy observational humor: Flying as an overweight individual, the way African-Americans spruce up the National Anthem, and, best of all, his love of “boobies.”

December 31 at Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, (773)472-3492

RECOMMENDED

Interning at the “Late Show with David Letterman” must constitute a pretty memorable three months in and of itself, but Chicago-based stand-up comedian and current “Late Show” monologue writer Kevin McCaffrey was able to one-up most temps by being blasted with a fire extinguisher by Letterman himself, which should perhaps become a rite of passage for aspiring comics. McCaffrey’s set will go beyond monologue one-liners, but expect the same sort of laid-back persona from a late-night talk-show host. McCaffrey doesn’t expend energy on creating some crazy alter-ego, his comedy relies on pure substance, telling stories about find himself in ridiculous situations (like getting stabbed in the neck with a pencil by a mentally challenged kid) or teasing his Catholic background. “You might remember the Pope made some comments tying the Muslim world to violence,” he quips. “How did the Muslim world respond? Mostly by burning shit, so at least now you can definitely tie the Muslim world to irony.” What’s more, a quick YouTube search of McCaffrey reveals a number of videos that, for some reason, virtually no one watches, including his wholly-underrated character “Emo Republican,” whose record consists of authoring a bill that includes a tax cut on eyeliner, booking My Chemical Romance to play an anti-abortion rally, and writing haikus against gay marriage. (Andy Seifert)

December 18-20 at Zanies in Vernon Hills, 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, (847)549-6030

RECOMMENDED

“You guys like bangs humor?” Cameron Esposito asks her audience in the midst of ripping off joke after joke about the joys of her new bangs-centered hairstyle and bangs-centered lifestyle. It’s a bit of a microcosm of Esposito’s entire act, which seems to accomplish two things: fool around with the seemingly trivial tidbits of life (like bangs, or singing the “Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers” theme song in the shower); and use little, chuckle-worthy punch lines to build up to one killer joke that ought to bring the house down (In this case, the openly gay comedian recalls when someone asked what consisted of her workout regiment: “I said, ‘nothing really,’ and then I thought about it. ‘Oh yeah, it’s banging chicks.’”). While it’s not her entire routine, her sexual orientation (and how she’s amused with people’s reaction to it) does come up through her set. “‘I just want you to protect yourself so you don’t get AIDS’” her dad once told her. “Which is super relevant to me as a gay man living in 1985.” (Andy Seifert)

December 18-19 at Lincoln Lodge. 4008 N. Lincoln, (773)248-1820.

RECOMMENDED

One of the novelties of being in a gay comedy rock band is that it immediately makes you one of the founders of gay comedy rock, so it would be apt to call New York City stand-up comedian Ben Lerman (of the now-defunct gay-rockin’ The Isotoners) the “Paul McCartney of homosexual comedy rock.” Three years removed from the Isotoners stint, Lerman’s stand-up routines are ukulele and absurdist-driven, having penned several goofy little folk songs about being attracted to Anderson Cooper (to the tune of Elvis Costello’s “Alison”), wanting an Asian baby for Christmas, and the sexual female encounters that led him to homosexuality (an Ace of Base parody called “(I Saw) Vagine”). At best, he can twist irony and satire around a melodic punch line, and at worst, he’s sort of a cooler, more homosexual-centered version of “Weird Al” Yankovic. Listen to his last record “Ukulear Winter” on his Web site for free to get a better idea of what you’re in for. (Andy Seifert)

December 18-19 at Lincoln Lodge, 4008 N. Lincoln, (773)248-1820.

RECOMMENDED

Since Sebastian Maniscalco was waiting tables just before appearing in this year’s stand-up documentary “Vince’s Vaughn’s Wild West Comedy Show”—and since he probably prefers Tonight Show appearances to serving hash browns—you have to imagine he’ll stick to the “frat pack” roots that got him there. Maniscalco’s observational humor roams through a wide variety of subjects that peeve him (people who don’t shower, people who still write checks), but his most-explored theme is something that Mr. Vaughn’s blue-collar persona recurrently harps on: the continued decline of tough-guy masculinity. “Go look at what they’re ordering to drink. Apple martinis? You’re 35 years old; you’re walking around with a green drink, a little apple floating on top. You go get a beer or something that tastes like gasoline,” Maniscalco delivers with one of the better-stupefied expressions of comedy. “Soy chai vanilla chip dolce hazelnut frappuccino,” he says, mimicking the losers in line at Starbucks that improvise their order. “What? You get a black coffee and you go to work.” (Andy Seifert)

December 16-21 at Zanies, 1548 North Wells, (312)337-4027.

RECOMMENDED
One of the rising stars in Chicago’s stronger-than-ever standup comedy scene, Prescott Tolk is not a comic who cracks the kind of jokes that make you lose your lunch, nor the kind who trades in over-the-top outrageous behavior or content. No, he’s the guy you want to hang out with at the bar, who cracks wise with inimitable wit, who has a way with wordplay that keeps you in stitches. And, after a while, you realize he’s really smart and really funny in a way you wish your real buddies were. Tolk’s releasing a CD and DVD of his work, “I Can Complain,” where he recounts his experiences as post-collegiate Chicago slacker, a guy grappling with bills, the peculiarities of city living, sexual disappointments and a general disenchantment with the way life is going so far. In other words, the life more than a few of us are living. Except he makes it more funny than sad. (Brian Hieggelke)

Prescott Tolk performs at Zanies, 1548 North Wells, on November 10 at 8:30pm and at a CD-release show at Beat Kitchen, 2100 West Belmont, on November 11 at 9:30pm.