RECOMMENDED
Chicago Underground Comedy continues its tradition of exceptionally strong booking this week, featuring local all-stars Fay Canale, Robert Buscemi, Brendan Mcgowan, Carrie Callahan, Marty DeRosa and national headliner Dwayne Kennedy. Canale and Callahan are the lineup’s femme fatales, but their styles are so different they could be called opposites. Canale is brash, crass and unflinchingly confrontational. Callahan is sweet, subtle and painfully, hilariously, self-deprecating, the perfect foil to the arrogant swagger of Canale’s delivery. Buscemi is one of Chicago’s best known alternative comedians, and his continued success guarantees his time in the city is fleeting. Mcgowan is arguably the best storyteller on the local stand-up scene, and his average-guy delivery and recountings of drunken debauchery give his delivery a “that’s my buddy” vibe. DeRosa helps run equally as-cool stand-up room “The Comedians You Should Know Show” at Fizz, and his hands-in-his-pocket delivery and his affable style of observational humor make him a consistent fan favorite. Headliner Kennedy is pretty much the funniest comic in town, and his appearances on “Conan” and the like prove it. This is a must-see show. (Max Minor)

At Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, (773)281-4444. This production is now closed.

An all-star lineup of smart asses, Chicago Underground Comedy presents a particularly inspired group of local stand-ups tonight: Adam Burke, Robert Buscemi, Ricky Carmona and Prescott Tolk. Burke is a thinking man, his dry delivery and high-minded lowbrow material give him the air of a professor, which he exploits to the fullest degree. Buscemi, recently returned from a trip to L.A., is on the cusp of big things, and his arsenal of absurdity should be seen before his inevitable exit to a Coast. High energy and a free-wheeling, fearless delivery define Carmona, one of Chicago’s best and brightest locals. Unafraid to talk race and politics, he counteracts his edge with his unique style and affability. Recent Lakeshore headliner Tolk closes out the festivities, demonstrating why he may be the most talented comic currently working in the city. (Max Minor)

At Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, (773)281-4444. This production is now closed.

RECOMMENDED

A major presence on the local stand up scene, comedian Prescott Tolk headlines this week at the reinvigorated Lakeshore Theater. Tolk’s wry, engaging delivery makes him easy to like, and extensive touring has given him excellent command of the microphone. Like most comics, his material deals mainly with the idiosyncracies of daily life, but his unique perspective and honed sense of sarcasm prevent any sense of cliche. Currently Tolk runs the best open mic in town at Schubas, and he is a regular at Chicago Underground Comedy and the Lincoln Lodge. As the city’s stand-up scene continues to battle obscurity, it is more important than ever to support funny, local comedians. Prescott Tolk is one of them. (Max Minor)

At the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, (773)472-3492. This show is now closed.

RECOMMENDED

Chicago Underground Comedy’s Tony Sam and Nick Morgan have teamed up to present “Sam and Morgan’s Money Machine” every Wednesday this month at the Apollo. It’s an alternative comedy show that they’ve made up to look like a money-making seminar, with Sam and Morgan as money-tossing financial gurus, firing off get-rich-quick schemes backed up with improv sketches, videos and even PowerPoint presentations. And, in between, some of Chicago’s best alternative comics take the stage. This week, they’ve got the very funny Robert Buscemi, 80’s Clown (aka comedian John Leadley dressed up in a rainbow wig, clown makeup and a leather jacket) and Adam Burke. (Mike Schramm)

At the Apollo Theater, 2540 N. Lincoln, (773)935-6100. Wed 8pm. This production is now closed.

RECOMMENDED

Hannibal Burress hails from New York these days, hanging out with the likes of Aziz Ansari and the Upright Citizens Brigade. But he’s still homegrown Chicago—before he went off to New York, he was a familiar face at Chicago Underground Comedy and other local scenes. In his two-night stand at the Chicago Center for Performing Arts’ Edge Comedy Club (hosted by Dave Odd with Matt Stanton), Hannibal’s set to show off the same nerdy/cool vibe that made him a finalist on Comedy Central’s One Mic Fight competition. Whether he’s poking fun at jocks or joking about beating little kids at video games, here’s your chance to see his New York talent brought back home. (Mike Schramm)

Hannibal Burress performs September 14-15 at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 North Green, (312)327-2040, at 8:15pm & 10:30pm both nights. $12-$15.