RECOMMENDED

The beginning of the end of the Lincoln Lodge’s eighth season features a trio of local comedians as unique and different from each other as they are hilarious. Joe Killgallon, as his names suggests, is Chicago Irish, and his heritage, ruminations on sports, booze and politics, and trademark snark are reminiscent of Denis Leary, and his shock of blonde hair and ongoing struggles with vice only help contribute to the comparison. Jet Eveleth is best known as an improviser and teacher at i.O., and her talent and good looks have caused many a comedy student crush. Very funny, with a razor sharp sense of timing, Eveleth’s style promises to be a perfect fit  over at the Lodge.  Jordan Roberts is a member of Chicago comedian collective Blerds.com, serving as their resident filmmaker and his work with local legend T.J. Miller was no doubt a contributor to Miller’s recent rise to national fame. A good rule of thumb is that if a comedian is a member of Blerds, they’re talented, and Roberts is no exception. (Max Minor)

At the Lincoln Lodge, 4008 N. Lincoln, (773)248-1820.  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.

The Lincoln Lodge is one of the best places to see local stand-up and variety in Chicago, but the problem is that it only runs half the year. The wait is over, however—The Lincoln Lodge takes the stage again at the Lincoln Restaurant this Friday and Saturday to start their eighth season of weekend shows. This is a good one, too: there will be a press conference where producers Thomas Lawler and Mark Geary will reveal their “special programming” for the season, a comfort food buffet, a meet-and-greet and, oh yeah, some people will get up on stage and tell jokes. Matt Dwyer, who’s been seen on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” will make his first Chicago appearance in three years, and Steve O. Harvey, Ken Barnard and Allison Lieber will perform as well. Mike O’Connell will headline the Hollywood-themed night, and also show excerpts from his festival-bound dark comedy, “The Living Wake.” It’s great to have the Lincoln back in town. (Mike Schramm)

At the Lincoln Restaurant, 4008 N. Lincoln, (773)251-1539. This show is now over.

It’s Friday night, and comedian Tony Sam stands outside the Lincoln Restaurant in a turkey suit. He’s got a mic in his hand and a guy with a camera is filming him for a “Man on the Street” bit. The cord from the camera runs back to a screen in front of a live audience inside the restaurant’s back room. Sam yells at taxis as they go by, trying to get someone—anyone—to talk to him. Read the rest of this entry »