Hello friends. As you may remember, we put on a lil’ comedy festival last year, along with our pals at The Onion, called the first annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival. It featured headlining stand-up performances by Comedy Bang Bang, Marc Maron, Tig Notaro, and Kyle Kinane. It was lots of fun, IIRC.
This year we’re expanding things a bit for the second annual 26th Annual Comedy Festival—May 26-30 at various Chicago venues—to include not just stand-up, but also film screenings and conversations. It’s coming together quite nicely, with headlining stand-up performances by John Mulaney, Kyle Kinane, Eric Andre, and Joe Mande. But wait, there’s more: We’ve got an afternoon of panel discussions with writers from The Onion and The Simpsons. (A murderers’ row of Simpsons writers, no less, including Al Jean, Bill Odenkirk, and John Frink!) And how about a pair of screenings of Weird Al Yankovic’s cult classic film UHF with Weird Al and director Jay Levey doing post-show Q&As? And can you even handle a screening of Cabin Boy followed by a conversation with writer-director Adam Resnick? How about 7 Minutes In Purgatory with Ian Abramson or a locals-only stand-up show or even The Katydids? If that doesn’t grab you, how about the proverbial “much more”? Tickets for all shows will go on sale this Friday, March 20 at noon via 26comedy.com (where you can also find more information), except for John Mulaney, which is on sale now. Below you’ll find the daily schedule. Some of these will sell out fast, so don’t snooze! Also, be on the lookout for more announcements, as well as some very special aftershow action at the new Virgin Hotel Chicago. (Might wanna follow them on Twitter, too—just sayin’.)
Tuesday, May 26
Cabin Boy screening plus Q&A with writer-director Adam Resnick, Lincoln Hall, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 27
UHF screenings with “Weird Al” Yankovic and Jay Levey Q&A, Music Box Theatre, 7 p.m. & 10 p.m.
Kyle Kinane, Thalia Hall, 9:30 p.m.
Thursday, May 28
Eric Andre w/ guest Brian Babylon, Thalia Hall, 9p.m.
Seven Minutes In Purgatory, The Hideout, 7 p.m.
The Upperclassmen, The Hideout, 10 p.m.
Saturday, May 30
The Onion and The Simpsons panel discussions, Athenaeum Theater, 2 p.m.
John Mulaney, Chicago Theater, 7:30 p.m.
The Katydids, The Hideout, 7 p.m.
Joe Mande, The Hideout, 10 p.m.
Again: Ticket links are all at 26comedy.com and tickets go on sale this Friday, March 20 at noon central for all shows. See you there!