Open Run

This hour long, fully improvised show, features the cast of 12 Angry Improvisers acting as a jury. Peek into the deliberation room as they use improv to recreate the facts of a case (as determined by the audience). They'll reexamine the moment the defendant was caught with their hand in the cookie jar -in reverse! -with French accents! -with every line of dialogue being a question!

4/13 - 5/18

Did you know that schools exist outside of Chicago? And people go to them? Strange, right?


Starting your life over again is daunting, but strangely familiar for Evelyn Mae, whose existence conflicts against the morals they were raised on. Oops! Join them and special guests for an evening of tumultuously silly testimony regarding loss, community, queerness, and fighting your way home.

1/24, 2/21, 3/21, 4/18

WOAH! NEW EVERY MONTH. A raucous. raunchy, sometimes juvenile but always funny sketch show that will make your daddy give your mommy a pearl necklace... to clutch. Get tickets now, they're selling faster than a Stewie doll at Spencer's. DM: @Antivirginclub proof you bought tickets and we will draw you boobs.

Open Run

Are you and your improv team looking for another place to get on stage? We've got a warm and supportive room ready to give you laughs and claps! Bring your own team to Annoyance on Tuesday nights to get a rep in and giggle. If you don't have a team to bring, no worries! There's a mashup team and we're happy to throw you on it! Signups are at 8:30PM and we'll hit the stage at 9:00PM. See you every Tuesday!

1/31, 2/28, 3/28, 4/25

BABY WINE is one of Chicago's longest running LGBTQ+ comedy variety shows. Hosted by Baby Wine's core ensemble, each week a rotating lineup of queer performers open the show with a variety of acts ranging from standup to sketch to music to improv to drag. Baby Wine closes out the show with a no holds barred, long-form improv set. Come lol with us babe!

Open Run

An hour long comedy show featuring some of Annoyance Theatre’s best and funniest. Show Runner: Hails Reeves

2/22

An hour long comedy show featuring some of Annoyance Theatre’s best and funniest. Show Runner: Hails Reeves

Bi-Weekly

CHIP Chats is a PowerPoint comedy show loosely based on TED Talks- but where TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, and Design, CHIP stands for Comedy, Hilarity, Insanity, and Pointlessness- and we deliver on those promises. We here at CHIP Chats can guarantee that by the end of every show you will either learn something or not! Like TED Talks, but much Worse.

6/14

Following sold-out shows & multiple rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe and London's Off-West End Soho Theatre, comedian Ricky Sim (@rickeerick) brings ‘Coming Out To Dead People’ to Annoyance - a chaotic stand-up about growing up as a gaysian immigrant in NY, to coming out to his conservative Chinese-Malaysian mom… just as she’s diagnosed with cancer. Talk about good timing. Combining stand-up and storytelling, an autobiographical hour explores grief, cleft-palates, secrets to the grave, and why you should not be thinking about your ancestor when having gay sex. Runtime: 60mins

Bi-Weekly

Treat yourself to Chicago’s most intellectual comedy show. Comedians of all kinds going on about books while sipping very high end beverages. Bring your date to impress them, or come alone to feel self important.

Open Run

See Chicago's longest-running improv team bring their unique blend of big characters and absurd situations to the stage with infectious energy. Formed in 1996, Deep Schwa has performed over a thousand shows in theaters all over Chicago and beyond. Made up of an evolving cast of ten of the city's best veteran players. Each show singular, each show electric.

1/10, 2/14, 3/14, 4/11

Hail and well met, traveler! Grab a drink, put up your cloak, and I’ll tell you a tale. Escapades is a completely improvised choose-your-own adventure. Sprinkled throughout each story are opportunities for the audience to vote on what happens next. Whether we’re riding jetpacks on Mars or a unicorn through a gumdrop forest, you’re guaranteed a night of gasps, laughs, twists, turns, and daring rescues. Excelsior!

6/7-6/28

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Bi-Weekly

Enjoy an evening of off-the-cuff improv with some of the best emerging talent in the Chicago area. Fire & Beer is a fully improvised comedy show that explores the dark sides of life, relationships and human beings. The show features the Annoyance House Ensemble who excel at both long- and short-form improv. You can expect lots of laughs during this unpredictable improv show.

Open Run

A two act improv show. First, Annoyance students get a chance to enter their IDs into a fishbowl to be randomly selected to perform in an improv jam with veteran Annoyance teachers and performers. Then, the night closes with a set from Sight Unseen, an Annoyance house team who, for almost the past decade, has been known for its loose narrative form and vibrant (sometimes vicious) characters.

3/5 - 4/9

Flex Improv is made up of some of the best and wildest BIPOC performers in Chicago. From heart felt laughs, physical comedy, monologues, and singing, you never know what to expect from Flex. With new openers each week, including our Lab Cast, and of course us!

Open Run

A Chicago based improv comedy show and drinking game based on the works of Alfred Hitchcock. Based on an audience suggestion, the cast weave together an intricate Hitchcock-like drama, while holding true to the amount of drinking shown in his movies. You'll barely be able to stand the suspense, and the cast will barely be able to stand.

3/28

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Open Run

See a collage of character studies, scenes, songs and maybe even some audience interaction, all written in a week by some of Chicago’s most accomplished comedians. The “Holy Fuck Comedy Hour” is a curated hour of eclectic, comedic material written in a week with no rehearsals. Featuring a powerful collective representing a wide cross-section of the Chicago comedy community, the material varies every week.

5/2, 5/23. & 5/30

The aroma of Bollywood Masala fills the air with big emotions, dance sequences, soapy dialogues, drama, comedy, tragedy, and romance. A proud yet struggling director has one last chance to redeem his career by creating the ultimate masala-packed blockbuster before he goes out of business. His accomplice? A masala movie aficionado and self-proclaimed genius. As they clash over creative control, the director must navigate the chaos of filmmaking while discovering the true magic of connecting with an audience.
With a star-studded cast, three non-negotiable conditions set by the producer, and a story entirely improvised on the spot based on audience suggestions, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Will the director rise to the occasion and create a Bollywood Masala masterpiece worthy of its heritage? Join us and find out!

5/3 - 5/31

Each week a rotating cast of all-star musical improvisers will create a blend of comedy and song that will make the audience think the material was written. Drawing upon talent that has performed with Second City, Baby Wants Candy, Tuesday Musical Improv, Blank! The Musical, Voila! and more, this group emphasizes movement and music in a new way for the Annoyance stage. Musical direction by Lisa McQueen, Sam Scheidler, Karen Sandvoss and Brian Cooper.

5/31

Join Max and Ian for a one-night only variety show where they’ll try to figure out if they’re friends.

6/11 ONE NIGHT

Veteran improviser Susan Messing improvises with John Lehr in this unbridled romp through hell.

Open Run

Missed Call is a premiere Chicago comedy group that writes and performs an entirely new sketch show every Friday.

Open Run

Hosted by members of Tuesday Musical Improv, this free weekly jam allows anyone to try out musical improv on the Annoyance Mainstage. Sign-ups begin at 6:45--no experience necessary!

6/11

A staged reading of a new musical in development - the byproduct of when two writing partners break-up during the most pivotal moment of their career. But can they still make it work? Determined to not lose career momentum and equally determined to not be in the same room together... and with all eyes on what they'll write next... they choose to divide and conquer their next big musical by splitting the work perfectly in half. This is that premiere. Now presenting a musical about Napoleon Dynamite... wait, no... Napoleon Bonaparte? Uh oh.

5/14 & 5/21

A 55-minute folk horror-sketch comedy show about a cursed Puritan village spiraling into chaos — told one town meeting at a time.

Hear ye, hear ye! By order of the remaining elders, you are hereby summoned to the first official town meeting of Goody!, a spiritual inquest into the recent vanishings, visions, and Beast-related disturbances plaguing our blessed 1600s Puritan village. Join us for proceedings that will feature sketch comedy, original music, and immersive elements. Also it will be really fun... Yay!

The meeting shall be led by October Brian (Goodman Michael Salles Holtzman, Goodman Jackson Viccora, Goodman John O’Neill, and Goody Katherine Coates), a sketch comedy council who have been performing together for over ten years. Their past appearances include the BBC, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and in theaters around Chicago. Join them this May at The Annoyance Theater for revelations, reckonings, and the rising of the Beast.

Open Run

Open Stage is an opportunity for anyone to get on stage and try out whatever they're currently working on - standup, sketch, songs - you name it. At Open Stage anything can happen and it usually does!

6/11, 6/25

When a piece of art leaves the mouth of its creator, does it begin to sing in a new voice? Is the project ever really complete, and is the purpose for me to be known, or understood? Pictures in my mind explores the reason for doing this, basically any of this- but specifically being an entertainer-, with a cast of drag queens and club kids telling the story they know best.

Pictures in my mind is a feature-length, fully lip-synced "drag musical" serving dually as a retrospective for a new artist--Though each song in this show has been performed by True Romance and her ensemble before, this production breathes new life into them, reimagined for the theatre and a fully immersive storytelling experience.

CAST:
MIZTHANG
KEROSENE
MISS FAGUETTE
DELTA BADHAND
RICKY RUFF
DEAR JAMIE
DEMME ONYX

3/18 - 4/22

Looking for a Stand-up Comedy Open Mic that’s a supportive room,
always a good time, AND HAS FREE PIZZA?! Look no further than the Pizza Mic. The Pizza Mic (formerly at Pizza Serio) is, first and foremost, a safe space for all. Whether you’re a seasoned comic, an improvisor who’s always wanted to try standup, or you just decided that today’s the day for your first open mic (kudos) – The Pizza Mic is a great venue to workshop your bits. The show is every Tuesday from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Signup is online and the signup sheet is posted on Facebook & IG on Mondays. The list is emailed out a few hours before the show. Comics get 4 minutes of stage time (and a lifetime of memories.) While all are welcome, the room prioritizes BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and Femme comics. Come laugh with us!

7/2

Taking her life experience of attending an Indiana Catholic School for 12 years. Syd King looks at why she took purity culture terribly seriously; shamed friends for OWNING yoga pants, SLAPPED PEOPLE WHEN THEY CURSED, and did almost anything but love thy neighbour. Syd is now publicly atoning for her sins and hopefully making anyone else that still feels a tinge of guilt with a sip of red wine, a little better. Directed by Vannessa Jackson (SNL, Colbert, A Black Lady Sketch Show)

5/1 - 6/5

Secret Family is a sketch comedy group that's exactly like a real family, only our drama and infighting is mostly pretend, and our love for each other is 100% conditional. Also, to the best of our knowledge, none of us are related. Join our family on Thursdays at 8 as we present new sketches, welcome special guests, and work out our complicated issues with each other.

6/7 - 6/28

Shake the Baby is a 90-minute original sketch revue directed by Mick Napier.

The show’s cast and writers consist of Chicago’s up-and-coming comedians - Hope Brannon, Francesca Bucci, Luke Herman, Sage Huston, Max Kantor, Edgar Nevarez, Liam Reed, Mario Turner, and Rockie Wenrich. Music Direction by Justin Jacobs

5/21 - 6/4

Improv from the cast of Shake the Baby.

6/6-8/2

Al's a new gay in Chicago looking for love in the big city when he bumps into the most beautiful man he's ever seen on the streets of Northalsted one night. Desperate to make his acquaintance, Al follows him into the legendary bathhouse Steamworks. As he makes his way through the maze of jacuzzis, slings, gloryholes, and fuck benches, Al makes a wild group of friends who help him discover what love might really mean when everyone's covered in cum.

6/6-8/2

Al's a new gay in Chicago looking for love in the big city when he bumps into the most beautiful man he's ever seen on the streets of Northalsted one night. Desperate to make his acquaintance, Al follows him into the legendary bathhouse Steamworks. As he makes his way through the maze of jacuzzis, slings, gloryholes, and fuck benches, Al makes a wild group of friends who help him discover what love might really mean when everyone's covered in cum.

Open Run

A night for Annoyance students to JAM!

Open Run

Super Human is an improv team that tore into Chicago’s comedy scene in 2012 at The Upstairs Gallery (RIP). Since then, Super Human has become synonymous with bold, hilarious, fearless and fun comedy. Described as a “splash zone of women,” Super Human prides itself on the team’s diverse personalities and playing styles, with an unmistakable focus on creating inclusive learning and performance spaces. They are Super Human and SO ARE YOU!

5/2 - 5/23

That Vibey Show is an hour-long improv show hosted by Kiki Hughes and her invited guests where, in collaboration with the audience, we come up with thee vibiest 6-track playlists of all time and let that playlist influence a 20 minute improv set.

Music is how we culturally pass the plate & arguably the most galvanizing ingredient in any comedy show. This comedy show is a safe space for play, serving up comfort, imagination and a good vibe. Just like my childhood basement.

5/3 - 5/24

Introducing the Annoyance Variety Hour! Featuring performances from Chicago's best comedians, musicians, magicians, circus performers, puppeteers, and everything in between! A true everything goes show reminiscent of classic programs like the Ed Sullivan Show and the Gong Show, its sure to surprise and amaze even the most seasoned of theater goers. Hosted by one of Chicago's best alternative comedians, Michael Serio, an international headliner and regular at major comedy venues all across the city, and live music played every night by the soulful stylings of the musical comedy duo sensation So Far So Good, the only thing you'll be disappointed by is that you didn't go see it sooner.

Bi-Weekly

A night of Roman fuckery. Watch philosophers roast each other, improv gladiators battle, and kneel to Cesar in this truly unruly night of alt-comedy.

6/2 - 6/30

The Truth About Love is a brand new raunchy rom com musical that follows the unique stories of 8 different people living in Fair Haven Vermont. This Musical explores all the Greek words for love

Open Run

Annoyance founder Mick Napier created the Trigger Happy form out of a desire to make improv look as slick and beautifully put together as a scripted show. Through a language invisible to the audience, the fully improvised show magically comes to life. There is truly nothing else like it. An Annoyance Signature Improv show.

Review: https://www.newcitystage.com/2015/01/31/review-trigger-happythe-annoyance-theatre/

Open Run

The Annoyance's very own musical ensembles. Every Tuesday at 8pm, two groups improvise brand new musicals based on audience suggestions. Featuring Musical Director Lisa McQueen and starring the Annoyance Musical Ensembles. Follow us on instagram: @tuesdaymusicalimprov

6/1

"Van Turns 40" is a live standup performance, combining comedy, story-telling and a stage reading of "The Key To Life: In 365 Quotes" - The greatest book on Western civilization and culture, and the closest thing we have to magic right now.

Van Trinh is one of the fastest rising stars on the Canadian comedy stage. Hailing from Hamilton Ontario, (by way of Vietnam) his comedic style can only be described as self-deprecating and absurd. He is a life-long martial artist, computer programmer, standup comic and is currently on tour promoting his new book "The Key To Life: In 365 Quotes."

Open Run

They take edibles. Then they improvise. There's a 'too-high' button, for when it gets too crazy.

6/6 - 6/27

Yas, And! elevates LGBT voices and posits that change on a large scale begins with engaging your local community. The show incorporates a fundraising component for The Trevor Project, the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people. Come out of the closet and enjoy the show as a dynamic ensemble of LGBTQ+ actors deliver a dazzling array of sketches that capture the joys, challenges, and triumphs of queer life.