Comic Demetri Martin's active mind at work at Lincoln Hall by Steve Johnson

From 'Mammoths,' a new way of looking at museums by Steve Johnson

The museum in "Seven Homeless Mammoths Wander New England" is no stately edifice adorning a public park, no shimmering repository of great artifacts.

Former Chicago improv comic joins 'Daily Show' by Steve Johnson

Former Chicago improv comedian Jordan Klepper is the newest member of “The Daily Show’s” correspondent team, the Comedy Central show announced Monday.   &nbs…

Blue Men wanted: Auditioning for Chicago's 'Blue Man Group' by Steve Johnson

It's not easy becoming blue. It's pretty easy to be sad. It's a piece of cake to paint your face cerulean or powder or some other sky or sea shade. But actually becoming a Blue Man? That's a…

Going one-on-one with Paula Poundstone by Steve Johnson

(BY STEVE JOHNSON) ... Paula Poundstone lives in Santa Monica, Calif. "We're near the Jack in the Box," she says. "But I don't like to brag." And although she doesn't perform her stand-up co…

Emo Philips is still ... Emo by Steve Johnson

Downers Grove native returns to play 6 shows in Chicago BY STEVE JOHNSON ... It may surprise those who remember Emo Philips from his white-hot 1980s days to learn that Downers Grove's favor…

Reviews from Just for Laughs: Kevin Smith, Hannibal Buress, Patton Oswalt, Stephen Merchant and others by Steve Johnson

Going into "An Evening with Kevin Smith," it was difficult to imagine Smith answering audience questions as a Chicago Theatre show and one of the centerpieces of this year's TBS Just for Lau…

Love for Laughs is growing: How the TBS comedy fest got to be the biggest in the U.S. by Steve Johnson

(POSTED BY STEVE JOHNSON) ... You won't find universal love for the Just for Laughs festival in Chicago's comedy scene. But as the aggregation of local, national and international talent pre…

So these new comedy clubs walk into Chicago ... by Steve Johnson

From the longtime Zanies to the brand-new UP, a survey of the Chicago stand-up comedy scene (BY STEVE JOHNSON) ... From the longtime Zanies to the brand-new UP, our guide to the Chicago st…