The Den Theatre today announced Star Spangled Banter, a high-energy stand-up comedy showcase featuring some of the funniest and fiercest progressive voices on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at 7:15 p.m. on the Heath Mainstage at 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets are available now at www.thedentheatre.com or by calling (773) 697-3830.
Top Row (L-R): Heather Gardner, Lisandra Vàzquez, Suzanne Lambert
Bottom Row (L-R): Tanner Devore, Elizabeth Booker Houston, Josh Burstein
Ready to laugh and feel something? Star Spangled Banter is where sharp wit meets progressive firepower. Join us for a high-energy night of stand-up featuring some of the funniest left-leaning voices in comedy—Heather Gardner, Lisandra Vázquez, Suzanne Lambert, Tanner Devore, Elizabeth Booker Houston, and Josh Burstein—plus a surprise political guest who’s sure to bring the heat.
This isn’t just a comedy show—it’s a cultural shift in real time. We're roasting the right, rallying the base, and making it very cool to care again. Think of it as your favorite campaign rally… if it had punchlines and a two-drink minimum.
Bold. Hilarious. Unapologetically progressive.
Star Spangled Banter is civic engagement with a mic in hand and the vibe of a packed-out club.
Come for the laughs. Stay for the movement.
Tickets won’t last—grab yours now!
HEATHER GARDNER - Host
Heather Gardner is a comedian, content creator, host, producer, and writer whose bold stance on the news has established her as an outspoken voice in today’s entertainment landscape.
She’s hosted for esteemed platforms including HuffPost, AOL’s Build, Variety, Yahoo Entertainment, Fandango/Rotten Tomatoes, and more. She is also an accomplished stand-up comedian with credits including The Comedy Store, The Hollywood Improv, Flappers, and more. (@heathergtv)
LISANDRA VÁZQUEZ
Lisandra is a Puerto Rican-born, Atlanta-based stand up comedian, actor, activist, and creator. With a background in acting & improv, Lisandra's high-energy yet dry storytelling point of view is based on her experiences as a Latina millennial, her take on pop culture, politics, and more. She is a regular at the Laughing Skull Lounge and has performed all over the country, has opened for Aida Rodriguez, Dulcé Sloan, Lace Larrabee, and has worked with organizations like Climate Power, Generation180, GasLeaks, and more. (@lisandravcomedy)
SUZANNE LAMBERT
Suzanne Lambert is a DC-based comedian and content creator. Her work has been featured in the Washington Post, CNN, Newsweek, Glamour, Betches, among others and she has appeared live on CBS. Known as the “Regina George liberal,” she delivers engaging, smart and biting wit to an audience of nearly 800K across TikTok and Instagram (@itssuzannelambert).
TANNER DEVORE
Tanner is a comedic content creator who has been entertaining audiences for over 4 years, building a strong following of over 1 million across TikTok and Instagram. (@tannertan36)
ELIZABETH BOOKER HOUSTON
Elizabeth Booker Houston, JD, MPH and known as @bookersquared across social media, is a lawyer, social scientist, comedienne, mom, wife, and overall political snarkologist who gives her outspoken takes on law, politics, and current events. (@bookersquared)
JOSH BURSTEIN
Josh is an Emmy-winning video journalist, digital strategist, climate activist, and comedian-ist. In 2018, Josh started GOOD POLITICAL to work with friends on things that matter, producing nearly 100 digital ads for the Biden Harris campaign, helping the Parkland students with digital communications for March For Our Lives, leading the creative launch of Michelle Obama’s initiative, When We All Vote, and as Senior Creative Advisor to Governor Tony Evers defeat of Scott Walker in Wisconsin. Stand up credits include Majestic Theatre, Westside Comedy LA Leicester Square Theatre, Summit Series, Paramount Theatre and more. (@jburstofa)
Performance schedule:
Wednesday, June 11, 2025 at 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: General Admission ($45); VIP Front Row Table + Meet & Greet ($75); VIP Table + Meet & Greet ($65); Mezzanine ($50); Obstructed ($40); Add-on option for After Party & 2 Drink Tokens ($25). Tickets on sale now at www.thedentheatre.com or by calling (773) 697-3830. All ticket prices include cocktail service with a two-drink minimum.
About The Den Theatre
The Den Theatre opened in 2010 in the Wicker Park neighborhood with just a single theatre space. Now celebrating its thirteenth year, Co-owners Ryan Martin and Carol Cohen, along with their talented and dynamic staff, have developed The Den into a multi-level, live entertainment venue that boasts five intimate and unique theaters ranging from 50 – 300 seats. In addition, the first floor houses The Den Bar & Lounge – a full-service bar where audiences gather before and after performances to share a drink and commune with like-minded culture-hounds. Today, The Den is focused on providing world-class stand-up comedy and cultivating its first love – the theatre. The Den is home to four resident theatre companies including About Face Theatre, The Artistic Home, First Floor Theater and Haven. Hundreds of other companies, artists and comedians from Chicago and beyond have called The Den home – from national names to local stars, and The Den consistently plays host to a lineup of exciting and diverse talent. As a building created for interdisciplinary arts, The Den has accommodated a wide variety of programming, including plays, musicals, stand-up comedy, improv, dance, film screenings, seminars and speaking engagements. For additional information, visit www.thedentheatre.com.
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COVID safety: For the most up-to-date information on our venue’s COVID precautions, please visit thedentheatre.com/covid19-policy.