The Den Theatre today announced upcoming September 2025 shows at the theatre’s Wicker Park stages at 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., including SpotlightCTRL Presents: UNMUTED on September 6; Alonzo Bodden on September 7; Joey Villagomez on September 14; Lucy Darling on September 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21; Jay Larson on September 24; Vinny Guadagnino on September 26 - 27; Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet Podcast on September 28. Tickets are now on sale at www.thedentheatre.com or by calling (773) 697-3830.
Top Row (L-R): SpotlightCTRL, Alonzo Bodden, Joey Villagomez,
Bottom Row (L-R): Lucy Darling, Jay Larson, Vinny Guadagnino, Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet Podcast
SpotlightCTRL Presents: UNMUTED
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Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30 - $65
Step into a one-night-only collision of comedy, culture, and live rhythm that could only happen in Chicago. SpotlightCTRL: UNMUTED is not your typical comedy show–it’s a 120-minute live experience blending improv, hip-hop, and real talk, all backed by a live DJ + drummer and an ensemble of seasoned performers. Expect fast-paced, unscripted moments and an electric community vibe where no script, no filter, just truth and rhythm take center stage.
WHO’S ON STAGE:
Headkrack (Host) is a TV personality seen on Wild ‘N Out, Dish Nation, and The Rickey Smiley Morning Show. Host of SideDish, a daily pop culture show on Fox Soul.
“SpotlightCTRL is about truth, rhythm, and giving the mic back to the people.” – Headkrack
BranooFunck (DJ + Drums) is an award-winning duo Menace the DJ + Medz, featured in the Dallas Observer cover story, “The Party Never Stops.” Their sets are high-energy, heart-thumping, beat therapy.
“We’re not a background act. We’re the heartbeat.”
Off Book - Impov Troupe includes veteran performers from The Second City, iO, and UCB, delivering rhythm-driven, culturally rich, razor-sharp comedy.
“Every night with SpotlightCTRL is like stepping into a cipher with no rules.”
PRODUCED BY:
Anna Marisol is the Creative Producer of SpotlightCTRL and CEO of Onet Lavi Entertainment, and a certified PMP, Recording Academy member, and cultural strategist.
“UNMUTED is built to reflect our real lives–messy, funny, musical, and beautiful.” – Anna Marisol
Alonzo Bodden
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Sunday, September 7, 2025 at 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $22 - $40
A regular panelist on NPR’s Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me, Alonzo Bodden has been making audiences laugh for nearly 30 years. He most recently starred in his fourth stand-up special, Heavy Lightweight, which premiered exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Alonzo’s breakout came through the “New Faces of Comedy” showcase at the Just for Laughs Festival in Montreal, followed by his national debut as the season three winner of NBC’s Last Comic Standing. He has since released two Showtime comedy specials—Historically Incorrect and Who’s Paying Attention—and made appearances on CBS’s Ghosts, ABC’s Dr. Ken and Fresh Off the Boat, and Californication.
His film and TV credits include Bringing Down the House, Scary Movie 4, The Onion Movie, Dr. Phil, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.
A longtime car and motorcycle enthusiast, Bodden has hosted Speed Channel’s 101 Cars You Must Drive and joined Jay Leno on several off-road adventures on Leno’s Garage. He also served as a field correspondent on Animal Nation with Anthony Anderson and a contributor to the Science Channel’s How to Build Everything.
He released his fifth comedy album, Man Overboard, and has performed aboard jazz cruises and hosted the Capital Jazz Festival. His sharp comedy riffs have earned comparisons to jazz solos from legends like Marcus Miller, Robert Glasper, and Dee Dee Bridgewater. Bodden is also a frequent contributor to The Young Turks, offering his singular perspective on current events.
Joey Villagomez
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Sunday, September 14, 2025 at 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $22 - $37
Joey Villagomez has been performing stand-up comedy for nearly 20 years and is a staple of the Chicago comedy scene. Known for his sharp storytelling and relatable observations, Joey brings hilarious personal tales to the stage that resonate with audiences everywhere.
In 2012, he was featured in the TBS Just For Laughs Festival in Chicago and has since performed at top comedy clubs across the country, including Gotham Comedy Club in New York, The Hollywood Improv, and The World Famous Comedy Store.
In 2019, comedy legend Bill Burr handpicked Joey to appear on his Comedy Central showcase, Bill Burr Presents: The Ringers. Joey is currently touring and headlining clubs nationwide, continuing to build on his reputation as one of the most authentic and engaging voices in stand-up today.
Lucy Darling
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Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 7:15 p.m.
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Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 7:15 p.m.
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Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
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Friday, September 19, 2025, at 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
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Sunday, September 21, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $37 - $70
Step into the world of Lucy Darling—and prepare to be delighted and dazzled by a daring display of debonair, dramatic, and downright delicious magic!
Known worldwide as the grand dame of comedy and magic, Lucy Darling is beloved for her wit, charm, and exceptionally good hair. She serves up a cocktail of clever comedy, jaw-dropping magic, and sparkling improvisational wit that’ll leave you laughing one minute and gasping the next.
Lucy is magic royalty—a 15-time award-winning performer, a Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley’s Believe It or Not record-setter, and a two-time Stage Magician of the Year at the world-famous Magic Castle. Come be part of the fantasy—and fall in love with magic.
ABOUT CARISA HENDRIX
Carisa Hendrix is a comedian, magician, and variety artist, and the force behind Lucy Darling. She is a 15-time award-winning entertainer featured in the Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Hendrix received the prestigious Allan Slaight Award and was crowned Stage Magician of the Year at the Magic Castle for two consecutive years.
Known for her character work as Lucy Darling, Hendrix has appeared on the covers of Genii, Vanish Magazine, and Penguin Monthly, and on hit shows including Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Masters of Illusion.
QUOTES
“Simply wonderful.” – Steve Martin
“A great act.” – Penn & Teller
“Lucy Darling is a true original – both hilarious and delightful. An exceptional new talent in magic.” – David Copperfield
FOLLOW ONLINE
TikTok: @carisahendrix | @thelucydarling
Instagram: @carisahendrix | @lucydarlingmagic
YouTube: Carisa Hendrix
Facebook: Carisa Hendrix | Hendrix Entertainment | The Lucy Darling
Bluesky: @carisahendrix | @carisa
Jay Larson
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Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Tickets: $22 - $35
Jay Larson is best known for his viral "Wrong Number" story, which has racked up over 500 million views across social media and remains one of the most shared comedy clips of all time. With three full-length specials available on YouTube and appearances on Comedy Central, Showtime, and late-night TV, Jay is a fixture in the world of stand-up comedy.
A master storyteller with a sharp eye for observational detail, Jay’s relatable, grounded humor has earned him spots on popular podcasts like Your Mom’s House (YMH) and The HoneyDew. He also co-hosted the beloved podcast The CrabFeast, a longtime favorite among comedy fans.
Offstage, Jay is a devoted dad and a versatile creative talent—selling TV shows, acting alongside Amy Poehler and David Lynch, and directing projects with Kumail Nanjiani, Johnny Knoxville, Tiger Woods, and Rory McIlroy.
Jay’s blend of authenticity, humor, and originality makes him one of comedy’s most engaging voices—and a live performance you don’t want to miss.
Vinny Guadagnino
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Friday, September 26, 2025 at 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
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Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $30 - $60
Vinny Guadagnino is one of the most recognized lifestyle personalities and digital influencers in America. He first rose to fame in 2009 on MTV’s Jersey Shore, which became the highest-rated series in the network’s history and a full-on cultural phenomenon.
Vinny has since starred in multiple spin-offs and original series, including Vinny & Ma Eat America (Food Network), Joking Off (MTV2), Double Shot at Love, and Revenge Prank alongside DJ Pauly D. In 2018, he returned for Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, which continues to break viewership records—its seventh season premiered February 8, 2024.
Vinny also earned rave reviews for his celebrity guest host residency with the Chippendales Las Vegas and made it to the quarterfinals on Dancing with the Stars (Season 31). Most recently, he joined the cast of All-Star Shore (MTV & Paramount+) for Season 2, competing in high-stakes party games against fellow reality stars.
Off-screen, Vinny is a two-time best-selling author and one of the most visible voices in the keto and wellness world. His book The Keto Guido Cookbook: Delicious Recipes to Get Healthy and Look Great solidified his role as a go-to figure in fitness and health. He also stars in Wawa’s pizza campaign, and works with major brands including Visible, La Roche-Posay, and DraftKings.
FOLLOW VINNY
Instagram: @vinnyguadagnino
TikTok: @vinnyguadagnino
Facebook: Vinny Guadagnino
Twitter: @VINNYGUADAGNINO
Cookbook: The Keto Guido Cookbook
Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet Podcast
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Sunday, September 28, 2025, at 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $30 - $47.50
Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet is a critically acclaimed comedy podcast that features dramatic readings of the internet’s wildest one-star reviews.
Hailed by Vulture as “a giggly treat in tense modern times,” the show follows sibling hosts Xandy and Christine Schiefer as they dive into the most outrageously petty complaints from Yelp, Google, TripAdvisor, and beyond. From nude beaches with too much nudity to caves with not enough cell service, no gripe is too small—and no review too ridiculous.
Website & Social
🌐 www.beachtoosandy.com
Instagram: @beachtoosandy | @xandyschiefer | @xtineschiefer
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.
Follow The Den Theatre:
Facebook: Facebook.com/TheDenTheatre
Instagram: @TheDenTheatre
Twitter: @TheDenTheatre
COVID safety: For the most up-to-date information on our venue’s COVID precautions, please visit thedentheatre.com/covid19-policy.