Comedy Showcase Planned for 1st Saturdays in Highland Park

The first Saturday of every month in Highland Park is about to get a lot funnier.

Stand up comics from all over Chicagoland will appear in HilariTea, a comedy showcase produced by three women, at Madame Zuzu’s Tea Shop, 582 Roger Williams Ave. beginning on October 3.

Denise Medina lives in Highland Park and wanted to see something featuring local comics in the area on a regular basis. So she joined forced with Krista Atkinson and Elizabeth Gomez to plan a show that allows for a “more intimate” experience between the comics and audience. They had one in April, and found that there is enough interest from the community to make it a monthly event.

“There isn’t a mic, but there are a lot of laughs!” Medina said.

The first official show will begin at 8:30 p.m. on October 3. Comics are required to do clean sets so people of all ages can enjoy the performances. Those planned to perform at HilariTea include some who perform regularly at the Laugh Factory, Jokes & Notes and the Comedy Bar.

It will be just as fun as the one performed in April, Gomez said, adding that it is actually better because “you’ll get more of it.”

“Our first show was mostly to see if it would work as a regular show and if there was interest from the community. Fortunately, it worked out wonderfully,” she added. “The comics had a great time and the audience was very supportive. Madame Zuzu’s lends itself to make it easy for people to socialize before and after the show as well.”

The show is free to the public, but those attending are encouraged to make a purchase from Madame Zuzu’s.