The Den Theatre today announced upcoming shows: Summer Jobs Tour: Andrew Dismukes, James Austin Johnson, and Devon Walker, Cameron Esposito: Summer Survival Tour, and break-out comedian Keith Pedro. They will come to The Heath Mainstage in July and August at 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets are now on sale at www.thedentheatre.com or by calling (773) 697-3830.
(L-R: Andrew Dismukes, James Austin Johnson, Devon Walker)
Summer Jobs Tour: Andrew Dismukes, James Austin Johnson, and Devon Walker
Friday, July 5, 2024 at 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 7:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Tickets: $24 - $45
Andrew Dismukes is a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor. This year, he returned to "Saturday Night Live" for his third season as a cast member after starting on the show as a staff writer in Season 43. He is a series regular in the forthcoming Amazon animated original, “The Hospital,” alongside Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne, Kieran Culkin, and more. Andrew started performing stand-up comedy in Austin, TX while studying at the University of Texas where he received a B.S. in radio, television, and film. He has performed all across North America and the UK. In 2017, he was named one of the New Faces at the Just For Laughs Festival. He's also performed at the Moon Tower Comedy Festival, the Dublin Comedy Festival, Clusterfest, and the New York Comedy Festival, to name a few.
James Austin Johnson is a comedian originally from Nashville and a cast member on “Saturday Night Live.” The New York Times has called him “one of SNL’s most versatile celebrity impressionists.” His spot-on impression of Trump paired with his improvisational ramblings about Weird Al, Julia Louis Dreyfus, and Scooby-Doo have garnered over 5 million views, with profiles on James in Vanity Fair, Slate, Mashable, and VICE to name a few. As an actor, James' TV/Film credits include “Future Man,” “Baskets,” Robbie,” “Better Call Saul,” “The Last Tycoon,” and the Coen Brothers’ feature, “Hail, Caesar!.” As a stand-up, James has performed on the Vice series “Flophouse,” as well as Riot LA and Just For Laughs as a New Face. He currently voices the Grinch on Wondery’s “‘Tis The Grinch Holiday Talk Show.”
Devon Walker is a stand-up comedian and writer best known as a current cast member on “Saturday Night Live.” He acts, too, but he doesn't want to be associated with that community. Previously, Devon wrote for the hit Netflix animated series “Big Mouth” and the Freeform series "Everything’s Trash" starring Phoebe Robinson. Originally from Austin, TX, and now based in New York, Devon has been featured on Comedy Central and was listed as one of Vulture's Comedians You Should And WILL Know in 2022. Devon's hourlong interactive show 'Come and Talk to Me' will be touring the East Coast this summer and is "lowkey really good" according to audience members who have seen it.
Cameron Esposito: Summer Survival Tour
Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $22 - $45
Cameron Esposito (she/they) is a stand-up comic, actor, writer, and host based in Los Angeles.
In addition to her work as a nationally touring headliner, Cameron has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, Comedy Central, TBS, IFC, E!, Cartoon Network and HBO Canada. Recently, she recurred as ‘Greta’ in 21 episodes of ABC’s “A Million Little Things,” as well as roles on “The Rookie: Feds,” “Station 19,” and Amazon’s “With Love.” In 2022, Cameron hosted the 2nd Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards, AMC’s “Obsessed With the Vampire,” and live conferences for LGBTQ+ rights organizations Lesbians Who Tech and National Center for Lesbian Rights. Last year, Cameron completed a social media endorsement campaign with Wildfang and was the face of the Skittles’ Pride Campaign to promote LGBTQ+ artists and stories in partnership with GLAAD rights organization (for which she also hosted their awards show in 2017), Audible, and her podcast “Queery,” which features a series of hour-long conversations with some of the brightest luminaries in the LGBTQ+ community covering themes of identity and the shifting cultural matrix around gender/sexuality. Additionally, Cameron can be heard giving semi-sarcastic survival advice as the host of Sony Music’s podcast “Survive or Die Trying.” In 2021, Cameron served as the inaugural host for the Podcast Academy’s annual award show, The Ambies. Cameron was honored with a 2023 Courage Award from the New York City Anti-Violence Project.
Cameron is developing her new comedy-hybrid special alongside W. Kamau Bell, which follows her mental health journey. Her 2018 special “Rape Jokes” raised over $100,000 for RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, by releasing the special for free and encouraging viewers to donate in lieu of subscribing and watching on a streaming service. The self-financed hour has been praised as an “unapologetically hard-hitting, bracingly timely hour” (Vanity Fair), “blistering, masterful, tragic, hilarious” (New York Magazine). A writer from The Daily Beast who happened to be in the audience hailed the set as “powerful,” “daring and hilarious,” and as “the first great stand-up set of the #metoo era.”
In March 2020, Cameron released her first-ever book, “Save Yourself,” a memoir that tackles sexuality, gender, and equality and explains how her Catholic upbringing prepared her for a career as an outspoken lesbian comedian in ways the Pope could never have imagined. The book, published by Grand Central Publishing, became an instant bestseller.
She has been named a Comic to Watch by The New York Times, Variety, The Guardian, LA Weekly, Time Out Los Angeles, Jezebel, Los Angeles Magazine and Cosmopolitan.
Keith Pedro
Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 7:15 p.m.
Tickets: $22 - $37
Keith Pedro is a breakout comedian and writer known for his in-your-face persona and razor-sharp humor. As a series regular on CTV's "Roast Battles Canada'', he captivated audiences with his quick-witted improvisational skills. Keith has established himself as a rising star with appearances at the prestigious Just For Laughs festival and headlining shows at renowned venues like Massey Hall. His JUNO-nominated comedy album, "Trillipino," has gained recognition on Kevin Hart's Laugh Out Loud network. As a Second City Alumni, Keith's energetic stage presence and fast-talking swagger have led to sold-out performances at comedy clubs across Canada and the US. Whether headlining at the Halifax Comedy Festival Gala, the Winnipeg Comedy Festival Gala, or co-headlining the Filipino Comedy Tour, Keith continues to deliver unforgettable laugh-filled experiences for audiences worldwide.
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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