His sets are intelligent without being pompous, brainy without shying away from what Bill Hicks called “the purple-veined dick jokes,” and full of unique observations about Chicago, relationships, day-to-day life, and statutory rape. But Adam Burke insists he’s not a rare bird in the aviary of local stand-up comedy.
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As influenced by English comic Spike Mulligan as he is by Woody Allen, Steve Martin, and Hicks, Burke, 35, has been telling jokes for five years now. His regular gigs include cohosting the Wednesday night open mike at Cole’s Bar—opposite busy young female stand-up Cameron Esposito—and performing with Kiss Kiss Cabaret at the Greenhouse Theater on Fridays. He opened for Hannibal Buress at Zanie’s this summer.
The article was inspired by comedian friends complaining about a lack of opportunity in Chicago, but Burke manages to get up onstage at least three nights a week. Barroom open mikes and showcases like Hug City and Speak Easy “are a great complement to known rooms such as Chicago Underground and the Lincoln Lodge,” he says. “People are getting all these chances to become really polished. I might not see someone for six months, and then when I do they’re so much stronger.”
Thu 9/15, 8 PM, Ace Bar, 1505 W. Fullerton, 773-546-8247, standupcomedychicago.com, $5.
Tue 9/20, 9:30 PM, Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 773-281-4444, beatkitchen.com, $5.
Among the opening acts for Robert Buscemi’s “Buscemi and Friends gala”: Sun 10/2, 6 PM, Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway, 773-561-4665, annoyanceproductions.com, $10.
Opens for Tom Clark: Tue-Thu 10/25-10/27 and Sun 10/30, 8:30 PM, Fri 10/28, 8:30 and 10:30 PM, Sat 10/29, 7, 9, and 11:15 PM, $23 plus two-item minimum.
