Chicago-Style Laughs Coming To Michael's Hot Dogs on April 12th

NOTE: The Comedy Combo has been canceled. But, this article was boosted on social media and a lot of people will see it. So, no show on 4/12 but the long-standing Comedy Nosh at Max and Benny's is still on, April 19th. Click HERE for more info and for Comedy Nosh reservations.

You can disregard the rest of the well-written article below.

- Funnier By The Lake Comedy

Chicago hot dog joints are famous for their combos – Italian beef and sausage to be exact. But on Thursday, April 12, Michael’s Chicago-Style Red Hots in downtown Highland Park will be adding a completely different combo to its menu – “The Comedy Combo” – with dinner and live stand-up comedy.

“The Comedy Combo” is co-produced by Larry Bloom of Funnier By The Lake Comedy and Ricky March of Best Corporate Comedy. Together, their goal is to “serve something funny” through dinner and a show.

Michael’s will offer a buffet dinner featuring its famous fare starting at 7 pm, followed by a showcase of professional comedians at 8 pm. The cost is $40 per person, including one drink ticket.

Hosted by Bloom, the lineup features Shira Mizel, producer of Verified Laughs at The Laugh Factory, and Mike Hover, a regular at Zanies in Chicago, with headliner Reena Calm, featured on WCIU’s One Night Stand Up.

"Creating balanced lineups appeals to comedians, audiences and venues, and it makes even better shows."

Like all shows produced by Bloom, "The Comedy Combo" includes an equal number of men and women performers, something to which Bloom is committed. "The inequity in lineups has been an issue for a long time. There is a lot of great talent out there, from men and women. Creating balanced lineups appeals to comedians, audiences and venues, and it makes even better shows."

Funnier By The Lake Comedy was founded in 2014 with the goal of making the North Shore a comedy destination through live stand-up performances by professional comedians from Chicago and the surrounding suburbs.

Funnier By The Lake just finished a nearly three-year run at Madame Zuzu’s Tea House in Highland Park, which closed its doors on March 18. Bloom is always scouting for new venues, and with “The Comedy Combo” at Michael’s, he didn’t miss a beat in continuing the ONLY live stand-up comedy in Highland Park.

Michael’s is well-known, serves great food, has a fun atmosphere and there is a large and open space for entertaining.

“I was dining at Michael’s one night, looked around and thought this would make a terrific venue for live stand-up comedy,” adds Bloom. “Michael’s is a staple in Highland Park, founded in 1977. It’s well-known, serves great food, has a fun atmosphere and there is a large and open space for entertaining. Even better, Michael’s already produces events on a regular basis.”

When Bloom approached Ben Unger, of Michael's Hot Dogs, with his concept, it was extremely well-received. Unger welcomed the idea of doing something new that would attract old and new customers alike.

Bloom, along with March, is committed to building a professional comedy community outside of Chicago, using stand-up to transform the North Shore into a destination for people to enjoy a traditionally "Chicago" amenity close to home.

“The Comedy Combo” will bring Chicago-style laughs to Highland Park.

Details:

This show has been canceled. Visit www.FunnierByTheLake.com for other upcoming shows.