When times get tough, seeing people who make us laugh is a cure-all you simply can’t find next to the Nyquil and Mucinex. That’s why it’s always best to have a night of giggles to look forward to.
Luckily, locals have a wealth of enticing comedy shows to catch in the months ahead, from a special one-on-one conversation with a celebrated “Saturday Night Live” alum to a couple of arena dates featuring a bill of two of today’s most popular stand-up comedians.
Leslie Jones
Catch a “Saturday Night Live” superstar in the flesh when series alum Leslie Jones hits San Francisco to discuss her new memoir, “Leslie F—ing Jones” (Grand Central Publishing, $30, Sept. 19).
Selected as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2017, Jones received three Primetime Emmy nominations during her time on “SNL.” She’s also delivered memorable roles on everything from “The Daily Show” to “Coming 2 America.”
On Sept. 27, spend an evening with a self-described “tall-ass Black woman with a trumpet voice” when Jones stops by the Sydney Goldstein Theater to chat about her memoir with Oakland novelist Jasmine Guillory.
City Arts and Lectures Presents Leslie Jones: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27. $49. Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St., S.F.cityarts.net
Chris Tucker
Despite a few years off from the grind, comedianChris Tuckeris sure to bring plenty of the fast-talking, ferociously funny charm that made him a star in ’90s blockbusters like “Friday,” “The Fifth Element” and “Rush Hour” when he hits the stage at Oakland’s Paramount Theatre. The show is part of a mammoth year for Tucker, who starred in “Air,” the critically acclaimed film directed by Ben Affleck about the rise of Nike. While that role marked Tucker’s first onscreen appearance in five years, his tour will be his first in over a decade, offering a rare chance to hear what the “Def Comedy Jam” alum makes of a world that looks mighty different since the last time he toured.
“The Legend Tour 2023”: 8 p.m. Sept. 30. $39-$79. Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakland. paramountoakland.org
Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key
Want to know how the proverbial fudge gets made? Third-wheel it with married couple Keegan-Michael Key (“Key & Peele”) and Elle Key as they share insights from their new book, “The History of Sketch Comedy” (Chronicle Books, $29.95, Oct. 3). Billed as “part masterclass, part memoir,” the comedic compendium builds on the pair’s 2022 Webby Award-winning podcast of the same name. Featuring interviews with luminaries like Mel Brooks and Carol Burnett, the book also highlights the essential building blocks of sketch comedy.
On Oct. 7, the Keys will keep the rule of three intact by appearing at the Sydney Goldstein Theater for a conversation with San Francisco-raised podcast host Jesse Thorn about the title and their favorite subject.
City Arts and Lectures Presents Keegan-Michael Key and Elle Key: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7. $59. Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes St., S.F.cityarts.net
Eddie Izzard
For many years, the Bay Area has been blessed with the frequent presence of acclaimed British comedian Eddie Izzard. Presently 35 years into a seminal stand-up career, Izzard (who uses she/her pronouns and also answers to Suzy) is keeping things fresh on a new tour billed as a chance to “remix and re-imagine” her favorite bits from across her career. Seeing her reconceptualize classic material like her Darth Vader bit is a seriously special occasion.
应用程序earing for only three performances, Izzard is expected to transform San Francisco’s Orpheum into a palace of mirth from Oct. 19 to 21.
“The Remix: The First 35 Years”: 8 p.m. Oct. 19-21. $69.50-$106. Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., S.F.broadwaysf.com
Aunty Donna
Riding high on the success of its 2020 Netflix series, Australian surrealist sketch group Aunty Donna is hitting San Francisco on “the Magical Dead Cat Tour.” What does that title imply, exactly? If you’ve watched any of “Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun,” you’ll know the results could be anything from a musical number to gloriously absurd chaos — and often both.
Whatever the trio of Mark Samual Bonanno, Broden Kelly and Zachary Ruane have planned, Aunty Donna’s tour stop at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts is destined to be deranged in all the best ways.
“The Magical Dead Cat Tour”: 7 p.m. Oct. 22. $40-$80. Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon St., S.F.palaceoffinearts.org
Jerry Seinfeld & Jim Gaffigan
In recent years, the concept of seeing two headline-caliber comedians for the price of one has come into vogue. Last December, heavyweightsDave Chappelle and Chris Rockteamed together for a tour that included a stop at San Francisco’s Chase Center. This fall, another impressive pairing is set to take over the home court of the Golden State Warriors in the form ofJerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan.
Celebrating a friendship that blossomed from sharing a cup of joe on Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” to Gaffigan’s upcoming role in the Seinfeld-directed Netflix film “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story,” it’s all but certain that guts will be busted when they perform back-to-back on each of two nights at Chase Center.
“Jerry Seinfeld & Jim Gaffigan”: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2-3. Starting at $65. Chase Center, 1 Warriors Way, S.F.chasecenter.com
Ali Wong
是什么成为一年一度的传统,圣Francisco native and superstar comedian Ali Wong will return for a mini residency this December at the Masonic on Nob Hill. Once a fixture at city clubs like the Punch Line, Wong’s ascent to comedy’s upper stratosphere thankfully hasn’t caused her to forget her roots. In addition to setting her 2019 smash hit Netflix romantic comedy “Always Be My Maybe” in her hometown, Wong never misses a chance to try out new material for local crowds while home for the holidays. Take part in the merriment by getting tickets to see one of Wong’s five scheduled shows in December — and keep an eye out for possible additional dates to come.
“Ali Wong: Live”: 7 p.m. Dec. 16-20. $75. Masonic, 1111 California St., S.F.aliwong.com/tour
Zack Ruskin is a freelance writer.