Comedy's biggest stars are headed our way. Here's 9 can't miss shows near us.

If there was ever a time we needed to laugh – the kind of chuckle that emanates from deep in the belly and leaves us gasping for air – it’s now.

With the stress of today’s antagonistic politics and the devastation of crime and weather events weighing on us, there's nothing like a good laugh to provide a welcome escape.

Area venues have scheduled everything from raunchy comedy sets to improvisation. To help you plan, we’ve curated this list of nine options, listed in chronological order:

Tracy Morgan, Oct. 14, Foxwoods Resort Casino (foxwoods.com). Since his "Saturday Night Live" days in the 1990s, Morgan has carved a niche as a memorable sketch actor and unpredictable stand-up comedian mining life and news of the day for laughs.

Mark Normand, “Ya Don’t Say” tour, Oct. 21, Vets Auditorium, Providence (thevetsri.com). A newer phenom, Normand has earned Jerry Seinfeld’s vote as “the best young up-and-coming comic.” Variety noted his “distinct, and dark,” style.

John Mulaney and Pete Davidson, Oct. 27, Providence Performing Arts Center (ppacri.org). The “Saturday Night Live” alums' work weaves some of their own sets together with fresh, collaborative material for an unpredictably hysterical experience.

Bill Burr, Nov. 5, Foxwoods Resort Casino (foxwoods.com). His arena tour demonstrates his ability to connect and deliver what Rolling Stone called “rage-fueled humor.” His cynical style tackles everything from his childhood to sex robots.

Steve Martin and Martin Short “You Won’t Believe What They Look Like Today," Nov. 11, Providence Performing Arts Center (ppacri.org). If you can’t get enough of them in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building,” this might fill the void. Two-thirds of the “Three Amigos,” they tap self-deprecating jokes and subversive observations masterfully.

Chris Distefano “Right Intention, Wrong Move,” Nov. 17, Vets Auditorium (thevetsri.com). With a résumé that includes MTV’s “Guy Code,” Netflix specials and hosting Jimmy Kimmel’s “Super Maximum Retro Show,” Distefano blends his New Yorker persona with real life for what he calls Chrissy Chaos.

Chelsea Handler, Nov. 19, Vets Auditorium (thevetsri.com). Self-deprecating humor that touches on every aspect of life – whether it makes you squeamish or not – is the style that rocketed Handler to fame in stand-up and as an author and talk show host.

Jerry Seinfeld, Dec. 9, Foxwoods Resort Casino (foxwoods.com). The king of acerbic – if cranky – observation, Seinfeld is consistently one of the finest comedians working today. His sets are steeped in hysterical rhetorical questions, facial contortions and his whiny take on everything from current events to food.

Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy, Dec. 29, Vets Auditorium (thevetsri.com). The improv comedian best known for his pranks on “Impractical Jokers” will do just about anything for a laugh. He mixes bathroom humor with Italian jabs and keen societal observations.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Stand-up comedy stars will bring plenty of comic relief to RI