PHOTO from the top: Steve Rashid, Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse, Dana Olsen ************** On New Year’s Eve 2023 at Studio5 in Evanston, the laughter was loud and nonstop, the mood celebratory, the joy palpable, and the air electric. Who created that magic? It was the legendary Practical Theatre Company, specifically Paul Barrosse, Victoria Zielinski, Dana […]

As snowstorms rage across the country, my mind is on one particular comedian. When Maggie Faris is not starring in comedy clubs across Minnesota’s Twin Cities and the Midwest, she is at the wheel of a city snowplow in Minneapolis-St.Paul. If you’re curious about the life of this unique funny snow wrangler, you must listen […]

Guess which facts about Steven Springer are true or false: The first time I was impressed by Steven Springer was when I happened on his YouTube clips about seven years ago. His delivery is on an almost magical frequency – both inscrutably deadpan and intriguingly charming. I wanted to hang on to every word. The […]

PHOTO: DANA OLSEN, VICTORIA ZIELINSKI, PAUL BARROSSE The legendary Practical Theatre Company will present the world premiere of Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue at Studio5 in Evanston from December 29-31 and January 4-7 with a special New Year’s Eve edition. The sketch comedy and music extravaganza stars Victoria Zielinski, Dana Olsen and Practical […]

PHOTO: DANA OLSEN, PAUL BARROSSE, VICTORIA ZIELINSKI, STEVE RASHID If you spot Dana Olsen playing with his grandson at a North Shore park, know that you are not looking at just any grandpa. Dana’s comedy partners Victoria Zielinski and Paul Barrosse describe him as a “tall Nord” and “as fine a comedy writer as there […]