Luke Mones (MOHN-ess) will make your day funnier. I’m not just talking about the day you listen to his new album Happening In My Head. That day will be funnier, but so will every day thereafter. Every time I drive by a 7-Eleven now, I laugh and think about bananas. I can no longer pick …
Evanston born Emilia Barrosse is blazing a unique path as a comedian. This weekend, Emilia, who is known as a writer for the hit series Veep and Tacoma F.D., will return to her hometown for a two-night standup comedy event at Studio5 as part of the Practical Theatre Company’s new season. At just two weeks …
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 …
Maggie Faris’s “Tougher Than A Honey Bee” is Completely Buzzworthy Read More »
Sean Bair-Flannery’s new book Places I Can’t Return To: An Accidental Memoir is unlike any other book I’ve ever read. How funny is it? As a gauge, think about your favorite humor writers. Add up all the laughs they’ve given you. Multiply that number by infinity. Sean’s book has more laughs, more delicious moments, more …
Places and a Book You Will Return To: A Q&A with Sean Bair-Flannery Read More »
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 …
Early Bird Gets the Laughs: A Q&A with Steven Springer Read More »
Welcome to the Comedians Defying Gravity Ticket Alert index for 2023! My hobby is scouring comedy listings to find the best shows whether I can attend or not. Is that weird? Well, no matter. My goal is at least one show -maybe more- for every day of the year. Because Chicago Comedy. Here’s what I’ve …
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 …
It’s Time to Celebrate “Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue”: A Q&A with Vic & Paul Read More »
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 …
It’s Time to Celebrate “Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue”: A Q&A with Dana Olsen Read More »
PHOTO: Matt Braunger/Photo by Mindy Tucker ****************************************** As Matt Braunger toured nationwide honing material for his new special Doug, he discovered a problem. The surprise twist at the end had unintended consequences. “It happened almost every weekend,” Matt said. “I would look online and people had shot video of my show, unbeknownst to me. They …
What are your favorite TV moments of 2022? Mine happened on October 12 between 3-4 p.m. I was watching The Kelly Clarkson Show on NBC. Jay Leno was on. He confessed that Kelly’s next guests had comedy kudos that even he lacked. For one thing, he’d never brought down the house at a P.T.A. event, …
Behind the scenes with the Bad Momz of Comedy: from comedy class to Kelly Clarkson Read More »
I’ve scoured listings since late October so you can make New Year’s Eve plans while tickets are still plentiful. We still seem to be in a plandemic with things subject to change, so please confirm all details! If you have a show to add, please email me: temewring@gmail.com. I hope this New Year brings you …
Chicago New Year’s Eve Comedy: December 31, 2022 Read More »
Beth Stelling is at The Den Theatre on Tuesday/Photo by Robyn Von Swank CHICAGO COMEDIANS IN THE NEWS Paul Farahvar spoke with the Parkinson’s Foundation about how his father inspired Stand Up for Parkinson’s, the first Comedy Night for the Parkinson’s Foundation Midwest Chapter at Zanie’s Comedy Club Rosemont on December 11. Read Paul’s story here. Amber Ruffin …
Chicago comedy spotlight for Monday, November 28- Sunday, December 4, 2022 Read More »
Giulio Gallarotti is at The Den Theatre. Photo by John Cafaro TICKET ALERTS: November 29: Beth Stelling at The Den Theatre THIS WEEK AT: Zanies Chicago: Kevin Bozeman hosts DePaul StandUp Graduation Show, Super 6 Showcase, Tim Smith, Larry Reeb, Jim Flannigan Zanies Rosemont: John Caponera Riddles: Damon Williams presents Degario “Double D” Turner and …
