Photo: Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, Mike Bridenstine in 2006 Once upon a time in Chicago, a rogue group of comedians swept into the city, howling like the fiercest blizzard. They were bursting with rebellion and creativity. They would set the comedy world ablaze and change it forever. NO, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT IMPROV …
The Perfect Amount of Wrong is Reason to Rejoice: A Q&A with Mike Bridenstine Read More »
Tyler Fowler named his new tour after his mom. Or more accurately, he named his new tour after his mom said he can’t go. As a standup comic, Tyler says, “I’m on the road all the time. I noticed that no matter where I go, my mom is like, ‘Oh, that’s not a safe place!’ …
Tyler Fowler’s mom says he can’t go. He’s going anyway … And you’re invited! Read More »
I’m not sure this has ever happened in Chicago. One of comedy’s funniest, most unique and compelling voices, Yohay Sponder, is traveling over six thousand miles to the U.S. to film his first special in English. He is offering Chicagoans three chances this week to attend a sneak preview. His tour began in New York …
Gina Yashere is known for soaring to great heights. Before she became a comedian, Gina rode on elevators. No, not in elevators. As the first female electrical engineer hired by Otis UK, Gina stood on top of elevators – designing, installing, repairing, wiring – as the machines hurtled through skyscrapers’ vertical canyons. As a comedian, …
The Woman King of Comedy Comes to Chicago: A Q&A with Gina Yashere Read More »
Don’t be the world’s latest dad! Get tickets to Jimmy Carrane’s World’s Greatest Dad(?) before they sell out completely. Jimmy is reprising his critically acclaimed show this weekend in honor of Father’s Day. Two of the three shows are already sold out. Tickets are still available for Saturday night’s performance at 9:00 p.m. at Glenview’s …
Father’s Day Weekend with “World’s Greatest Dad(?)” A Q&A with Jimmy Carrane Read More »
Michael Alexander’s new film about Chicago stand-up, Out of the Loop, is wall-to-wall “wow” moments. From the first minute, we’re flies on the wall in the lives of Chicago’s comedians. As the film opens, we hear a personal voicemail to Michael from Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk (Berwyn native, student of Del Close, Second City …
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 …
A Book You Will Definitely 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 »
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 »
