Today's post is a special report from Justin Kaufmann, member of the sketch group Schadenfreude, who performed at this month's Interview Show, hosted by Chicago Tribune humor columnist Mark Bazer. Interviewees included local crime author Marcus Sakey, filmmaker Steve Delahoyde, and yes, local hip-hop artist (and Bastion favorite) Rhymefest. Stand-up comedy interlude provided by Jena Friedman.

You can catch Schadenfreude and friends at the long-awaited return of Rent Party April 19 at Gallery Cabaret.

Friday night, Schadenfreude was honored to get up on stage with Rhymefest (Chicago rap fame). He was a guest on the Mark Bazer hosted "The Interview Show", which runs the first Fridays of every month at the Hideout. We've known Mark a long time and he introduced the idea to Rhymefest's people of doing a sketch to end the show. At first we said yes. Then we reconsidered and said yes again. We wrote up a quick bit in which Kate James and myself play a yuppie South Loop couple that is looking to produce Rhymefest's next record. Best joke of the night: "You can trust us Rhyme. We are from the south side like you. RF: Where on the south side? Schad: Dearborn and Roosevelt? Next to that new Whole Foods? Actually it's pre-construction...." When Rhymefest showed up at the Hideout, we worked out the bit. He had received a copy of the script and he had it ready. He even changed up lines and made better jokes. We invited him to join Schad on the spot. He said...no. I guess this rap stuff is working for him. Whatever Rhyme, did we mention we are playing Gallery Cabaret next week? No. Big. Deal.

The bit went over great, even though the show was over-time and halfway through our bit the house manager said something like "get off the stage" from the house mic. Um, awesome. Like most Schad gigs, we made it seem as if we jumped from the audience and crashed the stage. But even though that was the feel of the bit, we took at least 2 months worth of table reading, workshopping, all day symposium work and 14 days of rehearsal to make it "seem" that way for the 2 minute riff. That's how dedicated we are to the craft. So house manager, save it for your alt country band that used to be in the side project of a side project that used to be called the Mekons. All in all, Rhymefest was great and it was a huge ego-stroke to get on stage with him. We love his music (the genre) and it was another cool moment with a cool Chicagoan. Now if we could get the guys from Walter E. Smithe to do a bit? You build it, we dream it.

-Justin Kaufmann