Robert Buscemi's (t)wit!, Now Available for Your Viewing Pleasure
Robert Buscemi's much-anticipated stand-up DVD, filmed in September 2006 by Jordan Vogt-Roberts, was released a few weeks ago to two sold-out shows at the Annoyance Theater. We finally got a chance to screen it and get a few words from the star and what he thinks of final product:
I think the best thing about Jordan's film is that it never shows reaction shots of the audience. And the laughter is actually fairly distant and low-volume.
But you can tell the laughter's for real and there the whole time.
But not having the laughs super-loud and not showing the audience ever gives the whole thing a sort of lunar, remote feel that I LOVE.
I really am kind of off in my own planet on the thing, which totally works for my character and material.
And the encore character appearance as Mrs. Garrett is just surreal and hilarious, I think.
I mean Jordan totally captured my brain floating around in space, I feel like. It's quite mad.
It was Jordan's idea to open with the words "One night in September...," which I LOVE, since it's so nonspecific but specific at the same time.
He really outdid himself, and once it was in my hands he made me watch it over with a fine-tooth comb and tell him if I found any glitches. He really was an absolute champ.
And I paid his sorry ass too.
I'm just really proud of the thing. I honestly do feel like we really, actually made a film. It's weird, but people could watch this thing for years to come, you know?
BUSCEMI
Want one for yourself? You're in luck, because they're still available. Snatch this up sooner rather than later; it's a one-of-a-kind work that is only limitedly available. Visit his Web site and buy it securely, online, through PayPal! Yay Internets!
The Air + Water Show Descends on Chicago this Weekend!
And to celebrate, we're giving you Pat Brice's Air and Building Crumbling Show. You're welcome, comedy fans.
As an aside, there will soon be a Blerds video related to this bit, filmed ON SITE at the Air and Water Show two summers ago. We are literally 'watering' at the mouth for it.
Sorry so short; off to see Craig on his Sea-Doo now!
We were alerted earlier today via Facebook notification that it's stand-up comedian Dean Carlson's birthday. This threw us for a loop, as we had just assumed he was an immortal, never-aging creature. It seems like it's been years since we've had to stop ourselves from inviting him out for post-show drinks, even though he's been playing in bars for just as long now. Yes, it's Dean's 21st birthday today. An emerging face in the scene, burgeoning filmmaker, current co-producer of Thunder Comedy, and voracious chicken wing eater, Dean will be starring in tonight's Birds Nest showcase for a good ol' drunken comedy roast. Come on out at 10 p.m. to buy the boy a drink and laugh with a melange of performers.
Couple announcements for this bleary grey day:
--Casting call THIS SATURDAY for SheLarious, an Oxygen Original Series:
SEEKING:
• Women 21 and over
• Most creative women in America
• Undiscovered funny ladies whose talents may include:
o Performance art
o Improv
o Sketch comedy writing and/or performance
o Eccentric, dynamic, and creative personalities a must!
o Stand-up comedy
o Must be extremely funny
DETAILS:
WHO: Funny Women (21 yrs and older)
WHAT: OPEN CALL for SheLarious
WHERE: Claire Simon Casting, 3752 N. Fremont, Ste. 202 Chicago 60613
WHEN: Saturday, March 3
--The line-ups for the DC Comedy Fest have been announced, and hoo-BOY is Northside Chicago representin'! As a matter of fact, the Bastion bought their plane tix yesterday, so we are geared up and ready to take over the capital of America! Congrats to everyone from Chicago who will be strutting their stuff up the promenade in April.
Mankind's Survival, Hamburger in Town, TJ Carpools
Okay, we've said it a million times already, and we'll say it again: Impress These Apes is a show you NEED to see. Lucky for you, they're holding the finale of their eight-week run at the 300-seat Lakeshore Theater, so you can actually get in tonight -- the show's run at Playground has been regularly sold out all seven weeks thus far. The contest's winner tonight will be lauded with a $250 cash prize, and the distinct honor of saving mankind from imminent doom.
If you haven't heard yet, the infamous Neil Hamburger will be headlining tomorrow's People Under the Stares show at the Hideout. Sara over at Drag City, the folks that produce the show, tells us, "Neil is one of the most creative comedians around. He's a character, not an observational humorist. He tells off-color jokes, has a bit of a throat clearing problem, a little problem with cocktails, and definitely has some issues with his hair styling and fashion sense. He's also well-loved by many, including Tom Green (he's got his own show on Tom Green's online channel called "Poolside Chats with Neil Hamburger") Jimmy Kimmel (he's made several appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live). Finally, Jack Black invited him to open the Tenacious D tour. He's since performed at Madison Square Garden, to a whole new crop of adoring and somewhat perplexed fans." Local powerhouses Brady Novak and Jason Fever open.
And finally, an official announcement from Blerds: "Our own TJ Miller was cast as Marmaduke in ABC’s comedy pilot “Carpoolers.” It’s directed by the Russo brothers (Arrested Development) and written by Bruce McCulloch (Kids in the Hall). Produced by Dreamworks, 3arts (30 Rock) and Touchstone. He is excited and has already spent all the money before he got it (or before it even gets on television)." Congrats TJ!!!
--Do you like trolley rides, food, and improv/sketch comedy? Sign up for the The League of Chicago Theaters Comedy Sampler Tour! This Saturday’s tour starts downtown at the Chicago Tourism Center (72 E. Randolph) at 2:30 pm, followed by a trolley ride to Annoyance Productions' new home (4840 N. Broadway), a performance at the Cornservatory (4210 N. Lincoln), then dinner at Joey's Brickhouse on Belmont, and a full-length performance by Second City, and a trolley ride back downtown. Tickets are $90 per person. Make reservations at 312-554-9800 or any Hot Tix. Thanks to Gapers Block for the tip!
--This past Sunday, Jay Harris informed us that Nate Bargatze, a comic who got his land legs right here in Chicago in the early ‘naughts, was recently on a Country Music TV stand-up special with Mike Armstrong, Gary Mule-Deer, and others. Anyone catch it?
--Our friends over at Chicagoist are having a “theater bee”. Justin Sondak explains: “It doesn't seem fair when talented up-and-coming theater companies struggle to attract time-starved critics focused on more established institutions and touring shows. Recently, we’ve been part of the problem, reviewing the same productions covered by virtually every other media outlet in town. So now we ask you: what have we been missing?
“Next month, Chicagoist will turn its attention to performers still craving attention and respect from the MSM. Email us and explain, in 200 words or less, why your company deserves 15 minutes of fame on our site, why Chicagoist readers and Chicago's culture vultures should come see your production. Let us know about your company and your show and point us to your website if you have one. The most compelling entry will be profiled and reviewed.
Please follow da link to see more info! Especially invited are our sketchers out there. Deadline is February 28.
--In case you hadn’t heard, the Lincoln Lodge is hosting the Chicago Montreal stand-up auditions tonight and tomorrow. Not only is the electricity literally buzzing at these shows, but it’s a chance to see literally the top of the top in a nice tight 90 min. show.
Thursday's lineup features Greg Mills, Deb Downing, Pat Brice, Brady Novak, Becky Garcia, Mike Bridenstine, Mike Holmes, Prescott Tolk, Jared Logan, C.J. Sullivan, Mike Olson and Andy Ross.
Friday's lineup features Peter Grosz, Sean Flannery, Tyler Kroll, Allison Leber, Ken Barnard, Monte, Josh Cheney, Kumail Nanjiani, Bill Cruz, Fay Canale, Nate Craig, Tony Sam and Robert Buscemi.
--And finally, sad news: Lani of the Lani and Emi Show is moving away from us, to Toronto. She has two more shows here before she takes off, so see this little powerhouse while you still have a chance. Tonight at the Annoyance Lani will perform with Emi prior to Messing with a Friend (10:30 p.m.), and this Sunday she will be at i.O. with the Future (8 p.m.). Saturday, March 10, there will be a goodbye party at the Holiday Club, from 10 p.m. on.
"Sandy Takes a Break" Gets a Break, My Slushy Valentine, Don Hall Reviews Teatro Bastardo
Chris Lee and Ben Seeder, the creative minds behind the character-driven sketch show Sandy Takes a Break, have been invited to take their show to Comedy Central Stage in Los Angeles on March 15, and will be staging a special performance on Friday, March 2nd, 10:30PM @ iO before shoving off for Californ-eye-aye.
The Bastion splashed its way through puddles of melted black snow last Wednesday to catch the special Valentine's edition of the Spectacular Show and was rewarded with freshly-iced cupcakes, courtesy of comic and show producer Cameron Esposito, who regaled the audience with tales of painful long-distance breakups and a series of poems including "Shall I Compare Thee to the Movie The Fifth Element?" and "Shall I Compare Thee to the Movie Terminator Two?"
Gorilla Tango is a nice intimate setting for a comedy show, with a mic-less stage off to one corner. Performers included Chris Sanders, who read from a purported couple of love letters between two of his ancestors, one full of love and longing, one a "you left your musket at my place, please come and get it" brush-off. Darius Kennedy got a few chuckles by reading a poem based on a conversation he overheard, called "Pick Up Your Kids," featuring arguments mixed with promises of reservations at Ponderosa and Sybaris. Robert Buscemi and Hannibal wrapped up the show, and sweet treats and BYOB bevvies were enjoyed by all.
Longtime curmudgeon and fervent believer in the power of theater Don Hall has logged in with his thoughts about the dangers of sketch and improv performers spreading themselves too thin with too many side projects, and offers a review of Teatro Bastardo's "Life is a Joke," directed by Joe Janes, giving props where props are due, and concluding with "This group has talent and with Joe at their helm has real potential. Now they need to lose some of their 'side projects' and focus in on the work they do together. Given an actual six months of intense rehearsal, these cats could blow minds."
Our friends at Blerds have been making quite the strides lately. We'd like to let our brethrenon the coasts know that they should be on the look out for our boys, as dates have been finalized and are as such:
This weekend: Blerds representatives will be at NACA in Nashville.
March 1-3. Opening for Vivid Comedy Party @ Riddles. Orland Park. Five shows in three days.
March 7. Empty Bottle. Chicago.
March 29. Underground Lounge. Chicago.
April 5. UCB. Los Angeles.
April 8. Beauty Bar. New York City.
April 10. Check Your Cool @ Parkside Lounge. New York City.
April 11. UCB. New York City.
April 12-14. DC Comedy Festival.
April 19. UCB. Los Angeles.
And, as a special bonus for us in Chicago, the first "Beers with Brido" will be held THIS Sunday at 9:30 p.m. Details from Mike Bridenstine himself are as follows:
"'Beers with Brido' is my new video podcast. Or vodcast, if you're a nerd. I thought it would be funny to do a talk show where everyone gets progressively and purposefully drunker. It was going to be called "12 Beers with Brido", but I don't want my guests to feel pressure to drink 12 entire beers (or only 12 beers, depending on who it is). I'm going to have comics and other friends of mine who are fun to drink with as guests. It'll be shot on camera and then edited down to five minute or so clips to watch online. The first episode will be taped live at the Spot on Sunday at 9:30pm. It'll feature my guests T.J. Miller, Sean Flannery, Jordan Vogt-Roberts, John Leadley and some other special guests. The Spot was very nice to give us open bar for much of the show taping."
We got word that the Impress These Apes finale on Monday, February 26th, will not be at The Playground Theater. It will be at The Lakeshore Theater. Producer Steve Gadlin says, “It will be off the hizzy, ka-splosive, and full of surprises. And there's a bar. The cast will be partying around said bar well into the night, and invite you to get your Monday on with them.” As faithful fans of this eight-week talent contest, we highly implore you to be in attendance at the finale, and not only that, but also the last show at the Playground, February 19, 8 p.m. Reservations strongly encouraged!
Toronto comedian David Dineen-Porter, who was in town visiting last month, has launched a comedy blog geared specifically for the comedic arts in and around the Toronto vicinity. Tune in to read and watch the wackiness that regularly comes from the Wilds of Canada... being that Chicago’s been in a deep freeze for a couple weeks, we think we now know why so much brilliant absurdity comes from our brothers and sisters up North.
The Snake Punch Union Comedy Tour was announced last week, which is being described as “Stand-up comedy by and for people who don't like stand-up comedy, people who didn't laugh once during "Clerks", the discerning humor consumer -- easily disappointed, hungry for something else… Connecting on a cerebral and gut level, like a lightning bolt, enemies of the obvious, on a no-bullshit mission to make you pee pants.” Scheduled to perform at three dates in Chicago and two in D.C. are CJ Sullivan, Brady Novak, David Angelo, Jason Fever, and Brian Potrafka, with future NYC dates announced. The first Chicago date is slated for Sunday, February 18 at the Playground Theater.
Photo of Apes contestants Erica Reid and Jim Fath courtesy of Fuzzy Gerdes.
