...three of them! First, two open mics have sprung up.

According to a tip from Jeb Cadwell, The Old Cork Lounge open mic (which was on Tuesdays) is back on, this time on Thursday nights at 10:00 (sign-ups at 9:30). It will be hosted by Steve Mulcahy and friends, with a respectable policy of no shortcutting in line and and no signing up friends who have not yet arrived. Imagine! The Cork Lounge is at 1822 W. Addison Street at Wolcott, right next to the Addison brown line stop.

And Adam Burke has opened up a new open mic Thursday nights at 9:00 (signups at 8:30) at Whiskey Road (1935 N. Damen Avenue, south of Armitage). Burke will mostly host the show himself, although this week Chad Briggs will be filling in for him. Burke says the bar's owners are very cool and supportive of the whole comedy thing, and show attendees can enjoy $2 PBRs and $2 mystery beers.

And, finally, you can also BYOB to the Playground Theater (3209 N. Halsted) on Thursday nights from 6:00 to 7:00 (doors open at 5:00) for Thursday Happy Hour, featuring solo comedy from Paul Thomas, Jeff Madden, Wendy Mateo, and Pat O'Brien. That's some strong talent there, boys and girls. Couple that with a Star Wars thermos of strong liquor and you're all set.

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In an accidentally defiant act of feminism, the Bastion spent Super Bowl Sunday watching "Stacked: An Evening of Two One-Woman Shows" at the Apollo Theatre Studio. The Bastion booked their tickets without realizing that February 3rd was the day of the big football game, but was more than happy to see some funny ladies instead of over-indulging in wings and seven-layer dip.

The evening opened with Hanna LoPatin's "The Sound of One Hanna Clapping," directed by Katie Rich. "The Sound of One Hanna Clapping" is the hilarious lament of a not-quite-famous, perpetually single, sorta Jewish twenty-something. LoPatin is a member of the sketch comedy group Teatro Bastardo and the all-girl band, Mary's Addicts, and both her comedic and musical chops are showcased in this piece. In a blend of song, monologue, and video we get to know LoPatin, a University of Michigan grad who finds that she's come up short in realizing some of her life's ambitions. LoPatin isn't afraid to make herself vulnerable with many a self-deprecating jab, allowing the audience in on jokes that many other performers might be afraid to share. Standout moments from her show included "The Perpetually Single Tango" and a quaint/creepy mimed montage of what LoPatin imagined her life with comedian Michael Showalter would be like. LoPatin is an absolutely charming performer and by the end of the show you hope she gets a development deal, or at least a chance to meet Michael Showalter.

The second show on the bill is Nancy Friedrich's "Dingbat," directed by James Whittington. "Dingbat" is described as "the story of Claudia, a librarian, who slips in and out of a dream world as she searches for friendship following a devastating personal loss." Aside from Friedrich, who skillfully plays an assortment of characters, the only other "character" on-stage is Claudia's imaginary friend Dingbat, a rope with some bells tied to it. I would liken "Dingbat" (the show, not the rope creature), to a deep-fried oreo. It sounds a little kooky and you're not sure how it's going to taste, but in the end it is ultimately delicious. Friedrich takes an absurd premise and infuses it with sincere and compelling characters. The main character Claudia is both tragic and hilarious as she copes with the loss of her husband, and although the show only runs about 45 minutes long you still feel as though you get to see her character run her course. Friedrich's character work is a treat to watch as she covers the spectrum from bitchy Sarah Lawrence graduate to public access dream interpreter.

***

"Stacked: An Evening of Two One-Woman Shows" plays the Apollo Theatre Studio (2540 N. Lincoln Ave.) on Sunday nights at 8 pm, running until February 24th. Tickets are $12 each, and can be purchased by calling 773-935-6100.

~Dyan Flores

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Sam and Morgan's Money Machine kicks off a four week run tomorrow night at 8 PM at the Apollo. The show will feature all new stand-up, two-man improv, sketch and video shorts, hosted by Tony Sam and Nick Morgan.

Like making fun of stupid money making seminars and unquenchable human greed using the latest and greatest multi-media magic? So do they! Special guests for this Wednesday's show are 80's Clown, Mike and Duane, and iO's Michael Lehrer.

So scrounge around your couch and old jacket pockets for $5 and take the El to the Apollo Theater (2540 N. Lincoln). You just might walk out...a MILLIONAIRE!*

*Not really.

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Bottom Shelf Comedy, a new showcase in Arlington Heights, is presenting Micks on the Mic tonight at 8 p.m., which, iffin you couldn't tell from the name, will feature all Irish stand-up comedians. Tonight's line-up is Dean Carlson, Joe Kilgallon, Brendan McGowan, CJ Sullivan, Sean Flannery, and Chuck Roth, and is dedicated to the memory of Pat Brice, who was originally scheduled to headline the showcase.

Bottom Shelf also has a Sunday show in the 'burbs, first Sunday of every month at Eddie's Lounge, in addition to the last Thursday of every month at Murphy's Pub. Producer Dean Carlson is slowly but surely taking over the north suburbs with the new free, all-ages rooms, which feature bright stand-up newcomers and veterans alike, and afford an opportunity for Chicago performers to break the city perimeter and bring their acts to a suburban audience. Carlson is also a burgeoning filmmaker, and we have enjoyed watching him come up this past year and are excited to keep our eyes on his movements in the next.

- Kristy Mangel

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