Laugh That They May Bark, Interview with a Clown, Your Last Cupcake
The Heartland Animal Shelter will benefit from a stand-up showcase that's coming up this Saturday, May 19, at the Footlik Theater in Des Plaines. "Barks, Purrs, and Laughs" will feature some of Chicago's favorite comedians, including Lauren Bishop, Josh Cheney, Nick Lullo, and "The World's Most Dangerous Comic" Mark Faje, who has been on Letterman and Comedy Central.
There's a fun interview with some of the Shrek 3 girls (including Chicago comedy vets Amy Sedaris and Amy Poehler) at the Washington Post. It's an excellent example of how hard it can be to get a straight answer out of a bunch of comedians. From the article: "The correspondent, in a lame attempt to keep his job, tries to steer this sinking ship toward one question posed pre-interview by his editor. To wit: So, you were all funny girls growing up? And, we mean, was that hard? You know?..."
After many fun shows and countless cupcakes, The Spectacular Show will run for the final time tonight, May 16th, at 9:30 at the Gorilla Tango Theater. Tonight's show "(the funeral - please wear black)" includes Andy Ross, Dan Polydoris and many more special guests.
Spittin' Stand-Up, TJ Miller's Pilot Picked Up, German Club Is Cool!
Fun will be afoot at the Playground (which is celebrating its tenth anniversary!) this weekend with the Blewt! stand-up showcase this Saturday following Don't Spit The Water at midnight. The show is free, and will feature sets by Robert Buscemi, Ken Barnard, and other Blewt! favorites.
Also, as you can see, the Blewt!ies are now in cartoon form, thanks to artist, puppet-maker and creative wizard Noah Ginex, and we're already predicting that little Isabella Gadlin, already recruited by Dad to join the comedy family, is either going to grow up to be a famous comedian herself, or a much psychoanalyzed show biz kid (or, of course, both).
Our Big Poppa the Apiary is reporting that "ABC has ordered the most sitcoms of all the nets, including 'Cavemen' and 'Carpoolers' with TJ Miller, who was stoked when he and Pete Holmes announced it Friday at Gutbucket, the monthly UCB stand-up open mike they host."
And, in an abbreviated New Video Wednesday contribution, check out Andy Ross and Steve Delahoyde's "German Club", also featuring Becky Garcia, Nick Leggin, and Josh Cheney. Best of luck with recruiting, there, Andy. Maybe a "free schnitzel with every signup" enticement might help.
Lavender Cabaret Will Beat the Laughs Out of You, the Early Days of Chicago Improv, Lakeshore Books More Big Names
Lavender Cabaret has created a brand new hard-hitting sexy spectacle - Pillow Fight Club. Noted Chicago burlesque princess Michelle L'amour says “This is what happens when you combine the WWE with America’s Next Top model. Hard Hitting Fluff!” What's so funny about that, you ask? Well, Chicago comedians will be on hand to offer hilarious commentary, that's what. For more information about the shows, which begin May 10 at Joe's at 940 W. Weed Street, go here. (Photo is not of featured fighters. We...stole it off the internet. Just FYI.)
A new show called Something From Nothing is opening at the Apollo Theater, and improv nerds will want to be there to see what director Bryan Cohen describes as "a re-imagining of the story of one of the first Harold teams at iO, The Baron's Barracudas...takes place in 1985, during the birth of Chicago's improv community, when students of the Harold created theatre from scratch and centered their lives in a bar called CrossCurrents. The show has been meticulously researched through interviews with ‘those who were there’ including Charna Halpern, Michael Gellman, David Pasquesi, and many others. This play is an homage to the people who first made Chicago-style improvisation worthy for the stage."
The Lakeshore Theater is gearing up for a great bunch of special guests in the next few months, including Reggie Watts and Maria Bamford this month, Taylor Negron and Julia Sweeney in June, Arj Barker and Judy Tenuta in July, and Louis CK and Carol Leifer in August. The Bastion already caught the fantastic Mike Birbiglia show a few weeks back (with amazing opening act and local kid made good John Mulaney), and we can tell you the Lakeshore knows how to bring the laughs.
Please Say Hello to the New Kid on the Block: The Lakeshore Theater!
The 300-seat theater has been around for awhile, host to various theater productions and, more recently, music acts, but tonight sees the launch of the Lakeshore Theater's new comedy programming, with the first night of the Marijuana-Logues' current Chicago run. The theater is boasting an impressive schedule for the near future, including Julia Sweeney, Doug Stanhope, Mike Birbiglia, Maria Bamford and Scott Capurro.
As their release states:
The eclectic programming will reflect a broad spectrum of the comedy arts, differing in styles, substance and presentation and each with an original voice and diverse appeal. The common denominators for all works presented by The Lakeshore are an artistic integrity and a commitment to exploring and presenting comedy as a rich, expansive art form beyond conventional notions.
The season will kick-off with The Marijuana-Logues, tonight, 8 p.m., through April 1, and will feature Arj Barker, Tony Camin, and Doug Benson.
Photograph by Caroline Voagen Nelson, totally stolen from Time Out Chicago. Clink on that link to read more about the theater's new enterprise.
We've been musing on the possibility of the creation of a Rififi-style club in Chicago for some time, but wonder what factors need to exist in order to reach this ideal. Is it venue, geographic area, the personalities that infiltrate it, a delicate combination of all of the above, some other unknown element added to the mix? We'd welcome your thoughts on the topic. In the meantime, we're wondering what Gorilla Tango Theatre will offer the Chicago comedy community; we're intrigued by the idea of Pressure Cafe evolving into an all-comedy venue; and we're really excited with the rest of this month's line-up for Monday nights at the Note, the eight hour long revue of pretty much everything imagined. We're going to check it out soon and report back, especially as it's had a few weeks to smooth out the rough spots. Have you ventured into promising unknown territory? Let us know about YOUR interesting nights out in comedy.
Tonight, the Note has host Hannibal, Brady Novak (the Lincoln Lodge, Heavyweight, Goldibear), CJ Sullivan (Visitors Locker Room, Blerds.com), Andy Ross (Chicago Underground Comedy, a Demon Who Never Appeared), Ricky Carmona (Chicago Underground Comedy, HBO Latino), Mike Bridenstine (Chicago Underground Comedy, Blerds.com), one-man band Willis P. Jenkins, and DJ Seoul, followed by an open mic at midnight and DJs spinning until 4 a.m. What a way to start the week.
Gunther Murphy's is Closing its Doors -- The End of An Era, the Beginning of a New One
After receiving an 'anonymous tip' this past Sunday, the Bastion confirmed with ChUC co-creator Tony Sam that Gunther Murphy's has indeed been sold and will be receiving a facelift under new management beginning in December.
Regulars of Tuesday nights at Chicago Underground Comedy understand that the loss of Gunther Murphy's as the showcase's home is a very sad one. The venue had the perfect proportions for an alternative stand-up showcase: an accommodating management and staff, and a jovial energy that permeated the front room, where audience and performers would gather to swap stories, share shop talk, and meet each other over $2 domestic bottles. Sometimes the stale pretzels on the tables would become launched weapons, and full-on pretzel wars would break out, but only sometimes (on the best nights). Love was made, hearts were broken... sufficed to say, the loss of Gunther Murphy's will have an impact on those that have called it home every Tuesday night for more than a year.
We have encouraging news coming from Tony, though. November 28 is the last scheduled night of ChUC at Gunther Murphy's, featuring scheduled performers Brendan McGowan, Hannah Gansen, Mike and Duane, Sam Fels, and CJ Sullivan. Tony told us, "We may have one farewell show there. Right now it is the last show. I am already in talks to move the show. This new incarnation will be better, in a better venue. I think this is a good thing."
We're excited to welcome ChUC to their new home next month, and to say goodbye in style to the good people of Gunther Murphy's at the end of this one.
The neighborhood nestled on the West side of Chicago known as Wicker Park is well known for its glut of music venues and hipster bars, but not so much for any kind of comedy scene. Since the demise of Thyme Cafe early this year, there has been a lack of any real rooms for the denizens or comedic artists of the 'hood (that the Bastion knows of, anyway). However, recently news has filtered in that a relatively new space has opened on Milwaukee Ave. and is actively looking for show producers and improv teams to determine a regular weekly schedule of shows. Chicago newcomer Cameron Esposito told us a little about Gorilla Tango Theatre, and her new show opening tonight: "I am putting up local stand-ups (like Hannibal, Mike Cody, Spike McGuire, Dave Odd, Jeb Cadwell), and providing the Chicago scene with a cupcake/comedy connection as I will be giving out sweet homemade cupcakes at the shows, and hosting the show. Gorilla Tango is the sister theater to Gorilla Tango Albuquerque and just opening its doors this week."
We got word a little too late that our friends at Overstock have brought their comedy revue out of hiatus since their run ended at the Playground Theater, as the featured show of Gorilla Tango's opening night this past Sunday. Now that we know they're going to stay put in the Sunday night time slot, we'll be sure to figure out a way to catch them soon.
With Gorillla Tango's help, our peers to the west may be able to see inexpensive, high quality comedy mere footsteps from their flats, if they're willing to give laughter a chance. In addition to Gorilla Tango, the Note, regularly a music venue, has been hosting a Monday night showcase/karaoke/open mic extravaganza called "Public Hair" for the last few weeks that we've heard has been... interesting. Combine these regular rooms with bigger venues such as Empty Bottle and Subterranean that have been dabbling in comedic entertainment (film screenings, national, and local acts), and the WP may find itself a viable option for comedy in a land full of rock (and roll, that is).
Congratulations to Cayne Collier and the Elevated, the city's longest-running independent stand-up comedy showcase, for the nice piece in this week's Reader.
The Bastion is a little concerned about the Reader's use of the adjective "skimpy" in describing the stand-up scene in Chicago, however. Granted, in terms of the sheer number of improv and sketch happenings across the city on any given night, there is not comparable volume. But if the measure is of quality, and originality, we're here to tell you there are pockets of really good stuff blossoming here.
If the scene really were that underdeveloped, then this past year has all been some weird fever dream, but we applaud the Reader's recognition of one of the most devoted, talented, and welcoming show producers in the city. See you next Wednesday, Cayne!
Zanies Gives Chicago Stand-Ups a Boost With New "Rising Stars" Showcase
The Bastion was just informed that Zanies Comedy Club is set to feature "ten to fifteen up-and-coming new comedians" in a newly instituted "Rising Stars" showcase, beginning Monday, July 31, at 8:30 p.m.
Does this new night at Zanies have anything to do with the Chicago Talent series beginning tonight over at the brand-new Improv in Schaumburg? Hmm...
At any rate, we've got a call into general manager and booking agent Bert Haas to get the dilly-o on the featured acts of the showcase, but we have a sneaking suspicion that those "rising stars" are the underground superstars of right now.
But don't forget! You've still gotta get yer two drink minimum on. Tell your support group, "comedy made me do it." They'll totally understand.
The venerable comedy club and dinner theater known as the Improv opened doors in Schaumburg's Woodfield Mall the first week of June this year. The club seats 450 and the Skybar seats 50 more, which may qualify it as the largest stand-up comedy club in the nation.
There was skepticism, and some rumblings and giggles among Chicago's stand-ups when the news first broke, but tonight, Wednesday, July 26, the Improv will see several prominent Chicago stand-up comedians trying for an emcee or feature slot on their stage in the coming months.
If a chance to enjoy the seemingly non-compatible activities of stuffing your yaw with Chicken Tequila Pasta while laughing isn't enticing enough to convince you to visit the new Chicago Improv, how about this? Upcoming special perfomer Bob Saget. Yeah. Bob Friggin' Saget. Bob "unexpectedly filthiest possible version of the Aristocrats joke" Saget. Mary-Kate Olsen must be spinning in her grave. (Oh, wait, she's not dead. Never mind.)
Thanks to Dave Odd for catching the Bastion up to speed on this one.
The Heartland Animal Shelter will benefit from a stand-up showcase that's coming up this Saturday, May 19, at the Footlik Theater in Des Plaines. "Barks, Purrs, and Laughs" will feature some of Chicago's favorite comedians, including Lauren Bishop, Josh Cheney, Nick Lullo, and "The World's Most Dangerous Comic" Mark Faje, who has been on Letterman and Comedy Central.
The venerable comedy club and dinner theater known as 
