Stage 773 the Nation's Largest Sketch Comedy Festival January 9

Stage 773 Presents

The Nation’s Largest Sketch Comedy Festival January 9-19, 2014

Executive Producer Brian Posen Director of Operations Jill Valentine Technical Director Brian Peterlin Public Relations Noreen Heron and Associates Associate Producer Jonald Reyes Marketing/Advertising/Ticketing Jack Short Stage Managers Brian Peterlin John Craig Vicki Kunz Junella Gabriel Byron Roussin Jason Flowers Dujuan Pritchett Brandon C. Price House Managers Billy Sullivan Kelly Bolton Reeny Hofrichter Matthew Payne Katie Johnston-Smith Stacey Smith Jonald Reyes Tim Soszko Resident Crafter Danni Parpan Hilary Williams Manager of Everything Marc Lewallen Website/Designer Brian Peterlin Sam Wells

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(long pause) increasingly live our lives online?” and “What Arch and Andel Barry Hite & Friends: combine video and am I going to be for Halloween this year?” it’s Showcase: The Cavalcade of filmed live stage pieces not to be missed. Showcase. Come watch Shiteheads) Barry Hite to create a series of us get famous. Sit in the answers the questions online sketch comedy Abbaria audience as people on everyone’s mind. episodes. This We are a band. We do watch their dreams Questions like, “Can performance presents some of the best live songs. They are funny. come true or get crushed something be dark, and video scenes from the nearly 6 hours of 5 minutes at a time. This stupid and sexy at the material at longpausecomedy.com. Nina is the most important night of Chicago’s life. same time?” and “Why’s there more than 1 Metz of the Chicago Tribune recently said of person in a one man show?” Directed by Matt the group “Chicago audiences expect real Assemblers 2 Hovde. acting from their sketch shows, not broad, In a post-Avengers Accidental Canadians hammy performances, and this is where (long world, the superhero Big Boss Comedy If “It’s a Small World” had pause) often excels.” craze just keeps getting Based out of Los a baby with “Glee,” that stronger. So, the creators Angeles, Big Boss 4 Days Late would be one diverse of The pH Comedy Comedy was formed in satirizes without baby (and a medical Theater’s hit show, The 2009 by a group if eight caricatures and miracle). It would also Assemblers, have once sketch comedians, all in eviscerates American resemble the cast of again heeded the call to give the citizens of the process of going pop culture without Accidental Canadians, a sketch group born Chicago an all new original super-satire of the through the Groundlings mercy. Fueled by the out of The Second City’s Conservatory. Shed comic book genre. Like all sequels, we’ve training program. Five years later, Big Boss dynamic ensemble, 4DL your expectations at the door, along with taken it up a notch, getting to every side of members are all Groundlings Theater creates genre defying, your (metaphorical) pants, as we make sweet, your geek with the magical addition of the company members or company alumni and original work that implicates the audience as sweet love...to your mind. wide and wonderful world of fantasy. continue to perform their unique brand of well as themselves. A crass and intelligent Superheros! Hobbits! I mean, come on! live sketch comedy regularly in theaters all Almost A Genius (and privileged) group, their song and dance around Southern California. Maria Wojciechowski show will make you cry. Astronaut Theatre suffers from anxiety, We are Astronaut Bleep That Bleep A Twerk in Progess insomnia, and bipolar Theatre. We perform the Aasia and Dewayne are Written by eight disorder. So she did what funniest Goddamned impoverished recent graduates of the Second any crazy person would Earth-based sketch college graduates City Training Center’s do, she wrote a comedy comedy in Chicago and studying comedy at Writing Program, and show about. Maria NYC. We pride ourselves Second City looking to starring six up and invites you to waltz through her troubled on finding new, different cash in on white guilt. coming Chicago actors, mind as she journeys toward stability through and oftentimes bizarre angles through which Together they are “Bleep that Bleep” A Twerk in Progress will make you laugh and storytelling, music, dance, and a colorful cast to look at the world, each other, and of offending people all over the country...and cry...well probably just laugh. A sketch show of characters. course, you, the audience. We promise, it’s SOON THE WORLDDDDDDD! They present to that tackles the important questions in life funny, if you don’t think so, we’ll buy you one you “Uncle Tom and Jerry Curl: A Black History like, “What happens to our humanity as we of the cheaper beers. Experience, watch as these Black Panther rejects take you on an BYOS (bring your own Awkward Silence slave) inaccurate journey through Black Awkward Silence is an 8 History’s most important events. year old sketch group, which means emotionally we are more BLESSED a solo independent from parents and family. We are performance more private, so we may want to shower with Ryan is DEAD, dead as a the door closed. To celebrate this birthday, we door nail, and some how, invite you to join us for our 8th time at by the grace of Chicago’s Sketch Comedy Festival. We something-or-other, she promise to be funnier, cuter, and far more got into HEAVEN! inappropriate than most eight year-olds you Mistake or not she is there to stay! On the know. way she is forced to work, mingle, date, and

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befriend all of heavens inhabitants. Hopefully Citizens Brigade. Boat is also an official and biting wit of Butch LaRue... fresh, funny, Cassandra she can blend in, so that no one realizes she channel partner for Lorne Michaels’ Above and a bawdy good time!” See the show Cassandra is a 4-person isn’t where she is supposed to be! Average Network where they are currently described by ExpressMilwaukee.com as “a sketch group that developing original content. slightly more literate SNL.” seamlessly weaves Blood Oath. outrageous characters, A fearless band of Brick Penguin Cake Batter storytelling, live lit, brothers have taken a Brick Penguin is a tough- Cake Batter is Lauren puppetry, audio clips, blood oath in the name love sketch comedy Frost, Angela Rysk, and and music into one of comedy. Disgusting, group from Washington, Erin Miller Williams. hilarious live show. Starring contributing immature, and DC. On stage, the Together they are writers of Paper Machete and improv and completely reckless comedy. Come be a part penguins artfully figuring out adulthood through comedy. sketch veterans, this smart, sharply-written of the debauchery and leave feeling dirty, navigate the terrain of While their peers are getting married and comedy collection will make you laugh AND and a little enlightened. “We took a blood the human psyche as it pursues life, love and having babies, they’re coming up with bits... think about anything from current events and oath to be here.” a meaningful existence. After the show, you because who needs a mortgage when you modernity, to characters so ridiculous, they’d can find them making uncomfortable small have an award winning sketch show? almost have to be real! Join Cassandra on an Boat talk and avoiding eye contact. epic comedic journey through the human Boat is Amos Vernon, Cake-n-Hatred soul. (bring snacks). Nunzio Randazzo, and Butch LaRue Cake-n-Hatred has baked Mike Lane, a sketch Butch LaRue is like a up a new assortment of Cell Camp comedy trio based out of refreshing shot of sketches. This team If murder is so prevalent Brooklyn, NY. For the past three years they’ve Jameson. It makes your shows that sometimes in Chicago why isn’t brought their sharp, satirical, and often night fun and life’s sweetest moments anyone trying to find a surreal brand of sketch comedy to colleges memorable, but shoot have a bitter aftertaste. cure? That’s why sketch and festivals across the United States, as well too much of it, and you’ll Check out www.cakenhatred.com for more troupe Cell Camp returns as venues throughout New York City wake up next to a dirty spinster with camel info and videos! for its 7th year to host a black-tie fundraising including their home theater, the Upright toe. Chicago Theater Beat calls the “caustic benefit to raise awareness and funds to find a Carl’s Backyard cure for murder. The Dying to Find a Cure for Carl’s Backyard is a group Murder benefit will feature guest speakers, a of three best friends who mini-documentary on living with someone met doing musical diagnosed with murder, heavy d’oeuvres and theatre. They dropped light entertainment. the musical part, then the theatre part, and Charles now they do sketch. They are three very A cerebral and different people who write very different imaginative sketch duo scenes for the same show. from Seattle, Charles is intelligent without Caronato sacrificing accessibility, Join the funventure of seamlessly combining two nutball buddies on a highbrow and lowbrow roller coaster ride of sensibilities into a brand of humor they call blossoming friendships, unibrow. Charles has performed throughout a half serving of cop the US and Canada, including the Comedy justice and answers to all Central Stage Los Angeles; the Upright your romantic Citizens Brigade Theatre Hollywood; the San quandaries. Will they explore relationships Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, and Toronto from every possible perspective!? Find out Sketchfests; the Los Angeles Comedy Festival; what you get when you mix the dark minded the People’s Improv Theater New York; and laughplosion of Chris Onorato and the the Toronto and Victoria Fringe Festivals. cloudstorm of goofiness in Dave Caro’s Outside the group, Chuck has worked as a brain?...it’s Caronato!!! contributing writer for The Onion, and Charlie served as editor-in-chief of Stanford

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University’s humor magazine The Chaparral. Cigarette Sandwich Cody and Jeb Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, the Big- Winners of “Best Writing” and “Best Sketch Long ago, two guys with Cody and Jeb are just Little Comedy Fest, and the Laughing Stock Comedy” at the 2012 LA Comedy Festival. great hair decided to two loveable redneck Comedy Rock Music Festival. form a sketch group with dudes who like to deal Charmaine Tim Lamphier. Smash cut out advice like hogs at a Damn It, Janet In a post-Sex and the to present day, they’re county fair. Listen to ‘Damn It, Janet’ is a love City world where it’s not still combing things that don’t go together them tell you how to letter to one of the unusual anymore to be through comedy. and Andy Bolduc and Case pick up women and greatest musical artists an outspoken, Blackwell still totally rock side parts. Come where to take them on dates. Performed by of all time, Janet Jackson. independent, sexually share their love of robots, magical potions, Chicago comedic geniuses Tamale Sepp and The audience will be free woman, where do cop drama, rap, Indiana Jones, or more to the Sayjal Joshi. taken on an escapade of Janet’s most famous we go from here? This point, their favorite sketches written and moments, songs, and dances through this revue’s sketches explore that question by performed in the last year. College Brochure original sketch comedy show. All sketches are highlighting the female characters that many 11 Actors, 11 points of based on or inspired by Janet Jackson’s hit of us strive not to be, that modern society City Bunny view. You have seen singles and award-winning music videos. tells us we should avoid being. We invite you Never Have I Ever... them around town on this journey to help us find “that girl” as we (shared this before) is a performing in some of Dean Is delve into her issues, dilemmas, confusions, sketch show inspired by the largest venues in If you’ve laughed at his sexcapades, explorations, stiletto sufferings, real life teen drama, Chicago from the Playground Theatre to wordless antics as the mistakes, tears, cake eating, fake confidence, pulled straight from the Upstairs Gallery, but in this show, recent Magical Exploding Boy and moments of pure, self-assured strength. source--high school conservatory graduates come together as and as the entity known After years of vague insults and unabashed journals! Incorporating one to make you laugh, make you think and as Honeybuns, wait’ll mockery, “that girl” has a lot of shit she’s been character driven scenes, silly music, and even make you aroused-you perverts. This you hear him talk! This solo sketch wanting to say. So come listen. actual readings of journal entries Justine and show is diverse, just like the cast, and filled performance showcases Dean Evans’ Jennifer show you how living in the moment with musical numbers, character driven remarkably versatile talent as he rolls through Chicago Transit is better than living in the past.” scenes and just a hint of racial commentary. hilarious characters and physical routines. Minorities The Chicago Transit Claudia Martinez Comedy Thingy Delirious Confetti Minorities is your one “I said I already put the presents “Leopold!” Who’s on the other line!? stop ride to funny. With dishes in the dish LEOPOLD! is sketch Delirious Confetti a multicultural mix of washer!” Claudia is in comedy, put into a connects to the person “conductors,” this love and has had quite a blender and thrown at on the other end of the comedy troupe presents life journey of loving women. This show the audience in pieces. wire! Are they who they say they are, or a their brand of humor featuring sketches, delves into her romantic nature, and how a Clay Sander & Dave figment of our imagination!? music, dance, and bad accents. Come along girl who sometimes thinks she’s a boy Bonde (along with for the ride and you’ll awkwardly wonder if becomes a man and learns to love women. Patrick Brennan and Comedy Thingy) return DJ Faucet you’re being racist or not. to Chicago Sketchfest, after a decade of Absurd, energetic, and Clown Car to Sicily lethargy, to perform original sketches from dark, iO West mainstage Church of the Saturday Clown Car to Sicily is a their 20+ years of comedy. sketch team DJ Faucet Saints musical improv and pulls from clowning, During this musical sketch comedy group CRASSUS dance, and good ol’ sketch comedy show, based in Chicago, IL. Geoff and Nat are dumb jokes to make big, physical sketch members of the Church Inspired by Commedia comedy power duo comedy. Whether they’re sending a clown to of the Saturday Saints dell’Arte, we use various CRASSUS, a sketch and the hospital bedside of a dead man; spread will take on their forms and sketch, but all musical comedy through the theater on walkie-talkies to carry greatest challenge yet: adulthood. “Grown Ass things musical! With high energy, extravaganza. Delve into the minds of two out a sniper mission; or stuck with their dicks Adults: A Coming of Age Fail” is a musical choreography, and beautiful harmonies, grown men who deal with their joys and in a Chinese finger trap, DJ Faucet delivers journey through grownup missteps and Clown Car to Sicily will have you singing frustrations the only way they know how; big, ridiculous fun. (Usually with a bit misconceptions. Feel free to laugh with, and along as you watch, and humming as you through comedic flights of fancy. CRASSUS tenderness, and frequently with a bit of at, us as we navigate our transition into leave! formed in 2010 and has since had the blood.) adulthood. privilege of performing their unique blend of fast paced sketch comedy and song at the

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Dog Dads Exquisite Corpse Dog Dads (formerly The Pure, uncut sketch that Good & Crazy) is 3 best takes the audience friends making each through a mixed salad of other laugh doing overlapping and weirdy sketch comedy. intermingling realities, Based out of Chicago, Ted Tremper, Paul worlds within worlds, and tangents of other Jurewicz and Jared Larson steer towards the tangents. People and places range from the surreal. Their performance at Chicago’s real and logical to the mythological and Sketchfest in 2013 garnered rave reviews for bizarre. Some have likened the experience to their deconstructive comedic style. “watching a dream.”

Drew’s Tumbler Fancy Women Drew’s Tumbler shows Born of iO’s writing often begin on program, Fancy Woman rollerskates, celebrate spent 2012 and 2013 the absurd, mock writing and performing musical theater, & end in “The Written Show” at violent death. The trio iO’s Del Close Theater. Their material runs the met at Boston College in gamut from dick jokes to politically-themed 2004 and now performs sketch comedy in the dick jokes. Each group member has a hand Chicago area and all around the country. towel with Fancy Woman embroidered on it.

Ed Toolis Feminine Gentlemen Three male casualties, in Coming off a sold-out the battle of the sexes performance at the tell their stories: The Chicago Women’s Funny ultimate target of a Festival, the veteran woman’s scorn, a PR man comics will be shining , who has problems their shoes, waxing their mustaches and pitching the male brand putting a sock down their pants for this to today’s women, and a teacher at a junior tongue and cheek ballet. Yes ballet. No wives, college has problems with his students in a girlfriends or sassy co-workers here... just two romance writing class. grown men doing manly things and wig bits.

EVIL Flambango EVIL is a comedy duo Flambango. Solidly mid- straight from the minds 30’s. Kids are now in the of Amy Thompson and picture. Tired. So...tired. Sam Roos. EVIL is And yet we soldier on, unapologetic and also ready to laugh at our very sorry and serious own, and other people’s, and goofy and right and pain. Flambango presents, “Clear Skies wrong and short and tall and a man and a Ahead,” a show chock full of zombie love, woman. EVIL gets under your skin and demented toy love, and a lot of pet love. burrows into your brain where it takes a long ass nap in your soft, warm synapses. Evil is all Flippin’ Channels in The around you. Estrogen Zone A comedic show for the heartbroken and horny. The honest and graphic recollections and fantasies of one 8 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 9 BIOGRAPHIES c o n t. BIOGRAPHIES

frustrated woman navigating sex and love set Frat Castle perfection in fast-paced, classical sketch GUNNER within the boundaries of her imagination. Frat Castle is composed comedy guaranteed to make your mouth Julie Marchiano and Journey into a world filled with music, of some of Chicago’s drool. Garlic Jackson has been featured on Carley Moseley really like products for the unsatisfied single woman most talented up-and- NBC, MTV Networks, Bravo, VH1, HuffPo, each other and really like and flying fruit, otherwise known as Flippin’ coming performers. Brought together by the Gawker, and College Humor, and won the doing sketch comedy. Channels in The Estrogen Zone. Second City Conservatory, these 12 friends 2013 Int’l Sketch Comedy Championships. Their show aims for big put on a show full of scenes inhabited by The New York Times called Garlic Jackson, and dumb, while maintaining at least a tiny Foil Arms and Hog loveably-inept, charismatically-bumbling “Some of the City’s best writers and bit of integrity and straight-up delight in Ireland’s top comedy trio characters. They build bold stage pictures, performers” who “collide in this energetic performing. GUNNER’s ultimate goal is to have sold-out Edinburgh write strong social satire, and sometimes show.” goof around with the audience at least a little Fringe ‘09 - ‘13.. A fast throw in a puppet. bit, all the time. paced mix between GayCo Productions sketch comedy and Fratwurst GayCo Productions is a Hey Ladies stand-up. Wickedly Since 2010, Fratwurst has not-for-profit theatre HEY LADIES have a twisted characters, performed their ensemble that riproarin’, cream filled, unpredictable scenes and high energy grounded, satirical and specializes in creating and deep fried musical performances. sharply written sketches sketch-comedy revues sketch hootenany made up of founders around Toronto to the delight of their fans. based on gay/lesbian themes. Since starting Brittny Congleton & Molly Todd and featuring For Science! Taking inspiration from their personal as a lesbigay-focused workshop at the the incredible Kate Kershaw, Ali Delianides, For Science! is obsessed experience as underdogs, Fratwurst creates a Second City Training Center in 1996, we’ve Kristin Hopkins & Kerry Santoro. This all with pushing the boundaries of sketch witty comedic experience which ranges from performed for massive, enthusiastic, sexy gay female Southern musical sketch troupe is comedy and finding new ways to make you surreal to heartbreaking. Fratwurst is Evan audiences in Chicago and across the country. inspired by the trashy,touching and true laugh. The ensemble uses everything science Arppe, Eric Miinch and Josh Murray. experiences of the southern gals of HEY and technology has given us to connect with LADIES. From the big haired and God fearing you, YOU a real person in the real world FUCTnyc to the grace and charm of the southern belle, watching our show. Spend a night with For “Gonzo Sketch Warriors,” we’ll take you county to county meeting Science! and stare boldly into the future of FUCT has performed pageant girls, trailer trash, Bible thumpers, sketch. their unique brand of and every coupon queen in between! sketch comedy since Former Roommate 2002. Using music, dance, games, stunts, Hey, Look a Pig! “I have to be her friend. magic and audience participation, FUCT York High School is back She knows too much.” weaves together an experience that you will with a new show and a This is what the two never forget. Expect to laugh, scream and be new name! A whole new ladies of Former shocked, but most of all expect the show written by high Roommate, Brittany unexpected. school kids: some with Anderson and Mary vast sketch comedy Tilden, said about one Full Circle experience, and some another before realizing they should join Full Circle is a wacky, who thought that “sketch club” meant that we forces and create. Guaranteed to bring you witty and wonderfully were going to draw together. Come see these high energy, relationships galore, and maybe weird sketch comedy kids so their principle isn’t the only one at a good old-fashioned ass kicking. show put on by students their performance. from the University of Dayton. Each skit is Frange & Stern written by the cast, for the cast and Hi Betty! Comedians Brian Frange performed with the high energy only college Hi Betty! is a group of (The Unbelievable kids have. But the audience chooses the really funny ladies, who Podcast, HuffPost Live) order, so the actors never know what’s capture the insanity of and Rob Stern (Comedy coming next! the female mind! Letting Central, Tosh.0) deliver their best two-person it all hang out (over their sketches. Frange & Stern has been featured in Garlic Jackson belts) and telling how it the New York Sketch Festival, Fall Back Garlic Jackson Live! picks really is, showing that Comedy Festival and Philly SketchFest. the ripest New York TV there is more of them to love than just their writers and comics then witty senses of humor. Making the everyday smashes them to trials in life hilarious!!! 10 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 11 BIOGRAPHIES c o n t. BIOGRAPHIES

Honorary Degree Jake Dewar, Comedian- This Chicago sketch group has been together Luthier von Heidelburg The members of Tragedian five years strong performing at festivals and Luthier von Heidelburg is Honorary Degree have Jake Dewar channels the venues across the country. Come and see the “best songwriter von been writing and spirit of a little boy who how good Just the Tip can make you feel! DEUTSCHLAND, und performing sketch creates worlds in his thus the WORLD”. This comedy shows together bedroom and never Kerpatty eccentric and manic German serves as the for the last 8 years, leaves home...within the These two are dummies! fulcrum for Eric Schinzer’s cast of characters. including appearances at body of a 6’1”, twenty- The good kinda of Ranging from a small child’s dream to an New York Sketchfest, DC Comedy Fest, San something year old. His smart-but-silly dummies! The kind of ancient Japanese storyteller giving love Francisco Sketchfest, and Chicago Sketchfest characters are as wide-ranging as the musical dummies you want to be advice, the show will make you say “FWAHEI!” 2010-2013. Highly recommended for complex styles he pays homage to with his dexterous dummies with too. electrical work, and sketch comedy is guitar chops and versatile vocals. Check out Making an Ass basically the same thing, right? his work at JakeDewarComedy.com! Lee Russell: Soi-disant of U & Me From The Annoyance Karisa Bruin turns real Hot Town JODY House Ensemble, Fire & people from her real life into a classic sketch Hot Town, Dumber in the Together Katy Colloton Beer, Lee Russell characters, and then morphs them back into City. Hot Town, Dumber and John Loos are JODY, presents a solo-written her version of human beings by making in the City takes you on a a two person sketch sketch show. The show assumption after assumption about their satirical sketch journey comedy group that features Lee Russell lives. How does she sleep at night, making through life, love, focuses on the absurdity accompanied by fun of real people just going about their lives relationships (yadda yadda yadda) and, of of gender roles. BEST OF performers from all over Chicago, including, unaware that someone is mocking them? course, hobosexuals (not a typo). Join us, JODY is a collection of Second City, Common Shiner, The Annoyance Karisa’s combination of classical theatrical won’t you? their favorite sketches from the past four Theater, Chicago Ladies in Comedy, & many training, Chicago comedy experience, and a years. From a Top Gun inspired romance to a more. This self-styled, “so-called”, solo show is boring childhood meld perfectly as Karisa Improv Nerd skinny jeans ballet, BEST OF JODY will not to be missed. inhabits characters that that are at once “Improv Nerd with demonstrate that no one should surrender to sweetly pathetic and deeply human. Jimmy Carrane,” is a live their gender. Life’s Misdirections interview show hosted We all have expectations Mandy Presents: Oh by Jimmy Carrane, a Johnny Knoxville of where we want to go Shit! well-known improv teacher and former host Andrew Knox and John in life. Life’s Misdirections This character-driven of Studio 312 on Chicago Public Radio. In this Sabine are two nice boys explores the lives of one woman show is show, Jimmy will interview Sketchfest trying their best. “Johnny multiple characters who basically written by all of founder Brian Posen about his career in Knoxville” explores high think they have it all the characters who have comedy and creative process. Then laugh school, the NSA, gender figured out. That is, until shaped Mandy as a along as Jimmy performs a totally unscripted roles, the War on Terror, and hot animals. simple missteps and wrong turns lead them person. And that person scene with Brian and then opens the floor for to where they are really meant to be. is a character all by herself. While writing this questions. Just Great: A Week In Sometimes you’ve just got to buckle up, let bio, she said, outloud “I’m just gonna start Revue life take the wheel, and cruise with the what blobbing and then we can edit. Oh no, we JABLONSKI! Just Great: A Week in ifs, the hell no’s, and the please stops. only have one sentence left.” JABLONSKI! is Sherra Revue is a sketch show Lasley and John Sviokla. that is totally concepted, Listen, Kid! Margolis & Reisman After a two year break, written, and performed in one week. Each Listen, Kid! is one of New Nicky Margolis and Boaz JABLONSKI! is back with show has a host, musical guest, and stand up York’s premiere sketch Reisman have a the best of their material, act as well. comedy duos. Housed at complicated relationship going beyond typical The Magnet Theater, with the expression sketch scenarios, Just the Tip these boys have brought their zany act to the “Greatest Songwriting exploring the awkwardness of humanity, and Just the Tip brings 2013 Chicago and San Francisco Sketch Duo of All Time.” But, as taking things further than ever expected. hilarious characters, Festivals as well as to Boston, Philadelphia the most famous and Known for their emotional rawness coupled situations, songs, and and Toronto. Get ready to guffaw at these two most uncompromising members of Chicago’s with their absolute ridiculousness, no stone dance based on their human cartoons. Alt-Folk-Rock-Comedy scene, they will go unturned when these two are unique experiences and understand that, you know... we rule! Comedy searching to unveil the comedy in their truth. satirical point of view. and Songs just like mom used to make. Before we had her institutionalized. 12 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 13 BIOGRAPHIES c o n t. BIOGRAPHIES

Matt & Sam - The Tweet influences, their performance will be a by comedy rock groupie, Ruby Tuesday, the One Word Punctuation Show kaleidoscope of comedy that will re-define group is poised to explode your mind, set Point Samantha Martin (2013 the word hilarious! The group will use their afire your heart, and hump your soul. The Actor’s Training Just For Laughs unique brand of humor and music to Center in Wilmette Montreal, New Faces translate their urban wisdom on culture, Nightpunch presents One Word Punctuation Point. An Character Showcase) and politics and social norms, all while celebrating Hits of the 80’s Written obscure, angst-ridden, hilarious, well written Matthew Robert Gehring (Louie, Political the reason we don’t all die of boredom, our Today! Nightpunch is on and supremely acted sketch show from the Subversities) created THE TWEET SHOW. differences a mission to save the minds of teenagers. By the time you leave, Twitter comes to the stage as live-sketch world by rocking the you won’t want to. comedy when two of Twitter’s finest (@ Mrs. stage with their intricate himynamesam and @Mrgehring) coming MRS. is Ryan Asher, Mary vocal harmonies, killer Pedestrian talents in The Tweet Show: 140 Character Catherine Curran, Sara dance choreography, Pedestrian plays fast, Comedy. Gaare, and Susan Glynn. and face melting instrument solos. Don’t miss hard, and irreverent. With their powers Nightpunch, the ONLY band legally They have a long history Matt Griffo combined they are a authorized to punch the night! of performing with each Griffo is a comedian in fantastical and lovable other, which is apparent the same vein as Flight sketch group. This high Off Off Broadzway in their wild style. These of the Conchords and energy, action packed show will keep you Voted Best Audience boys explore all Tim Minchin – he plays entertained and give you a reason to wake up Hecklers by The Chicago dynamics of budz and present it soaked in funny original songs on every morning. Reader! Off Off fun. piano and ukulele while Broadzway is Chicago’s telling stories in Murderfist only burlesque-parody Pinque Pony between. Joined on stage by cellist Desiree The MURDERFIST Show show that features Real-life gay couple who Miller, this year features all new material. is the comedy show original music/dance- play tragi-comic lady equivalent of a gigantic ish/and anything goes humor. The Broadz can characters. Me and Some Other flaming eagle shooting guarantee foul mouths, daddy issues and free Guy crossbow arrows out of boners for the fellas! These ladies are sharp, Hey, we’re Me and Some its eyes and balls. It’s a hysterical and probably a little drunk. Oh Other Guy. One of us is me and one is some journey to the extreme yeah, don’t bring your kids. other guy. Come to the show and find out horizon of your mind-ocean and our heavy who’s who. It’ll be obvious. metal comedy might just help the pain of Off-Off Campus Play On being alive. Winner of the ECNY Award for Off-Off Campus, from Play On presents two Michinoku Driver Best Sketch Comedy Group and named by the University of teams this year in one Sometimes life has you the Village Voice as the “Best Sketch Comedy Chicago, is the 2nd hilarious show - CODE pinned to the mat, and Group in New York.” “[MURDERFIST] is the only oldest student improvisational and sketch RED VINES, featuring sometimes you just have group that has attempted to bring me back theater troupe in the country. In it’s 28th year, children ages 9-12, and to take a steel chair to its to life!” –Peter Briggard Mayonnaise, inventor Off-Off brings referential and sentimental INTENSIVE CARE BEARS, head. Michinoku Driver’s of mayonnaise. sketches from its recent reviews, including our teen comedy Brian Work & John Slaughterhouse Five-O and Doctor, Doctor, ensemble. Both teams perform comedy Ugolini take a humorous Nashville. The Band Give Me the News (I’ve Got A Bad Case of sketches written by the students, and look at the difficult & defining moments in Nashville. The Band is a Wanting News). coached by Lisa Bany and Ethan Goldman. their lives, exploring themes of love, loss, & band from Louisville, KY. This years scenes include DORA THE disappointment through such skewed lenses Consisting of Chester A. Oh Theodora EXPLORER’S FIRST DAY OF HIGH SCHOOL, and as broken bank robbers, existential board “Hard” Hardwick, Oh Theodora performs other scenes inspired by TV, music and games, and lonely vampire hunters. Maximillion Barfield, and dumb comedy for smart current events. Billy Piccadilly, they have people. This Chicago- Minority Rules! been traveling the based group specializes in silly, story-driven Pop Roulette Unlike the Love Boat, this country for decades spreading the message sketches that veer into surprising territory. Pop Roulette is a musical quartet is more than just of togetherness and equality. Armed with the sketch comedy group exciting and new. With a hardest working roadie in show business, based in New York City mix of Asian, Latino and Dale “Blast Em” Hammershaw and supported that takes aim at pop African American culture and the millennial generation. 14 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 15 BIOGRAPHIES c o n t.

But really we just like to dance! If you’ve ever Ray Bradgary watched a sketch show and thought, “this is Ray BradGary presents great, but where are the harmonies?” Pop The Koch Brothers Roulette is the group for you. www.facebook. Mystery Show, a com/poproulette narrative sketch spectacular following Pretty/Windy the Hardy Boys-esque Pretty / Windy is a capers of right wing multi-billionaires The theatre company loosely Koch Brothers. After having tackled the EPA based in the Lakeview Evasion Enigma and the Mystery of the area of Chicago. Formed Marxist Muslim, these free-market-loving boy in 2010 by a group of Case Western Reserve detectives will be faced with their biggest University alumni, they use their theatrical challenge yet, as they explore a world where background and signature literate wit to happiness is monetized and Ayn Rand is a bring you sharp, polished sketch comedy. Lovecraftian hell-serpent. Often with songs. And puppets. Residential Evil ProDunKtiOn This is a sketchfest show After being out of that won’t get political or college for over a year preachy, just emotional. and being transplanted Join the unbalanced cast to Chicago, for a journey through ProDuNKTiOn explores the themes and issues work, life and that plague their daily lives. Every single relationships in Chicago. member had really expected to be wildly famous by now but they unfortunately Robot vs. Dinosaur remain undiscovered and hell-bent on Robot vs. Dinosaur getting their landlords to accept various gift proudly presents “The cards as legal tender. Oh, yeah and they’re all Gods Must Be Swayze.” girls...I mean... women. Really, that is the title of our sketch comedy show Prostitute Tears that has nothing to do 5 boys. 5 girls. PTs have with Patrick Swayze, but he would have been performed for years proud if only we would have done this show focusing on exposing five years ago. comedic seediness of every day life. Always based on truth, their Sabrina And Colleen material ranges from heart felt to farcical. In the original sketch revue, Get Serious, Rabbit Rabbit Chicago comediennes, Sketch duo Andrew Colleen Breen and Bentley and Chris Blake Sabrina Pratt refuse to return for their fifth year take life seriously- to sketch-fest, and bring especially the serious their “highly energetic parts of life. Donning matching pairs of rose- and darkly subversive” colored glasses these two young writers and touch to a brand new frenetic performers tackle the haunting show which once again twists traditional worlds of isolation, heartbreak and loneliness- sketch frameworks into shapes Time Out joyously swimming outside the mainstream Chicago called “cerebral, unexpected and a with reckless abandon. Through the fluid joy to watch”. intertwining of scenes which appear to start absurd and dark these two wild hearts flip our

16 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 17 BIOGRAPHIES BIOGRAPHIES c o n t.

most secret fears and conquer them with a you to witness their wacky, modern world of Slow Children at Play Stir-Friday Night contagious passion for being angry dancing, hipsters, power struggles and Slow Children at Play is a Stir-Friday Night! is an unapologetically alive. survival. However you decide to deal with the sketch comedy group Asian-American sketch ones you love, Shanna’s Mom is here to help from Boston University group. We are 18 years Sad Banana you get through it, even if an occasional founded in 1995. The old. Our alumni include A less New Zeland-y outburst is necessary. rotating cast of BU Danny Pudi Flight of the Concords undergraduates have (Community), Steven Yeun (The Walking with a guy and a girl with She Said What written and performed their original sketches Dead), Mary Sohn (Second City Mainstage), a guitar and a keyboard She Said What have been to audiences around the country. Their and Broadway’s Christine Lin (Chinglish). instead of two guys with a constant at the Toronto unique brand of humor is unlike anything two guitars and zero Sketch Comedy Festival you’ve ever seen before...unless you’ve Stupid Time Machine keyboards. Sad Banana is since 2009 and in 2013 already seen it before. From the back alleys of Josh Paloma and Mary Spray. They have never their performance was New Orleans comes im- met. recognized with one of Snack Boys prov and sketch comedy the Festival’s highest The Snack Boys like to group Stupid Time Ma- Same Sex Different honors, winning the Second City Best of The treat their audience like chine. STM creates sell-out live sketch shows, Gays Fest Award. The show is high-energy, a sick, disgusting, elderly and is a collaboration of some of Austin and pH Comedy Theater character-driven, professional yet playful dog. Grounded scene New Orleans’ best comedians (co-creators of presents this musical theatrical comedy. With strong writing and work is the bitter tasting The New Movement NOLA, Hand Bomb Pres- sketch show that will dynamic talent, these girls are a delicious dog medicine that they ents, the web series Sunken City, and the take you on a journey hard punch to the face. hide in the ice cream of podcast Shipwrecked! in NOLA, to name a through the multifaceted world of pratfalls, adult diapers, fake guns, and few). This unapologetic group takes every- relationships...of people who happen to be Sheboygan disgusting on-stage food challenges. Please thing that makes us uncomfortable or afraid gay. With songs that range from intimate to Sheboygan. Picked out give them a chance to heal you, Chicago... and shows us there is always a reason to over the top, Same Sex Different Gays is of a hat. We like you disgusting, elderly dog. The Snack Boys laugh. something that anyone who has ever been corporate landscapes, are Adam Levin and Mike Migdall. on a date can relate to, no matter what your geese, and cat memes. Sweet Tease favorite body part! Because when you get to Snooty Pageant Sweet Tease uses the heart of every song, the message is one Snooty Pageant is a personal stories and that speaks to any sexual orientation. musical sketch revue characters from own Shock T’s written and performed by Katie Dufresne and their lives to expose Salsation Theatre The Shock T’s are a three- Stacey Smith- the ladies of Brouhaha. The two social norms and gender Company, NFP person comedy band tackle themes such as love, war, poverty, and roles put on women in society. They create S15:Our Big Fat TheatreJones calls “...such politics through a woman’s eyes as if she were and play the awkward, silly, yet touching Quinceanera is a best-of vivid performers that it’s drugged and/or desperate. Utilizing music, powerful moments that women experience sketch comedy show hard to remember what puppetry, clowning, costumes, make up, in their daily lives. highlighting sketches from Salsation 15 years came before or after.” great hair, rapping, bad hair, food, dancing, of providing “comedy With a LATIN flavor”. With an ever-changing noises, instruments and, if allowed, extreme Talking to Myself: a The show explores the current wave of show full of original songs, they perform all pyrotechnics, these two ladies take the solo show minority empowerment culminating from over the country accompanied by one guitar. audience on a terrifying roller coaster ride.. “Talking to Myself” is a being once thought of being a small player in show about popular culture to now being a force to be Siblings of Doctors Stag Comedy communication through reckoned with. Salsation ponders the In “Siblings of Doctors: STAG Comedy hails from the eyes of Miguel Lepe, universal theme through the prism of the Personal Stories”, the dusty BBQ-stained Jr. and the characters Latino experience.. longtime Chicago streets of Austin, Texas. he’s created based on SketchFest veterans STAG’s high energy show friends, family and different phases of himself. Shanna’s Mom Rasika Mathur, Danny includes live hunting, gruff cops, haunted These characters will take you through In Shanna’s Mom’s Pudi, and Ranjit Souri adolescence and more. embarrassing job interviews, friend-zone original sketch comedy share true personal moments and awkward sex. Miguel uses revue, they put their own stories in a humorous storytelling format. sketch, improvisation and video to express his twist on dating, the Directed by John Hildreth.” views on how we all communicate differently workplace and these days, whether we are talking to loved friendships. They invite ones, friends, employers or even ourselves. 18 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 19 BIOGRAPHIES BIOGRAPHIES c o n t.

TANGO The Beverly D’Angelo The Cupid Players The Intecollectuals Tango explores the Community Players Cupid Has A Heart On The Intecollectuals – An unusual twists, turns, The Beverly D’Angelo combines sharp writing original sketch comedy and dips in everyday life Community Players and catchy songs with a group sprouting out of though a variety of (Stephen (with a ‘ph’) witty take on the cracks of the relationships and Kropa and Christopher relationships, love and infamous Los Angeles characters. Meisinger (with a ‘ph’) Woolsey) are life. The result is a musical sketch show that is surf ghetto known as and Marsh fuse dance two men committed to raunchy, sweet, cynical, touching, smart, Venice Beach. Created and original songs with sketch as they the idea of theatre as a way to bring colour to inane and above all very, very funny. The and directed by LA sketch veteran Jeff Leaf, juxtapose the ideal of any given situation the world. With us you will travel, with us you show has received critical acclaim and this collision of wit and edge infused with 80’s against the oftentimes harsh reality. will weep, with us you will laugh and applaud entertained thousands of audience members. music has become a monthly favorite in LA. on your feet. Performing to sold out crowds, the founding That Just Happened The Dan Peff Show of members Jeff Leaf, Betsy Currie, Stephanie “That Just Happened” is The Business Excessive Force Hodgdon, Elliott Peele, and Michael Geary Chicago’s weekly sketch The Business is a sketch The Dan Peff Show of create a fast paced flipbook of comedic comedy newshour, comedy group Excessive Force is an genius inspired by their community, culture, focusing on the politics comprised of four old-school variety show and personal baggage. There is a party and current events of the University of Chicago that will beat you silly. atmosphere the minute you enter the space, week. With a format that alumni. They specialize Hosted by and starring continuing with drinks after the show while combines desk jokes, in improbable realities stand-up sensation Dan chatting with the cast. character monologues, guest appearances, and the logical absurd, Peff, this classic TV throwback will throw you and of course improvisation, That Just with a minor in dogs. They have been known back with one-liners, drink recipes, songs, and The Interns Happened embraces the Chicago tradition of to fully articulate ultimate truths. Dean Martin-esque scenes. Since their debut at the interpreting the world through satire. 2013 Chicago Sketchfest, The Charlies The Dancing Pig the Interns have all gone The Awkward Stage The Charlies are getting The Dancing Pig has on to attain paying jobs You know when your together for a good old- been delighting with hourly wages! What dad tells a joke, and fashioned game night, audiences with their will this year bring - maybe it’s corny or a and you’re invited. Who ribald sense of dude humor since 2010. salaries, regular trips to little racist or references knows what games we’ll Nothing is off limits as the Pig lampoons the grocery store, framed artwork?! Come closed restaurants? If play? Monopoly? Jenga? Global Thermonu- everything from the average male join us on a wild romp through young that made you clear War? One thing’s for sure: you’ll want to experience; from large concepts like religion adulthood and find out! uncomfortable, then do see it again and again and again. and relationships to stuff as simple as waiting yourself a favor and do not see this show. in line for the bathroom. So, sit back, have a The Laser Sketch Show However, if your father’s misguided humor The Citizens of beer, and let the Pig dance! The Laser Sketch Show wraps around you like a bearskin rug of Townsville uses Hyphy Color laser comfort, we’ll see you shortly with Molly The Citizens of The Department of reactive technology to McCormick & Danni Parpan of The Fruit Flies, Townsville shed a comedic light on the often- Homeland Obscurity paint a story that brings David Heeley, and Jerod Walburn. considered dark subject of... death. From The Department of you into a whole new accidental mass murderers, Southern Homeland Obscurity is a world of characters created by comedian and The Backrow psychics, and flirting Grimm Reapers. The sketch comedy group of artist, Chris Fair, who literally draws, does The Backrow has show features relationship driven comedy 4 very attractive young men (emphasis on voice over, and creates sound effects and brought its brand of that examines the act of death, it’s affect on young... and attractive). Their show consists of music for the entire show. Old Drawings fade highly relatable, rarely topical sketch comedy the living, and the beyond. a large variety of humor ranging from satire as the adventure moves forward to another to every year of the festival. In “Regrettably to dark comedy. They look forward to making illustration drawn quickly before your eyes. It Yours,” the deathless vets explore the huge The Council you laugh or urinate, whether it be from may be the most unique sketch show you will mistake of trying to be nice to others. A sketch review based laughing or simply the urge to go. see because it’s actually sketched. around the setting of summer camp. Music The Late Live Show and hilarity ensue as the The Late Live Show is a relationships between all different summer joke-heavy, sincere-yet- camp archetypes are explored. An instant bizarre late-night talk classic. show that was a cult hit 20 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 21 BIOGRAPHIES BIOGRAPHIES c o n t.

in Chicago for three years and is now based in of his best friend, Jimmy takes it all on, and Festival! Egos collide as this dysfunctional accompanying solo charcaters. Some scenes Los Angeles. Led by host Joe Kwaczala, the gets into the real Meaty Bits. sketch group scratch and claw their way to may be high octane comedy fueled by the show is lovingly crafted by a dedicated team showtime. Will they make it? Probably not. blood of what makes America strong, such as of writers whose credits include The Onion The Nerdologues Bald Eagles Blood, Apple Pie innards and News Network and Late Night with Jimmy The Nerdologues The Sedgwick baseball to the MaxTreme. Some scenes may Fallon. Each episode is brand new and combines true tales of Gentlemen’s League make you think, think about life. Think about features all of the late-night staples: a geekery with sketches The Sedgwick Love, think about job status or think about monologue, desk piece, characters, sketches, that ask important Gentlemen’s League nothing at all. You have free will, you decide. and interviews (former guests include Paul questions like “Who is presents Tim Paul and Better yet, let the White Wine Boys decide for Feig, Rick Bayless, Danny Pudi, Rob Paulsen, the Dane Cook of Tim Stoltenberg in a you. Lucas Neff and more.) Qo’noS?” With distinguished evening of unexplainable reverence for a culture that got comedy. Timothy is a Think Tank The Magnificent us beat up, the Nerdologues invites all you masculine given name that comes from the Using elements of Bastards hip kids to laugh at our folly (while the geeks Greek name Timotheos, meaning “honoring vaudeville, silent film, The Magnificent Bastards get the jokes you don’t). Called “inspired” by God.” This show, where chivalry meets wit, and bizarro cockamamie, is a reunion show of a the Chicago Tribune, they also called us “self does nothing BUT that. Think Tank pokes fun at performing group, Ass aware, self-deprecating” and said the show the news media’s obsession with spewing Monkey Junkies, from “earns its title.” Well, yeah. (Geeks7) The Stuntmen breaking news reports as rapidly as possible-- Sketchfest 1. The show (Monologues7 + Sketches11) = The The Stuntmen deliver an accuracy be damned. Also, pizza and stuffed includes sketches, blackouts and a live Nerdologues eclectic array of sketches animals. performance of Samson Crouppen from inspired by the action BitesizeTV. Added will be a live version of The Pop Tarts film genre. We’re Those People Samson’s hit Yoga sketch featured on Straight from the “United physical, frenetic, and The city is bracing itself FunnyorDie.com. Kingdom” to your hearts, we’re not afraid to take a for the imminent arrival we bring to you, few bumps and bruises of a disaster-themed The Mary Todd Lincoln international pop for the cause. The Stuntmen’s shows are filled sketch show that is Variety Hour sensation, THE POP with car chases, ninjas, time bombs, time rumored to have the The Mary Todd Lincoln TARTS! Evelyn and Beatrice rock out hit after travel, bank heists, and unblockable kicks. We destructive power of a Variety Hour is a late- hit, touching on every style of music from bring over 30 years of combined comedic hurricane, an atomic night variety show country to rap to JPop- all featured on their performance experience to deliver shows that bomb, and a potato famine combined. “We’ve hosted by the former chart topping album, Don’t Burn Your Tongue. demand the audience’s attention. Action never seen anything like this,” said one FEMA First Lady herself, Mary Come sing and dance along with this musical movies are high stakes, over-the-top affairs official. “The jokes in this show appear to be Todd Lincoln. Featuring comedy duo! with heroes and villains and conflict; add a among the most deadly in history. Anybody sketch, stand-up, music, and games inspired humorous twist, and voila! The Stuntmen. in the vicinity is almost certain to bust a gut, by historical figures and events, The Mary The Reception or worse, laugh their asses off.” Todd Lincoln Variety Hour makes gross The Reception is an The Sudden Stop assumptions about people from our nation’s electric and interactive The Sudden Stop is a one THUNDERDOME is a past and explores their lives…after death. sketch comedy man show that shines a weekly comedy variety Written and performed by Julie Marchiano, performance/party on unique light on everyday show that will be Eric Oren, Ben Larrison, and Davide Grody. turbo mode. We blend fears. In this show, Chris presenting its first sketch theatre, movement and Gorton will explore some revue. The show The Meaty Bits of music together for an of these fears and guarantees to be wild, Jimmy Shay inclusive and engaging experience. Will you confront them head on. funny, sexy, and chill. The Meaty Bits of Jimmy party/rock/be our new best friends forever? Illness, love, rejection, failure, or flesh eating Performed by Carmen Christopher, Annie Shay is a butcher’s bacteria can kill a personl; in The Sudden Stop Donley, Morgan Lord, Anthony Oberbeck, attempt to get back on The Sean Miller they’ll just entertain (and not actually kill you) Maria Randazzo, & Joey Romaine. Created by stage and make people Explosion Carmen Christopher and cast, direction by laugh. Half of the The Sean Miller The White Wine Boys Matt Barats. comedy duo Sausage Explosion returns for its 2 friends who combine returns to Sketchfest in this deeply personal improbable NINTH to form a stellar show yet shockingly funny show. Everything From straight year at The that involves sharp, silly growing up as a fat kid to the sudden death Chicago Sketch Comedy sketch work with

22 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 23 BIOGRAPHIES HISTORY

Two Bunnies Eating Virgin Daiquiri October 2001 – Brian Posen had the idea for SketchFest to fill a seven-week rental Flowers Virgin Daiquiri brings commitment he’d made to Theatre Building Chicago. Two Bunnies Eating their unique brand of January 2002 – The first Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival began. It ran for seven weeks and Flowers are three cute improv into a sketch featured more than 30 Chicago sketch comedy groups. About 2000 patrons attended. little kiddos with an format. The all-LADY improv troupe, Virgin insatiable bloodlust for Daiquiri has been improvising since 2007 at January 2003 – The second SketchFest was shortened to 3 ½ weeks and featured 53 friendship and fun. The IO Theater in Chicago. When Virgin performing groups from Chicago and across the country. SketchFest added a panel of sketch They’re known in the for performs, women cheer, babies stop crying comedy experts and weekly forums for performers to exchange ideas and information. their chaotic, go-for-broke live shows, which and men throw their underpants. Their January 2004 – SketchFest expanded to take over all three spaces in Theatre Building Chicago they’ve performed at the UCB Theatre-NY and consistent hilarity has gained them quite a and put up 120 performances by 71 groups in just two weeks. Two new events heightened the iO Chicago. They promise a performance that following and, in doing so, they’ve garnered festivities – Sketchubator and OctaSketch. cannot be forgotten, only repressed. the respect of many important men who will January 2005 - SketchFest 2005 became international with the addition of funny Canadians. hopefully someday grant all women the right As if performances by more than 83 groups weren’t enough, SketchFest added writing Urlakis and Cusick to vote. workshops featuring The Onion head writer Joe Garden and The Comic Toolbox author Urlakis & Cusick’s work John Vorhaus. Chicago Sketchfest changed its official name to “The Chicago Sketch Comedy has been called Wig Bullies Festival.” Some patrons had actually called the box office to see if it was a festival about “seriously funny stuff” Wig Bullies is a diverse drawing. and “delightfully dark” by LGBT-themed group that January 2006 - Five-year anniversary! 92 sketch comedy groups (that’s more than 700 artists) Time Out Chicago, features veteran writers, came together to perform, collaborate, share information and support one another, all under praised as “feisty, performers and directors the umbrella of funny and love. A rock star event called MasterSketch was added. cerebral sketch comedy” from the Chicago theater by The Chicago Reader, and The Chicago and improv scene. Wig Bullies creates comedy January 2007 - The festival was one shy of 100 groups (800 funny people performing) and hit Tribune has said “this team has a real talent that speaks to our uniquely hilarious LGBT 10,000 patrons. OctaSketch entered its 4th year, and honored The Second City, iO, Annoyance for intellectual high jinks.” Come join them for experiences, featuring an often quirky and and ComedySportz by having each supply a director who created under its specific style. their unique mix of highbrow scenarios and bizarre take on gay life-and a big bag of wigs. January 2008 – This time, SketchFest reached 100 groups. Like past years, the festival was hand-crafted artisanal dick jokes. honored to host a mess of new groups and welcomed back some of our old friends. WILDCARD Verbal Straight Jacket Individually they are January 2009 - Sub-zero weather and blizzards… still, 10,000 bodies came through our doors again! SketchFest became trans-Atlantic, hosting some lovely folks from Manchester, England. Verbal Straight Jacket Casey Whitaker, Carmen SketchFest became family friendly for a few hours, when we introduced a mini sketch festival straps the audience Christopher, Greg for kids - an afternoon dedicated to Sketch BY kids, sketch FOR kids and sketch EDUCATING down for a conversation Worsley, and Rachel kids. about science, Laforce; but together they are WILDCARD, philosophy, life, love and one of Chicago’s premier independent sketch January 2010 – This is the year of, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. 119 sketch comedy troupes ladies. These four and improv groups in the city for the past 4 performed almost 150 shows in the two weekends, and SketchFest experienced record ticket Chicago improv and years. This will be their 3rd time performing in sales. writing veterans keep it real and keep it Sketchfest, from truth fires to prank May 2010 – SketchFest parent company Lukaba Productions takes over management of the smart, exploiting society, pop culture, and weddings, WILDCARD is proud to present a Theatre Building Chicago venue where SketchFest has been for nine years! They changed the relationships. This is happening. brand new show that is far from expected. name of the company and the building to Stage773. After all they are called WILDCARD. January 2011 – The 10th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival is bigger and better than VertiGoGo ever! Breaking records again! 129 groups performing 152 shows in 8 days! Awesome! VertiGoGo is sketch Wishbone Theatre comedy born from the Collective January 2012 – The 11th year we went from 3 theatres to 4 theatres. 138 groups…162 shows! voices of 5 attractive, Following last year’s January 2013 – The 12th Annual Chicago Sketchfest Comedy Festival, more shows, more young, white, Chicago success of “Ten Things I groups! comedians. They may not have diversity on Facebook Like About their side, but from silly to satire, the You”, Wishbone Theatre January 2014 – 13 is our luckiest so far!!! Broken Mirrors, black cats and open umbrellas decorate our lobby. Breaking all records. 159 groups performing 188 shows- including Italy VertiGoGo gang fearlessly goes wherever Collective joins and England! whimsy leads them. It has also been sketchfest for its third suggested that with their powers combined, appearance. Celebrating the 90s in all of its “Grab a drink. Have some laughs with us. Stay a while. Celebrate this incredible art form with us. they are a hotbed of talent rivaling Kevin glory: boy bands, Baywatch and Beanie We are so grateful that you are here for our happy festival.” Spacey. Babies. -Brian Posen Founder and Exec Producer

24 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 25 THE CHICAGO SKETCHFEST 2014 SUNDAY, JANUARTY 12TH PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE CABARET BOX PRO THRUST Lee Russell: 1 pm Awkward Silence Assemblers 2 HEY LADIES THURSDAY, JANUARTY 9TH Soi-disant Accidental CABARET BOX PRO THRUST 2 pm Michinoku Driver VertiGoGo Clown Car to Sicily Canadians The White Wine 8 pm Margolis & Reisman The Dancing Pig Cell Camp Boys 3 pm Sabrina And Colleen The Council College Brochure That Just Happened Chicago Transit 9 pm City Bunny For Science! Exquisite Corpse The Business 4 pm Life’s Misdirections Ray Bradgary Butch LaRue Minorities The Sean Miller 10 pm MRS. Cake-n-Hatred WILDCARD One Word Explosion 5 pm Delirious Confetti Hot Town Cassandra Punctuation Point Wishbone Theatre 6 pm TANGO The Interns Sweet Tease Collective FRIDAY, JANUARTY 10TH The Beverly CABARET BOX PRO THRUST 7pm Bleep That Bleep D’Angelo ProDUNKTiOn Fancy Women Community Players Two Bunnies Eating 7 pm Pinque Pony Claudia Martinez Johnny Knoxville Same Sex Different Flowers 8 pm Cigarette Sandwich 4 Days Late Blood Oath Gays Stupid Time 8 pm DJ Faucet THUNDERDOME Kerpatty Machine

9 pm The Reception Frange & Stern Boat Oh Theodora

10 pm Brick Penguin The Intecollectuals The Late Live Show Pop Roulette SLOW CHILDREN AT Nightpunch/The 11 pm Listen, Kid! Murderfist PLAY Pop Tarts/Shock T’s

SATURDAY, JANUARTY 11TH CABARET BOX PRO THRUST

5 pm JODY Full Circle JABLONSKI Those People Sedgwick 6 pm Hi Betty! The Backrow Caronato Gentlemen’s League

7 pm Arch and Andel Crassus Stir Friday Night Think Tank Stupid Time 8 pm DJ Faucet The Cupid Players Astronaut Theatre Machine

9 pm The Reception Frange & Stern Boat Virgin Daquiri

10 pm Brick Penguin The Intecollectuals The Late Live Show Pop Roulette SLOW CHILDREN AT 11 pm Listen, Kid! Murderfist The Nerdologues PLAY

26 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 27 THURSDAY, JANUARY 16TH SUNDAY, JANUARY 19TH CABARET BOX PRO THRUST CABARET BOX PRO THRUST Barry Hite & Friends: Jake Dewar/ The Just Great: A Week 2 pm Off-Off Campus Hey, Look a Pig! 8 pm Cavalcade of Shit- Dean Is Drew’s Tumbler The Dan Peff Show Laser Sketch Show in Revue heads Department Talking to Myself/ The Mary Todd Verbal Straight 3 pm of Homeland Play On 9 pm Abbaria Flambango The Stuntmen The Sudden Stop Lincoln Variety Hour Jacket Obscurity Me and Some Other The Citizens of 10 pm EVIL Honorary Degree Pretty/Windy 4 pm Ed Toolis/Blessed Snack Boys Frat Castle Guy Townsville Mandy presents: Oh Church of the 5 pm Shit!/The Meaty Bits Wig Bullies Shanna’s Mom Saturday Saints of Jimmy Shay FRIDAY, JANUARY 17TH Luthier von CABARET BOX PRO THRUST 6 pm Heidelburg/Making GUNNER Residential Evil Minority Rules! Flippin’ Channels in Feminine an Ass of U&Me 8 pm GayCo Big Boss Comedy the Estrogen Zone Gentlemen 7 pm Former Roommate Sheboygan Damn It, Janet A Twerk In Progress 9 pm Foil Arms and Hog Charles Garlic Jackson Rabbit Rabbit 8 pm Dog Dads Awkward Stage Charmaine (long pause) Matt & Sam – The 10 pm She Said What Fratwurst FUCTnyc Tweet Show Matt Griffo/ Schedule subject to change – for up-to-date information, see www.chicagosketchfest.com 11 pm The Charlies Cake Batter Nashville. The Band/ Stag Comedy Sad Banana

SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH CABARET BOX PRO THRUST

4 pm Improv Nerd The Magnificent 5 pm Pedestrian Just the Tip Prostitute Tears Bastards Salsation Theatre 6 pm Almost a Genius Cody and Jeb Carl’s Backyard Company Comedy Thingy 7 pm Snooty Pageant Robot vs. Dinosaur Siblings of Doctors presents “Leopold!” Flippin’ Channels in 8 pm Urlakis and Cusick The Cupid Players Big Boss Comedy the Estrogen Zone

9 pm Foil Arms and Hog Charles Garlic Jackson Siblings of Doctors Matt & Sam – The 10 pm She Said What Fratwurst FUCTnyc Tweet Show

11 pm The Charlies Cake Batter Off Off Broadzway Stag Comedy

28 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 29 SPECIAL THANKS WELCOME TO STAGE 773

Paul Snepsts – The Toronto Sketchfest Danni Parpan Stage 773, formed by Creative Director Brian Posen, is a multi-complex theater that is The Sweet Crew The PIT welcoming, nurturing and collaborative to Chicago’s art community. Ed Toolis Keith Huang Stage773 conducts two primary activities: to provide subsidized space rental to Chicago’s Alderman Waguespack and his staff The Stage 773 Board of Directors many off-Loop companies and to produce its own work. In addition to space to perform, Hilary Williams The Entire Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival tenants receive full box office, front of house and customer services, marketing support The League of Chicago Theatres Staff and Volunteers and 24 hour technical assistance. Fundamental to Stage 773’s business philosophy and Columbia College Chicago demonstrated success is the fact that each staff member is also an art-maker. Stage 773’s organizing principle is to support the Artists so they can focus on art-making We invite you to return to Stage 773 any day of the week and experience what the SPONSORED BY Huffington Post describes as «an eccentric space with a fresh approach to presenting dance, theatre, sketch comedy -- even cabaret.” In the course of a month, over 30 different performances will be presented on the stages of Stage 773 including our very own Cupid Players are now in their 11th year, joining SMUSH! , a weekly open mic featuring the funniest people in Chicago performing sketch- comedy, improvisation, stand-up and smushing them together on one stage. In addition to these groups, Stage 773 produces the Chicago Women’s Funny Festival and now the Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival. Stage 773 also offers advanced education programs including master classes for adults as well as training programs for recent graduates. For more information on performances, space rental and special events visits us at www. stage773.com Come play with Us!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Laura Michaud, President Alex Meyer, Treasurer Brian Posen, Secretary

Gary Hirschberg, Charles H. Jesser, Kristin Larsen, Steve Miller, Quinton Snodgrass, Jill Valentine, Brian Walter

Stage 773 is looking for individuals who first and foremost love Chicago theatre. Additionally, we are seeking individuals who have experience in the fields of finance/ accounting, fundraising, and legal: not for profit and real estate. Ideal candidates have diverse networks and/or ties to art-supporting companies in the Chicago area. Is this you?

Volunteers contribute, on average, about 4-6 hours a month attending board and committee meetings as well as board-related events. In exchange for your service, you have the opportunity to interact with a truly dynamic group of people and play a vital role in Chicago’s cultural community. From the members on our Board to our patrons, Stage 773 attracts an exciting and extraordinary group of creative and diverse personalities. Contact Executive Director, Kristin Larsen at [email protected] for more information. 30 Stage 773 SketchFest 2014 31 STAFF

Creative Director...... Brian Posen Executive Director ...... Kristin Larsen Director of Facilities...... Brian Peterlin Director of Operations...... Jill Valentine Director of Tenant Services and Grant Management...... Jack Short Business Manager...... Liren Shi Education Coordinator...... Hilary Williams Administrative Assistant...... Zach Abel Marketing Assistant...... Katie Johnson-Smith House Manager...... Mandy Whitenack Bar Manager...... Vance Brinkerhoff Box Office...... Chante Keller, Nancy Farnand, Joey Gilmore, Lexy Leuszler, Kevin McDonald, Matthew Preston, Laura Willson Bar Staff...... Amy Alfultis, Katie, Faris, Chante Keller, Jacob Welch Technical Staff...... John Craig, Junella Gabriel, Byron Roussin Intern...... Matthew Preston

Ushering services are provided by The Saints.

Stage773 is a member of the Chicago League of Theaters

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