"Do you crave original work? Do you love to vote for things? Then we've got the show for you! The $600 GTT Actor/Writer Thing pits 30 actors and 15 writers against each other as they put together the best original work they can in a single evening! Week one features 30 unique monologues, week two offers up 10 fantastic duets, and in the final week, watch in amazement as two teams put together a full one act play! Best of all, it's your vote that will decide the winners! At the end of three weeks, 6 people will walk away with cash, prizes courtesy of BigHotDog.com and their very own show which will premiere at Gorilla Tango Theatre!"
Written & Performed by David Boyle
Directed by Rob Fagin
A funny, cynical and sometimes tender look at the Catholic laity and their relationship to the church in the twenty-first century through the eyes of a parish organist.
Alex is the type of guy who always finds himself in the "friend zone". He has a job and he is financially stable, the only problem is he longs for a relationship, but his luck in that category is less than perfect. One day his childhood crush re-enters his life and with the help of his brother, Kevin, he decides to pursue her.
Alex's efforts are appreciated by his crush but thwarted by her friends. Alex is on the verge of giving up until Kevin interferes again and convinces Alex to give it another try. Alex goes all out to plan this great night to win the heart of his crush, but once again his efforts are shut down due to circumstances. Through this situation Alex becomes a less selfish person and realizes just how great his friends are.
So. You’re in Chicago. You go out from time to time. You’ve most likely seen a horror movie. Perhaps a Halloween themed show. Maybe you have seen a live improv show. Perchance you’ve seen a horror/Halloween themed improv show. You might even have seen an improv show performed in American Sign Language. But you have never seen a live horror/Halloween themed improv show performed in American Sign Language in Chicago- EVER. Why? Because it’s never been done - til now!
Don’t miss the only opportunity chance to see this unique show, featuring a troupe of performers who have, as individuals: traveled to do shows internationally, have thousands of fans, trained at Second City, performed for the Chicago Improv Festival, and have really freaky eyebrows. The show will be voice interpreted for the sign-language impaired. Audience suggestions will form the basis of this show, centered around horror movies, genres and Halloween stories/experiences.
There is nothing fiercer than a game of Bingo. Tensions are high and competition FIERCE. In Mr. Kennedy’s new play BINGO!, amidst the competition, gossip flourishes and secrets are revealed. Who knew a Bingo game could contain hidden sexualities, illicit affairs, matching heart-shaped tattoos, AND good luck dollies? Interactive, Fun, Exciting!
Oh-a-no! Mario and Luigi have become so perpetually frustrated by their endless pursuit of the Princess that everything they see has started to look like a beautiful, sexy woman-- even their most dangerous enemies! This sexy burlesque romp is a send-up of the famous Mario Bros. video games. Join us to discover whether the world's most adventurous plumbers will finally rescue the Princess and consummate years of amorous toil, or be seduced along the way by their alluring enemies. Don't forget to bring a few "coins" (or dollars) for tips... If the cast collects enough coins along the way, the audience will unlock the alternate ending!!!
Ouch, that was funny! Charlie Bit Me is a two-man romp through a spontaneously created world of hilarious characters. Wear socks, so they can be knocked off.
Take a look inside the adrenaline-fueled, exciting world of Wrigleyville with this brand new interactive show/party experience that centers around drinking and the Chicago Cubs!
Written and starring long time friends Dan Abbate and Mickey Bravo, DAN AND MICKEY ARE FRIENDS is a fun-filled show that has something for everyone: from the hulking physique of Mickey Bravo (for the ladies!) to the melodious vocal charms of Dan Abbate (also for the ladies and the non-discriminating gay men). Join these lovable scamps as they deal with the trials and hilarious tribulations of producing this fantastic show just for you and eighty of your closest friends. Come and see DAN AND MICKEY ARE FRIENDS, you won't be disappointed! (In the show, that is; you might be disappointed in other aspects of your life, but Dan and Mickey take no responsibility for that; except for that one time. Sorry about that.)
When CB's dog dies from rabies, CB begins to question the existence of an afterlife. But a chance meeting with a classmate who plays piano, the target of this group's bullying, offers CB a peace of mind and sets in motion a friendship that will push teen angst to the very limits. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion, and sexual identity collide and careen toward a haunting and hopeful conclusion.
Edd Fairman, Wizard of Sorts: Magic, Comedy, Mayhem
Edd Fairman, the Wizard of Sorts, is hitting the Gorilla Tango Stage for five nights of magic, comedy and mayhem! A nationally touring magician and an illusionist since the ripe old age of 6, Edd has brought his act home to Chicago and has planned an hour of interactive trickery, mindblowing mischief and new spins on classic illusions that could only come from the man the Chicago Wizard's Club named "Magician of the Year." You might not believe that a show this big can fit into Edd's single, trademark briefcase, but you will. You might even get a chance to peek inside it yourself! And be warned; this show is for audiences 13 and up due to moderate amounts of highly professional immaturity. To find out more about Edd and his magic, visit www.WizardofSorts.com.
Every day, people face their worst fears and their nightmares become reality. Sometimes we see this in the news when a building catches fire. We know someone who survived an accident where it seemed like everything went wrong. What are the nightmares we don't see? Things that happen in our everyday life that remind us that the worst possible thing could happen at any moment. Come see your nightmares played out and seen to a proper end.
“Frankenstein, Crazy” is a fascinating and heart wrenching tale about Army video game recruitment centers call to arms to lure youth into the military by exposing them to video game war. The military will stop at nothing to create a new elite fighting force. If political satire is your thang, then you’re in for a real doozy.
"Hamlettes" is a fascinating adaptation of Shakespeare's Hamlet, exploring the collision of art, control and hormones through the eyes of three 'tween girls, during their attempt to rehearse one of Shakespeare's most challenging pieces. The play explores the challenges of coming of age in a steadily more isolated world, the struggle to find ones identity within a group, and the danger of the simultaneous discovery of art, love, and hormones.
After the success of Happy Ending: A Filthy Sketch Show and Happy Ending 2: Sloppy Seconds, [something clever] Productions is proud to present another serving of adults only no-holds-barred humor with Happy Ending 3: A Foul Musical. Everything from a Chat Roulette Duet to a rejected performance of The Blue Man Group is included. Having not seen the first two Happy Ending productions will not affect your enjoyment of this show as each Happy Ending comes with new and original material. So sit back, relax, have a beer or six and allow us to give you a happy ending.
Happy Karaoke Fun Time! An Improvised Karaoke Musical
This brand spankin-new musical improv form asks the audience for a suggestion and a random track number between 1 and 60, which then becomes the opening number to an epic long-form musical, made up on the spot. After that, all bets are off as we improvise original scenes and songs without any idea what karaoke track our DJ will spin next. You will recognize the tunes but not the lyrics as we re-invent everything from Lady Gaga to Journey. This ain't your mama's musical improv show.
We Sing. You Laugh.
An evening of stand up comedy featuring Steve Himmelman and Hollie Himmelman.
Hollie Himmelman
Hollie likes to share stories of her neurotic upbringing along with her twisted observational perspective on many topics. Hollie planted the seeds for her comedy career in kindergarten. During that year she compulsively organized her crayons by height and sharpness and always ventured outside the lines during coloring training.Â
Born and raised in the Chicago area, Hollie finally realized what she wanted to be and didn’t even have to grow up. She defines her relatable experiences with sarcasm and clever sardonic wit. Many say that Hollie writes and performs smart comedy. Her husband claims, “she’s just lucky she married well.”
Studying acting and comedy in L.A. and Chicago, Hollie’s training includes The Second City and Zanies. Her performances have included the midwest and New York. Hollie has also performed in and produced several comedy shows.Â
When Hollie is not working, she spends time raising a husband and four dogs. At least the dogs can be trained.
Steve Himmelman
Steve first stepped on stage in 1975, but his comedy began years before. Spending most of his grammar school years with his desk in the hallway, Steve had plenty of rehearsal time. According to Steve, “My teachers just didn’t understand my comedy”.
Steve has a way of looking at the most simple situation and giving it a unique twist of logic. Some say, well at least his wife says, he’s twisted, so his style of comedy comes easy. Steve has a knack for creating laughter in the least expected way. He throws a great curve and owes it all to his childhood experiences.
Steve has produced and performed in many shows. When he is not performing, Steve spends time working. Well, someone has to support his habit of marriage addiction. Not to mention 4 hungry furry “kids”.
Steve is married to Hollie, also a comic, and recognizes that it’s a perfect comedic match.
Imagine if you mixed The Rocky Horror Picture Show, John Waters, zombies, slashers, B-Horror, exploitation films and 80's teen flicks all into one performance. Drawing from a collection of audience suggestions we will create an improvised show in the style of all these late night cult films seen in a series of vignettes. Sometimes the scenes will stand alone and sometimes story lines will connect in unexpected ways. This show is perfect for anyone who is a fan of cult films, someone looking for a break from your typical improv show or anyone who thought the 70's and 80's were the best times for movies.
Have you ever had $12 and thought to yourself, "I could either donate this $12 to the American Cancer Society OR I could go see a comedy show..." What a dilemma! Now you can do both! Join us for an evening full of genius by Ken Barnard, high-energy improv from Fart City, music by Courageous Rue, and all hosted by the lovely and always quirky Cameron Esposito.
Take part in our raffle for your chance to win original art work by animation artists collective, Ridiculously Sophisticated Concept Artists!
A portion of proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society (http://www.cancer.org).
"It Takes a Village, People!" is the first gay-themed production from Salsation Theatre Company, Chicago's home for "Comedy with a Latin flavor!" The show explores the intersection between love, family and the Latino experience in the village of gay life. A young man struggles to find love in a germ-filled world. Another finds the military-industrial complex an unlikely ally in his quest to come out to his parents. And speed dating speeds up as the search for love gets serious in this wig-filled sketch comedy revue!
Students from the Chicago Arts High School for Performing Arts Students and the Actors Training Center at the Wilmette Theatre perform three long-form sets alongside professional Chicago improvisers. These 6th-12th grade students have previously performed alongside top Chicago teams COOK COUNTY SOCIAL CLUB, JIMMY CARRANE AND FRIENDS, and ALMOST ATLANTA. Prepare for your mind to be blown as you watch these talented young improvisers hold their own with the pros in a night of hilarity.
Don’t call it a Midlife Crisis. Crisis? What Crisis?! "Midlife Joyride" takes a skewed, hilarious look at the crap that arises when men and women move into the second half of life: bald spots, hot flashes, daydream stares, big guts, fast cars, sex drives on life support and “cougar” attacks. This part sketch show, part stand-up performance doesn’t take itself seriously. Instead it embraces the changes and puts a funny, whacked-out spin on what really should be called Adolescence the Sequel.
Four individuals share their emotions in today's cruel and heartless world, expressing themselves through comedy, song, dance, and art. Protecting Sammy's original and scripted material is guaranteed to make you laugh, think, and give you the courage to smile another day. Protecting Sammy adds what's been missing in Chicago's growing theatre community.
So sit back and enjoy the entertainment.
Drawing from a collection of audience suggestions [something clever] Productions will present a series vignettes all related to the various categories/fetishes you would find in the porno section at your local video store. Complete with vintage porno music and a few other surprises along the way! So if spending an evening with some MILFS, BBW, lesbians, barely legal teens, and hot steamy men sounds like fun to you, then this is the show for you! You may even learn a few new things along the way.
Have you ever felt completely SOLO in your sanity? Like everyone is crazy but YOU? Well, we can relate.
The world has gone crazy, and Solo In Sanity has proof. During this satirical, slice-of-life sketch comedy revue, you’ll visit places, people, and moments in time where the madness is just too much. Come to this hilarious, irreverent show with your other sane friends to poke fun at everything from high school bullies, to job interviews, to social “norms.” The cast of Jersey Shore might even stop by to incite the downfall of humanity!
Join your fellow sanity seekers before it’s too late…
Artimus was a quiet man. He was a doormat, actually. His wife always told him so… Then, one day, he died, almost, and now he can’t stop talking about it. He just talks and talks, and it’s left his wife, well…freaked out. See, he’s gone and told her the meaning of life and she just can’t stand it. Not just that she wasn’t expecting it, but that he hasn’t stopped telling her, for the last six months…
Two middle-aged brothers own an independent bookstore and are struggling to make their store both cool and profitable. Each fully improvised show deals with Harry and Charlie Winter's problems with each other, their staff, regular customers and the shrinking role of bookstores in the world. Each week there's a different guest improviser, musical guest and opening act. Directed by Regan Davis and starring Heather Connelly Adams, Len Foote, Dan Halstead, Alexis Martino, Kelly Reilly, Janna Sobel and Wolf Stein.
The Marvelous Unspeaking Troupe of Entertaining Scoundrels aka The M.U.T.E.S. are really excited to be unleashing their unique brand of vaudevillian-revival, silent film style sketch comedy on Chicago for the first time! Since stumbling onto stage with Milwaukee's Alleycat Review in April 2009, these scoundrels have been spotted at venues such as Turner Hall, The Miramar, The Alchemist, & as roving entertainment at Milwaukee's Pridefest. They've appeared in The Milwaukee Comedy Festival two years running and are Toronto Sketch Festival hopefuls. Taking their inspiration from the classic silent film era of the 1920's The M.U.T.E.S. hope you will join them for an hour & have a swell time partying with them like it's 1929! Find out more at themutes.com.
*Due to adult situations & sexual innuendo, we recommend this show for ages 16 and up.
The Stuntmen are Chicago's only fully improvised action movie! Come and join us for an evening of sketch comedy about topics ranging from Star Wars to Greek Mythology and finally, a fully improvised action movie produced with only suggestions from the audience. They fly, they fight, there's usually at least one serious cast injury per show! Come and join us for an adrenaline-filled evening with The Stuntmen!
Suckie Stickhouse just moved to Wiccan Park and is already torn between two men: Ted, the undead man of her dreams, and Shirts on the Ground, the shape changing hottie. And how will Rachel Sharpey feel when Suckie auditions for the new musical? I'm sure coach Su will have an opinion. An over the top musical parody you don't want your children to see that will leave you singing "Don't Stop Bleeding!"...
