Are you a fan of college humor? No, not the hilarious comedy site -- the real thing. The third annual College Improv Tournament -- created by Jonathan Pitts, executive producer of the famed Chicago Improv Festival -- begins November 7 with the Midwest Regional at pH Productions's Studio Be Theater (3110 N. Sheffield). Ten teams, including Illinois State's Improv Mafia (last year's champion) and University of Illinois-Urbana's Kaboot, will compete in matches all day long (noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., with the finals at 10 p.m.), and you can view the action for just $10-$15. That's a small price to pay to witness the potential next big thing.
If you only care about the Chicago schools, you've got some time. The local regional, featuring nine teams from seven Chicago colleges and universities, has been rescheduled to January 23, 2010. We know a website you can waste time on 'til then.
A lot of press releases for stage shows come across our desk here in Our Town, and most don’t do much to attract our attention. But our ears perked up when we got one that said “Fat Bitch!” in big pink letters on the top of it this week. It’s for a one-woman show by Erica Watson, who we had never heard of, but is a Hyde Park native and apparently was in the upcoming movie “Precious” (which we've heard really good things about).
The show, at the Chicago Center for Performing Arts starting Nov. 19 ($10-$15; five shows only!) is described as influenced by Whoopi Goldberg, Wanda Sykes and Mo’Nique. It is hosted by Nore Davis (who has apparently been seen on MTV, but not by us) and produced by NBA journeyman Nazr Mohammed(?). The tagline: "Yes! Erica Watson is a FAT BITCH! But society made her this way."
And that’s about all we have to say about that. But it wins the press release of the week award, and therefore we felt it deserved a shout out.
For more, check out Watson’s web site, or buy tickets here.
Dirty Sanchez and his pals are sure to put on an entertaining show on Friday.
Lucha Va Voom 8:30 p.m. Friday at Congress Theater, $25-$60
If you like your Mexican midget wrestling with a splash of skin (and who doesn't?) this event is for you. Top-ranked luchadoritos battle it out in the ring while scantily clad burlesque dancers provide entertainment between matches. Now that's what we call entertainment.
Make Cap'n Slappy and Ol' Chumbucket proud on Saturday. (via talklikeapirate.com)
Shiver me timbers! Is it International Talk Like a Pirate Day again already? Seems like just last month we were shouting "avast!" at unsuspecting children. No matter. Come this Saturday, September 19, we'll be ready to parrrrrty. To make sure you arrrre too, we've compiled a list of ways to celebrate like a true pirate. Use at your own risk:
Storm one of the many ships cruising the Chicago River and demand to see the "plank." If you can't afford the tour fee, or you're prone to seasickness, just do the same thing at the ship-shaped El Barco.
Heckle the parrotheads at the Landshark Lager Oyster Fest (sponsored by Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Brewing). Actually, we'd suggest this any year.
Try to count all the decorative birds at Lakeview's Parrots. "One! Two! Three! Fourrrrrrr!"
Run aimlessly through noted parrot-haven Hyde Park in full buccaneer gear, calling desperately for your lost pal "Arrrrchie."
Head to the Cubs game armed with some Willie Stargell quotes. See who gets the joke. (Make sure to stop into the Captain Morgan Club to order a noggin o' rum.)
Hit the barrrr. Actually, five of 'em. The Booty Pub Crawl (beginning at 8 p.m. on Saturday, $20) starts at McGee's and moves on to Wrightwood Tap, Durkin's, Duffy's and Redmond's. A buffet, rum punch and domestic drafts are included in the price, and a free trolley will be your vessel for the night.
Learn how pirates really talked. The eye patch-obsessed Field Museum will be hosting all sorts of activities from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., including treasure hunts, sword-fighting performances and even an appearance from Navy Pier's mascot, Patch the Pirate Dog. Kids are encouraged to dress up - and we guess parents can, too. Free w/museum admission.
If an event were to include even two of these things, we know you'd be scrambling for tickets. Next Friday's Lucha Va Voom event at the Congress Theater has all three (plus, possibly, midgets). The touring spectacle has been featured in numerous publications and on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," and included appearances from the likes of Jack Black, Robin Williams and Patton Oswalt...and now it's finally coming to Chicago.
Tickets range from $25-$60, but we have three pairs to give away! To be entered in the drawing, send a direct message with your namemessage with the words "Sign me up for the Lucha Va Voom ticket contest!" to Centerstage via Twitter by this Friday, September 11, at 3 p.m.
Joey Bland, who plays Rod Blagojevich in the Second City musical "Rod Blagojevich Superstar," dons the Big Hair for his big role.(Sun-Times file)
We love watching him on TV — especially nowadays — so why shouldn't we love watching his antics on stage? Second City's hit show "Rod Blagojevich Superstar" has been extended again at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. But this is the last one. Really. No more after Sept. 6.
The reason given for this final extension: "Due to tremendous demand and irresistible new source material still being provided by the former governor including his upcoming book, The Governor."
Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays at 3 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; and Sundays at 3 p.m. Ticketholders get a 40 percent parking discount. Tickets are $25 ($20 for groups of 10 or more) and may be purchased by visiting Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s site at or calling the CST Box Office at (312) 595-5600.
“All over the world. Everybody’s got the word,” quipped the singing muses of “Xanadu,” and this week we’re all about globe-trotting without ever leaving the city limits:
1. It’s like Epcot Center, but for barbecue
Fork and the Road’s International Barbecue Tour Bike Ride kicks off at 11 a.m. at Pause Cafe, 1107 W. Berwyn. The tour features stops at various Pakistani, Korean and Chinese barbecue joints. The 14.5-mile bike ride and tasting is $50 a person. Can’t make this tour? The next BBQ Bike Ride is slated for Sept. 5. Visit www.forkandtheroad.com.
2. Paris in the summer
The comedic cabaret duo of Colleen McHugh and Miriam Plotkin toast (and roast) the French in their annual “tour de farce,” “Bastille Magnolias.” Storm the barricades of Davenport’s Piano Bar, 1383 N. Milwaukee, at 8 tonight; $29. Details: (773) 278-1830 or www.davenportspianobar.com.
3. Venice on Lake Michigan
It’s the 52nd annual Venetian Night at 8 tonight. More than half a million people are expected to attend the annual parade of decorated boats. Monroe Harbor from Shedd Aquarium at Roosevelt north to the Chicago Yacht Club at Monroe is rumored to be the best place to view the proceedings. Fireworks will follow. Free; www.explorechicago.org.
HEY! YOU GOT THREE BETTER ONES?
Tell us your three favorite things about Saturday!
Summer “camp”
Book passage on Hell in a Handbag’s latest campy parody, the very funny “Poseidon! An Upside Down Musical.” The show has been extended through Aug. 16, and you can catch it at 8 tonight at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division; $25. Details: www.brownpapertickets.com. Swim, Shelley, Swim!
Grillin’
Our condo is too small for a balcony to grill on. Thankfully, we can still get our barbecue fix at Smoke Daddy, 1804 W. Division. A slab of ribs (more than enough for two to share) will set you back $19.25 and comes with two sides (we’re partial to beans and slaw). Grab a bite and stay for the tunes by the Brandon Harvey Band, playing from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. (773) 772-6656.
Chillin’
Sunday is National Daiquiri Day (who knew, right?). Nacional 27, 325 W. Huron, gets a jump on things with “Daiquiri Eve.” Master mixologist Adam Seger serves up $10 frozen daiquiri creations from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. (312) 664-2727.
HEY! YOU GOT THREE BETTER ONES?
Tell us your three favorite things about Saturday!
Chicago Folk & Roots Festival Saturday-Sunday at Welles Park; $8
The Old Town School of Folk Music's eclectic annual fest may fly a bit under the radar of many Chicagoans, but to know it is to love it (especially if you've got kids in tow). Don't be fooled by the name, as you'll find a whole lot more than just folk music here; this year's eclectic lineup includes throwback soul (Austin's Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears), Mediterranean electro (France's Watcha Clan) and what we'll describe as Indian-inspired club sounds (Karsh Kale, from New York).
David Cross and Bob Odenkirk bring back the magic of "Mr. Show" to the Lakeshore Theater.
Just For Laughs Chicago Through Sunday
David Cross. Bob Odenkirk. Michael Ian Black. Michael Showalter. George Lopez. Jimmy Fallon. Andy Dick. David Alan Grier. Bill Engvall. Lisa Lampanelli. Patrice O'Neal. All these big names will be gracing Chicago stages this weekend, some more than once, as part of this TBS-sponsored fest. As much as we hate to reference those annoying commercials, this event promises to be "very funny."
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (right) poses with Second City actor Joey Bland, who plays Blagojevich in the Second City show "Rod Blagojevich Superstar," as Blagojevich guest hosts on WLS Radio in March.(AP file)
As his wife braves self-absorbed reality TV stars and other creatures in the Costa Rican wilds, Rod Blagojevich this weekend will venture into another jungle: the Second City show mocking him as a corrupt, vainglorious buffoon.
It will be Blagojevich's first time seeing the four-month-old musical, although he interviewed its stars during a March fill-in stint on WLS-AM (890).
The "Superstar" run recently was extended through Aug. 9.
Proceeds from Saturday's ticket sales will benefit Gila's Club Chicago, which offers support for everyone living with cancer — men, women, teens and children.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH BEING SEXY?
Here's your chance to spend an evening with Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, who created the daffy performers in the movies "This Is Spinal Tap" (heavy metal) and "A Mighty Wind" (folk music). Appearing as themselves, and playing acoustically, the three will perform songs from their films and crack wise in Unwigged and Unplugged, at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. Tickets are $35-$55. Call (800) 745-3000; www.thechicagotheatre.com.
1. Liberate your wardrobe by jettisoning your cargo (shorts)!
Part with what the guys in Boystown are calling a fashion faux pas, the cargo short. The clothing boutique His Stuff (3162 N. Broadway and 5314 N. Clark) will give you 10 percent off a new pair of shorts when you exchange a pair of cargo shorts. All trade-ins will be donated to the Brown Elephant resale shop. (773) 989-9111.
2. Exercise your right to vote.
You decide which of the eight improvisers is the “pHunniest” with “pHrenzy,” a spoof of reality shows that features audience-approved eliminations throughout the course of the fast-paced late-night show. $10; 12:30 a.m. at Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield. BYOB. (773) 732-5450 for tickets.
3. See how Chicago’s political machine used to work (and, just possibly, how it still does).
Neil Giuntoli doesn’t just portray Richard J. Daley in “Hizzoner: Daley The First,” he seems to inhabit the role of the man who kept the wheels of Chicago’s political machine greased for years. $35. It’s at 7:30 p.m. at the Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont. Tickets: (773) 327-5252.
Neil Guintoli portrays Daley Sr. in the play "HIzzoner."(Sun-Times file)
Did you sit through every minute of "Gigli"? Do you know every line of "Plan 9 From Outer Space"? "It Came From the Neo-Futurarium VIII: Legend of The Neo-Futurarium" is for you.
For the eighth year, the Neo-Futurists crew presents its renditions of the worst films ever made...live on stage. Whether you agree with the choices -- ranging from "Cool As Ice" to "The Naked Killer (Chik loh go yeung)" -- or not, these warped versions are sure to provide more entertainment than the originals. And at $10 a pop, each presentation is no more expensive than a ticket to see "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past" (a good bet for a future installment of the series).
The full schedule is after the jump. Shows take place at the Neo-Futurarium June 25-July 30 , on Thursdays at 8 p.m.
IT'S JUST A FLESH WOUND ...
Terry Jones, a founding member of the British comedy troupe Monty Python and co-director of the 1975 movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” will host a showing of the film at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, as part of the theater’s “Meet the Maker” series. An hour-long question-and-answer session after the screening will be a rare treat for Monty Python fans. Tickets are $39.50 to $44.50. Call (773) 472-3492 or visit www.lakeshoretheater.com.
This week is all about the Hamiltons — three things to do for $10.
1. Make a date with three women
Catch a 9 p.m. screening of “1, 2, y 3 Mujeres” (“1, 2 and 3 Women”), part of the 25th annual Chicago Latino Film Festival. Facets Multimedia Cinematheque, 1517 W. Fullerton; $10.
2. Kick it old school with Benny Goodman Jazz Showcase (806 S. Plymouth) presents a tribute to Benny Goodman, Gene Krupa, Lester Young and Chic Webb at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m.; $10. Details: (312) 360-0234.
3. Have a “funsplosion”
Comedy duo Kerpatty (Erin Pallesen and Pat Dwyer) present their latest show, “Single Entendre” at 9:30 p.m. in the Sevens cabaret space at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green; $10. (312) 733-6000.
WHAT A DRAG!
The reunion seems to be sticking for Superdrag, an alt-rock band with roots in Knoxville, Tenn. After a five-year hiatus, Superdrag has a new album, "Industry Giants," and a tour that will bring them to the Metro, 3730 N. Clark, for an 18+over show at Saturday at 9 p.m. Van Ghost and the Nicholis Tremulis Orchestra are also on the bill. Tickets are $20. Call (773) 549-0203 or visit www.metrochicago.com.
If this week's Chicago Improv Fest has inspired you to unleash your inner comedian, you're in luck. Next Thursday marks the launch of Chicago's newest improv instruction outlet, the St. Vitus Improv Workshop. Staffed by veterans of Second City and Players Workshop, the Beverly-based class runs for 12 weeks at the Christ the King Parish Center (9240 S. Hoyne), with lessons leading up to a public performance in July.
For more information, contact Tony at (773) 750-3857 or stvitusimprov@gmail.com. Sorry kids, the workshop is 18-plus.
The boys of Bassprov welcome a special guest this week.
Everyone laughs in the same language. That's the general premise behind the 12th annual Chicago Improv Festival, which starts tonight at the Lakeshore Theater. This year's event is the most diverse ever, with 90 ensembles from six countries (Canada, Israel, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands and the U.S.) performing on 11 stages over the next week.
But you won't pay $20 per show (less, for some) for a glorified Benetton ad. You'll get lots of comedy, too. Some highlights (check the festival site for the full schedule and ticket info):
FACEBOOK, with Paul Scheer and Rob Huebel ("30 Rock"), headlines Tuesday night at the Lakeshore, along with Siblings of Doctors and Mission IMPROVable
Boom Chicago alumni, including MAD TV's Ike Barinholtz and Jordan Peele, bring a taste of Amsterdam to the Lakeshore stage on Friday
Joe Flaherty, of SCTV fame, will receive a Lifetime Achievement award on Wednesday at Second City ETC, then show why he got it by performing with Impromptu Splendor (Saturday at Second City Skybox) and Bassprov (Sunday at Lakeshore Theater)
One internationally infamous comedian who won't be performing: Andy Dick, whose Saturday-night show was cancelled.
TIGER LILY
The quintessential cheeky British girl first earned notice in 2006 for her debut album “Alright, Still.” Lily Allen’s latest work, “It’s Not Me, It’s You,” stays true to her sassy Mockney style, but with a more electronic, less retro sound. The singer has true vocal chops and can put on a solid live performance. Aside from having one of the more ridiculous band names out there, Natalie Portman’s Shaved Head offers ironic electropop, providing the perfect warm-up for this concert. 7:30 p.m. Sunday at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine. Tickets, $26.50. Call (312) 559-1212 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets purchased for this show originally scheduled at the Vic will be honored.
— Centerstagechicago.com
