David Sedaris first caught the public's attention with his famed appearance on National Public Radio in 1992 reading his hilarious essay, The Santaland Diaries. He quickly ascended to fame with his tales of growing up in a, shall we say, eccentric family environment, with books like Me Talk Pretty One Day and Holidays on Ice. It is really no surprise to us that he would decide pen yet another holiday themed comedy being that he has done two already. This time around he recruited his, shall we say, completely wacked-out sister, Amy Sedaris of Strangers with Candy fame, to collaborate on this particular piece, The Book of Liz. more ›

Suburban dads will meet fashionistas; Meatloaf will meet the Muckles; Macho Man Randy Savage will meet Mindy Tindle. Some friends will eat soup. Pistol Party and their PBRs, props, and costumery are throwing a blow-out at Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (CIC) this week (June 10-12), and you’re invited to bust a gut while watching the silly madness unfold, your $6.99 12-pack of cans snugged firmly between your feet (if your neighbor is can-less, please, share your bounty). more ›

Post by: Kristy Mangel more ›

The “Chicago theater season” is as anachronistic as our Columbia House Record Club membership. August was simply a lull before the crush of Fall openings coming to major institutions and their well-funded houses, who'll receive sufficient ink and column inches in the daily and weekly papers. We’re turning an eye to those less heralded venues doubling as rental space, educational resource, and meeting locale. None of these theaters are named after deep-pocketed donors, but that... more ›

Now that Santa’s returned to the North Pole and Hanukkah Harry has commenced his rounds, it’s time to focus on New Year’s Eve. Maybe you’ve already ponied up your $100 or more to celebrate that sharp new desk calendar. Or maybe you’ve sworn off Saturday night as an overblown, overhyped, overpriced holiday. If you’re in that second category, consider spending 2005’s final hours at the theater, a more reasonably priced alternative where you leave the... more ›

Hey there, you comic genius you… Remember when you got rejected from that major comedy festival? Bummer. Remember when you got rejected from a minor comedy festival the very next week? Must have been bad luck. And remember when your friends and family became suddenly "unavailable" whenever you wanted to practice your new routine? Okay let’s not talk about that. Those setbacks simply don’t matter, because you’ll persevere until you find the elusive festival that... more ›