We didn’t know much about Brendan Behan’s The Hostage before we showed up at Griffin Theatre's opening night, but after reading dramaturg Stefka Mihaylova’s program notes, we figured we were up to speed. It’s 1960, the Republic of Ireland is independent from England but separate from Northern Ireland, and former I.R.A. (Irish Republican Army) member Pat is renting his inn as a brothel to make ends meet. It sounded pretty heavy. But then some drag queens started doing a jig. And we realized we should’ve brought some whiskey to the party. more ›

It took the entire Chicagoist Theatre Research Team to figure out what exactly happened over at Theatre Building Chicago (TBC), but we think we finally got it straight. more ›

Fed up with the Blago/Burris Circus? Need some levity to save you from the winter blahs? You're in luck because the Eighth Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival kicks off tonight. Running through Sunday, January 18, the festival features over 125 shows by over 100 different troupes from around the world. Held at Theatre Building Chicago (1275 W. Belmont), the fest features performances each night across three different stages. Each show is $12.50 and $150 gets you festival-wide pass. Check out the schedule and get planning. more ›

The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival kicked off last night and continues through January 13, a smörgåsbord of comedy stylings from 99 troupes from across the U.S. and Canada. Intrepid performers leave the comfort of California and Texas, brave delays at O’Hare, and risk negative comments on their MySpace pages—all to entertain you. Organizers estimate 10,000 of you attended last year’s event and, with fest favorites like Elephant Larry, Canadian Content, Cool Table, and Big News returning, this year’s crowds will likely be just as huge. more ›

It must be something in the air. Look beyond the explosion of neighborhood Summer Fests, “Taste Ofs”, and nationally recognized rock smorgasbords, and you’ll find… still more festivals. Taking a cue from music promoters, local theaters know you’re excited to spend hours upon hours being entertained along some kind of theme. Festivals grab attention, and these festivals grabbed ours: Darknight Theatrical Productions pays tribute to Twilight Zone master Rod Serling, presenting three original one-acts inspired... more ›

City officials have been known to capture the excitement of a cultural festival by declaring “Today we are all Irish!” to a crowd in Beverly or “Today we are all Polish!” to Jefferson Parkers. It’s amusing to think we’ll hear a Commissioner proclaim “Today we are all gay!” when the Gay Games open Saturday night, but Mayor Daley expressed his more than symbolic support earlier this week, thanking the out and proud (and commerce seeking)... more ›

WORDSFest, a premier collection of local African-American performers and one of the most entertaining events you’ll see this Black History Month, opens tonight at the Theatre Building. The two-weekend showcase shares a path with last month’s Sketch Fest. Each grew from an impulse to bring together and raise the visibility of a talented community, each arrived at the Theatre Building when they outgrew their original space. Both open their arms (and their workshop) to aspiring... more ›

Note: Part 1 of this series is here. The Chicago Sketchfest brings some of the country’s finest comic troupes to town this weekend and next. Fitting really, since a mid-January Chicago vacation requires a hearty sense of humor. Yesterday, Chicagoist profiled a few up-and-comers but we didn’t want to leave out the veteran performers, the very backbone of the festival itself, and the uniquely wacky groups, the pickled liver of the festival itself. Many of... more ›

Railing against winter depression, working hard for the belly laughs, imbibing enough to make their Second City forbearers proud, legions of talented performers and commendable administrators take over Theatre Building Chicago tonight through January 15 for the 5th Annual Chicago Sketchfest. Squeezing ninety troupes over eight nights, the festival boasts one of the most impressive lineups outside Aspen. They’re savvy enough to host tonight’s League of Chicago Theaters’ Theater Thursday event, featuring pre-show beer and appetizers at an area restaurant and mingling with the performers. Click here for tonight’s ticket info (just promise you’ll come back, ok?). more ›

During these long, bleak, "Sex and the City"-less winter days, where oh where can single girls (like us) go to learn how to snag a husband? more ›

The fourth annual Chicago Sketchfest is happening now – and by that we mean tonight through Sunday – at the Theatre Building Chicago on West Belmont. The “largest sketch comedy festival in the country” promises “83 groups, over 100 shows and 600 funny people,” most of which & whom you’ve probably already missed, since the festival kicked off over a week ago. more ›

Chicagoist has been pouring over all of the local media sites trying to decide what we want to do this weekend to celebrate Halloween. There's so much going on. Last week we posted on some city-sponsored events and things going on at the big museums. This week we're trying to highlight other happenings around town. I'm sure we'll miss some, so feel free to add or make suggestions in the comments, but here are some things that looked interesting to us: more ›

A few weeks ago, Chicagoist went to and really liked it; at $25, though, it's kind of an investment. But no more, apparently. You can see it for a mere $10 this weekend. Cheap tickets are available for performances Saturday at 10 pm and Sunday at 3 pm and 6 pm. Call the Theatre Building Chicago box office at (773) 327-5252 and mention Chicagoist. more ›

As Chicagoist wrote earlier, we'd ideally like to send out the summer in style tonight with Guys and Dolls. But if keeps on raining outside, we've got back-up plans for you (and us). Now, as we all know, Chicago is the comedy capital of the world. There's no better evidence of that fact than our annual Sketchfest, the nation�s largest sketch comedy festival. This past January, videographer Blake Hollon captured all the best moments onstage and behind the scenes. The footage has been compiled into a documentary about Sketchfest entitled, um, Sketchfest: The Documentary. And wouldn't you know it, they're having the premiere screening tonight as a really, really early preview party for the 2005 fest. In addition to the movie, the website also promises "free appetizers, beer, raffle prizes, and more." Excellent. The laughs start at 7:30 at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont. Tickets cost $15 in advance or $20 at the door. more ›