News
Comedian Tom Dreesen, beloved son of Harvey who toured with Frank Sinatra, has died at 88
4+ hour, 37+ min ago (501+ words) He got his break when he met Tim Reid through the South Side Jaycees. They did a drug education presentation for kids. It was a hit. People said they should be professional comedians. They performed as Tim & Tom, one of…...
Review: "House of the Exquisite Corpse: Blood and Puppets" is a bloody good time
8+ mon, 11+ hour ago (624+ words) Blood and Corruption," created by Pablo Monterrubio and Fletcher Pierson with Lindsey Ball as puppeteer, is one of the six installations of House of the Exquisite Corpse: Blood and Puppets," now showing at The Merle at Steppenwolf, 1624 N. Halsted St. If…...
Chicago comedians could get help buying health insurance from new fundraising alliance
3+ week, 10+ hour ago (1100+ words) Comedian Victoria Vincent performs during the Health Alliance for Chicago Comedians launch event at the Lincoln Lodge. Local stand-up comedian Deanna Ortiz juggles multiple gigs to cover her living expenses and bills. "I'm always, like, "OK, this is going to…...
Comedy clubs offer safe spaces for thoughtful inquiry on Iran war, current affairs
3+ week, 4+ day ago (1641+ words) The work of the comedian, like the work of the artist and the scholar, is to make the hidden visible. A few weekends ago, I went to see Sammy Obeid at the Laugh Factory for a packed Sunday afternoon show....
Tim O'Malley, actor who danced, joked and sang about addiction on stage in 'Godshow,' dies at 68
3+ week, 5+ day ago (938+ words) Tim O'Malley, a comic actor who unflinchingly told his story of overcoming addiction in "Godshow," died May 11 from natural causes at his Beverly home. He was 68. In a 2003 Sun-Times story following its debut, Mr. O'Malley spoke at length about the…...
Chicago Cabaret Week 2026 returns with new venues, a night of Filipino love songs and a Tony Bennett tribute
1+ mon, 1+ week ago (882+ words) The music festival kicks off Friday and runs through May 17. Here are three acts to see....
Review: Chicago Shakes" "Fault" has mild amusements and noble performances but lacks conviction
1+ mon, 2+ week ago (464+ words) Enrico Colantoni and Rebecca Spence portray married couple Jerry and Lucy, who compete to determine who is to blame for the state of their marriage, and Nick Marini plays Shaun in Chicago Shakespeare's production of "Fault." Despite its contemporary setting,…...
Review: Court Theatre's "Out Here' searches for, rather than delivers, a coherent score
1+ mon, 3+ week ago (439+ words) Amanda Pulcini (left), Z Mowry, Ellie Duffey, Cliff Chamberlain, Becca Ayers and Alex Goodrich star in "Out Here," now playing at the Court Theatre through May 10. Buxbaum's bio even refers to a current project with Lucky Plush, a take on…...
'Portlandia' stars Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein to appear two nights on Steppenwolf stage
9+ mon, 2+ day ago (172+ words) Fred Armisen (left) and Carrie Brownstein are bringing "A Visit from Portlandia" to Chicago on Sept. 25 and 26, 2025. The stars of the hit comedy "Portlandia" are coming to Chicago. Steppenwolf will host "A Visit from Portlandia," the touring show featuring Fred…...
Brendan Hunt, co-star of "Ted Lasso," brings his one-man show to the city that shaped him
2+ mon, 1+ week ago (582+ words) Brendan Hunt, who stopped by the Chicago Public Media offices on Navy Pier, performs his solo show, "The Movement You Need," at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre from April 19 to May 10, 2026. Things finally fell into place for Brendan Hunt after a fateful…...