"Manic Pixie Dreamland" Plays Saturdays Through May 18 at Annoyance Theatre

 “Manic Pixie Dreamland,” a new musical featuring an all female cast that lampoons a popular cinematic type, plays on Saturdays through May 18, 2013 at the Annoyance Theatre.

According to director Ryan McDermott, the show’s theme is inspired by the often-used female character, the Manic Pixie Dream Girl*,  “whose sole purpose is to teach depressed male leads to embrace life’s mysteries and wonders. These women do not exist in real life and are typically created in the minds of lonely screenwriters. We think she’s a disservice to female characters because it views women as one-dimensional creatures.”

With original songs by musical directors Jon Monteverde and Greg Sydlowski, “Manic Pixie Dreamland” takes place in a cult-like center where all of the world’s Manic Pixie Dream Girls are manufactured and trained. The audience takes a tuneful tour, with heaping servings of satire, as it meets the Girls. They are the stalwart heroine Tomboy, plus Chatterbox, Foreign, Mysterious, Brown-Nose, and Etsy. Through Tomboy’s encouragement and enlightenment, the women form a sisterly bond to combat the show’s shady villain, the Dream Queen. 

The cast includes Annoyance regulars: Mo Allen, Sarah Ashley, Rachel Farmer, Amber Gerencher, Clair Mulaney, Jo Scott, and Amy Speckien.

Along with movie-lovers, “Manic Pixie Dreamland” is expected to appeal to feminists, and to other groups who may feel themselves stereotyped by pop culture and the media. “And of course, anyone who enjoys Annoyance’s usual lighthearted-confrontational take on any social issue.” says Executive Producer Jennifer Estlin.  “Manic Pixie Dreamland” plays Saturdays and runs through May 18, 2013, 8 p.m. Tickets are $20, $15 for students. For more information, view the Annoyance website www.theannoyance.com or call the box office: 773.561.HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL. 60640.


*Nathan Rabin, head writer for The Onion’s AV Club, is credited with coining the term, Manic Pixie Dream Girl.

Three Chicago Actresses To Join L.A. Author Racelle Rosett At Book Cellar October 25

 CHICAGO - When Los Angeles author Racelle Rosett (photo, far left) reads from her debut story collection, “Moving Waters” at the Book Cellar in Lincoln Square, the audience will enjoy a special bonus because the prize-winning writer will be joined by three admired Chicago-area actresses.

    Reading excerpts with Rosett at the free event, which is scheduled for Thursday, October 25, 2012, 6 p.m, are: Lia Mortensen (photo, second), a Jeff nominated actress who has appeared in productions at Steppenwolf, Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Northlight, Court, Next and Victory Gardens;  Jennifer Estlin (photo, third), an actor, and owner and executive producer of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre who has worked in Off-Broadway and regional theatre, film, and television; and Nili Yelin (photo, far right), an award-winning children's storyteller known as The Storybook Mom, and marketing and public relations director for the Wilmette Theatre.
   
    Rosett’s appearance at the popular Book Cellar, 4736 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago,  is part of the author’s national tour with the Jewish Book Council. She won a Writing award for the television show, “thirtysomething” and is the winner of the Moment Magazine-Karma Foundation Prize for Jewish Short Fiction and the Lilith Fiction Prize.

    “Moving Waters” introduces us to a television producer who moonlights as a cantor, an actress who leaves her husband for their nanny and enters a mikvah to mark the transition, and a young widow who gets her hair colored to prepare for the unveiling of her husband’s gravestone.

    In its portrayal of Rosett’s story collection, The Jewish Book Council describes “Moving Waters” as an “exploration of the unexpected role of ancient ritual as it informs the lives of members of a Reform Jewish community in Hollywood...... Rosett’s stories help us to know these characters whose losses and struggles are deeply felt in each story, revealing the importance of faith in a seemingly faithless place.”

    For more information about Rosett, go to www.racellerosett.com and for details about the Book Cellar, visit its website, www.bookcellarinc.com.

The actresses:

   Lia Mortensen has worked as an actor in Chicago theatre for over 20 years, including productions at Steppenwolf, Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, Northlight, Court, Next and Victory Gardens.  She is an ensemble member of Provision Theater where she will in the spring appear in a new adaptation of “Spoon River Anthology,” and The Den Theatre where she directed her first production, “Bus Stop.” She will be directing “Quality of Life” at The Den this fall, as well as appearing in a remount of Brian Friel’s “Faith Healer,” which played to critical acclaim in Chicago 15 years ago.  Mortensen has appeared in TV and film, most recently on “Chicago Code” and in the remake of “Nightmare on Elm Street.”  She also  has a successful career in voiceover.

   Jennifer Estlin is an actress as well as an owner and executive producer of Chicago's Annoyance Theatre.  She has worked in Off-Broadway and regional theatre, film, and television. Her better known roles include recurring character Cathy Briscoe on NBC’s “Law and Order,” and she has appeared on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Exit 57,” and soap operas “Loving” and “As the World Turns.”  Film credits include “Volcano” and indie movies “Choose,” “iMurders,” and “Chicago Boricua.”

   Nili Yelin is an award-winning children's storyteller known as The Storybook Mom. She performs throughout the Chicago area for clients that include The Chicago Tribune, Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, Arlington Park, Chicago Botanic Gardens, and schools, libraries, and family-friendly organizations. Yelin is in development with Storyola Productions on a storybook app for children ages 2-6 and is working on a book proposal on storytelling technique called "How To Rock A Story." She also is marketing director for the Wilmette Theatre and produces all their live events for children.

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Director Scott Waldman to be “Almost ATLANTA" Guest Playwright Sept. 15 at Annoyance Theatre

CHICAGO -  Take a quick-witted group of improv performers, toss in the narrative skill of a playwright, stir in dramatic scenes unusual for this venue, and you have an exciting theatre piece playing on Saturdays in September, 10 p.m. at Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre, 4830 N. Broadway.

Titled, “Almost ATLANTA” (poster image), the unusual melange has ambitious goals: to introduce traditional playgoers to the spontaneity of improv and to bring to improvisation some of the gravitas of serious drama.

Rebecca Sohn (photo), spokesperson for the troupe, which includes director Scott Woldman and other well-known improvisers: TJ Jagodowski, Noah Gregoropoulos, Linda Orr, Annie Donley, Ted Tremper, Annie Calhoun, and Brian Wilson, said the response from audiences where “Almost ATLANTA” has been performed -- like Steppenwolf’s Garage Theater and Chicago Dramatists -- has encouraged the actors to continue this new blend of theatre and to bring it home to the Annoyance, where it was first launched.

The addition of a different playwright at each show -- Scott Woldman is on board for September 15 and Tony Werner for September 22 -- is key to the group’s intent, Sohn says. “This is new for the playwright, and for improvisers. Instead of the audience suggesting location and theme, it’s the playwright in charge. After the cast creates characters and story in Act One, there’s a three-minute pause with the audience staying put and able to listen while the playwright gives direction for Act Two.

“Improvisers and writers approach the work differently.  The audience is invited to be part of this blend as we create a two-act play with the tension of drama and the humor of improv, that will disappear after the night’s performance.”

Jennifer Estlin (photo), Annoyance’s executive producer, said, “Mick [Napier, creative director] and I are excited to have Almost Atlanta back home. We hosted a series of their shows in 2011, and are anxious to see how the concept has evolved. It's the kind of innovative work our audiences appreciate."

Tickets for “Almost ATLANTA” are $12, $8 for students, and can be purchased at the company’s website theannoyance.com or by calling the box office: 773.561.HONK (4665).

Tickets on sale for Annoyance Theatre’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

Annoyance Theatre, the company that since the late 1980’s has brought Chicago audiences such hits as “Co-Ed Prison Sluts,”  “The Real Live Brady Bunch,” “Swear Jar,”  “Messing with a Friend” and this year is producing “Steamwerkz-The Musical,” “The Holy F*ck Comedy Hour,” and nearly a dozen more edgy and irreverent shows, is celebrating its 25th year.

In honor of the landmark occasion, Annoyance family from past and present are gathering and having a grand party. Annoyance’s founder and artistic director Mick Napier said, “Fans of the shows -- no matter the era -- are invited to join us. The entertainment will include actors and scenes from our classic and current line-up and it will be a great, fun night for everyone.”

Festivities are set for Saturday, August 18 at the Park West, 322  W. Armitage Ave., Chicago, according to Annoyance’s executive producer Jennifer Estlin. “Doors open at 7 p.m. for a cash bar, reminiscing and visiting," she added.

Show time is 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 each and available to those 18 years and older and can be purchased at Jam Productions.

For more information about the Annoyance, check out its website, theannoyance.com
or call 773.561.HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway, in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood.

Chicago’s Annoyance Named Theatre in Residence in Wilmette

After a successful season of shows developed at Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre, and performed at the Wilmette Theatre, the northern suburb’s own eclectic movie house and live event space, has named Annoyance its “Theatre in Residence.” And with the atypical designation, comes a line up for Saturdays in July, September, October, November, and December.

Nili Yelin, director of public relations and marketing for the 98-year-old Wilmette Theatre, was instrumental in forging the relationship. She said “North Shore audiences have proven to be good sports and enthusiastic fans of original, edgy comedy.

“‘Co-Ed Prison Sluts,’ which started us off, pulled in ticket buyers who appreciated the location closer to home. And,  Annoyance’s subversive, edgy, and provocative original material brought audiences back for all of the other migrated shows.”

Yelin, and Jennifer Estlin, Annoyance’s president, executive producer, and owner, suggest suburbanites mark their calendars for the following shows scheduled for Saturdays in 2012, at 8 p.m.:

July 28, “A Woman's Path”
Sept. 22, “Don't Act like a Girl”
Oct. 20, “Brunch Punx”
Nov. 17, “Co-Ed Prison Sluts”
Dec. 15, “Happy Karaoke Funtime” and Philip Markle‘s Actor’s Training Center Improv Group

The Wilmette Theatre is located at 1122 Central Ave., 60091, 847-251-7411. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased on line at TheWilmetteTheatre.com or at the door.

The Annoyance Theatre, which celebrates is 25th Anniversary this year, is located at  4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL., 60640. (773) 561-4665, annoyanceproductions.com.

Annoyance Theatre Suggests Gift Cards For Graduates

Graduation is an accomplishment that merits hoopla and gifts. While many proud parents, friends, and relatives might think “tech,” “cash,” or some other reward, Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre has another suggestion -- one they’re certain graduates will truly prize: a gift card towards improvisation classes.

Jennifer Estlin, executive producer, says “Improv classes benefit the graduate in a variety of ways. Along with providing a truly fun and energizing experience, improv can help prepare him or her for the world of work.”

Estlin said people who have trained at the Annoyance report “better working relationships because of the listening, support, and teamwork skills they learned in classes.”

The Annoyance Gift Card can be purchased in denominations of $20 to $250 and can be applied toward classes, or tickets for Annoyance shows, but it can’t be used at the bar or for merchandise.

A new session of the Ultimate Beginner classes, taught by Sean Cusick, starts June 7. The eight-week class meets on Thursdays, 6:30-9:00 p.m.  For more information about other classes, fees, and current shows, go to www.annoyanceproductions.com, or call 773-561-4665. The Annoyance Theatre is located at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL. 60640.