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.

Wilmette couple gets funnier with age

Wilmette Village News
Wilmette couple gets funnier with age
Taubenecks keep things fresh with improv training

by Alan P. Henry

July 13, 2012


Anne (bottom row, far left) and Greg Taubeneck (top row, second from right) gather with fellow students of an intensive class at Annoyance Theatre out of Chicago. photo:Photos Submitted.


Retirees Anne and Greg Taubeneck simply won't act their age. Moreover, annoyance has become their favorite mode of expression.

While many other seniors are engaged in civilized pursuits like golf and tennis and bridge, this Wilmette couple has liberated itself from dignity and joined students decades younger to learn and practice the art of improv at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago.

"We are the old people there, but that doesn't matter," said Anne, 65, who was a freelance writer for many years for the Chicago Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune, specializing in coverage of food, arts and travel.

"One of the bad things about getting old is the thought that 'Oh no, I am old. I have to behave in a certain way.' Well, no you don't," she said. "This is an environment where you don't have to act your age. It is age blind, gender blind, color blind. You can be a little kid or a teenager or a different gender. That is kind of cool."

Her husband has a similar take.

"You spend your life writing stuff, which means you are always looking at it and second guessing it and worrying about it," said Greg, 69, who worked for Leo Burnett for 32 years and retired in 2005 as executive creative director.

Among many career accomplishments, he co-created the Rhapsody in Blue United Airlines campaign in the 1980s.

"With improv you are making it up as you go along," Greg said. "There is no looking back. It is over once you do it. There is something very freeing and crazy about making everything up as you go along."

The road to crazy has been a long one for the Taubenecks, who have been married for 43 years, have lived in Wilmette since 1978 and have two children, 23 and 33, both living in New York City.

They met while performing in a University of Illinois student production of "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum." After a 30-plus year hiatus, they began performing in charity shows for the Evanston Women's Club.

That led to meeting improv star Susan Messing, who was a performer on the Second City main stage and now teaches and performs at the Annoyance Theatre.

Anne and Greg got their improv feet wet with a group called "Mouth to Mouth" that primarily met at people's homes, then took classes at Second City.

They also read "Improvise," by Mick Napier, improv legend and the founder nearly 25 years ago of the Annoyance Theatre.

Last September, Anne and Greg enrolled in an intensive, one-week class at Annoyance taught by "an All-Star lineup" that included Napier and Messing.

"We had a great time and thought, 'Let's take the curriculum,'" said Anne.

They have been enrolling in one-night-a-week eight week sessions ever since.

"The Annoyance way of looking at improv is to be very character or emotion based," she said. "You have a real strong emotion in mind, and you can basically say anything and you should be able to get a scene going."

Anne recalled, for example, her improv as a Viking named Demetri, who confesses while on the open sea to motion sickness and asks a fellow Viking for a Tums.

Greg particularly enjoyed playing a high school football player who at halftime is seeking advice from his coach. The only problem: The coach is a flamboyant drama coach. Absurd events follow.

"You never know what you are going to get," laughed Greg.

"You have to use your brain. It is an active pursuit, not a passive pursuit," Anne said. "You have to really be engaged and pay attention."

You have to also want to cast aside convention, both agreed.

"Your whole adult life when you are working or you are a parent, you are trying to be a grownup and do things the way you are supposed to do them, and you try to be responsible," Anne said. "Improv is the opposite of that. You throw all that out the window. You can be haughty or angry or flirty or anything you want to be. You can be totally improper. It is very liberating."

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.