"Happy Endings, New Beginnings: Navigating Postpartum Disorders" Now Available at Booksellers

What do Princess Diana, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Brooke Shields all have in common with 950,000 other women in the U.S.? They all have suffered from postpartum depression, a disabling mental health syndrome.

In "Happy Endings, New Beginnings," author Susan Benjamin Feingold, PsyD, presents her unique approach for navigating the journey through postpartum disorders. Guiding women through the challenges, feelings and distressing symptoms, Dr. Feingold leads them to a new view of the postpartum experience and how to make it a positive, life-changing event.

The inspirational book is available through Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble stores, and it is filled with fascinating true stories of women the author  has coached through post-birth disorders to take control of their new lives and find lasting fulfillment, as she did in her own life. The book also provides a new perspective for therapists and other health professionals treating women during this critical period.

"REALITY RECAP REUNION" OPENS MARCH 1 AT ANNOYANCE THEATRE

"Reality Recap Reunion," an original improvised reality television show that lampoons episodes in the Real Housewives genre,  opens March 1 and plays at Chicago's Annoyance Theatre, Fridays at 8 p.m. through April 5, 2013.

In this fresh behind-the-scenes play, the audience discovers what happens when a reality show cast of characters, with no discernible talent and very uncertain futures, reunite for one last hurrah. Director Liz Bell promises, “You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll wish you never owned a television set.”

"Reality Recap Reunion" features Brittany Davis, Erin Johnson, Tim McKendrick, Jimmy Pennington, Wolfgang Stein, and Michelle Renee Thompson.  Nearly all members of the cast appeared in the long-running Annoyance shows, “Oprah's Last Show: A Musical,” “F**k You, I Love You, Goodbye: The Rahm Emanuel Story,” and other popular Annoyance productions.

"Reality Recap Reunion" runs March 1 - April 5, 2013, 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $10. 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.

“UNSCRIPTED ROMANCE” PLAYS FEBRUARY 7 AND 14 AT ANNOYANCE THEATRE

"Unscripted Romance," one of the Annoyance Theatre's most popular shows, is returning to the stage just in time for Valentine's Day. The two-act romantic comedy, based on real-life situations from audience sweethearts, will play on Thursdays, February 7 and 14, 2013, 9:00 p.m. at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago.

Starring Derrick Aguis and Lindsey M. Finn, and directed by Ryan Bernier, "Unscripted Romance" follows a modern-day courtship, with the knots and rewards that accompany the journey from first glance to forsaking all others. And like all relationships, this one that happens on stage, is unscripted.

Taking true stories provided by volunteers, Aguis and Finn use improv to create their imagined couple. Responses like, "that reminded me so much of my girlfriend [or boyfriend]" typically accompany the applause.

"We're very gratified that our show appeals to people of different ages, walks of life, backgrounds, and sexual orientations," Aguis says. "That's the biggest compliment we can get and exactly what we're going for."

"Unscripted Romance" will play two Thursdays, February 7 and 14, 2013, 9:00 pm. Tickets are $xx. For more information, view the Annoyance website, www.annoyanceproductions.comwww.annoyanceproductions.com or call the box office: 773.561.HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL. 60640.

CONTACT: JON SILVER
Managing Director, Annoyance Theatre
P: 773.561.4664
F: 773.561.3999
jon@annoyanceproductions.com

“Stitched & Seriously Unprepared Prepares” Opens January 13 At Annoyance Theatre

“Stitched & Seriously Unprepared Prepares” is a double bill of two popular sketch comedy teams who use unconventional paths to explore a variety of dark worlds, scary characters, and hidden truths. In other words, real life as seen through the eyes of Annoyance Theatre performers.

“Stitched” is directed by Anneliese Toft and stars three actors -- Erin Johnson, Jack Farrell, and Wolfgang Stein -- who begin the show as solo players, but as scenes overlap, get stitched together into two and three person scenes. Unusual in concept, the actors’ separateness dissolves until their likemindedness and similarities mold the three shows into one.  The dark world inhabited by “Stitched” may find its characters facing a hot microphone, or introducing a child-murdering mother. Or not. “Dark comedy to us is in the unrealized truth revealed,” explains Jack Farrell. “We use characters to expose the soft, vulnerable underbelly of life through accentuated slices-of-life scenes.”

“Seriously Unprepared Prepares” features the comedy duo favorites, Jo Scott and Jeff Murdoch, who have performed as part of the larger team, “Seriously Unprepared.” This Annoyance version, directed by Ryan McDermott, presents a 30-minute, fast-paced sketch show that zooms from low- to high-brow and encourages its audience do some post-show pondering of what really went on before their eyes. Topics range from somber death row and funeral backdrops to a raunchy Victoria's Secret lunchbox. “Expect pee bits as well as fun,” warns Jo Scott. “There will be fun.”

“Stitched & Seriously Unprepared Prepares” plays Sunday nights, 8 p.m., January 13 - February 3, 2013. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the company’s website www.annoyanceproductions.com or by calling the box office: 773.561.HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, Illinois, 60640.

CONTACT:    JON SILVER
Managing Director, Annoyance Theatre
P: 773.561.4664
F: 773.561.3999
jon@annoyanceproductions.com

God is Gay and Wants You to Be Gay, Too: Proof From the Bible

"God is Gay and Wants You to Be Gay, Too: Proof From the Bible," a solo show from Lee Barats, opens December 16, 2012 and plays through January 6, 2013 at The Annoyance Theatre.

In his audacious satire, comedian Lee Barats creates an eerily authentic conversion camp using audience volunteers. Presenting himself as an earnest evangelical youth group leader, Barats employs the same guilt and emotion employed by Christian camps; but this time, straight men will be converted to gay.

Barats assures us that young men who struggle with same-sex attraction can now breathe easier because groups like Exodus International, who insist you can “pray away your gay,” have it all wrong. God isn't anti-gay, In fact, He wants His children to be gay, and Barats uses his rainbow-colored lens to point to passages in the bible that confirm his views.

“God is Gay...” is directed by Jared Jeffries (TV Screams at iO, Farrell Walsh’s “Last Resort” at iO).

Along with "God is Gay...," Barats is the co-creator with his brother, Matt of "The 101th" which plays at the Annoyance through November 11, 2012. Barats and his brother are also avid air-guitar competitors and devotees. Barats has performed in the Annoyance’s "Skinprov”, as well as iO’s “Big Spoon," The Playground Theater’s “The Grrr,” and Chemically Imbalanced Theater’s “Mad Contender.”

“God is Gay and Wants You to Be Gay, Too: Proof from the Bible" will play Sundays, 8PM. Tickets are $10, $8 for students and can be purchased at the Annoyance website, www.annoyanceproductions.com or call the box office: 773.561.HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway.

Tech for Rookies: hands-on lessons for mobile phones and pads

 I'm pleased to announce a new sideline:

Tech for Rookies: hands-on lessons for mobile phones and pads

The Basic Package includes four, 45-minute private lessons, and four follow-up questions via phone or email. Cost is $150.

To book your sessions, or for more information, contact: elainesoloway@icloud.com, or call 773-320-5681.

"It's Christmas, Goddanmit" Plays in December at The Annoyance

"It’s Christmas, Goddamnit,” a new play that upends nostalgic family get-togethers, plays Saturday nights, 10 p.m. December 1-29, 2012 at The Annoyance Theatre.

This year’s annual Christmas celebration at the James’ home has a macabre twist. Along with the traditional passive-aggressive silences and sniping, Dad has surprising news: he’s been dilly-dallying with the next door neighbor. Now, throw in the accidental murder of a loathed uncle -- with the neighborly sweetheart’s “slow” son as the culprit -- and you have a Christmas Eve decorated with dysfunction, distrust, and disaster; but damn funny.

Director Charley Carroll admits to using his own Southern family’s dreadful way of communicating to shape the slapstick performances of an array of zany characters. “Sadly, it wasn’t hard to envision my own relatives pretending to be charming and lovable, and then descending into browbeating and sarcasm,” Carroll says. “Yet, what a treasure trove for comedy!”

Carroll’s assistant director for the show is Duke Harbison. “It’s Christmas, Goddamnit,” was created by an ensemble that includes Bridget Ballek, Mantas Dumcius, Annie Donley, Emily Fitzpatrick, Paul Jurewicz, Jeff Murdoch, Jimmy Pennington, Kellen Terrett, Lee Russell, and Jo Scott. This same goofy group has performed in the Annoyance’s “Splatter Theater” and will be seen in a remount of their well received “The Tragedy of Balloon Boy” scheduled for January, 2012.

"It’s Christmas, Goddamnit,” plays Saturdays, 10 p.m., December 1-29, 2012. Tickets are $20. For more information, view the Annoyance website,www.annoyanceproductions.com or call the box office: 773.561.HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, Il. 60640.