“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.

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.

-end-

“Kitty Massacre: The Making of Milo and Otis” Premiers at The Annoyance

Unlike childhood classic, no animals will be harmed in this production

Lifting a plot from the childhood classic, “The Adventures of Milo and Otis,” Chicago’s Annoyance Theatre has announced the premier of  “Kitty Massacre: The Making of Milo and Otis,” which will preview Sept. 29 and October 6, then run Saturday nights at 8 p.m. through December 1.

Created by Jeremy Dionisio, and written by Dionisio and Liz Bell, “Kitty Massacre” zanily imagines what went on behind the scenes of the 1986 Japanese film classic. And since this is the Annoyance -- a theatre company renown for its satiric and comedic take on its themes -- this version pits an evil, domineering executive producer, Hal Higby, against a dedicated young producer, Maggie, and her animal wrangler fiancé, Charlie, while at the same time, coping with an unruly eccentric director, Tatsuo Nojima. The show promises, “romance, torture, greed.”

While the actual production was criticized for putting their live animal cast in continuous danger over the four years of shooting, Dionisio and Bell insist their animals -- Bell’s real-life rescued pets -- will remain adored, but unharmed throughout the show’s run.

Dionisio said he didn’t see the Masanori Hata-film when it first came out “because my mother ordered us to boycott the movie.” He eventually viewed it and it remained in his memory until the recent controversy surrounding the HBO show, “Luck” jarred it to top of mind. As for Bell, an  animal activist who will be participating in the Chicago Marathon as a PAWS Charity Runner,  she “loves the juxtaposition between this sweet, fuzzy, innocent children’s film about cuddly little kittens and puppies and the awful allegations of animal cruelty.”

Despite it being madcap, Dionisio sees his show “as a commentary on the machine-like approach of the film industry as they chew up and spit out young, aspiring actors. The movie we’re mocking seemed to burn through a stable of helpless animals.”

Along with Liz Bell, other members of the “Kitty Massacre” cast include Brittany Davis, Mantas Dumcius, Avery Lee, Jack Swokowski, and Ben Zisk. The show is also a homage to 1980’s pop culture, so the singing and dancing will feature hit songs, especially those of Lionel Richie.

Tickets are $20, $15 for students and during previews, and can be purchased either at The Annoyance website, www.annoyanceproductions.com, or by calling the box office at (773) 561-HONK (4665). The Annoyance is located at 4830 N. Broadway, Chicago, Illinois.

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).