In fine holiday tradition The Christmas Schooner has once again set sail, this time for its third year at Mercury Theater after a twelve year run at Baliwick. Inspired by the 1912 shipwreck of “The Christmas Tree ship” in Lake Michigan, manned by Captain Rouse Simmons, The Christmas Schooner is a heartwarming story catapulted by strong family bonds and Christmas spirit.

Written by John Reeger and composer Julie Shannon, The Christmas Schooner is the tale of a brave sea captain of German decent who decides to ship Christmas trees from Michigan to Chicago through the treacherous winter storms. He is prompted to do so after receiving a letter from his cousin who tells him Christmas is not the same without a Christmas tree.  Tannebaums (fir trees) have always been a tradition in Germany and the many Germans in Chicago have not had access to them since leaving their homeland. There are plenty of trees in Michigan, so Captain Peter Stossel, along with his father Gustav, set sail to Chicago in the hopes that they will find buyers for the many trees they have bundled aboard. To the crew’s surprise, hundreds of Chicagoans are waiting for them, having already dubbed their schooner as “The Christmas Tree Ship”.

Karl Hamilton is just wonderful as “Captain Peter Stossel” generating a true genuineness in his role as a family man, a beloved sea captain and as the man who will sacrifice in order to make a difference. At the same time, Cory Goodrich (“Alma Stossel”) and James Wilson Sherman (“Gustav Stossel”) are also superb all the way around. Sherman exudes charm and kindness becoming the grandfather every child would be lucky to have. A very strong supporting cast is also key in making this such a delightful production with great performances by Travis Taylor as “Steve”, the Captain’s best friend and right hand man, Elizabeth Haley and Brennan Dougherty who plays “Karl Stossel”.

The Christmas Schooner blends classic Christmas songs with original numbers. In this lively production, we are treated to an intriguing story, polished vocal performances, big choruses and a handful of well-choreographed dance routines. Like it or not, audience members cannot help but be injected with a massive dose of Christmas spirit. This is a show that anyone of any age can thoroughly enjoy.

Performances are running at Mercury Theater (3745 N. Southport Ave) through December 29^th. If it isn’t already, make The Christmas Schooner your new holiday tradition. For tickets and/or more information visit www.mercurytheaterchicago.com or call 773-325-1700.

If you’re looking for a way to add some life to your Monday nights, Barrel of Monkeys is currently providing a very entertaining option – and it’s for a worthwhile effort. Chicago’s Weird, Grandma is a wonderful production that takes the stories from third to fifth graders in the Chicago Public School system and transforms them into very funny plays acted out by their ensemble. The plays are performed verbatim of the received scripts, causing one hilarious – and warm – moment after another.  Barrel of Monkeys, an arts education theatre ensemble, has been working with under-served students in the CPS since 1997 and has since teamed up with many performing arts companies such as The Neo-Futurists, Baliwick Chicago, The Hypocrites and more. Directed by Artistic Director Molly Brennan, Chicago’s Weird Grandma is now playing each Monday night at the Neo-Futurist Theater (5153 N. Ashland) through December 2^nd.

Chicago’s Weird Grandma’s highly comedic cast makes this already great idea work to perfection. The audience is treated to a series of skits throughout the one-hour performance, a different actor announcing the student writer’s name and school before each sketch. The sketches can be inspired by anything from each child’s imagination resulting in such sketches such as LEARN Campbell Academy student Camron F’s “Old Tommy and Brownie the Lost Cat”, Henry Suder School student Chris J’s “The Ant That Bully” and Dewey School of Excellence students Sarronda L, Jaleesa W and Anaya G’s “Bubble Gum Party”.

No two shows can be alike since audience members vote by ballot afterwards to both retain two sketches and remove two sketches, making this a production to take in more than once.

The terrific Barrel of Monkeys program teaches fundamental writing skills while helping in building self-esteem and confidence to low-income third to fifth graders who are predominantly African-American and Latino. The organization especially reaches out where most needed to serve children who battle the challenges academic skills, emotional difficulties and tough living environments. Such a notable cause coupled with a very funny theatre experience make Chicago’s Weird, Grandma a show entirely worth seeing. I should also add that this is a show that can be thoroughly enjoyed by both children and adults.

Tickets are more than reasonable at just $12 for adults and $6 for children. For more information visit  http://www.barrelofmonkeys.org/performances/chicagos-weird-grandma/.   

*Above photo - The cast of Barrel of Monkeys’ revue CHICAGO’S WEIRD, GRANDMA.  Photo by Beth Bullock.

Hello Dolly, the definitive, feel good play with the theme song that will certainly be stuck in your head, is now playing at Drury Lane Theatre through January 5^th. If you are looking for a show to take in over the holiday season, then Drury Lane’s production of Hello Dolly should be on your radar.

Bringing in Broadway heavyweight Karen Ziemba for the classic role of Dolly Gallagher Levi is all the more reason to put Hello Dolly on your holiday wish list. Winner of a Tony Award in 2000 for her performance in the Broadway musical Contact, Ziemba is nothing short of sensational, brimming with charm and exuding loads of confidence while also captivating the house with her prized singing voice.

We go back to America’s “gilded age” in Yonkers, New York where a scheming, but enchanting, Dolly Levi makes her living Meddling”, or more simply put, matchmaking. Though hired to find a wife for Horace Vandergelder, a grumpy but wealthy business owner, it soon becomes apparent that she plans to marry him herself. Horace wants a wife because “It Takes a Woman” to happily do all the chores around the house. Dolly pretends that she will be setting Horace up with a hat shop owner in New York City, Molly. But Horace’s overworked store clerks, Barnaby Tucker and Cornelius Hackl, also decide to spend a night in New York City where they can have a good meal, spend all their money, almost get arrested and maybe even kiss a girl. Dolly is quick to recommend Molly to Cornelius and recommends the boys visit her hat shop. From that point on it becomes a madcap adventure as the clerks run into their boss and try to avoid him since they were not supposed to leave the store.

The show’s biggest highlight takes place in a New York City restaurant, Harmonia Gardens, where the waiters perform a stunning dance number (“The Waiters’ Gallop”) before going into the classic song, “Hello Dolly”. It is a show of highly produced song and dance numbers with showtune standards such as “Before the Parade Passes By”, “Put on Your Sunday Clothes”, “Elegance” and the aforementioned “It Takes A Woman” and “Hello Dolly”.

Hello Dolly is a fun show that’s all about understanding and the coming together of people from different walks of life, taming the hard-hearted and seizing opportunity. The story is timeless and it sends a message of simple love. Karen Ziemba is undoubtedly fantastic as Dolly Levi, and her supporting cast is good and strong, with a special hat off to Jeff Diebold as “Cornelius” and Lee Slobotkin as “Barnaby”, who are both not only funny, but also get to show off their own dancing. 

Drury Lane Theatre is one of Chicagoland’s best places to see professional theatre productions that are wholesome, ageless and always quality. Hello Dolly is no exception. Tickets starts at $44. For more information visit  http://www.drurylaneoakbrook.com/. 

Patrick Swayze fans brace yourselves. Crazy for Swayze – a Swayzical is here and is running at Studio BE through October 26th. Crazy for Swayze is a fun tribute to the late, great Patrick Swayze – one of our most beloved movie stars in the 1980s and 1990s. Even if you were never the biggest Swayze fan on the planet, New Millennium Theatre Company’s Crazy for Swayze is a hilarious production with big laughs from beginning to end for everyone to enjoy – although it does help to know the movie references.

In this original New Millennium’s production directed by Steven Attanasie, all of Patrick Swayze’s greatest movies and characters are taken and are lumped into one insane adventure – and I really do mean insane. Not only do we see “Bodie” from Point Break, “Dalton” from Roadhouse, “Johnny Castle” and “Sam Wheat” from Ghost, but we are also blitzed with some of Swayze’s most colorful costars like Sam Elliot, Gary Busy and Whoopi Goldberg. Though writer Laura Coleman’s plot itself is a more than a bit nonsensical, it’s absurdness actually lends to its overall effect on the audience, which is simple - laughter at the utterly ridiculous. Theatre goers should not see this show with any expectation that the story is supposed to make sense, but with the intent on taking in an evening of silliness, which the show’s title should have already given away.      

Michael Sherwin boldly takes on the role of Patrick Swayze and though he is far from a mirror-like image of the pop culture icon, he more than makes up for it by capturing the essence of Swayze. Sherwin’s over-the-top portrayal of Swayze undoubtedly makes the show but the well delivered campiness of the supporting cast should also be recognized. Many of Swayze’s most notable moments are relived in this 56-minute show, and most of them work. In fact, you’re probably not going to find another show where crying out “Wolverines” or simply replying with a “Ditto” will make you laugh like Crazy for Swayze can.

In the vein of past NMT productions like The Texas Chainsaw Musical, Police Academy: Insurgency Emergency and Plans 1 through 8 from Outer Space, Crazy for Swayze could be the funniest of the bunch. If you are looking for silly amusement, easy hoots and senseless fun for a reasonable price then look no further. Crazy for Swayze: A Swayzical tickets are $18 but can be had for just $15 by pre-ordering through Brown Paper Tickets. For more show information visit  http://www.nmtchicago.org.    

It was a night of great music, big laughs and best yet – it was all for an admirable cause. The Emporium Arcade Bar in Wicker Park was last night’s home a special event to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association - “The Brain Is a Terrible Thing to Waste”. Located at 1366 N Milwaukee, the Emporium Arcade Bar is lined with wall-to-wall 1980s arcade games making it all the more festive and challenging as one could play a quick round of Asteroids or Mortal Kombat before, after and between performers.

“The Brain Is a Terrible Thing to Waste” was organized by Danielle Gandhi to raise money for a cause she holds so close to her heart. Artwork on display was also for sale to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. The event was also put together to raise awareness about Frontotemporal Dementia, a rare brain disorder in the Alzheimer’s family. Gandhi was able to put together all the ingredients in order to make the event one to remember – arcade games, art, music, comics and plenty of beer. Commendably hosted by funnyman Andy Fleming, he went on give introductions to local comedians Lisa Laureta, Stephanie Hasz and James Earl Folks before making room for Bigg Picture to take the stage close out the stage entertainment.   

Bigg Picture played an inspired hour-plus long set which included a lively variety of covers such as Dishwalla’s “Counting Blue Cars”, Jimmy Hendrix’ “Foxy Lady”, Talking Heads’ “”Psycho Killer” and Live’s “I Alone”. Guitarist/lead vocalist David Biggs (hence “Bigg” Picture) even riffed out a Joe Satriani favorite “Summer Song” before drummer Jason Royal got to show off his chops in the energetic “Buffy the Vampire Theme”. The trio had a full sound and played with a youthful rambunctiousness that really came to light during one of their four encores “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right {To Party)”, a Beastie Boys favorite. Bassist Jeff Peterson thumped his way through Bigg Picture’s rockin’ set with polished finesse and command while at the same time impressing with his strong and spot on backing vocals.

The band finally capped off the night with a classic from The Police, “Message in a Bottle”, and though the crowd shouted for a fifth encore, it was time to pass the entertainment baton over to the house music and arcade games.  (Find out future events and info on Bigg Picture at  https://www.facebook.com/biggpicture)

“The Brain Is a Terrible Thing to Waste” was a successful event for a very worthwhile cause that we can only hope is put together again in the future.           

Alice in Chains took the stage as the final act of what had already been a full day of rock and roll fun at the Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival at the World Amphitheatre in Tinley Park. Kicking it off with the command driven, “Them Bones”, Jerry Cantrell and company put on a show worthy to celebrate former frontman, Layne Staley’s, birthday. Powering their way through what was just a thirteen song set, the band was still able to touch on most of their albums playing songs “Again”, “Would?”, “We Die Young”, “Check My Brain” and “Hollow” from their latest release The Devil Put Dinosaurs Here, before capping the night off with an inspired version of “Rooster”.  

This is now the second album tour with the band for singer William Duvall and he couldn’t have had better control of each song performed. Though he may not make fans forget about Layne Staley – not that he would even want to do that – he is sure making a name for himself and has successfully transitioned himself into the shoes of what many thought would be impossible to replace. Duval’s command was impressive and his vocal prowess even more so.

Gloomy and trippy, Alice in Chains, flawlessly drifted from one song into the next aided by a stellar light show and dreamy projected images. With so many bands in the Uproar lineup, their time on the stage was limited. That said, I will look forward to their return to tour the new album to see and hear a more complete set.

Jane’s Addiction also made a noteworthy performance where iconic musical legends Perry Ferrall and Dave Navarro looked to be in prime form. Navarro made his blazing guitar playing look effortless and Ferrall weird antics surrounded his strong and unique vocals. “I love freebase. I love my band. I love the ocean. I love Chicago,” said Ferrall between songs. Ok, so his mid-song banter wasn’t the coolest, but their set was. Songs in their set included “Mountain Song”, “Been Caught Stealing”, “Underground”, and “Ocean Size”. It has been over twenty years since Jane’s Addiction had played at the World Amphitheatre – the site of the very first Lollapalooza, which they headlined.

Alice and Chains were notably that largest acts in the Uproar Festival but it was a full day of loud, rock music starting at 3pm. The talent list was not short as one band impressed after another. The band lineup included Mindset Evolution, Beware of Darkness, Charming Liars, The Dead Daisies, The Chuck Shaffer Picture Show, New Politics, Middle Class Rut, Danko Jones, Walking Papers (featuring Duff McKagen), Circa Survive and Coheed and Cambria.

Bottom Line – The Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival rocked from beginning to end. If you like music on the heavier side that doesn’t lack in quality, there is no reason not to attend such a fun and musically awesome event. I am already looking forward to next year’s lineup.     

For more information on the Rockstar Uproar Fest, visit  http://www.rockstaruproar.com/

Just 30 minutes north of Chicago is a fantastic place to see some really amazing shows in the round. One of those shows is currently playing at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire through October 13^th – “9 to 5 the Musical”. Based on the wacky 80s film starring Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, Lilly Tomlin and Dabney Coleman, Parton has created and score that is as clever as it is upbeat.

It is an age when a woman taking a CEO position was unthinkable, a man’s world where women were merely underlings and often objectified. Welcome to the workplace in the 1970s and the fight for women’s rights. In “9 to 5” we meet three improbable friends who are bonded when they each have to put up with their abusive, sexist and egotistical boss, “Franklin Hart Jr.”. Enough is finally enough when the three kidnap their boss and seize control of the office. When their new ideas are implemented, we see the office change from a sexist and petty rule-ridden atmosphere into a place where employees enjoy coming to work and productivity skyrockets.  

“9 to 5” is funny and flat out entertaining.  The cast features two Jeff Award winners in Kelli Cramer (Violet Newstead”) and Susan Moniz (“Judy Bernly”} and each are as sensational with their impressive vocals as they are with their humorous line delivery. Alexandra Palkovic is also stunning as “Doralee Rhodes” and has just the right amount of country and vocal talent to gracefully pull off the signature role made famous by Dolly Parton.  Of course, for the play to succeed a strong talent would be needed to take on the role of “Franklin Hart Jr.” and they certainly cast well in bringing in James Moye, whose presence couldn’t have been more fitting.  

David H. Bell, who so brilliantly directed “South Pacific” at Marriott Theatre last year, does it again in his creative direction of “9 to 5”. At the same time, Matt Raftery gets big kudos for his wonderful choreography. A charming workplace revenge story, “9 to 5” not only salutes women’s rights but even promotes the legalization of marijuana. This is a fun, toe-tapping show that doesn’t make you think too much. It’s the perfect show to just simply relax and have a good time. Then you can go home and have your own revenge fantasy with your boss.

“9 to 5 the Musical” is playing a Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire through October 13^th. Tickets range from $40-$48. For more information, please visit www.MarriottTheatre.com or call 847-634-0200.  

Welcome back to Chicago, Bob Newhart. Returning to the city where he had grown up, Bob Newhart returned in style, this time anchoring an already terrific TBS Just for Laughs Festival at the Chicago Theatre. The veteran comic showed that he is still as funny as ever with a collection of material that had the packed theatre laughing with little reprieve.

Presenting his angle on televangelists among many other things, Newhart showed why he is considered one of the best comedians with his humorous storytelling ability, his finesse and perfectly timed punch line delivery.

“So this televangelist, Oral Roberts, mentioned in his third book that he had actually met Jesus… I don’t know. That seems like a pretty big deal. I mean, the guy met Jesus. Wouldn’t that be something you would bring up in your first book? Maybe his wife reminded him one day of his meeting with Jesus and he said, ‘Oh yeah, I should mention that in my next book somewhere.’”

He included a classic war story where he suffered a paper cut, a collection of “true” stories, one of which included a chicken being fired at a train as a test weapon in which when told to NASA it went through the front windshield and embedded itself on the back of the cab, they replied, “Well…defrost it.” Newhart also included the legendary bit “Driving Instructor” from his bestselling comedy album, “The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart”, an album that outsold Elvis Presley and ranks 20^th bestselling all time on Billboard’s charts.  

Newhart strolled onto the stage to the theme of The Bob Newhart Show, one of the greatest sitcoms of all time and one that was based in Chicago (the apartment building in the opening credits is located in Edgewater on Sheridan Avenue). Audience members ranged from teens to seniors and no one was without hearty laughter. Newhart narrated a video montage of the history of the Newhart’s in America that was just hilarious. Coverage started in the late 1700’s and went all the way to the final episode on “Newhart” where he wakes up from a crazy dream and Emily is in the bed – one of the greatest sitcom endings ever. Newhart then said his goodbyes, walked off the stage and returned shortly explaining that he just did a phony walk off. “This is something that entertainers call a “phony walk off”. We walk off the stage and then count somewhere between four and twelve seconds then return. Of course, there is a gamble there that if we count to high, we might return to an empty auditorium.”

It was a true thrill to see Bob Newhart perform and I can only hope there’s more Bob to come in the next couple of years.      

It was standing room only at the Vic Theatre Thursday night, as one of the Just for Laughs Festival heavyweights, Nick Swardson, gave the crowd an evening to truly remember. With an arsenal of jokes that touched on everything from cats vs dogs to the Virgin Airlines “rave plane”, Swardson barely allowed audience members to catch their breath between laughs.

In a very funny bit, Swardson speculated on what it must have been like to be the first person to ever suffer from a brain freeze - this being of course the inventor of ice cream. “Here you go kids. I have created a tasty treat called ice cream (as he pretends to sample). Come everyone, try this tasty treat.  It’s very delicious (as he samples faster and faster). I am eating this delicious treat faster and faster now”. Until, “Arrrrggggghhhhh! Oh my God!!!! What the f**k is this!? My brain is being eaten alive!” Of course the pain goes away moments later. “What the f**k was that?”

Swardson’s material was nothing short of brilliant, but I had hoped to see a longer set. He left the crowd with a humorous story where he was flying first class only to have Liv Tyler sitting next to him. Somewhat nervous and not knowing what to say, he opted to say nothing. He leaned his seat back to sleep and Liv Tyler followed suit, wherein he was “sleeping with Liv Tyler”. Swardson explained that they were baking chocolate chip cookies in first class and he groggily awoke to “What’s that smell?” only to have Tyler smile and whisper from her sleep excitedly “cookies”. “Is there possibly a better way to wake up?” asked Swardson to the crowd. Of course, he then explained how lucky he was to have Liv Tyler sitting next to him instead of say, Gary Busey, or it could have been, “What’s that smell?” with a reply of “COOKIES, MOTHERF**KER!!!”

Nick Swardson was simply hilarious and showed Chicago why he is considered one of the top comics in the circuit.

After Swardson’s show at the Vic, I scrambled over to Stage 773 just a few blocks west on Belmont. Stage 773 is TBS Just for Laughs comedy hub during the festival where a variety of super funny comics take on four stages all week long. While there, I was lucky enough to catch The Urban Comedy Hour, which featured a slew of great South Side Chicago comedians, including its hysterical host, Brian Babylon. Afterwards, Ari Shaffir took on the late night slot with his storyteller series “This Is Not Happening” to round off a perfect night of comedy.   

The 2013 TBS Just for Laughs Festival is underway and there are a bevy of terrific acts to catch throughout the week. With multiple shows each evening at various Chicago venues, one of Wednesday’s shows had the Park West Theater hosting The Whitest Kids U’ Know - and they did not disappoint. One of the top sketch comedy teams since their early Manhattan days in 2003, the hilarious quintet had the crowd roaring from their opening sequence where they slammed George Lucas for destroying the original Star Wars trilogy.   

Comprised of members Trevor Moore, Sam Brown, Zach Creggor, Timmy Williams and Darren Trumeter, The Whitest Kids U’ Know performed several sketches including one that had two rival monster truck drivers unexpectedly meeting at a party setting up a hysterical confrontation. Other sketches touched on a warped version of The Dating Game, four girls whining about having their periods, a boss who voyeurs one of his employees while having sex and a twisted séance. Trevor Moore also presented a couple funny music videos had had done - the first, a portrayal of a money hungry Pope likened to a street thug and another - “Tom Hanks Is an Asshole”.

The Whitest Kids U’ Know certainly showed audience members why they are a worthy addition to the TBS Just for Laughs Festival and also showed just how white they really are. At the end of the show, the comedy troupe led the crowd in a festive rendition of Oasis’ “Wonderwall”. Asking everyone in the audience to raise either a lighter or cell phone and wave it back and forth, they plan to edit footage from each city into a montage for their website just so people can ask, “What the hell is their show about?”   

TBS Just for Laughs Festival is the where to be this week. With such talented performers as Russell Brand, Seth Meyers, Nick Swarsdon, Dylan Moran, Todd Barry, Bill Maher, Artie Lange, Bob Newhart and so many, many more, you can see why this event is the hottest ticket in town.  For a complete rundown of the Just for Laughs schedule, click here.