14@Stage773 Fest Announced, Runs 6/13-25

Stage773 Artistic Director Brian Posen proudly announces a new summer festival, 14@Stage773. This fourteen-day celebration of performing arts will bid farewell to the old Stage773 (formerly Theatre Building Chicago) and kick off renovations for what is to be an all-new Stage773. The festival, produced by Stage773 with space donated by Chicago Muse, is a celebration of many genres of art and offers several Chicago artists the support they need to show their work to the public. 14@Stage773 takes place at Stage773, 1225 W. Belmont, and runs June 13 - June 25 with performances throughout the day and into the night. The complete schedule is below and ticket prices range from $5- $20. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 15 at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.Stage773.com, by phone at 773.327.5252, and in person at the Stage773 box office. The schedule for 14@Stage773 is subject to change slightly and more details will be available in the weeks to come.

The schedule nightly for 14@Stage773 is as follows:
MONDAY, JUNE 13
The Naked 24-Hour Project: 6 Playwrights. 6 Directors. 20 Actors.
8 p.m. • Tickets $10
Sunday, June 12, six playwrights will be given a director, a cast, a theme and a title. The playwright then spends Sunday night writing and the next morning the directors and cast begin rehearsals and stage the plays for a world premiere performance Monday evening. It is a 24-hour process from concept to performance - and, yes, one person will be naked in all six plays. The six plays will run back to back beginning at 8 p.m. Playwrights, directors and actors will be named at a later date.
TUESDAY, JUNE 14
SMUSH • 8 p.m. • Tickets $5
Only Stage773 can take Chicago's funniest performers and SMUSH them together onto one stage. SMUSH is a monthly orgy of sketch comedy, improvisation, stand-up and variety acts, brought to you by the producers of the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival.

Butch LaRue • 10:30 p.m. • $10
Butch LaRue is like a refreshing shot of Jameson. It makes your night fun and memorable, but shoot too much of it and you'll wake up next to a dirty spinster with a bag of Dove chocolates. Butch has performed to sold-out crowds all over Chicago and was named one of Chicago Sun-Times' "Really Cool Things To Do" and "This Week's Top 5 Live Shows" by Metromix's Theater Producer in Red Eye Chicago.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15
Solo Performance Part 1 • 8 p.m. • $10
Solo performance isn't stand-up, and it isn't storytelling. It is something in between. It is honest, active, auto-biographical, and in your face. 14@Stage773 presents two nights of original solo works where jealousy thrives and fears are revealed. Solo performance is a new plane of existence in what you thought was theatre.

Cell Camp • 10:30 p.m. • $10
Using the audience, multimedia and idiocy, Cell Camp presents a diverse comedy experience with a flair for the awkward and absurd. SNL alum Garrett Morris called the group "brilliant", while Time Out Chicago dubbed them "totally tactless" as well as one of the "best and brightest" at the 2009 Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Crudely clever, scathingly satirical and sharply written, Cell Camp puts a mirror up to our world and snorts a line of funny off of it.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16
Solo Performance Part 2 • 8 p.m. • $10
Solo performance isn't stand-up, and it isn't storytelling. It is something in between. It is honest, active, auto-biographical, and in your face. 14@Stage773 presents two nights of original solo works where jealousy thrives and fears are revealed. Solo performance is a new plane of existence in what you thought was theatre.

Just The Tip • 10:30 p.m. • $10
Chicago's female foursome, Just the Tip, brings hilarious and crowd pleasing characters, situations, song, and dance based on their unique experiences and satirical point of view. From a slurring superhero housewife, to a one-night stand with the cutest boozing polar bear ever- Just the Tip is sure to bring you pleasure.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17
Vaudeville Showcase by Cold Basement Dramatics • 8 p.m. •
$15 / $10 Students
One of Chicago's freshest theatre ensembles brings you an evening that you won't soon forget. A captivating collection of classic music, dance and comedy acts to break you from your daily routine and take you to the worry free world of Vaudeville--the heart of American show business. From your favorite comedy sketches and songs to inexplicably rare gems that may never be seen again.

Urlakis & Crusick • 10:30 p.m. • $10
Dave Urlakis and Sean Cusick, two veteran Chicago improv and sketch performers, first met working on the groundbreaking "Best Church of God." Their sketches tackle the funny found at the awkward intersection of time, technology and death. Cusick co-created the hit "Sodomites! The Musical" for the Annoyance Theatre and has directed for the Second City. Urlakis is an ensemble member at ComedySportz Chicago and is half of the two-person long form improv group Batterymouth.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18 • SPECIAL FATHER'S DAY PERFORMANCES
Bri-Ko: All Silent. All Funny • 2 p.m. • $15 / $7.50 Children under 12
In a Bri-Ko: All Silent. All Funny. performance, the three performers, Brian Posen, Brian Peterlin and Tim Soszko, combine sketch, acting and clowning to enact silent scenes in which easy processes are made as difficult, elaborate and entertaining as possible. Bri-Ko's appeal is universal as anyone of almost any age, speaking any language, with any cultural background can understand and appreciate the show. "Critically acclaimed in previous appearances, it was hailed as a "must-see" by Chicago Magazine and Nina Metz of the Chicago Tribune said, "If I were you, I'd do everything in my power to get a ticket."

Cupid Has A Heart On...For Daddies • 8 p.m. • $20
The witty and irreverent musical sketch comedy troupe will perform a special Father's Day performance: Cupid Has A Heart on For Daddies. Hailed as the "Best Sketch Comedy Troupe in Chicago" (Chicago Reader), The Cupid Players perform distinctive musical sketches about relationships, life and love. Sometimes touching, sometimes trashy, always funny - this talented troupe boasts the longest running sketch revue in iO Theater's history. A "Must See" says Time Out Chicago!

Think Tank • 10:30 p.m. • $10
Think Tank brings its absurd flavor of comedy to the first ever 14@Stage773. Recently deemed "some of the most bizarre, prop-heavy, high concept comedy around" (Chicago Reader) and a "non-stop comedy assault on the senses," (theapiary.org), Think Tank can test your notions of what a comedy show can be.

SUNDAY, JUNE 19
BriKo: All Silent. All Funny. • 2 p.m. • $15 / $7.50 Children under 12
In a Bri-Ko: All Silent. All Funny. performance, the three performers, Brian Posen, Brian Peterlin and Tim Soszko, combine sketch, acting and clowning to enact silent scenes in which easy processes are made as difficult, elaborate and entertaining as possible. Bri-Ko's appeal is universal as anyone of almost any age, speaking any language, with any cultural background can understand and appreciate the show. "Critically acclaimed in previous appearances, it was hailed as a "must-see" by Chicago Magazine and Nina Metz of the Chicago Tribune said, "If I were you, I'd do everything in my power to get a ticket."

Think Tank • 8 p.m. • $10
Think Tank brings its absurd flavor of comedy to the first ever 14@Stage773. Recently deemed "some of the most bizarre, prop-heavy, high concept comedy around" (Chicago Reader) and a "non-stop comedy assault on the senses," (theapiary.org), Think Tank can test your notions of what a comedy show can be.

Sean Miller Explosion • 9:30 p.m. • $10
The Sean Miler explosion returns to Stage773 after a successful appearance at the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, once again feeding into self-loathing and destruction as the cast scratches and claws its way to show time.

MONDAY, JUNE 20
Film Festival: Live action shorts • 8 p.m. • $10
Stage773 proudly presents it's first ever Film Festival! A 2-night festival showcasing student films from the best of the best film schools in Chicago. Giving Students who are about to go out into the business a chance to see their movies on the big screen. The first night dedicated entirely to live action shorts.

Sean Miller Explosion • 10:30 p.m. • $10
The Sean Miler explosion returns to Stage773 after a successful appearance at the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, once again feeding into self-loathing and destruction as the cast scratches and claws its way to show time

TUESDAY, JUNE 21
Summer Solstice Art Exhibit • 8 p.m. • $Suggested donation of $5
For one night only, Stage773 will be converting their 12,000sqft theater complex into a giant art exhibit. Showcasing over 20 artists accompanied with live music throughout the night to celebrate the summer solstice. Bands will be playing, food will be served, art will be showcased, beer will be consumed...what more could you want?

Butch LaRue • 10:30 p.m. • $10
Butch LaRue is like a refreshing shot of Jameson. It makes your night fun and memorable, but shoot too much of it and you'll wake up next to a dirty spinster with a bag of Dove chocolates. Butch has performed to sold-out crowds all over Chicago and was named one of Chicago Sun-Times "Really Cool Things To Do" and "This Week's Top 5 Live Shows" by Metromix's Theater Producer in Red Eye Chicago.
WEDNESAY, JUNE 22
Film Festival: Animation shorts • 8 p.m. • $10

Stage773 proudly presents it's first ever Film Festival! A 2-night festival showcasing student films from the best of the best film schools in Chicago. Giving Students who are about to go out into the business a chance to see their movies on the big screen. The second night dedicated entirely to animation shorts.

CELL CAMP • 10:30 p.m. • $10
Using the audience, multimedia and idiocy, Cell Camp presents a diverse comedy experience with a flair for the awkward and absurd. SNL alum Garrett Morris called the group "brilliant", while Time Out Chicago dubbed them "totally tactless" as well as one of the "best and brightest" at the 2009 Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Crudely clever, scathingly satirical and sharply written, Cell Camp puts a mirror up to our world and snorts a line of funny off of it.

THURSDAY, JUNE 23
Chicago Story Collective • 8 p.m. • $10
The Chicago Story Collective presents "Summer Lovin': Stories of Sex, Sweat...and Romance." Come see the city's top storytellers and one very special guest share totally true tales of awkward divirginizations, carnal pleasure and puppy love punctuated with performances by Chicago's burlesque community. Presenters include Essay Fiesta's Keith Ecker and Alyson Lyon, Story Club's Dana Norris and Stories at the Store's Jen Bosworth. You'll laugh! You'll cry! In other words, it's just like sex.

Honorary Degree • 10:30 p.m. • $10
The members of Honorary Degree have been writing and performing sketch comedy shows together for the last six years, including appearances at New York Sketchfest, DC Comedy Fest, San Francisco Sketchfest, and Chicago SketchFest 2009. In the last year, HD has taken the Chicago comedy scene by storm, creating the sketch and improv comedy showcase "Comedy Strike!" at the Diversey River Bowl, as well as hosting the first ever Pink Line Comedy Festival.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24
Vaudeville Showcase • 8 p.m. • $15 One of Chicago's freshest theatre ensembles brings you an evening that you won't soon forget. A captivating collection of classic music, dance and comedy acts to break you from your daily routine and take you to the worry free world of Vaudeville--the heart of American show business. From your favorite comedy sketches and songs to inexplicably rare gems that may never be seen again.

The Other Other Guys • 10:30 p.m. • $10
Sharp social commentary and REAL fake blood. The socially conscious collides with the absurd in this fast paced blend of video sketches, live performance and bodily function mishaps all under an umbrella of Do-It-Yourself Spectacle. The Other Other Guys have been putting the other "Other" in "Other Other" since 2006.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25
STREET! • 8 p.m. • $15 (portion of sales will go to sponsor childrens outreach programming at stage773.)
Bucket boys, flash-mob dancers, graffiti artists and more will be showcased under one roof for a final bash at "the old place." These talented street performers will be bringing the streets straight to the seats.

About Stage773

Stage773 celebrates off-Loop Chicago performing arts and artists. Formerly known as Lukaba Productions, Stage773 is a non-profit Chicago company that produces The Cupid Players, Bri-Ko, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival and other programs, as well as offering subsidized theater rental space to the hundreds of Chicago's itinerant off-Loop companies and performers. Stage773 is located at 1225 W. Belmont (the former Theatre Building Chicago); Stage773's three theaters are home to performances by some of Chicago's most innovative, creative and passionate off-Loop performing artists.

Beginning July 2011 Stage773 will break ground on a $1 million renovation, which will include:
Redesigning the Belmont Avenue façade;
Increasing the amount of lobby light and opening the lobby to street side viewing with the addition of floor to ceiling windows along Belmont Avenue;
Modernizing and doubling the number of lavatories;
Completely overhauling the South Theater, including relocating the stage and seating to allow for easier load-in, better sound proofing and convenient audience access.
Transforming the West Theater into two new flexible spaces: a cabaret and a blackbox.

For more information on the renovation or a list of current events at Stage773 visit Stage773.com or call 773.929.7367.

 

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