Ben Hollis Brings Solo Show to The Annoyance

This gifted Chicago improv kid was on his way to fame and fortune. Then something better came along.

Ben Hollis, the eight-time Emmy-winner (Wild Chicago, WTTW) and local TV legend tells the tale in this high-energy musical revelation of personal comedy and original songs. "Sex, Booze & Candy Bars" is the story of how a chubby Chicago kid obsessed with sex, sugar and "being adored" confronts his ridiculously self-centered desires -- and ultimately overcomes them... in unexpected ways.

Audiences will find it irresistible to reflect on their own journeys as Ben humorously - and often poignantly - takes them on a wild ride through the 60s, 70s and 80s. Plenty of Top 40 Hit earworms sweeten the mix as well.

Hilarious projected images punctuate Hollis's 90-minute odyssey, providing cultural signposts along the way (e.g. Cat Woman, Paul McCartney, Black Sabbath and The Dave Clark Five. Plus Ben's "Bed of Bosoms," his first infantile erotic fantasy.)

"Ben rocked the house with his stirring musical portrait..." says Jamie O'Reilly, Chicago music luminary. "The big reveal is a sweet and simple surrender to happiness ...Song-by-song, story-by-story, we're with him all the way. "

Hollis is best known to local television audiences as the original host and co-creator of WTTW's ground-breaking "Wild Chicago" which debuted in 1989. Hollis wore a pith helmet and safari shorts as he explored "the urban jungle" and brought to his viewers stories of unusual, offbeat, eccentric people, places and things. Among his fans were Mayor Richard M. Daley and Studs Terkel. Included in the show is the serendipitous story of how "Wild Chicago" came to be.

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Hollis is no stranger to live performing. He trained at Second City Players Workshop and fronted a band (Ben Hollis & The Resentments), singing his original songs for years.

Says Hollis, "the songs and stories I share in this show are about universal life experiences. Like lusting after Barbara Eden ("I Dream of Genie"); being a fat kid; losing your virginity (but not enjoying it); falling in love (and feeling the pain); a failed first marriage; going after a career for really stupid reasons; and finding the courage to keep going. "

In 2016, Hollis was diagnosed with a life-threatening AVM (arterial-venous malformation) in his brain and underwent surgery. "I didn't know if I could pull this off," he said. "I am so grateful I can still bring it!"

Show runs 4 Sundays in a row: November 11, 18, 25, and December at 7PM

Tickets at https://theannoyance.com/events/event/sex-booze-candy/

$20

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