Step Up Productions' HANDICAP THIS! Begins Tonight at Stage 773

Step Up Productions continues its 2014-15 season with a special one-week engagement of the touching and humorous two-man show HANDICAP THIS! - part comedy, part storytelling and part insight on living with disabilities. Written and performed by nationally acclaimed duo Mike Berkson and Tim Wambach, HANDICAP THIS! is inspired by the original script by Molly Mulcrone and directed by Denis Berkson. This special collaboration will play tonight, January 21 - 25, 2015 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave. in Chicago. Tickets are available at www.stepupproductions.org or www.stage773.com, by calling (773) 327-5252 or in person at the Stage 773 Box Office. The press performance is Wednesday, January 21 at 8 pm.

Comedic duo Mike Berkson (born with cerebral palsy) and Tim Wambach (his one-time aide) tap the power of laughter for an unconventional evening of storytelling. The unique journey of their friendship over the past 13 years celebrates the power of diversity and inclusion - and provides new insight on people living with disabilities.

Partial proceeds from HANDICAP THIS! will benefit the Keep On Keeping On Foundation, assisting those living with severe physical disabilities and educating and empowering others to make a difference in their community. For additional information, visit www.keeponkeepingon.org. As part of its mission, Step Up Productions donates a portion of its proceeds to organizations in and around Chicago that support issues often highlighted in its productions.

About the HANDICAP THIS! Team:

Mike Berkson (Playwright/Lead Performer) is a founding member of HANDICAP THIS! and inspirational leader of the Keep On Keeping On Foundation. He is an aspiring filmmaker and is in the midst of finishing his first novel. Born with cerebral palsy, doctors told his parents that he wouldn't be able to talk. At 3 ½, not only was Mike talking up a storm but he had a thirst for vocabulary. His razor sharp wit is a force to be reckoned with.

Tim Wambach (Playwright/Lead Performer) is a founding member of HANDICAP THIS! and President of the Keep On Keeping On Foundation. He was a counselor for 13 years at a Summer Camp for Special Education students and has worked as Youth Director for St. Mary of the Woods (Chicago), Sales Rep for elementary textbooks, speaker for National Financial Educators, Speech Coach at Glenbrook South High School, and trainer for Next Level Consulting providing training services for Fortune 500 companies. Tim authored the book "How We Roll" in March of 2010 describing his relationship with Mike Berkson. He also ran 717 miles between Orlando and Chicago in 2005 to raise awareness for Cerebral Palsy. Tim graduated from Northeastern Illinois University with a BA in Speech/Communications.

Denis Berkson (Director) is nationally known as the "Creative Crusader," and considered one of the country's leading authorities in the field of creative thinking. Professor Berkson is the author of "The Different Drummer Handbook, Marching to the Creative Beat and The Ten Demandments of Creativity." He has been the Chairman of the OCC Performing Arts Department for over 30 years. Denis has conducted workshops and seminars for representatives of business and education such as Hallmark Cards, Gerber Products, Kraft Foods, Nordstrom, University of Utah Hospital, Vassar College and Northwestern University. He has also been a presenter at many conferences and meetings such as the International Sales and Marketing Conference, the National Braille Association, United Cerebral Palsy, Midwest Autism Society, the National Association of Activity Professionals, Illinois Park and Recreation Association Annual Meeting, the Marriott Senior Living National Meeting, the Chicago North Shore Senior Staff Development Workshop.

About Step Up Productions - Step Up Productions is a non-profit theater company with a mission to communicate stories authentically, inspiring audiences to identify and embrace their own personal truths. Step Up became a non-profit, in part, to better serve other non-profit organizations in and around Chicago that are committed to helping others become self sufficient. Step Up donates a portion of its proceeds to organizations that support issues often highlighted in its productions. For additional information, visit www.stepupproductions.org.

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