The Last LAF

All Good Things Must Come to an End This is the most difficult post I've had to write and coincidentally, it will also be my last. Today marks a day I was never convinced would come. Today, LAFS is two years old. It has been an incredible two years, absolutely incredible filled with more excitement, laughter, awe and humility than I could have ever dreamed. However, today is bittersweet, because today is Read More

INTERVIEW: Charna Halpern

The Mother of Improv Comedy I first fell in love with improv at iO's Clark Street location. iO changed my life, but my story is not unlike many others. Charna created a world at iO that many call "home" and it has become the center of their universe. Charna Halpern is one of the most influential people in improv, has paved the path for hundreds of comedians over the last few Read More

INTERVIEW: Matt Besser

Focus on the Game. Matt Besser is one of the founding members of Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). UCB started as a Chicago-based improv team composed of Besser, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh and Amy Poehler and has transformed into a well-known comedy establishment in New York City and Los Angeles. These folks not only formed UCB but Besser, Roberts, Walsh and friends regularly perform together as ASSSSCAT. ASSSSCAT will be performing, with a Read More

INTERVIEW: Dan Bakkedahl

Just make a choice. Dan Bakkedahl has made his mark on Chicago's comedy scene. Coming up in the late 90s and early 2000s, Dan spent a lot of time at iO and Second City. Since his departure, you may have seen him on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Community, Veep, Legit or a number of other television appearances. He was also in The Heat with Sandra Bullock and Melissa Read More

INTERVIEW: Carisa Barreca

Do everything, because you’re going to need all of it. I am declaring Carisa Barreca Second City's sweetheart. One of the most beautiful, talented, kind and humble ladies I have ever met, Carisa has a heart of gold and nothing but good intentions. With a lifetime of performance background, she can do just about anything you throw at her. I was so lucky to be able to sit down with Read More

INTERVIEW: Scott Adsit and John Lutz

Hitting Your Mark in Hollywood Thanks to Aren Zolninger from Chicago Improv Productions, I was able to sneak in a few minutes to interview Scott Adsit and John Lutz before they took the stage for their "Super Secret" midnight show at Stage 773. As we were waiting for the show ahead of us to clear out, Scott, John and I stepped into a back hallway with CIP staff and a Read More

INTERVIEW: Tim Baltz

If you’re not listening, you’re going to miss the joke. After months of trying to nail down both of our schedules after Tim left Second City's Mainstage, I was finally able to meet up with him to talk life and comedy. I had the pleasure of meeting Tim last Fall at Jimmy Carrane's Improv Nerd and for obvious reasons, I was dead set on interviewing him. Tim is extremely passionate Read More

INTERVIEW: Ted Tremper

Just love what you love and let that be the work that you do. It was a true pleasure interviewing Ted, as I have an incredible amount of respect for him as a person, performer and filmmaker. He's so talented and is such a genuinely kind human being. We met at iO on a late November morning and, truth be told, divulged a great deal of personal details, some of which Read More

INTERVIEW: TJ Jagodowski

I am truly the luckiest person I know. TJ Jagodowski is not only one of the most brilliant improvisers I have ever seen, he's also one of the nicest guys I've ever met. I've bumped into TJ a number of times around iO, but it wasn't until the end of October where I had the pleasure of taking a class taught by him. This man is a poet and every Read More

INTERVIEW: Jet Eveleth

Dream big and then do it. I met Jet at her apartment where she lives with her improviser beau, Brett Elam and his sister Erica. We chatted about where her name came from, some of life’s big questions, drinking sake before bed to live longer and then she told me the details of the secret she’s been keeping from everyone for the last two years… Alright Jet, the first thing I Read More

REVIEW: Messing With A Friend @ Chicago Improv Festival

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: Messing With A Friend @ Chicago Improv Festival

Legendary.

Messing With A FriendSusan Messing and Mark Sutton have rightfully earned their spots in the improv hall of fame. Susan Messing is a natural guide. She sees openings where others may not and Sutton is a great supporter. He excels at gifting, callbacks, heightening and makes strong choices. They bounce off each other so well and that’s why this show was such an improvised delight.

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REVIEW: Horatio Sanz and The Improv All-Stars @ Chicago Improv Festival

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: Horatio Sanz and The Improv All-Stars @ Chicago Improv Festival

Deep Dish Chicago Throwback.

Horatio Sanz & The All-Stars of ComedyThis show was star-studded with Matt Besser, Matt Walsh, Michael Delaney, Anthony Atamanuik, Betsy Sodaro and led by Horatio Sanz. The cast stepped on stage to a very warm Chicago welcome and from there things got a bit interesting.

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REVIEW: HOME @ Chicago Improv Festival

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: HOME @ Chicago Improv Festival

A Beautiful Portrayal of Truth.

HOME: An Improvised PlaySometimes people say not all actors are improvisers, but all improvisers are actors. HOME: An Improvised Play is the greatest supporting evidence of this statement I have seen thus far. This show stole my heart. Brett Elam, Erica Elam, Jet Eveleth, Ian Forester and Kristina Johnson are the cast of this dramatic improv masterpiece and if you ever find yourself with the chance to see it, you absolutely must.

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REVIEW: Jet Eveleth & Paul Brittain @ Chicago Improv Festival

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: Jet Eveleth & Paul Brittain @ Chicago Improv Festival

Opposites Attract.

Jet Eveleth and Paul BrittainJet Eveleth and Paul Brittain are no strangers to Chicago’s comedy scene. Eveleth spent 12 years in Chicago before moving to LA at the end of 2012. Brittain trained at iO, alongside SNL cast member, Vanessa Bayer and joined SNL himself for about a year and a half, beginning in 2010. These two were right at home, back in their old stomping grounds and it’s always nice to see familiar faces back in town.

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REVIEW: Trainwreck @ Chicago Improv Festival

posted on by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: Trainwreck @ Chicago Improv Festival

Patience and Detail.

TrainwreckChicago comedy legends, Dan Bakkedahl and Ed Furman are Trainwreck. They perform a two-man improvised single scene show based off an audience suggestion. There are a number of things one recognizes when watching seasoned improvisers and patience and attention to detail are two of them.

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