CHICAGO – There is no better time to take in a stage play that is based in U.S. history, depicting the battle between fact and religion. The old theater chestnut – first mounted in 1955 – is “Inherit the Wind,” now at the Goodman Theatre, completing it’s short run through October 20th. For tickets and more information, click INHERIT.
Podtalk: Susan Messing for the World Comedy Expo Chicago, March 25-27, 2022
CHICAGO – She is one of the best and most established improv artists in Chicago, the City of Yes-And. Susan Messing makes history wherever she goes, including her residency at the Annoyance Theatre with her famous “Messing with a Friend” revue, an ongoing and completely improvised hour of hilarity. Messing will be a part of the inaugural World Comedy Expo (natch), performing two shows (click link for tickets and info), MESSING WITH MASON, THE 1-Zs and plus facilitating a workshop, IMPROV FOR STAND UP.
The mission of the World Comedy Expo – taking place from March 25th through the 27th – is to foster, enable, and showcase comedic talents from around the world and bring people of different backgrounds and cultures together through the joy and power of laughter. This inaugural Expo was also founded by Japanese stand-up comic and Expo Artistic Director Saku Yanagawa and local comedy maven Kerry Sheenan. The Expo will take place in various venues across the city, including the Annoyance Theatre, the Den Theatre, the Laugh Factory and of course, The Second City.
March 27th, 2022 (click link above)
Photo credit: WorldComedyExpo.com
The iconic Susan Messing graduated from Northwestern University, and immediately hooked into the the Chicago comedy scene. Her main training was rooted in the Improv Olympics (iO) and she created curriculum which was used in Chicago and Los Angeles … she is one of the Windy City’s foremost Improv teachers. She was a founding member of the Annoyance Theatre, where besides her ongoing “Messing with a Friend” (don’t look too close at the main poster) she helped to create “Co-ed Prison Sluts,” “Your Butt” and “What Every Girl Should Know: An Ode to Judy Blume.” No Chicago comedy street cred is complete without taking in a performance of Susan Messing.
In PART ONE of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, improv artist Susan Messing tells us the meaning of life, with several well placed f-bombs …
In PART TWO, which local treasure celebrity was one of Susan’s funniest moments on stage? And what is her show biz philosophy? Now it can be revealed …
By PATRICK McDONALD |