Second City

CHICAGO – When the world stopped in March during the pandemic quarantine, there was an online kids-and-play concept invented by two sisters that really took off. “Paper People Play” is a deceptively simple website that evolves the paper doll form, bringing it to 21st Century children. Kristin and Brooke Broadwell were the co-creators, and the story of the concept is fascinating.

CHICAGO – When comic performer Ray Hui submitted his one minute film to the Asian Pop-Up Cinema’s “Stay-At-Home Short Film Competition” back in May, he didn’t realize that three months later his “2020 A Year in Review” would still be relevant. So add predictor-of-the-future to his long resume of comedy and performance.

CHICAGO – One of the most anticipated gatherings in the local acting community is the annual Chicago Acting in Film Meetup (CAFM) Holiday Party, and this year’s bash is moving to downtown digs at the Hard Rock Hotel on December 10th, 2012. The co-directors of CAFM are actors Grace McPhillips and Steve Scholz.

CHICAGO – Last Sunday, June 27th, a new Cartoon Network show on Adult Swim premiered, by the same team that gave us “Morel Orel.” “Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole” is also produced, directed and written by Chicago area native Scott Adsit, who also does time as the harried Pete Hornberger on NBC’s “30 Rock.”

CHICAGO – The just-opened Mayne Stage on Chicago’s north side was the setting for “The Not Inappropriate Show,” featuring comedians Bob Odenkirk and Robert Smigel. Both are in town as part of the TBS network’s “Just for Laughs Chicago,” playing through Saturday, June 19th.

CHICAGO – “I can’t stop my leg” is the lyric to Robert Klein’s most famous comedy song, and the venerable stand-up comedian still keeps the laughs coming with his brand of observational hilarity. With a career spanning over 45 years, Klein still knocks ‘em dead on his latest HBO Special, “Unfair and Unbalanced.”

CHICAGO – In making a Chicago appearance at the Gabby Awards, which honored prominent Greek Americans, actress Nia Vardalos justifiably follows through on the heritage displayed in her hit “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.”