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
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The TomKat Project

posted on August 7, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews, News/Updates, Reviews | Comments Off on The TomKat Project

Chicago Takes TomKat To A Whole New Level

TheTomKatProject

The TomKat Project has been sweeping Chicago for the better part this past year. Now it is off to New York City to hold its own at the New York Fringe Festival, but not without a few last performances in Chicago. Ok, now we all know who “TomKat” is, but do we know what “The TomKat Project” is? No? Allow me to shed some light on this two-act comedic play that dives into the love lives of Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes and The Church of Scientology. Don’t worry, my sources aren’t People Magazine, I got the skinny on this play from those who actually created it. Read More

Nine Major Players In Chicago Comedy to Watch Out for in 2013

posted on July 25, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews, News/Updates | 1 comment

Some of Chicago’s Finest Improvisers

LifesAFunnyScene_9MajorPlayersCollageIt’s that time of year again – Saturday Night Live auditions are taking place, people are tightening up their “5 minutes” and putting up some of the best work of the year. Over the past 18 months I’ve been watching dozens of improvisers and I have hand picked nine that I think you should keep your eye out for and asked them to share a little more information about themselves. Take a look, there’s a good chance a future SNL cast member or comedy show writer might come out of this list. So now it’s in writing…I called it. (Originally appeared on ChooseChicago.com) Read More

INTERVIEW: Greg Hess

posted on July 16, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Interviews | Comments Off on INTERVIEW: Greg Hess

Be prepared to work really hard.

GregHessHeadshot_Life'sAFunnyScene

Greg Hess is a man of many comedic talents. He is the only member of both my favorite improv troupes, Cook County Social Club and The Improvised Shakespeare Company, and he is also now representing the Chicago comedy community in Los Angeles with the production of his new pilot “Schlub Life.” I was able to catch up with Greg the day after his last Tuesday night run of Cook County and we chatted about shooting this pilot, the beginnings and the closing night of Cook County and what it’s like to work in this industry with your significant other.
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REVIEW: Let Them Eat Chaos @ The Second City

posted on July 15, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: Let Them Eat Chaos @ The Second City

The Smartest Fanciful Production Yet

Let_Them_Eat_Chaos_Mainstage_Cast

Let Them Eat Chaos is the best show I’ve ever seen at The Second City. I had high expectations for this show, but boy, I had no idea what I was in for. This show takes you on a whimsical, colorful and satirical adventure through art, technology, war, rap and everlasting love. The entire production is incredible, but hats off to the Director, Matt Hovde, and Musical Director, Julie B. Nichols, as the music and projected scenery add so much context to the show.

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REVIEW: A Clown Car Named Desire @ The Second City

posted on July 14, 2013 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, Reviews | Comments Off on REVIEW: A Clown Car Named Desire @ The Second City

Controlled Chaos and Blissful Ignorance

AClownCarNamedDesireA Clown Car Named Desire just opened about a month ago on The Second City‘s e.t.c Stage. This sketch comedy show sheds honesty on the face of laughter as it takes the audience through the journey of self-discovery. Experiencing life at all ages and situations we manage through on a daily basis. From awkward breast pumping at the office to American Apparel employees who try too damn hard to be individuals to a sneak peak into a never released before Tennessee Williams play, this show will leave your heart happy and your face in pain from laughing for an hour and a half. Read More

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