My friend Nate's theatre company is currently putting on a solo-performance show and here's the review from the Chicago Reader:

iAlone

When: Through 6/27: Thu-Sat 8 PM, Sun 3 PM,
Phone: 866-811-4111
Price: $15
redinktheatre.com

Red Ink Theatre's angsty autobiographical monologues deal with the standard 20-something subjects: childhood traumas, bad college break-ups, sexual frustration. But this fiercely talented quartet of writer/performers have crafted lean, literate, tantalizingly unresolved pieces full of effortless poetry. Nathan Stoner, for instance, remembers the "upturn" in his long-lost boyfriend's mouth growing "softer and more spearmint with each kiss." And unlike many monologuists tackling similar material, these performers seek neither pity nor personal catharsis, but simply bear witness to their own worst impulses. Brian Bush compulsively hires prostitutes, Erin Lane (who also directs) obsesses over a self-esteem-crushing boyfriend, Ann Schlegel recounts moments of sobering sexual degradation with volcanic fury. The show is set in an el car, but compelling performances render that forced and unnecessary contrivance nearly irrelevant. --Justin Hayford

Shameless Plug

For the third year in a row I will be performing at the
Chicago Sketchfest with Awkward Silence!

Where: The Theater Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont

When: Sunday January 11th, 4pm

How much?: Tickets are $12.50, and you can get them ahead of time by calling the Theatre Building box office at (773) 327.5252, or by visiting www.ticketmaster.com (although we don't advise buying them online because of the surcharges and extra tax)

If you do plan to attend, be sure to GET THERE EARLY! The show has sold out every year!

No Days But The Old Days

"The show made me believe in a world where cohesion was possible, where difference could be celebrated; with a song and a sexy dance, rather than a scoff. As Anthony Rapp (Mark) says of the show: 'It validated the idealistic part of me.' And that, in these times of snark and brittle insincerity, is certainly saying something."

* This entry is dedicated to a girl I know that used to spend her days camping out for RENT tickets while the rest of us were still caught up in Carson Daly's random black nail polish and the newest pair of Airwalks.

Boogie Woogie Vegas, BABY!

So, I just watched my DVR'd episode of Oprah featuring none other than the Divine Miss M., Bette Midler. If you know me at all, you know that just the simple combination of Oprah and Bette fills me with great joy. (Here’s where you envision me staring up at the TV screen with a creepy/excited grin for the whole entire segment.)

Anyway, Bette was on the show to promote her new gig taking over Celine's spot in Vegas. Bette is 62 and just signed on for a two year deal. Um, if I have half that much energy when I'm 62, I'll be very, very pleased.

Snicker at my love of Bette all you want, but I'll have you know that her December 2004 concert was one of the highlights of my life. I kid you not. I feel secure enough to say that I know good music and I know good performing, and this was the ultimate in ANY kind of show I've seen.

That being said...

I've never had much of a desire to go to Vegas. I mean, I guess I'd like to see all those lights on the strip one day just to say I’ve seen them, but it's really not on my list of interesting or enlightening places I'd like to go. BUT seeing Bette live and in person in a warm climate IS. So, I've decided that at some point in the next two years I am going to go to Vegas! I'm going to go and soak up the sun, drink, and dance my ass off to Miss M. I have no doubt that it will be completely divine!

I’d say “hold me to it”, but I’m pretty much married to this plan already!

Ch-ch-ch-check It Ouuuuuut!

Our intro from Sketch Fest is up on YouTube!

WARNING: Katie Sambo looks like total crap in this video, as she filmed it on her lunch breaks, without paying much attention to make-up or hair.