The Chicago-based independent sketch collective Think Tank recently released Celebrity Intervention, an absurd, moody short film that explores horrors of identity. It features several Think Tank members, as well as the delightfully silly Chad Briggs. Think Tank will be performing their new sketch show every Sunday in June at the Den Theatre in Wicker Park. Check their website for more information as the shows approach!
Interview: Party Time Party Time's Morgan Lord and Marty Schousboe
Kickstarter's a hot, controversial website these days, right? Here's an interview with two Chicago-based writers and performers, Morgan Lord and Marty Schousboe, who have together written and directed Party Time Party Time, a feature length "melanchomedy" film featuring a cast of 60+ Chicagoans. There's less than a week remaining on the Kickstarter that Morgan and Marty set up to aide with the final costs of producing the film. These two (along with the massive cast and crew) really seem to be going for it, and I highly recommend pledging to the Kickstarter if you can spare the cash.
Read MoreInterview: Walt Delaney, Alex Honnet, and Cailtlin Stephan of The Jangleheart Circus
I talked to Walt Delaney, Alex Honnet, and Caitlin Stephan, the three folks behind the Upstairs Gallery about the recently announced Jangleheart Circus, a three day comedy festival showcasing independent sketch, improv, and standup comedy. By the looks of the current lineup, they've done a great job highlighting the DIY ethos and experimental bend of the Gallery's best shows. The Jangleheart Circus is August 22nd, 23rd, and 24th at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park.
Read MoreInterview: Josh B. Mabe of Sprocket Hole/Speaker Box
Josh B. Mabe is the producer of Sprocket Hole/Speaker Box, a super eclectic bimonthly variety show that started out at the Hideout before relocating to Township. In advance of this Sunday's edition of the show (known as "The Wordy Show"), I talked to Josh about his comedy background and the development of the show.
Sprocket Hole/Speaker Box is Sunday, May 5 at 8pm at Township, and features 16mm films from Dana Hodgdon, Emily Hubley, and Alan Beattie, Music from Advance Base, and performances from local comedians Beau Golwitzer, Caitlin Bergh, Shannon Cason, and Halle Butler.
Read MoreInterview: Daniel Shar of Phat Beethoven
Phat Beethoven, whose dark, absurdist show at the Chicago SketchFest a few months ago was one of my favorites of the festival, is gearing up for a run at The Playground Theater. Catch their new show, Boy Geniuses, every Saturday at 10pm, starting tomorrow night, through May 25th alongside John O'Toole's one man show Split.
I talked to Daniel Shar, one of the members of Phat Beethoven, all about the group's background, as well as another show he's working on, Listin Up, a hybrid standup and improv show, which debuts at the Upstairs Gallery next Wednesday.
Read MoreInterview: Joe Avella (plus exclusive Delivery Dudes clip!)
Joe Avella is a Chicago-based filmmaker whose debut feature film, Master of Inventions, was released last year, and plans to unveil the entire first season of his newest project, a webseries called Delivery Dudes, tomorrow (Saturday, April 20th). The show features a slew of local improv and sketch performers cast as hapless pizza delivery drivers and their petulant customers.
Check out an exclusive first look at an episode of Delivery Dudes starring Kill All Comedy's Joey Dundale, as well as an interview with Joe below!
Read MoreDouble Feature: A Standup Comedy Film Festival
Double Feature is a new monthly show happening the final Wednesday of the month at The Den Theatre in Wicker Park. Each month, a handful of standups will split stage time with a series of short comedy films from Chicago-based filmmakers. The show is produced by a quartet of up-and-coming comics, Ian Abramson, Tim Barnes, Melody Kamali, and Marlena Rodriguez, whose shared interest in standup and filmmaking birthed this unique concept.
In advance of next week's inaugural show, here's an exclusive clip of the four producers' recent man-on-the-street misadventures at The Bean, a tourist magnet in downtown Chicago. The first Double Feature is next Wednesday, April 24th at 9pm at the Den Theatre, tickets are $5 and can be preordered here.
Interview: John Eisenrich
Podcasting is a relatively new, but hugely expanding, platform for comedians, musicians, and everyday folks looking to share their unique viewpoint with the world. I talked to one such individual, John Eisenrich, a local comedian and writer who has recently gotten into the podcasting game.
John was kind enough to share not only his thoughts and opinions on what makes this scene special, but also gave The Steamroller the chance to premiere THREE new episodes of his show. As a primer, I've included the first three episodes, as well (don't worry, they're all bite-sized clips!). You can see more of John's work as a writer at The Late Live Show, Saturdays at Midnight at iO.
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