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If a Shoe Drops in a Forest and No one hears it…

Wednesday, August 15th, 2007

So we are about two weeks away from our Technical Rehearsals for “The Book of Liz” and so far the show process has been flawless. So far we have pre-sold 182 tickets for the run (being three weeks out that is a very big deal), We have sold lots of playbill ads, and we have gotten some awesome sponsors for the show. My production staff has been amazing, and the cast is outstanding. I have been waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Yesterday was our first hiccup in the process and I thought I would share it with our blog readers. The Amazing and Talented Suzanne Sole originally cast to play the role of Oxana in our production called me with news yesterday. She was cast in the National Tour of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and will have to drop the show. Now there is NO WAY she should turn this job down. It is big money and a wonderful opportunity that only most of us dream about getting. Of course I have many feelings about this. 1. How totally awesome is it that CIC is attracting this level of talent to audition and be in our shows. 2. Why or Why don’t we have money so we could keep such wonderful and talented people. 3. Why or Why can’t I come up with a stronger Kool Aid Recipe.

The upside is we have had an understudy in place for every role for just such a situation (partly because I know I can’t ask the world of people when they are doing this for free and shear love, part of it is cause so far we have not done a show where an understudy did not go in). And her understudy is awesome. (Wow if I say awesome or totally one more time I will have to shoot myself in the face). And a company member is going to step into the understudy position, (another amazing performer BTW). So as far as talent goes I am covered. And we are far enough out right now that we can recover nicely.

Of course Suzanne is on the poster, in the Press Pictures, and on our Youtube Teaser. But it is just the little part we get to keep of her from this production. She is already missed and I am blessed to ever have crossed her path.

Our Video can be seen here:

It was filmed by the Amazing and Talented Matt Hendricks. I can’t believe how lucky I am to be surrounded by such talent.

Posted in Book of Liz, Casting, Comedy, Company Members, Cornservatory, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Links, Mr. Marmalade, Sedaris, Stories, Summer Vacation, Video | No Comments »

My Summer Vacation from CIC

Wednesday, July 11th, 2007

By Angie McMahon
So on my summer Vacation from CIC I have been so lucky as to be cast in a show with another Theater Company. The Factory Theater They have been so kind as to cast me as a SoccerMom Zombie in there summer hit Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago.

Not only am I having a really fun time but opening night we had a huge treat. Roger Ebert the man himself came. He reserved the ticket under a false name, and paid cash for himself and his party. He was the last one to be seated in the house, and of course the cast had no idea he was there. We were told he laughed a lot during the show. After the show the buzz started around our 20 person cast that the man himself was just outside. We all gathered on the side walk to watch him hoping to catch some sign of approval from the man we had come to love over the past three months. He instructed his driver to pull around and he put his arm out of the car and gave the cast a big Thumbs Up!

Later in the Run he would write this in his column:

Q. In the wake of “Jerry Springer, the Opera” comes “Siskel and Ebert Save Chicago,” Factory Theatre’s spoof now playing at Prop Thtr. Along with you and Gene, the play factors in Richard Roeper, Mayor Daley, Oprah, Dr. Phil, talk radio’s Mancow Muller, roller-skating she-devils and a plot to conquer the world. What does the Answer Man have to say about all this?

Laura Hunt, Chicago

A. I attended opening night in curiosity mixed with dread but actually enjoyed myself. It’s manic slapstick, heavy on the four-letter words, very physical, with Gene as a James Bond type and me as a movie dork. They’re pretty hard on Richard, too. And Oprah and the mayor — everybody, indeed, but Gene and the Roller Derby she-devils. But the most obvious flaw is that Gene is the hero and has all the best lines, including a closing soliloquy in praise of the movies that is so lyrical and touching, I might have written it myself.

This morning the Cast was invited to the Mancow Show. If I can get the podcast on tape I will add it to this blog later.

EDITED TO ADD:

EDITED TO ADD:
Video in Studio at Mancow

EDITED TO ADD:

Click To Play

This has by far been the most exposure I have ever gotten in a show, and I only have 3 lines. But it has been a ton of Fun, and I hope you will make it out to see the show. It runs Fri and Sat at 8pm and Sun at 7pm through the end of July. Check out Factory’s Website for more info.

Posted in Chicago, Comedy, Company Members, Factory Theater, Fun, Fun Stuff, Mancow, Oprah, Roper, Siskel and Ebert, Stories, Summer Vacation, Windy City Rollers | No Comments »

Things Not to do at an Audition.

Wednesday, June 27th, 2007

This past week CIC held Auditions for our upcoming show “The Book of Liz” set to open on Aug 29 and run through Sept 30. Angie McMahon was holding the auditions and here is her account of somethings NOT to do at Auditions. These are real things people did this week, but names will be kept out of it.

1. Don’t show up in a “What Would Satan Do?” T-Shirt. I realize we are called “Chemically Imbalanced Comedy” but show us how funny you are with your actions and not your T-shirt. I am all for being casual but you cloths (especially with words on them) are some insite on your personality. My guess is I would feel similarly if someone came in with a “What would Jesus Do” T-Shirt. For me it just feels like that is info for the second or Third Date. After we like each other and know each other a bit more.

2. Don’t read pornographic poems as your monologues. I am all about doing stories from books, movies, poems. But at least memorize it. Also think of your audience. When you do a poem about mutilating the womens vagina and there is a women who is Directing and Casting think that it may not be the best choice. I think dirty jokes are funny for the most part, but this show is pretty far away from being dirty so It is also not something I am looking for. And I don’t like to hear about cutting a women’s Vagina. Period.

3. Ventriloquist Dummies are Funny but unless you have been asked to prepare a Variety act for your auditions I would suggest not bringing them out.

4. I think props are ok BUT ask yourself why must I have this prop. Will it help to clarify a joke that will be lost on a space object? For instance if I feel it is very important to have sunglasses but felt I should mime the cigarette. Personally I don’t think either are necessary.

5. If you are doing a monologue about how you want to FUCK the person you are talking to I would suggest not delivering that directly to the person you are auditioning for. I would further suggest not to deliver that 3 inches from there face. (on a side note I love being told I am pretty and attractive, ask anyone, but it made me uncomfortable beyond explanation)

In closing, I would say don’t sweat it baby. Maybe write something if you can’t find something you like. Or ask someone you trust to help you with it. But learn from this. We will have auditions again in the winter. I hope to see you there. Angie

Posted in Casting, Chicago, Comedy, Fun, Fun Stuff, Improv, Links, Stories | 1 Comment »

What I will do on my Summer Vacation.

Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

by Matt Roberson

My summer will be spent figuring out what I am going to do with my new apartment’s linoleium floors. We are moving to New York in June, and we recently rented an apartment with the floors of a soup kitchen. Were talking about being one visitor in golf spikes away from losing our security deposit. So please: if you have ideas about living with linoleum, please email them to mroberson03@comcast.net. Other than that, I will be learning my way around the train system of New York, and trying to convince my parents that living in Harlem does not mean my wife and I have either a. started a doo-wop group, or b. joined the Crips (my parents are Bloods). I will also be brushing up on my Shakespeare prior to starting grad school at Hunter. I’d hate to have a repeat of my sophomore year of college, when I wrote a term paper on the implications of Puck being dismissed from the Real World House (apparently, I wr ote about the wrong Puck). Oh yeah…and dream at night of a Chemically Imbalanced world.

Posted in Company Members, Fun Stuff, Stories, Summer Vacation | No Comments »

In the Begining

Tuesday, May 15th, 2007

From
TimeOut Chicago

”Like a strong improv scene, the Playground’s history continues to be created by everyone involved. What started as merely a place to play has become, as Barbera puts it, “a more mature theater”—the breeding ground for powerhouse ensembles (American Dream) and similar offshoot companies (Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, pH Productions). As for the future? “We’re improvisers, not people running a theater,” he says. “We have to be able to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes. Otherwise, we’re just gonna suck.”

——————————–

First of all let me say congrats to The Playground for 10 great years.

Second with all due respect to Steve Heisler of TimeOut please let me explain why we are not an offshoot of the Playground.

——————————–

Here is how the whole thing started. I (Angie) had graduated from Second City’s Conservatory Program where I met my (now husband) boyfriend Tom. I was performing in Tony and Tina’s Wedding with Catherine Pappas, and I was taking an improv class at the Annoyance (my second time through Annoyance, I was having a hard time finding my next step in Improv but could not afford to join another year long program). After the second day of class one of the fellas in class (Rodney) made an announcement. His friend who owned a bar was looking for some entertainment on Saturday nights. Would anyone want to help him our in putting up some kind of an improv show.

I said sure, I’ll meet you at the bar and take a look. We met, and two weeks later we had our first show. Cat and I were coming straight from T N T’s and Tom was working the door. Rodney was the host (also he is the guy that named the show Chemically Imbalanced Comedy). The first three groups were Bare, Sirens, and LFO. Strangely enough Myself, Rodney, and Catherine had never even heard of the Playground until 3 or so shows in when one of the members came to our show to flyer our audience.

It all worked out in the wash in the end. But I can not honestly say we started because of the Playground the way they claim they started because of IO. We started more out of boredom and a need to find a place for ourselves. Being that CIC is 7 years old and starting our 8th season in September it was not like a the Playground had been around for years and years before us.

It wasn’t until after Rodney left (only 4 months after the start of all of this) that Cat, Tom, and I started to organize a bit more and figure out where to go with all of this. Catherine and I both wanted to act more and we both also liked improv. I Miss High School was feeling more and more like a family and Lori had wanted to help us more in finding our direction.

That is when we started to become more of the company we are today.

Posted in Blast from the Past, Company Members, I Miss High School, Improv, Links, Stories, Timeout | 1 Comment »

Call Back

Monday, May 7th, 2007

By Angie McMahon

When we last checked in I had never made it to the ever loving CALL BACK!

Well I am happy to report I have finally been called back. Here is kind of how it all went down. On a Tuesday I did an audition for Sizzler. I know right Sizzler. It was fine, it went like all the other ones. There was nothing more magical about this audition than any other one I did. Except I was having an AMAZING hair day. A hair day you just can’t fake. One of those hair days that you wake up looking like you were born, live, and die to be good looking.

To set the scene I am playing a Mom (because yet again this is the only thing anyone can see me as) with two 10 year old children (WTF) and my bumbling husband who eats ribs very sloppy. But as I was directed by still love each other. OK 10 seconds to get that all in and GO! Oh yeah, and yummy yummy ribs. Ok now go.

I actually know the guy I am auditioning with. We met at a workshop that we took on how to learn to find Corporate Sponsorship that I would recommend. Well he says to me “So Angie how do I know you?” and I say from CIC and he says (no shit he really said this) “Oh wow, you look so pretty, last time I saw you you looked so angry with your hair pulled back and all”

I said “um, thanks”

Flash forward to the following Monday. I get a call from my Agent at around 4pm. She is a little panicky. It is obvious she just got the call and is worried about getting a hold of me in time. She spouts out “I have an audition for you tomorrow for Sizzler”, I said I already did Sizzler last week. Her excitement starts to build “Oh shit I think its a callback. Let me call you back” not even 10 seconds later she calls me back “Its a callback, oh I am so happy” my agent says.

I felt like my mother finally told me she was proud of me. I just kept saying over and over kind of flustered. Oh a callback, I got a callback. Oh this is great a callback. How lovely I was called back.

Well needless to say my hair was in no way shape or form as amazing as it was the day of audition. I did my best but it wasn’t even close. You just can’t make that magic up when it happens. But my Corporate Workshop friend was late (he and I were called back together) cause of the Immigration Parade. So instead they pair me with the HOTTEST GUY in the entire world. All I could think was. WOW me and this guy had make belive sex at least twice cause we got two kids. Giggle Giggle. I was so flustered I was suppose to deliver my kind of angry line to hubby about being a slob. Instead I turn with my best commercial fury and HAND TO GOD I GIGGLE! I Giggle like a school girl at my crazy hot husband.

I had a teacher at Columbia College who once said she couldn’t lie because she was an actor. I didn’t understand that idea. Cause at the time I had no problem lying. But you just can’t fake emotions like this.

Sigh, they are to shoot the commercial on Wednesday and/or Thursday. I am to assume I would have heard by now.

I guess it is back to the make em ups for the summer.

Posted in Casting, Company Members, Fun, KFC, Stories | No Comments »

Mario Says

Friday, April 27th, 2007

By Gillian Bellinger

As a working actor I often struggle with the idea of how best to audition, especially an improv audition. Improv auditions are notoriously difficult and can turn even the best improviser into an “idiot”. So much of improv is based on trust, and if you are playing with a bunch of people you have never played with before, well, trust can be difficult to muster. That being said I have been trying to think of ways to help myself in an audition. I have also been playing an insane amount of The New Super Mario Brothers on my Nintendo DS. I have turned to Mario in my time of need and here is a list of Top 5 Things Mario suggests in an audition.

MARIO SAYS….

1) Hey, it’s all about fun right? Do you think we gave Mario Bros. that catchy tune because we thought it would be a drag? No. It’s because it’s a crack-a-lackin’ good time. Just like improv, it’s all about fun.

2) Sometimes you just have to play several levels more than once to beat them, like 8-8. And maybe you still haven’t beat 8-8, but you will. Because persistence pays off, even if it is annoying trying to race through volcano eruptions while being mini-Mario. As is with an audition, you get it.

3) Sometime things seem bigger than they are. Like a Super Piranha Plant or a Snailicorn, but at the end of the day with a little fire power you can kick the poop out of them. Make sure when you’re at an audition, you’re packing heat.

4) There is of course the obvious, practice make perfect. The more you play, the easier it is. Level 1 may feel hard at first, but after a while you make actually go back to play those levels just to power up.

5) Some days you play better than others. For what ever reason you can’t seem to get past that freakin’ Banzai Bill. Bullets are coming at you from every direction and you can’t seem to get through. But then you put the game down, come back to it, and you can beat it right away. Sometime you just need some space.

Bonus Level Tip: The game is challenging, but when you get a bonus round, you can’t beat the high. Tons of coins (money), extra lives (better medical care), and if you beat the game the ability to “save”, you won’t go backwards. You don’t lose you work. No one can take where you’ve been from you, not even Bowser.

Posted in Company Members, Improv, Stories | No Comments »

It’s Great Having a Small Human of My Own

Monday, April 9th, 2007

By Mike Devine

This tiny, new human I have is great. I read all the material and did my online research beforehand, but I’m pleasantly surprised by what he has to offer. I’ve found that having a miniature replica of me who I can mold as I see fit is fulfilling my god aspirations in ways playing with G.I. Joe never could. Sure my little guy’s kung fu grip is still a bit lacking and Joe would never cry just because he wet himself, but overall the results are fantastic. And while the hours I’ve spent immersed in role-playing games have provided a temporary fix to my desire for power – whether rolling dice in my friend’s basement or clicking a mouse at 3 a.m. – it’s really no comparison to a living, breathing character.

So now I have this little fella that I was able to name, who I get to dress however I want, who I can play with and take for walks, and who even responds to me sometimes. Sure I’ve done all this with our Roomba, but I got bored taking pictures and videos of the vacuum. And the cat got pissed off and scratched the crap out of me when I tried strapping him into the stroller. How the hell am I supposed to show off to the neighbors if I can’t wheel him around in the SUV stroller for everyone to see?

Of course every Dr. Frankenstein must come to terms with the challenges of his creation. For awhile I thought that the spectacle of molding this little guy’s personality was making me more popular – just like when I got a big screen, high-def TV. I thought folks were coming by to see my new project, check on my progress, maybe get some tips – but I’m starting to wonder. Sure more people than ever are coming over to visit, bringing gifts (for him), taking pictures (with him) and talking (to him). But I feel like I’m just the guy who answers the door and cleans up: sort of the Blaster to his Master.

I’m even starting to speculate that having the mini person might be hurting my chances at making it in Improv City. I’ve heard the whispers: he’s got “other priorities,” he needs time to spend with the new arrival, blah, blah, blah. Please . . . it’s not like I got a puppy.

So we’ve made our truce. I still get to dress him up however I want, but he gets the majority of my waking time. And I get to show him off around the neighborhood. Seems fair.

Posted in Company Members, Fun Stuff, Improv City, Stories | 2 Comments »

Babysitting.

Friday, March 23rd, 2007

by Lina Bunte
Babysitting. I used to think it was the worst job in the world. When I was in Middle School, I took a babysitting class at the hospital. We got a little folder after the course was done, and in the little folder was a certificate that said that I was a certified babysitter. I thought it was real. I thought that all babysitters got one, and they had to show the parents of the kids they were babysitting for. The first family I show my certificate to laughed in my face.

When I first started babysitting, I thought I had to be strict and mean at all times to make sure the kids would follow my directions. Of course they didn’t. My bad attitude rubbed off on the kids. There were many nights when the kids wouldn’t go to bed, and I just didn’t know what to do. Even threatening to call their parents didn’t work. I would get so angry and vow NEVER to babysit again! Then there was my mom, who would always volunteer my services.

After more than 5 years of hating all babysitting jobs, I threw away my certificate and started all over. I was growing older and missing being a kid. When I would babysit, I knew it was my chance to be a kid again. I could play Barbies, trucks, climb trees, or just make up games in the backyard. I remember one awesome game I made up with these three girls I babysat for. All of the neighbor hood kids would come over to play. It was a game that consisted of tag/being a statue/spinning in circles/and making sure you wore crappy pants, because they will get grass stains.

It’s so much easier to be happy and have fun, than to stew and boss kids around. Last night while babysitting a little girl named Jordan, I found myself dancing with The Wiggles, having a tea party with Dora cups, and singing a rainbow song. Whenever she laughed, I laughed too. Babysitting. I now think it’s the best job in the world.

Posted in Company Members, Fun, Stories | No Comments »

Welcome to the Wonderful World of Weekend Stupors….

Monday, March 12th, 2007

by Krystal LaFianza-Pitzen

Friday:
Last Friday night at about 12:30pm I was coming into my apartment building from a long night of performing and mingling with friends. As I was walking up the stairs to my 3rd floor apartment the sound of snoring grew louder and the stench of a baby’s diaper grew thicker. I noticed a puddle of wetness on the stairs and hopped over it. When I get to my floor I came upon a body laying on the floor, it was my mid-twenties male neighbor passed out. How did I know it was him? His keys were dangling from the lock on his door. The drunkard was passed out right in front of my door, fresh cigarettes were sprawled around him, he smelt like poo and his belt was unbuckled. Needless to say that puddle I’d hopped over was his piss. Just to clue you in, I’ve heard this guy take 40 minutes (with a 10 minute nap) to unlock his door in the past. He’s also woken our entire courtyard building up at 2am on a Tuesday by butchering the Dean Martin classic, “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and continued the one-man show in his apartment with a Fleetwood Mac sing-a-long until 3am. Yeah, he’s that guy.
So there I was with this drunk idiot at my feet. I managed to step over him to get into my apartment and slammed the door shut. Slamming a wooden door in his ear did absolutely nothing. I didn’t know what to do, bang pots and pans, pour cold water on his face or just let him sleep and listen to him snore like a hog all night? I resigned to taking a picture of him on my camera phone and sending it to all my friends and spraying him down with Lysol to dissipate the stench of shit. If it ever happens again I’ll get a thick permanent marker, draw him a mustache and post it as a blog the very next day… I promise.

Sunday:
On Saturday night I was forced to go to Sound Bar for a friend’s Birthday. Sound Bar is a slimy dance club where all the guys have shiny shirts and spiky hair and the girls don’t speak, they squeal. I made the best of my situation by seeing how many free drinks I could get. I woke up in my bed around 9am on Sunday morning, cozy and tucked in under my covers, when noticed I was in my coat and scarf with no pants on …at least I made it into my apartment.

Posted in Company Members, Stories | No Comments »

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