Chicago – She is one of the best and most established improv artists in Chicago, the City of Yes-And. Susan Messing makes history wherever she goes, including her residency at the Annoyance Theatre with her famous “Messing with a Friend” revue, an ongoing and completely improvised hour of hilarity. Messing will be a part of the inaugural World Comedy Expo (natch), performing two shows (click link for tickets and info), Messing With Mason, The 1-Zs and plus facilitating a workshop, Improv For Stand Up.
The mission of the World Comedy Expo – taking place from March 25th through the 27th – is to foster, enable, and showcase comedic talents from around the world and bring people of different backgrounds and cultures together through the joy and power of laughter. This inaugural Expo was also founded by Japanese stand-up comic and Expo Artistic Director Saku Yanagawa and local comedy maven Kerry Sheenan. The Expo...
The mission of the World Comedy Expo – taking place from March 25th through the 27th – is to foster, enable, and showcase comedic talents from around the world and bring people of different backgrounds and cultures together through the joy and power of laughter. This inaugural Expo was also founded by Japanese stand-up comic and Expo Artistic Director Saku Yanagawa and local comedy maven Kerry Sheenan. The Expo...
- 3/25/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – When we last talked to author/actor/producer and Chicago native Cindy Caponera in 2017, she was working on the excellent Showtime Network series “I’m Dying Up Here,’ about stand up comics in the 1970s. She’s currently in Chicago and will appear in the ongoing “Messing with a Friend” at the Annoyance Theatre. Click Messing for ticket info.
Cindy Caponera was born on the Southside of Chicago in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. She honed her comic skills with two stints in at The Second City, and began her television writing career with the early Comedy Central series, “Exit 57.” She landed a writing gig on “Saturday Night Live” in 1995, and after three seasons on that show has worked as a freelance TV writer ever since. Her credits includes “Norm,” “My Boys,” “Sherri,” “Ground Floor,” plus Showtime’s “Shameless,” “Nurse Jackie.” And “I’m Dying Up Here.” In 2014, she published her collection of essays,...
Cindy Caponera was born on the Southside of Chicago in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. She honed her comic skills with two stints in at The Second City, and began her television writing career with the early Comedy Central series, “Exit 57.” She landed a writing gig on “Saturday Night Live” in 1995, and after three seasons on that show has worked as a freelance TV writer ever since. Her credits includes “Norm,” “My Boys,” “Sherri,” “Ground Floor,” plus Showtime’s “Shameless,” “Nurse Jackie.” And “I’m Dying Up Here.” In 2014, she published her collection of essays,...
- 12/6/2021
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Jay Leggett, a comic actor who appeared on shows including In Living Color but who always returned to the woods of his native Wisconsin, died Saturday after collapsing on a deer hunt. He was 50.
His death was believed to be heart related, but the coroner in Lincoln County, Wis., said Monday that a final cause of death is still pending, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Leggett died at a family cabin in Tomahawk, Wis., where he grew up, after returning from a deer stand on an all-terrain vehicle.
After performing with Chicago's ImprovOlympic comedy troupe in the late '80s and early '90s,...
His death was believed to be heart related, but the coroner in Lincoln County, Wis., said Monday that a final cause of death is still pending, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Leggett died at a family cabin in Tomahawk, Wis., where he grew up, after returning from a deer stand on an all-terrain vehicle.
After performing with Chicago's ImprovOlympic comedy troupe in the late '80s and early '90s,...
- 11/26/2013
- by Tim Nudd
- People.com - TV Watch
Jay Leggett, a comic actor who appeared on shows including In Living Color but who always returned to the woods of his native Wisconsin, died Saturday after collapsing on a deer hunt. He was 50. His death was believed to be heart related, but the coroner in Lincoln County, Wis., said Monday that a final cause of death is still pending, reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Leggett died at a family cabin in Tomahawk, Wis., where he grew up, after returning from a deer stand on an all-terrain vehicle. After performing with Chicago's ImprovOlympic comedy troupe in the late '80s and early '90s,...
- 11/26/2013
- by Tim Nudd
- PEOPLE.com
Chicago – You know you’re on a Jack C. Newell film set when his producer, Steve Tobiasz, offers you the best empanada you’ve ever eaten, from the Gourmet Food Truck that is crucial to the upcoming scene. “Open Tables” is director Jack C. Newell’s second feature film, coming in right after 2012’s “Close Quarters.”
The shot-in-Chicago movies are provocative in Newell’s style of direction. They both feature top Chicago improvisation talent – including T.J. Jagodowski, Dave Pasquesi, Susan Messing and in “Open Tables,” Joel Murray – and they both use the style of interpretive improv rather than a fixed dialogue script. Newell began his film career in 2004 with his directorial short film debut, “When Sara Looks Up,” and made TV movies and six other shorts before completing “Close Quarters” in 2012.
On Set with Director Jack C. Newell (right) for ‘Open Tables’
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com
Newell...
The shot-in-Chicago movies are provocative in Newell’s style of direction. They both feature top Chicago improvisation talent – including T.J. Jagodowski, Dave Pasquesi, Susan Messing and in “Open Tables,” Joel Murray – and they both use the style of interpretive improv rather than a fixed dialogue script. Newell began his film career in 2004 with his directorial short film debut, “When Sara Looks Up,” and made TV movies and six other shorts before completing “Close Quarters” in 2012.
On Set with Director Jack C. Newell (right) for ‘Open Tables’
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.com
Newell...
- 7/18/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – A round-up of comic stars at the TBS “Just for Laughs Chicago” this year included three notable alumni from The Second City stage. Tim Meadows (“Saturday Night Live”), Scott Adsit (“30 Rock”) and Kevin Dorff (writer/performer for “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) all were on The Second City main stage on Wells Street in Chicago during the beginning of their careers.
HollywoodChicago.com got the opportunity to sit down for interviews with all three of these Chicago comedy alumni, and they offered not only some memories, but perspectives on their journey beyond that stage.
Tim Meadows
Tim Meadows will always be associated with his long run on “Saturday Night Live” – the longest in the show’s history until Darrell Hammond broke his record in 2005 – but he also is a seasoned improvisation veteran from The Second City (he shared a stage with Chris Farley in the early 1990s) and has starred in television,...
HollywoodChicago.com got the opportunity to sit down for interviews with all three of these Chicago comedy alumni, and they offered not only some memories, but perspectives on their journey beyond that stage.
Tim Meadows
Tim Meadows will always be associated with his long run on “Saturday Night Live” – the longest in the show’s history until Darrell Hammond broke his record in 2005 – but he also is a seasoned improvisation veteran from The Second City (he shared a stage with Chris Farley in the early 1990s) and has starred in television,...
- 6/25/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – A round-up of comic stars at the TBS “Just for Laughs Chicago” this year included three notable alumni from The Second City stage. Tim Meadows (“Saturday Night Live”), Scott Adsit (“30 Rock”) and Kevin Dorff (writer/performer for “Late Night with Conan O’Brien”) all were on The Second City main stage on Wells Street in Chicago during the beginning of their careers.
HollywoodChicago.com got the opportunity to sit down for interviews with all three of these Chicago comedy alumni, and they offered not only some memories, but perspectives on their journey beyond that stage.
Tim Meadows
Tim Meadows will always be associated with his long run on “Saturday Night Live” – the longest in the show’s history until Darrell Hammond broke his record in 2005 – but he also is a seasoned improvisation veteran from The Second City (he shared a stage with Chris Farley in the early 1990s) and has starred in television,...
HollywoodChicago.com got the opportunity to sit down for interviews with all three of these Chicago comedy alumni, and they offered not only some memories, but perspectives on their journey beyond that stage.
Tim Meadows
Tim Meadows will always be associated with his long run on “Saturday Night Live” – the longest in the show’s history until Darrell Hammond broke his record in 2005 – but he also is a seasoned improvisation veteran from The Second City (he shared a stage with Chris Farley in the early 1990s) and has starred in television,...
- 6/25/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The great city of Chicago can’t stop the funny this week. The TBS “Just for Laughs Chicago” comedy festival returns for another hilarious six days. Highlights include performances by Russell Brand, John Hodgman, Seth Meyers, Bill Maher and the legendary Chicagoan Bob Newhart.
But that’s not all. Every day through Sunday, June 16th, venues all over the city will be open for a variety of acts, in both types and sizes. HollywoodChicago.com has compiled the highlights of each day, with both the name acts and something more Chicago-centric to celebrate one of comedy’s funniest American cities. For a complete schedule, including ticket buying information, click here.
Russell Brand at “Just for Laughs Chicago” 2013
Photo credit: TBS
Tuesday, June 11
”iO Theater Presents Tj & Dave”
The iconic Chicago improvisation duo – T.J. Jagodowski and David Pasquesi – now nationally known through their hilarious commercials for Sonic restaurants, gets a...
But that’s not all. Every day through Sunday, June 16th, venues all over the city will be open for a variety of acts, in both types and sizes. HollywoodChicago.com has compiled the highlights of each day, with both the name acts and something more Chicago-centric to celebrate one of comedy’s funniest American cities. For a complete schedule, including ticket buying information, click here.
Russell Brand at “Just for Laughs Chicago” 2013
Photo credit: TBS
Tuesday, June 11
”iO Theater Presents Tj & Dave”
The iconic Chicago improvisation duo – T.J. Jagodowski and David Pasquesi – now nationally known through their hilarious commercials for Sonic restaurants, gets a...
- 6/11/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – When putting on an awards show in Chicago, getting local talent to hand out awards was as easy as calling the production of “Chicago Fire,” currently filming here. The 2012 Best of the Midwest Awards in December had “Cf” cast members David Eigenberg and Christian Stolte to present accolades, and comedy improvisor Susan Messing won Best Actress at the event.
The Best of the Midwest Awards (BMAs) are the annual celebration that honors the films and performances at The Midwest Independent Film Festival during 2012. The festival is an ongoing film event that meets every first Tuesday throughout the year, and will resume February 5th with the film “Be Good.” All three actors spoke to HollywoodChicago.com at the BMAs, offering humor, insight and perspective on performing in Chicago.
David Eigenberg, Portrays Christopher in “Chicago Fire”
David Eigenberg is currently not portraying Steve Brady from “Sex and the City,” he wants you to know that,...
The Best of the Midwest Awards (BMAs) are the annual celebration that honors the films and performances at The Midwest Independent Film Festival during 2012. The festival is an ongoing film event that meets every first Tuesday throughout the year, and will resume February 5th with the film “Be Good.” All three actors spoke to HollywoodChicago.com at the BMAs, offering humor, insight and perspective on performing in Chicago.
David Eigenberg, Portrays Christopher in “Chicago Fire”
David Eigenberg is currently not portraying Steve Brady from “Sex and the City,” he wants you to know that,...
- 1/28/2013
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The Underground Night Club in Chicago was the scene on December 4th for the annual “Best of the Midwest” Awards, celebrating a year of cinema at the Midwest Independent Film Festival. The Fest Director Mike McNamara hosted the event and with his co-presenters gave out nine awards, including the Best Feature Film to “Liberal Arts,” directed by Josh Radnor (“How I Met Your Mother”).
The Midwest Independent Film Festival convenes Every first Tuesday of the month throughout the year, and showcases films directly associated with the Midwest area. The “Best of the Midwest” Awards honored the films, performances and technical achievements of the festival in 2012. Special guests and presenters included Betsy Steinberg, Director of the Illinois Film Office, plus actors Christian Stolte and David Eigenberg of the NBC-tv series “Chicago Fire.”
Festival Director Mike McNamara and David Eigenberg (‘Chicago Fire’) at the ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.
The Midwest Independent Film Festival convenes Every first Tuesday of the month throughout the year, and showcases films directly associated with the Midwest area. The “Best of the Midwest” Awards honored the films, performances and technical achievements of the festival in 2012. Special guests and presenters included Betsy Steinberg, Director of the Illinois Film Office, plus actors Christian Stolte and David Eigenberg of the NBC-tv series “Chicago Fire.”
Festival Director Mike McNamara and David Eigenberg (‘Chicago Fire’) at the ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards
Photo credit: Patrick McDonald for HollywoodChicago.
- 12/5/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The Midwest Independent Film Festival, which convenes every first Tuesday of the month, is fast becoming an institution in Chicago and an influential barometer for the local and Midwestern film scene. On Tuesday, December 4th, 2012, their annual “Best of the Midwest” Awards will be handed out. Hosting the event is the co-founder of the Midwest Indie, Mike McNamara. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com serves on the Awards Committee.
The ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards, December 4th, 2012
Photo Credit: www.MidwestFilm.com
The following films and performances are nominated for the “Best of the Midwest” Awards…
Best Music Video
“Moonbeams,” directed by Sam Macon
“Everything Will Be Fine,” directed by Nate DuFort
“War Again,” directed by Paul Griswold
“Are You Gonna Break My Heart,” directed by Will Meyers
“Villain,” directed by Logan Hall
Best Short Film
“The Promise,” directed by Bill Roach and Joel Edwards
“Advantage: Weinberg,” directed by David Singer
“Wednesday’s Child,...
The ‘Best of the Midwest’ Awards, December 4th, 2012
Photo Credit: www.MidwestFilm.com
The following films and performances are nominated for the “Best of the Midwest” Awards…
Best Music Video
“Moonbeams,” directed by Sam Macon
“Everything Will Be Fine,” directed by Nate DuFort
“War Again,” directed by Paul Griswold
“Are You Gonna Break My Heart,” directed by Will Meyers
“Villain,” directed by Logan Hall
Best Short Film
“The Promise,” directed by Bill Roach and Joel Edwards
“Advantage: Weinberg,” directed by David Singer
“Wednesday’s Child,...
- 12/3/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The cliché “up and coming” applies to Eric Andre, Natasha Leggero and Chicago’s own Susan Messing. While not quite household names, they are all on the cusp of comic greatness, and had notable shows at the recent “Just for Laughs Chicago” comedy festival, sponsored by the TBS Network.
Eric Andre is just about to launch a talk show parody on the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, smartly titled “The Eric Andre Show.” Natasha Leggero had a role in the recently canceled “Are You There, Chelsea,” is the voice of Callie Maggotbone on Comedy Central’s animated “Ugly Americans” and makes frequent appearances on the late night show “Chelsea Lately.”
Susan Messing is a local Chicago treasure, and is one of the top improv instructors in the Windy City. Besides appearing on the Second City main stage, she is an artist-in-residence at the Annoyance Theatre, where she’s performed...
Eric Andre is just about to launch a talk show parody on the Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim, smartly titled “The Eric Andre Show.” Natasha Leggero had a role in the recently canceled “Are You There, Chelsea,” is the voice of Callie Maggotbone on Comedy Central’s animated “Ugly Americans” and makes frequent appearances on the late night show “Chelsea Lately.”
Susan Messing is a local Chicago treasure, and is one of the top improv instructors in the Windy City. Besides appearing on the Second City main stage, she is an artist-in-residence at the Annoyance Theatre, where she’s performed...
- 6/19/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – Director Jack C. Newell ended up meeting one of his great collaborators while taking classes at Columbia College Chicago. His future filmmaking partner turned out to not be a fellow peer, but his teacher, Ron Falzone. Together, they made the acclaimed short, “Typing,” about two Hollywood screenwriters whose brainstorming session draws inspiration from the clacking of typewriter keys in the next room.
Newell and Falzone’s first feature effort is “Close Quarters,” an endearing and insightful collection of parallel vignettes set in a Chicago coffee shop. Baristas Abby (Erica Unger) and Barry (Seth Unger) flirt with the possibility of long-term romance while observing the dysfunctional relationships of their customers. Two friends, Patrick (Tj Jagodowski) and Olivia (Kate Duffy), chat upstairs while their respective partners, Dina (Holly Laurent) and Cary (Dave Pasquesi), make love in the downstairs bathroom. An estranged couple (Susan Messing and Jim Carlson) argue over Skype while...
Newell and Falzone’s first feature effort is “Close Quarters,” an endearing and insightful collection of parallel vignettes set in a Chicago coffee shop. Baristas Abby (Erica Unger) and Barry (Seth Unger) flirt with the possibility of long-term romance while observing the dysfunctional relationships of their customers. Two friends, Patrick (Tj Jagodowski) and Olivia (Kate Duffy), chat upstairs while their respective partners, Dina (Holly Laurent) and Cary (Dave Pasquesi), make love in the downstairs bathroom. An estranged couple (Susan Messing and Jim Carlson) argue over Skype while...
- 5/9/2012
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.