Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival Set for 3/19-22; Full Line-up Announced

By: Feb. 10, 2014
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Stage 773 has announced the line-up for their second annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival, running from March 19 through March 22. Nerd Fest stems from the popularity of HEY, I'M A BIG FAN, a series of fun, free monthly fan fiction events produced by Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. The Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival celebrates all that is the Chicago nerd comedy scene; from Stand Up to Improv to one-woman puppet shows, nerds will unite for one glorious weekend in Chicago to laugh, pay homage, and perhaps worship their favorite genres of nerd-ness.

"This festival is essential for the nerd community of Chicago," say festival co-producers, Katie Johnston-Smith and Fin Coe. "We nerds need to gather together to laugh with our brethren, and forget that The Big Bang Theory on CBS is how our parents explain us to their friends."

Highlights of the 2014 Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival include The Best of Hey, I'm A Big Fan: A Night Of Fan Fiction Readings paying homage to the monthly nights of passionate fan fiction readings and nerdy libations that grew into what is now this festival; Jack and The Nerds: A Nerdy Cabaret, performing non-hit songs from beloved TV shows and films such as Battlestar Galactica, Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog, and Lord Of The Rings; Chi Nerd Fest Stand Up Showcase!; Improvised Star Trek; WHO PROV, improvised episodes of Doctor Who; Michinoku Driver and Mrs.; Clown Car to Sicily and Matt Griffo; Lowcarbcomedy; THOR and The Hot Karl; Planetary Defense Force; Pretty/Windy; Plan 9 Burlesque; Improvised Jane Austen; Urlakis & Cusik and The Nerdologues.

"Stage 773 loves producing festivals, and we are consistently doing it successfully, which is ubermagfabulous," states Brian Posen, Executive Producer of the Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival and Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. "This is our theatre's heritage, and we couldn't be more excited to expand our festival repertoire!"

Staying true to its roots, having developed from a free monthly event, the Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival will offer three complimentary interactive events at the end of each day's performances. The first, on Thursday, March 20 at 11 p.m., will be The Nerdologues Presents Your Stories: Chicago Nerd First Edition. Every month, the Nerdologues invite their friends and nerds from the community to collaborate. Enjoy or perform stand-up, sketches, songs, share stories; all are welcome. Friday, March 21st at midnight, Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival presents: Game Night. The Stage 773 lobby will transform into a table games playground. Stop in to settle some Catans, gather all of the magic and teach humanity a thing or two about cards. To round out the trio on Saturday, March 22 at midnight the Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival presents Once More, With Whedon!, complete with cosplay, Dr. Horrible's Drink-A-Long Blog (yes, that is a Dr. Horrible drinking game), an "Evil Laugh" competition for the ladies, "tightest shirt" contest for the guys and a Costume Contest on another level, this event IS unlike anything else. Prizes for events provided by Cards Against Humanity and Ript Apparel.

The festival kicks off on Wednesday, March 19 with a free HEY, I'M A BIG FAN fan-fiction event from 7-9 p.m. Performance dates and times are Thursday, March 20 at 7, 8, 9, and 10pm, Friday, March 21 at 8, 9, 10, and 11p.m., and Saturday, March 22 at 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11p.m. Individual tickets are $10 for each show; an all-festival pass is $50. For more information, visit http://chicagonerdfest.tumblr.com/. To purchase tickets, call 773-327-5252 or visit www.stage773.com.



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