Mission Theater to Offer New Year's Eve Performance of TJ AND DAVE

The Mission Theater, founded by Chicago improv comedy legends TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi, presents a special New Year's Eve performance of their critically-acclaimed improv show "TJ & Dave" on December 31, 2014 at 10 p.m. The NYE show and party, hosted in collaboration with the iO Theater (1501 N. Kingsbury St.), will include an open bar until 1 a.m., savory appetizers served until midnight, music and dancing in the new event space, a champagne toast at midnight and scrumptious late night tacos and mini doughnuts served after midnight. For reservations, call the iO box office at 312-929-2401 to specifically request tickets for the "TJ & Dave New Year's Eve Show." Tickets are $100.

Kicking off 2015, The Mission Theater, located inside the new iO Theater building (1501 N. Kingsbury), announces a new, diverse programming lineup including the critically-acclaimed "TJ & Dave" starring TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi, Music Mondays, Groovy Tuesdays with rotating musical selections and the centerpiece of the new theater's repertoire "TRAP," a sketch revue directed by Jagodowski and Pasquesi.

Tickets for all shows at The Mission Theater are available online at: www.missiontheaterchicago.com or by calling the iO Box Office at (312) 929-2401.

2015 Mission Theater Programming

Music Mondays
Mondays at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $10.
**Programming to be announced January 1, 2015.

Groovy Tuesdays
Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $7

Songwriter Circle/Raw Nerve
Tuesday, January 6 at 8 p.m.
Three Chicago songwriters take the stage to perform in the round for an evening of acoustic music, hosted by Jessica Robbins. Following Songwriter Circle improviser Rebecca Krasney lights up the stage with a new improvisational show curated by and featuring Krasney. Hip to all fields, it is avant garde in the right kind of way.

Jamie Swise and Raw Nerve
Tuesday, January 13 at 8 p.m.
The Mission gets a double dose of entertainment as musician Jaime Swise and improviser Rebecca Krasney light up the stage with two diverse acts. Raconteur and folk musician Swise takes the stage first followed by the new improvisational show curated by and featuring Krasney.

Jamie Swise and Mission Statement. An evening curated by TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi
Tuesday, January 20 at 8 p.m.
Folk musician Jamie Swise takes the stage first followed by a special performance curated by TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi.

The Curio Show
Tuesday, January 27 at 8 p.m.
The Curio Show presents Kate Bush: FREAK DIVA (redux). This show will entertain and enlighten both dedicated fans and virgin audiences completely unfamiliar with her work alike. The Curio Show is an ever changing event that explores an idea, person or era through performances from a wide range of disciplines and research by host (and show creator) Irene Marquette. Time Out described it "Like a live version of your most interesting friend's Tumblr feed." Performers include: Katy Conroy, Sierra Dufault, Rebecca Krasney, Wes Perry, Alisa Rosenthal, Ed Smaron and Sarah O'Dwyer.

Wednesday Programming
TJ & Dave" with TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi
Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10.

Hailed by The New York Times as "Second City-seasoned masters of long form improv," TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi have become living legends in their field. Continuing their 13-year-long run of one of Chicago's most loved improv shows, "TJ & Dave," both Jagodowski and Pasquesi have found a new venue to call home for their show that the Times also raves "besides being consistently amusing, was satisfying as a feat of mental athletics and for the observations that popped up in the heat of the moment."

In addition, "TJ & Dave" has received a number of awards including: Del Close Award - Best Improvised Show - 2003, Del Close Award - Best Improvised Show - 2004, Chicago Short Comedy and Video Film Festival Best of the Festival "Must Like Magic" - 2006, Nightlife Awards New York - Best Unique Comedy Performance - 2006, Nightlife Awards New York - Outstanding Unique Comedy Performance - 2007, Chicago Improv Festival - Improviser of the Year, Both T.J. Jagodowski and David Pasquesi - 2006, Chicago Reader - Best Improvised Show - 2008.

Friday and Saturday Programming
"TRAP" - A Sketch Comedy Revue
Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m.
Tickets are $20

Directed by TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi, "TRAP" is the inaugural, in-house sketch comedy revue of The Mission Theater. Currently on an open run, the two-act revue featuring the comedic talents of Mike Brunlieb, Peter Collins, Irene Marquette, Paul Grondy, Mike Jimerson, Laurel Krabacher and James Dugan, explores some of the moments in life that are not "easy" to get out of. The production team for "TRAP" includes: Ed Smaron (music director), Scott Brady (stage manager) and Catherine Allen (associate producer). "TRAP" runs approximately 100 minutes, including one 10 minute intermission. Each performance will be followed by an improv set featuring the cast of "TRAP." Improv set is free and begins approximately 10 minutes after the end of the show.

Performance Schedule and Ticket Information
Mondays: Music Mondays | 8:00 pm | $10
Tuesdays: Groovy Tuesdays | 8:00 pm | $7
Wednesdays: "TJ & Dave" with TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi | 10:30 pm | $10
Fridays: "TRAP" | 8:00 pm | $20
Saturdays: "TRAP" | 8:00 pm | $20

For the most up-to-date schedule of events and performances at The Mission Theater please visit: www.missiontheaterchicago.com/events/. Tickets ($7-$20) available online at www.ioimprov.com/chicago or by calling the iO Box Office at (312) 929-2401.