Brian Posen News

Since its debut in 2002, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival has grown from 33 local Chicago Sketch Comedy groups gathering together to perform their craft to the largest festival of its kind in the world, attracting over 1,000 artists and 10,000 patrons annually. For their 15th anniversary year, Stage 773 Creative Director and Founder of the festival Brian Posen and the SketchFest Artistic Team have cultivated an exclusive line-up of headliners to represent Stage 773's history of excellence in festival programming. The event will run January 7 through 17th, 2016. The entire schedule for the 15th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival may be viewed at www.ChicagoSketchfest.com.  Tickets go on sale December 1.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. The Goodman Theatre makes two big announcements, and two theaters produce 'It's A Wonderful Life.' Chicago originals 'Kokandy Christmas,' 'Barney The Elf' and 'Santaland Nut-Cracking...' open soon, and 'Ain't Misbehavin',' 'Rent' and 'Gypsy' bring the holiday alternatives. And Chicagoans on Broadway, Part ???!

Since its debut in 2002, The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival has grown from 33 local Chicago Sketch Comedy groups gathering together to perform their craft to the largest festival of its kind in the world, attracting over 1,000 artists and 10,000 patrons annually. For their 15th anniversary year, Stage 773 Creative Director and Founder of the festival Brian Posen and the Sketchfest Artistic Team have cultivated an exclusive line-up of headliners to represent Stage 773's history of excellence in festival programming. The event will run January 7 through 17th, 2016. The entire schedule for the 15th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival may be viewed at www.ChicagoSketchfest.com.  Tickets go on sale December 1.

Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, presents THE holiday show of the season; It's a Wonderful Santaland Miracle, Nut Cracking Christmas Story... Jews Welcome! The hilarious holiday cavalcade runs November 19 through December 27, with direction by Stage 773 Creative Director Brian Posen and choreography by Matter Dance. This family-friendly, interactive show features familiar Christmas carols, original musical numbers, dance, sketch comedy, puppets and everything in between.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'Oklahoma!' is very ok, as are 'Side Show,' 'Triassic Parq' and 'Next To Normal,' 'The Revel' and 'One Brain More' join Super September, and 'Cupid' keeps his heart on. Porchlight has 'Babes In Arms' and a 'New Faces' series, 'Irving Berlin' and 'Elf'plan to light up the holidays, and 'The Wiz' gets replaced by 'Xanadu!'

Stage 773 Creative Director Brian Posen invites sketch comedy artists to submit an application to participate in the 15th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. As part of this hallmark year for the annual festival, Posen and the Sketchfest Artistic Team will cultivate an exclusive line-up of headliners to represent Stage 773's history of excellence in festival programming. These spotlighted groups will include award-winning 'city-swap' ensembles from National and International comedy festivals, reunion performances by all-star Sketchfest groups whose members have proven outstanding in their field, and brand new shows created especially for 'Sketchfest 15' by high-caliber leaders in Chicago's comedy community.

Following the wildly successful Chicago Women's Funny Festival in June, Stage 773 is proud to announce the lineup for the 3rd Annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival, running tonight, August 13 through Saturday, August 15 at 1225 W. Belmont.

Following the wildly successful Chicago Women's Funny Festival in June, Stage 773 is proud to announce the lineup for the 3rd Annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival, running Thursday, August 13 through Saturday, August 15 at 1225 W. Belmont. Featuring an eclectic line up of shows and events, the Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival celebrates all that is the Chicago nerd comedy scene; from Stand Up to Improv to a Star Wars/Macbeth hybrid show, nerds will unite for one glorious weekend in Chicago to laugh, pay homage, and perhaps worship their favorite genres of nerd-ness. Co-producer of Chicago Underground Comedy, stand-up comedian, and writer for The Onion, Dan Telfer headlines a formidable variety of nerd-themed comedy, with after-hours gaming, community, and drink-able events.

Pivot Arts has announced the full line-up for the 3rd annual PIVOT ARTS FESTIVAL, featuring dozens of innovative performances and events throughout Chicago's Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods from May 28 - June 7, 2015. Tickets, ranging from free to $20, are currently available at ?www.pivotarts.org/festival. All-access passes cost $45.

Following the wildly successful Chekhov One Act Festival in Fall 2014, Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, is proud to present the clever, critically acclaimed sextet of one act comedies, ALL IN THE TIMING, as Stage 773's Spring One Act Festival, opening March 20 and running every Friday at 8:15 p.m. through April 17. Written by legendary playwright David Ives, the playful series of award-winning comedies combines wit, intellect, satire and all-around fun. In a unique twist, each scene will be presented by a different Chicago theater, hitting the heart of Stage 773's mission to connect Chicago Theater. Hobo Junction, Organic Theater Company, (Re)Discover Theatre, The Ruckus, and Red Theater Chicago join Stage 773 for this creative event.

Fresh from sold out performances at the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, The Cupid Players of Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, will present Valentine's Day performances of Cupid Has A Heart On and Cupid in Your Pants for those looking for an unconventional way to celebrate love on Saturday, February 14.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Two weeks of voting left for the BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards! The 'Annie' film and 'The Merry Widow' open, 'Patsy Cline' extends, 'Sherlock Holmes' sings, 'Cupid' has a heart, and MCL Chicago, Drury Lane Oakbrook and Black Ensemble Theater plan new works for 2015, including 'Beaches' and a tribute to Roger Ebert!

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. 'The Grinch' opens, Fox Valley bookends Christmas, new shows 'A Christmas Memory' and 'Christmas On The Air,' 'It's A Wonderful Life' times three, plus 'Nutcracker,' 'Nut Cracking,' 'Mary Poppins' and the latest on 'Peter Pan Live!'

Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, presents THE holiday show of the season, It's a Wonderful Santaland Miracle, Nut Cracking Christmas Story... Jews Welcome!, running November 14 through December 28 with a press opening Sunday, November 16 at 3 p.m. BroadwayWorld brings a first look below!

Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, presents THE holiday show of the season, It's a Wonderful Santaland Miracle, Nut Cracking Christmas Story... Jews Welcome!, running November 14 through December 28 with a press opening Sunday, November 16 at 3 p.m. Directed by Stage 773 Creative Director Brian Posen with choreography by Matter Dance, this family-friendly, interactive show features original Christmas carols, dance numbers, spoken word, puppets and everything in between. Stage 773 puts their own twist on the traditional holiday show, packing the world's most beloved stories and traditions into one extravagant cavalcade. To heighten the holiday spirit, both cookies and non-holiday-specific eggnog will be served. Additionally, Stage 773 will serve as a drop-off site for the Greater Chicago Food Depository throughout the run of the production.

Fall Registration is now open for Stage 773's Fall Education and Programming Series, offering specialized classes, workshops and programming taught by some of the biggest names in Chicago's theater community, offered at a lower cost than comparable training centers in the area. Stage 773 offers a la carte options for both emerging and experienced artists. The multi-disciplinary classes offered broaden any actor's training and can fill any gaps in their repertoire.

Stage 773's Creative Director Brian Posen announced today that sketch comedy groups are now invited to apply for participation in the 14th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. The event, which will run January 8th through January 18th, 2015, celebrates the best in local, national, and international sketch comedy. Applications may be sent in until October 15 by visiting http://www.chicagosketchfest.com/applications/. The lineup will be announced November 15, 2014.

Stage 773 is turning its redesigned Box performance space into an actor's training and performing destination. Starting in July, the Box will host an ever-growing number of classes, workshops, and programming opportunities in a rejuvenated space complete with a new staging system.

The Cupid Players of Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, will host a special Valentine's Day performance of Cupid in your Pants tonight, February 14 at 8 p.m. for couples looking for a funny, exciting night of musical sketch comedy. The Valentine's Day package is $35 per person and includes the Cupid show, a special Goodie 'V-Bag' and a champagne toast. Based off Cupid Has A Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships, The Cupid Players put a romantic spin on the special performance with songs - old and new - and hilarious Valentine's Day skits. Named 'Best Sketch Comedy Group' by the Chicago Reader, The Cupid Players present the longest running sketch comedy show in Chicago history, continuing to make audiences laugh until it hurts. Here are the top reasons Cupid in your Pants is a must-see this Valentine's Day: