HEROES' John Gerbin to Emcee Stage 773's THE FUN HOUSE Benefit, 9/29

Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, puts a spin on the traditional fundraiser with THE FUN HOUSE to benefit the not-for-profit Chicago-based company on September 29 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The evening's events will be emceed by John Gerbin who portrayed Buck on NBC's popular sci-fi drama Heroes. The Live Auctioneer is prominent Chicago comedian Tim Soszko. The most creative event of its kind, THE FUN HOUSE will feature interactive games of chance, jugglers, impersonators, funhouse mirrors, lasers, drummers, live musicians, opera singers, comedians, magicians, and a barbershop quartet, Dance Crash and Camp Rhythm. Tickets for the event begin at only $35 and all proceeds from the event will directly benefit Stage 773.

"This event is quite an amazing experience!" says Brian Posen, Creative Director at Stage 773. "All four of our theaters and our lobby will be filled with constant entertainment. From dueling tap dancers, to caricature artists, fortune tellers and acrobats! You will find every type of performance you can think of. Definitely a night you will remember."

By filling each of their stages with live performances by some of Chicago's best and most diverse talent, silent and live auctions, a 50/50 raffle, and fabulous food and cocktails provided by Eli's Cheesecake and Beyond Events, Stage 773 gives each of its four theaters a unique personality and vibe.

More than 250 guests will bid on over 100 exciting auction items, including a private performance by the Cupid Players- one of Stage 773's hilarious sketch groups, and packages that include a hot air balloon ride, pole dancing lessons and tickets to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with car service and dinner at RPM Italian.

"This evening will be about celebrating Chicago talent and the staple that Stage 773 has become in hosting live performance of all kinds," says Laura Michaud, president of the board of directors. "We are looking forward to having our supporters and donors here and showing them the amazing possibilities that are at our fingertips."

The evening will feature three levels of talent:

Interactive Talent: available to all ticket holders and will include caricature, henna, unicycles and much more. These acts will perform continuously throughout the building and are appropriate for all ages.

Spotlight Talent: available to all ticket holders and will perform in the lobby at designated times. Spotlight Talent includes performances by the cast of Cupid Has a Heart On, Opera Singer Christian Ketter, Matter Dance, the Chicago Human Rhythm Project and much more.

EX2 Artist: available exclusively to $125 ticket holders and includes Master of Ceremonies Tim Szosko, Oona Tramps, Barbershop quartet, Vaudezilla Burlesque, master magician Robert Charles, the Runaway Circus and more.

Guests can choose from the following three ticket options for the September 29 event:

$35 - Admission to the Fun House, with fabulous food and a cash bar.

$60 - All of the above, with a complimentary bar.

$125 - The EX2: all of the above, with a premium bar, plus an astonishing, amazing and arousing EXclusive EXperience of an old vaudevillian showhighlighting the above mentioned EX2 artists plus a special performance of the side splitting sketch of "Who's on first?" made famous by Abbott and Costello.

Stage 773 connects over 80,000 guests and 2,500 artists a year, first and foremost, by offering subsidized rentals at the best state of the art off-loop performance facility with four stages and a lively bar. Stage 773 is a vital part of the Belmont Theater District located in the Lakeview neighborhood. Offering a multitude of live performances in a multi-complex performance facility, Stage 773 is home to four different performance spaces seating a total of 442 patrons. The Huffington Post describes Stage 773 as "an eccentric space with a fresh approach to presenting dance, theatre, sketch comedy - even cabaret." In addition to its unique education program including an array of higher skill level adult education in the dramatic and comedic theatrical arts classes, Stage 773 is also home to Sketchfest - the largest sketch comedy festival in the nation. Stage 773 is located at 1225 W. Belmont. Stage 773's four theaters are home to performances by some of Chicago's most innovative, creative and passionate off-Loop performing artists. To purchase tickets call the Stage 773 box office at 773.327.5252 or visit www.stage773.com.

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