Photo Flash: Chicago's Schadenfreude Presents THE CITY THAT WORKS

Schadenfreude, Chicago's long-running, critically acclaimed comedy ensemble, and soul/funk/hip-hop band The Jordan Years present The City That Works, two performances of sketch comedy and music with special guests. Parking meters are privatized, property taxes skyrocketing, unemployment at an all time high, city services cut back and crime on the rise, yet Schadenfreude is still happy to live in the "City that Works" (even though they can't afford to). The City That Works runs about 90 minutes.

Part of Chicago's Just for Laughs Festival, the first The City That Works show is on Thursday, June 17, 2010, 9 p.m., at Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln Ave., with $10 tickets at www.martyrslive.com. In addition to Schadenfreude - Kate James, Justin Kaufmann, SAndy Marshall, and Stephen Schmidt - and The Jordan Years band, slated to perform are Grammy Award-winning rapper Rhymefest (comedy and rap), plus comics Brian Babylon and Joe Bill, as well as Schadenfreude's premiere of "Local Commercial Theater," where, just for laughs, Chicago celebs read their famous local ad spots, including DJs Eddie and JoBo (United Auto Insurance), and furniture maven Tim Smithe (Walter E. Smithe Bros., "you dream it, we build it").

The second show of The City That Works is on Thursday, July 8, 2010, 9 p.m., at Lincoln Hall, 2424 N. Lincoln Ave., with $10 tickets at www.lincolnhallchicago.com.

HISTORY: Formed in 1998, Chicago's sketch comedy ensemble Schadenfreude has performed on local and national stages, and is the creator and producer of the radio program "Schadenfreude," (which aired on Chicago Public Radio 2003-05). Schadenfreude has performed at countless venues including Chicago's Goodman Theatre, The Second City, The Neo-Futurarium, and in New York City and Los Angeles. Schadenfreude performed sold-out shows at the Chicago Improv Festival (1998-2007) and was the inaugural recipient of the Festival Highlight Award. The ensemble has been featured in several national comedy festivals, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and at various colleges.

Photos by Benjamin Gonzalez

SAndy Marshall, Stephen Schmidt, Kate James, Adam Witt, Justin Kaufmann

SAndy Marshall, Kate James, Adam Witt, Justin Kaufmann, Stephen Schmidt

SAndy Marshall, Kate James, Adam Witt, Justin Kaufmann, Stephen Schmidt

Adam Witt, Stephen Schmidt, Justin Kaufmann, SAndy Marshall, Kate James

SAndy Marshall, Adam Witt, Stephen Schmidt, Kate James, Justin Kaufmann