The 15th annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival kicks off today with 165 groups performing 186 shows at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont). Sketchfest continues daily through January 17th.
Performances will feature award-winning ensembles from National and International festivals along with groups who have proven outstanding in their field.
The little festival that could started out with a ragtag assortment of 33 local Chicago Sketch Comedy groups 15 years ago and has grown to become the largest festival of its kind in the world, attracting over 1,000 artists and 10,000 patrons annually.
“I am stupid excited this year,” says Stage 773 Creative Director and Founder of the festival Brian Posen as he looks toward their 15th anniversary special which will include headliners from around the country, new groups and old friends. “There’s not one weak link in this line up,” he emphasizes.
Reunion groups performing at this year’s festival include: Super Punk (LA), Backpack Picnic (TX), Uncalled For (Toronto), Team Submarine (NY), Troupe (LA), Party Central USA (LA), Weaseliscious (LA), and Dolphins of Damnation (LA and Chicago).
Fest-goers may also want to check out local performers including: The Defiant Thomas Brothers, The Cupid Players of Stage 773, Rabbit Rabbit, The Tim&Micah Project, and Kerpatty.
Chicago’s popular Rabbit, Rabbit. Photo: courtesy of Stage 773
Also represented are groups that celebrate diverse voices from their heritage or sexual orientation. Among this group are: Stir Friday Night, Spic and Tan, GayCo, Your Dark Embrace, Patti Vasquez and Sprit Animal.
National and International festival headliners include Siblings of Doctors (LA) featuring Danny Pudi from NBC’s “Community”; Heavy Weight (LA) featuring TJ Miller and Nick Vatterott; Pop Roulette (NY) featuring new SNL writer Sudi Green; Stupid Time Machine (Nola); Elephant Larry (NY), Last Call Cleveland (Ohio), and the comic-shock experts of FUCT (NY).
FUCT out of New York offers a unique show of fun and games. Photo: courtesy of Stage 773
Tickets and information:
Tickets for the 15th Annual Chicago Sketch Festival are $15 each with festival passes priced at $165. Thursday, Friday, and Sunday day passes are available for $37, $47, and $57 respectively. Tickets and information are available online at www.Stage773.com, by phone 773 327 5252, and in person at the Stage 773 box office, located at 1225 W Belmont.
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Filed under: Chicago events
