From PUSH to PROP: A Homecoming.
Last summer, “The Vic & Paul Show” ended it’s debut run at PUSH Lounge in Woodland Hills with a sold-out show on the evening of Sunday June 27, 2010. For a fun yet fleeting moment, adult cabaret comedy flourished in the western end of the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.
Our final performance at PUSH capped a wonderful three weeks for this author and his very funny wife, Victoria Zielinski. It had been 23 years since we’d done a comedy revue together — and we were gratified and encouraged by the steady parade of great friends, fellow Northwestern alums, co-workers, and enlightened comedy lovers that made their way to Woodland Hills’ faux French Quarter on Ventura Boulevard to share some laughs and enjoy a drink with us.
Closing night at PUSH was an emotional, celebratory evening. But that closing night was just the beginning of our return to the comedy stage – and one year later, we’re taking “The Vic & Paul Show” to Chicago.
This summer, from June 9-12, “The Vic & Paul Show” will play a special engagement at The Prop Theatre, one of Chicago’s great theatre institutions, run by our longtime friends and theatrical visionaries, Scott Vehill and Stefan Brun. It’s altogether fitting that Victoria and I should make our theatrical return to Chicago on the Prop stage.
Scotty and Stefan founded The Prop as a storefront theatre back in 1981 at the same time that The Practical Theatre Company was starting its first season in our own storefront at 703 Howard Street. The Practical and The Prop worked and partied together — and The Prop provided us PTC nomads with a temporary home. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
In 1986, The PTC’s John Lennon Auditorium on Howard Street was closed and our Piper’s Alley cabaret space had become the home of Second City touring companies. So, Scotty and Stefan offered us their space on Clybourn Avenue (a former machine shop) to rehearse “Art Ruth & Trudy”, which opened at Club Victoria on Broadway near Belmont and became The Practical Theatre’s longest-running comedy revue.
Scott Vehill and Brad Hall in the Prop lobby.
Since their early years on Clybourn, The Prop has moved to 3504 North Elston Avenue, a few blocks south of Addison – where Sthey keep two theatre spaces booked with the best in avant-garde, Brechtian, experimental and adventurous theatre, comedy and performance art.
Brad and Stefan Brun in the Prop space.
And now, The Prop will host “The Vic & Paul Show”. We couldn’t be happier to be welcomed once again into the Prop playhouse.
We’ll be joined once again by our brilliant musical director, Chicago area Emmy-winner Steve Rashid, who will accompany us on keyboards and perform his own brand of satirical songwriting. The show was directed by another Chicago native, Shelly Goldstein.
We'll turn this space into a groovy cabaret in June.
There will be one preview performance at 8:00 on Thursday, June 9th. Tickets for this preview show are $10.00.
Our opening night performance is at 8:00 on Friday June 10th. ($20.00 a ticket), followed by a show at 8:00 on Saturday June 11th ($20.00 a ticket), a matinee show at 2:00 on Sunday, June 12th ($15.00 a ticket), and a show at 7:00 on Sunday ($20.00 ticket).
For Reservations go to: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/169351
Cash & checks only at the door.
The Prop’s phone number is 773 539 7838. And you can check out their website at: www.propthtr.org.
Paul's Voyage of Discovery & Etc. 
BTW, while rehearsing Art, Ruth & Trudy in the Prop one day, Victoria’s choreographer friend came to visit from NYC and stopped by to set some movement on the cast. I was sitting at the piano but she must have set a little movement on me, as well, because about a year and half later we were married. Still happily so. Scotty and Stephan, my entire family owes ya.
Loved the show as you know, and I’m giving some thought to a Chicago trip to see you do it again, but I got one question. It’s the kind of question I myself hate to get at the festivals, but I gotta ask, any chance you might slip in a new bit or two, just to reflect the further crazy the world has fallen into since June?
Yes, Dave. There will doubtless be a few updates with all the recent madness in mind!
Hi Paul, I know you don’t know me well, but, I went to CCC and graduated in 1978. I hung out with Mary Broslawik, Donna Bar, Sandy Stelbasky, and Pat Paul. You may remember them better than myself. You made quite an impression on not just us, but, the audiences that watched you in all of your performances. Just wondered if, after Chicago, you may be heading elsewhere like…Buffalo New York…my present town, maybe?? Don’t know how big you guys are, but, the University of Buffalo has great acoustics if need be….
Hope to see you…Kathy Lobay-Yandura ’78
Are you related to the legendary Nelson Yandura?
Hooray! We might have to check our June schedule. Love the pics Paul. On to Chicago!