If you live, more specifically, on the North Side of Chicago.
And if you live, to be exact, on the North Shore – and you have any appreciation for great musicianship, classic film comedy, and an adult cocktail — then there is only one place to be with your loved one this weekend.
On Sunday at 6:00 PM, you must be at Studio5 in Evanston to hear Maestro Larry Schanker play live scores to 3 film shorts by the great silent comedians Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd.
Larry Schanker, the pianist for every “Mee-Ow Show” I performed in at Northwestern University in the late 1970s — and The Practical Theatre Company’s first musical director — is back in Evanston on April 30th. Larry’s an even better improvisational musician than he was back in the day.
And folks, back then, he was the best.
For Silent Comedy Night, Larry harkens back to the time before films had their own soundtracks, as Maestro Schanker will play Studio5’s 1927 Steinway grand piano LIVE to accompany three silent shorts by the great silent film comedians, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd.
Larry Schanker has received multiple Jefferson Award nominations for a variety of Chicago theatrical productions, including A Christmas Carol at The Goodman Theatre. Studio5 audiences will remember his work accompanying Tom Mula at Studio5 in Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol.
I’ll be joined by my fellow Practical Theatre ensemble members Dana Olsen and Victoria Zielinski as hosts for the evening. We’ll tell you some things about these three legendary silent films stars — and our brilliant friend Larry — that you may not know.
The music, and the fun, will be worth the trip to Evanston!
THE PRACTICAL THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS RESIDENCYAT STUDIO5 IN EVANSTON, FROM MARCH THROUGH JUNE 2023.
THE PTC TO PRESENT A SLATE OF FILMS, READINGS, MUSIC — AND THEIR TRADEMARK IMPROVISATIONAL COMEDY REVUES.
Nearly four decades after leaving our beloved storefront theatre on Howard Street (The John Lennon Auditorium) in 1985, The Practical Theatre Company is re-establishing an ongoing presence in Evanston with a residency at Studio5 — where we recently sold out the limited run of our comedy hit, Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post Pandemic Revue.
The PTC@Studio5 residency will feature a variety of shows, hosted and performed by PTC members and guest artists drawn from Chicago’s theatre and music communities — and beyond.
There’s no better place to enjoy a show with your friends than the Studio5 Cabaret, which has comfortable seating, state of the art sound and lights, and acres of free parking!
Operated by Bea and Steve Rashid, Studio5 is located at 1934 Dempster Street in Evanston. (On the southwest corner of Dempster & Dodge, adjacent to Dance Center Evanston.)For tickets go to: https://www.studio5.dance/calendar
The great Chicago TV newsman Hosea Sanders honored “Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue” with this segment, which aired on December 28, 2022. See you all at Studio5!
STAGED LIVE AND COVID-SAFE FROM DECEMBER 29th TO JANUARY 2nd.
It’s time again for classic improvisational sketch comedy.
Time to get out of the house and gather in a comfortable cabaret with fellow human beings for a memorable evening of laughter, music, and adult beverage
The Practical Theatre returns to the Chicago area with the latest in a series of hit holiday shows, “Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue,” starring writer-actors Victoria Zielinski, Dana Olsen, and PTC co-founder, Paul Barrosse.
Great, groovy music is provided by PTC musical director and Studio5 impresario Steve Rashid and his Studio5 All-Stars: Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on drums, Jim Cox on bass, and Don Stiernberg on every stringed instrument known to man.
“Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue” is a smart comedy cocktail, mixing sex, music, variety and vaudeville — while stirring in everything from marriage to quarantine to cancel culture, conspiracy, climate change, Olympian gods, William Shakespeare, Rod McKuen, Looney Tunes — and the fragility of major appliances. It’s an intoxicating comic combination!
There’s no better place to enjoy a comedy revue with your favorite friends than Evanston’s own Studio5, which has comfortable, socially distanced seating, state of the art sound and lights, and acres of free parking
Proof of vaccination is required. Studio5 will observe the mask rules in effect Dec. 29 to Jan. 2. Socially distanced seating means limited seating — so getyour tickets now!
Operated by Bea and Steve Rashid, Studio5 is located at 1934 Dempster Street in Evanston. (It’s on the southwest corner of Dempster and Dodge, adjacent to Dance Center Evanston.) Website at: https://www.studio5.dance
As for the forest fires? Gavin Newson called for global action to combat climate change. Trump told Californians to rake the forests. Trump and the GOP were head-in-the-sand fools. Governor Newsom told the unpopular – yet utterly honest – truth. Climate change is real. And the need to act is NOW!
I don’t care if you think Gavin should’ve passed on a party at a swanky restaurant during the pandemic. The fact is, he stood with teachers, medical personnel, first responders, and union members who demanded that masks be worn to defeat Covid-19.
On September 14, 2021, Californians will decide whether to retain Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom – or elect any one of a clown college of Republican opportunists, taking advantage of our state’s archaic laws to supplant the will of the vast majority in favor of a radical minority.
For this – and so many more reasons – my fellow Californians, you must send in your ballots ASAP in favor of Gavin Newsom!
Gavin Newsom is the best bet for the future of our beloved Golden State! And the world!
The future of your children is on the ballot THIS YEAR!
Vote AGAINST the cynical Republican recall — and double down on Democracy!
And then, there’s THIS from Ron Crawford — who always manages to capture the moment!
Paul's Voyage of Discovery & Etc. 