Go to http://www.studio5.dance to procure your tickets to the funniest year-end party of this malevolent, maddening year. We’ll be having great fun for 5 nights in Evanston — and we hope you’ll join us! The cast is Covid-free, socially-distanced — and ready to entertain as if they wanted to erase all the bulls*it of the past 20-something months! (And they certainly do!)
See you all at Studio5. It’s going to be an event to remember.
Filed under Art, Beauty, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Politics, rock & roll, Truth
If you haven’t gotten your tickets yet for The Practical Theatre Company’s Big Holiday Bag O’ Fun at Studio5 in Evanston, Illinois — now’s the time!
Tickets are going fast — so don’t delay.
It’s going to be the best party of the year. After an arduous political and social slog like we’ve all experienced in the past 12 months — we can all use a big, blow-out party with great music, free-spirited laughs, and a great big, bag o’ fun!
Get your tickets now at: http://www.studio5dance/calendar
Filed under Art, Comedy, History, Improvisation, Music, Politics, Truth, Uncategorized
1980 L to R: Jane Muller, Herb Metzler, John Goodrich, Dave Silberger, Paul Barrosse & Brad Hall
In the summer of 1980, The Practical Theatre opened it’s first improvisational comedy revue — “Bag O’ Fun”— at The Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston.
Now, four decades later, The PTC returns to Evanston for a concert celebration of classic Practical comedy – featuring grown-up laughs, great live music – anda well-stocked bar!
Tickets available at: Studio5 website. Or via Direct Ticket link,
Playing their third holiday run at Studio5 in three years, writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen anchor a “Big Holiday Bag O’ Fun”– with music by jazz maestro Steve Rashid and his Studio5 All-Stars.
Saturday Night Live veteran Gary Kroeger and Evanston’s own Rockin’ Ronny Crawford set the beat for a bright young supporting cast: recording artist Eva B. Ross, Giggle Break’s Daniel Rashid, VEEP writer and stand-up comic Emilia Barrosse — and newcomer Reilly Anspaugh!
“Big Holiday Bag O’ Fun” combines classic Practical Theatre comedy sketches, newsworthy satire, and music better than you can imagine — with Don Stiernberg on every stringed instrument known to man, and Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on all things percussion.
Come and party before the show, sipping cocktails and anticipating the fun in the warmth and comfort of the North Shore’s most intimate performance venue — located at Dempster & Dodge in Evanston.Shows run December 28-31.
There’s a cash bar for all shows. Doors open for cocktails at 7:30. Showtime is 8:00. Except, that is, for New Year’s. The New Year’s Eve show starts at 9:00.
It’s gonna be a “Big Holiday Bag O’ Fun”.
Filed under Art, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Politics, rock & roll, Uncategorized
The Practical Theatre is back in the Chicago area with a classic radio show featuring grown-up comedy, great live music and ingenious handmade sound effects! Plus adult beverages! Join the fun as the PTC records two shows at Studio5 Performing Arts Center in Evanston for later broadcast on Chicago’s premier jazz station WDCB 90.9 FM.
There are just 2 shows: Friday December 28 and Saturday the 29th. Tickets are now on sale at Brown Paper Tickets. Click here for ticket info and reservations.
Practical Radio Theatre on the Air is a radio show format filled with high spirits, satire and song, featuring writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen with music by Steve Rashid and his Studio5 All-Stars, and special appearances by one of Studio5’s favorite singers, Paul Marinaro, recording artist Eva B. Ross, and Giggle Break’s Daniel Rashid having fun with those handmade sound effects.
Friday night’s performance begins with an opening set of songs by Paul Marinaro. On Saturday night Eva B. Ross opens the show. But the fun begins as soon as you get there!
The Studio5 All-Stars are Steve Rashid (keyboards), Don Stiernberg (guitar), Jim Cox (bass) and Robert Rashid (drums).
Join the live audience and be an integral part of the show, sipping a smart cocktail in the comfort of the North Shore’s most intimate performance venue, located at Dempster and Dodge in Evanston — with acres of free parking!
It’s another holiday happening to remember!
Doors open for cocktails at 7:30. Showtime is 8:00.
Filed under Art, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Uncategorized
There are only two more opportunities to enjoy the funniest and most fun New Year’s party on Chicago’s North Shore: tonight and New Year’s Eve.
(All photos in this post were taken by Chuck Osgood at the final dress rehearsal)
You still have a chance to reserve your seats for Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration at Studio5 in Evanston.
The Practical Theatre returns with another entertaining comedy and music revue featuring veteran improvisational comedy writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen. It’s a fun-filled party in the style of The Lawrence Welk Show, filled with laughter, satire and song.
Joining the cast are the PTC’s musical director, Steve Rashid, songbird Eva B. Ross, standup comic Emilia Barrosse, Giggle Break’s own Daniel Rashid, cabaret chanteuse Shelly Goldstein — and the Studio5 All-Star Band, including Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on drums, Don Stille on accordion, bassist Joe Policastro and Don Stiernberg on guitar. Plus percussionist Robert Rashid.
And — The Mr. Olsen Dancers are back – and better than ever!
The show on New Year’s Eve will be followed by live music and a fabulous dance party — as we invite you all to swing into the New Year! (And enjoy tasty food, too!)
Studio5 is Evanston’s hippest, most intimate performing arts venue, with comfortable seats, great sight lines, state of the art sound and lights, and acres of free parking. Tickets are on sale here!
There will be a cash bar for both shows. Doors open for cocktails at 7:30.
Don’t miss your last chance to join the biggest party of the year! 
Filed under Art, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Uncategorized
Tickets are going fast for the funniest and most fun New Year’s party on Chicago’s North Shore.
Reserve your seats now for Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration at Studio5 in Evanston.
Following last year’s hit holiday engagement at Studio5, The Practical Theatre returns with another entertaining comedy and music revue featuring veteran improv-comedy writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen.
Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration is a fun-filled party in the style of The Lawrence Welk Show, filled with laughter, satire and song.
Joining the cast are the PTC’s musical director, Steve Rashid, songbird Eva B. Ross, standup comic Emilia Barrosse, Giggle Break’s own Daniel Rashid, cabaret chanteuse Shelly Goldstein — and the Studio5 All-Star Band, including Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on drums, Don Stille on accordion, bassist Joe Policastro and Don Stiernberg on every stringed instrument a man can possibly play. Plus percussionist Robert Rashid.
Did we mention The Mr. Olsen Dancers?? Oh yeah. They’re back – and better than ever!
It’s a limited engagement – with just three shows on Friday December 29, Saturday December 30 and Sunday December 31. Tickets are on sale now here!
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3105065
The big show on December 31st will be followed by live music and a fabulous dance party — as we invite you all to swing into the New Year! (And enjoy tasty food, too!)
Studio5 is Evanston’s hippest, most intimate performing arts venue, with comfortable seats, great sight lines, state of the art sound and lights, and lots of free parking.
There will be a cash bar for all three shows. Doors open for cocktails at 7:30.
Don’t miss the biggest party of the year!
Filed under Art, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Uncategorized
Tickets are going fast for the funniest New Year’s party on Chicago’s North Shore. Reserve your seats now for Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration at Studio5 in Evanston.
Following last year’s smash holiday engagement, The Practical Theatre returns with another improvisational comedy and music revue featuring Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen.
Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration is a fun-filled party in the style of The Lawrence Welk Show, filled with laughter, satire and song.
Joining the cast are the PTC’s musical director, Steve Rashid, songbird Eva B. Ross, standup comic Emilia Barrosse, Giggle Break’s own Daniel Rashid, cabaret chanteuse Shelly Goldstein — and the Studio5 All-Star Band, including Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on drums, Don Stille on accordion, bassist Joe Policastro and Don Stiernberg on every stringed instrument a man can possibly play. Plus percussionist Robert Rashid.
And did we mention The Mr. Olsen Dancers?
There are three shows: Friday December 29, Saturday December 30, and Sunday December 31. Tickets are on sale now here!
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3105065
The New Year’s Eve show on December 31st will be followed by live music and a fabulous dance party — as we invite you all to swing into 2018! (And enjoy tasty food, too!)
There’s lots of free parking — and a cash bar for all three shows.
Doors open for cocktails at 7:30.
Don’t miss the biggest party of the year!
Filed under Art, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Uncategorized
There are now just three weeks left to reserve your seats for Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration at Studio5 in Evanston. Tickets are going fast for the funniest and most fun New Year’s party on Chicago’s North Shore.
Following last year’s smash holiday engagement at Studio5, the legendary Practical Theatre returns with another entertaining comedy and music revue featuring veteran improvisational comedy writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen – Joined by the PTC’s musical director, Steve Rashid, songbird Eva B. Ross, standup comic Emilia Barrosse, Giggle Break’s own Daniel Rashid, cabaret chanteuse Shelly Goldstein — and the Studio5 All-Star Band, featuring Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on drums, Don Stille on accordion, bassist Joe Policastro, and Don Stiernberg on every stringed instrument a man can possibly play. Plus percussionist Robert Rashid.
All this — and The Mr. Olsen Dancers!
Only 3 shows: Friday December 29, Saturday December 30 and Sunday December 31. Tickets are on sale here!
The show on December 31st will be followed by a fabulous dance party — as we invite you all to swing into the New Year with live music by the Studio5 All-Stars! (And enjoy some tasty food, too!)
There will be a cash bar for all three shows. Doors open for cocktails at 7:30.
And there’s plenty of free parking right in front of the theatre.
Don’t miss the biggest party of the year!
Filed under Art, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Uncategorized
There are now just five weeks left to reserve your seats for Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration at Studio5 in Evanston. Tickets are going fast for the funniest and most fun New Year’s party on Chicago’s North Shore.
Following last year’s smash holiday engagement at Studio5, the legendary Practical Theatre returns with another entertaining comedy and music revue featuring veteran improvisational comedy writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen – Joined by the PTC’s musical director, Steve Rashid, songbird Eva B. Ross, standup comic Emilia Barrosse, Giggle Break’s own Daniel Rashid, cabaret chanteuse Shelly Goldstein — and the Studio5 All-Star Band, featuring Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on drums, Don Stille on accordion, bassist Joe Policastro, and Don Stiernberg on every stringed instrument a man can possibly play. Plus percussionist Robert Rashid.
All this — and The Mr. Olsen Dancers!
Only 3 shows: Friday December 29, Saturday December 30 and Sunday December 31. Tickets are on sale here!
The show on December 31st will be followed by a fabulous dance party — as we invite you all to swing into the New Year with live music by the Studio5 All-Stars! (And enjoy some tasty food, too!)
There will be a cash bar for all three shows. Doors open for cocktails at 7:30.
And there’s plenty of free parking right in front of the theatre.
Don’t miss the biggest party of the year!
Filed under Art, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Uncategorized
Art 2Tickets are going fast for the funniest and most fun New Year’s party on Chicago’s North Shore.
Reserve your seats now for Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration at Studio5 in Evanston.
Following last year’s hit holiday engagement at Studio5, the legendary Practical Theatre returns with another entertaining comedy and music revue featuring veteran improvisational comedy writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Paul Barrosse and Dana Olsen.
Mr. Olsen’s Champagne Celebration is a fun-filled party in the style of The Lawrence Welk Show, filled with laughter, satire and song.
Joining the cast are the PTC’s musical director, Steve Rashid, songbird Eva B. Ross, standup comic Emilia Barrosse, Giggle Break’s own Daniel Rashid, cabaret chanteuse Shelly Goldstein — and the Studio5 All-Star Band, including Rockin’ Ronny Crawford on drums, Don Stille on accordion, bassist Joe Policastro and Don Stiernberg on every stringed instrument a man can possibly play. Plus percussionist Robert Rashid.
Did we mention The Mr. Olsen Dancers?? Oh yeah. They’re back – and better than ever!
It’s a limited engagement – with just three shows on Friday December 29, Saturday December 30 and Sunday December 31. Tickets are on sale now here!
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3105065
The big show on December 31st will be followed by live music and a fabulous dance party — as we invite you all to swing into the New Year! (And enjoy tasty food, too!)
Studio5 is Evanston’s hippest, most intimate performing arts venue, with comfortable seats, great sight lines, state of the art sound and lights, and lots of free parking.
There will be a cash bar for all three shows. Doors open for cocktails at 7:30.
Don’t miss the biggest party of the year!
Filed under Art, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Uncategorized
Click CD photo for music & info!
Paul's Voyage of Discovery & Etc. 