Tag Archives: Victoria Zielinski
Larry Schanker to Make Musical Magic at Studio5 in Evanston for The Practical Theatre Company’s Silent Film Night!
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!
For tickets, go to: www.tickettailor.com/events/practicaltheatre
Filed under Art, Beauty, Classic Film, Comedy, History, Improvisation, Music, Truth, Uncategorized
“Practical Radio Theatre on The Air” Onstage at Studio5 April 8 & 9!
Here’s what legendary Chicago Tribune writer Rick Kogan (a man of excellent taste and refinement) has to say about the PTC’s residency @ Studio5…
Filed under Art, Beauty, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Truth, Uncategorized
Practical Theatre Residency at Studio5!
THE PRACTICAL THEATRE ANNOUNCES ITS RESIDENCY AT 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
Our first offering…
Filed under Art, Comedy, History, Improvisation, Music, Uncategorized
Just 21 Days Until Opening Night
There’s no better gift than laughter. So, this holiday season treat all your loved ones to comfy seats at Studio5 in Evanston for “Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue”. Tickets are available at: http://www.studio5.dance/calendar
Ho! Ho! Ho! And then some!
Filed under Art, Beauty, Comedy, Improvisation, Music
Tickets Now on Sale for “Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post Pandemic Revue.”
Here’s where you can reserve your seats for any of our 7 shows at Studio5 in Evanston: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/studio5performingartscenter/790733/
Shows are December 29, 30 & 31 — and January 4, 5, 6 & 7.
Filed under Art, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Politics
A Practical Homecoming
Vic & Paul are back in Evanston — and ready to join with our friends Dana Olsen, Steve Rashid and the Studio5 All-Stars for “Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue.”
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because we were in Evanston last year to do this show — but the Omicron variant ran rampant while we were in rehearsals, making our show anything but “Post-Pandemic”. In fact, we had to cancel the show before it opened — on the same day that the Goodman Theatre and North Light were closing up shop.
Since then, Victoria and I have moved back to Evanston (for good!) and we’re back in rehearsals, polishing up an even better version of the show — with some new comic twists!
The Practical Theatre is back in operation on Chicago’s North Shore. And this time, we’re sticking around to keep the laughs coming on a regular basis.
But first — get your tickets for “Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post Pandemic Revue.”
Tickets go on sale Friday, October 28th.
For tickets go to: https://www.studio5.dance/calendar
“Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue” is a smart comedy cocktail, mixing music, variety, and vaudeville — stirring in everything from marriage to cancel culture, whoopie cushions, conspiracy theories, Greek gods, William Shakespeare and more. An intoxicating comic combination!
There’s no better place to enjoy a comedy revue with your favorite friends than Evanston’s own 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. (It’s on the southwest corner of Dempster and Dodge, adjacent to Dance Center Evanston.)
Filed under Art, Beauty, Comedy, Improvisation
3 Days Until “Vic & Paul & Dana’s Post-Pandemic Revue!”
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
Practical Comedy for the Holidays!
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 beverages.
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 a cash bar, comfortable, socially distanced seating, state of the art sound and lights, and acres of free parking.
PROOF OF VACCINE REQUIRED: All Studio5 attendees will be required to show an ID and proof of a COVID vaccine. Photos of CDC cards are acceptable provided they are legible. Studio5 will be following local masking guidance at the time of performances. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Please be certain you can and are willing to comply with our policies prior to making your purchase.
Seating is intentionally limited to accommodate social distancing.
LOCATION
Studio5 Performing Arts Center, 60202
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/studio5performingartscenter
Filed under Art, Comedy, Improvisation, Music, Truth
Join the Practical Theatre Fun at Studio5 in Evanston!
Opening night is just 32 days away. Tickets on sale now!
Paul's Voyage of Discovery & Etc. 