Emo Philips
Described by Jay Leno as "the best joke writer in America," by British comedian Gary Delaney as the best joke writer in the world, and by "Weird Al" Yankovic as one of the funniest people on the planet, Emo Philips has performed over 6000 times throughout the English-speaking world, including a multi-week run at the Playhouse Theater in London's West End. Since starting out in Chicago in 1976 at the age of twenty, Emo has had award-winning comedy albums, several cable specials (including an hour-long one on HBO), and many appearances on network television, both in America and in the UK. He has appeared in films (most notably, as the table-saw demonstrator in UHF) and has lent his distinctive voice to animated TV shows (such as Slacker Cats, Doctor Katz, Adventure Time, and Home Movies), but his first love, stand-up, remains his true one. "I'm not sure exactly when or where I first heard one of Emo's routines, but once I did I instantly became a fan," says "Weird Al" Yankovic. "Emo had the iconic look of somebody who could have been a major star in the era of silent films. His body language was indescribably weird. And his material was flat-out brilliant." If asked at gunpoint who the funniest guy in the world was, Yankovic adds, "Without question I would have to say Emo Philips -- especially if Emo happened to be the one holding the gun.” - Weird Al Yankovic (Chicago Magazine)
June 12
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Kevin McDonald’s Sketch Comedy Through Improv Workshop
Join Kevin McDonald of the Kids in the Hall for a one day workshop to learn how to write sketches through improvisation - just like the Kids in the Hall used to do. But not only that! You will do a show that night with Kevin, in front of a real live audience, performing the sketches you wrote that day. Exciting? Kevin thinks so. Of course Kevin is very boring and thinks chairs are exciting.Kevin will talk about the secrets of writing comedy sketches (hopefully their secrets and not lies) and teach you the Kids in the Hall process of coming up with an idea and turning it into a sketch through improvisational rehearsal. You will be performing and writing with Kevin supervising, all day. And that night, you put on a show. During the workshop, he promises bathroom and lunch breaks and if you ask him, there's a good chance Kevin will tell stories about the Kids in the Hall. You might actually have to ask him to shut up telling stories about the Kids in the Hall. He's beside me now, telling stories about the Kids in the Hall. Shut up Kevin. Workshop is $180 for students plus service fee if registering online.
June 16
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An Evening with Kevin McDonald
Comedian, actor, writer and director Kevin McDonald founded “The Kids in the Hall” with friend Dave Foley, after they met in Toronto at Second City, and the television series ran from 1988-1995. In the troupe's television series and stage shows, he portrays several popular recurring characters, such as the King of Empty Promises, Sir Simon Milligan, and Jerry Sizzler. McDonald went on to appear in a variety of films including Boy Meets Girl, Lilo & Stitch, “Lilo & Stitch: The Series”, and Epic Movie. On television, he has appeared on “The Martin Short Show,” “Ellen,” “That '70s Show,” “Seinfeld,” “Friends,” “NewsRadio,” “MADtv,” “Arrested Development,” and “Corner Gas.” McDonald has also done voice work for various animated series, including Nickelodeon's “Invader Zim,” “The Angry Beavers,” “Catscratch,” and “Clerks: The Animated Series.” He also played an imaginary friend named Ivan in the episode ‘Sight For Sore Eyes’ on “Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends,” appeared in the music video for "Roses" by Outkast, and made an appearance in “Tim and Eric's Awesome Show.” In 2006 McDonald hosted a CBC Television special, featuring several of Canada's best-known sketch comedy troupes. "Sketch with Kevin McDonald" won a Canadian Comedy Award (Best Taped Live Performance - The Minnesota Wrecking Crew). He was recently at the Just for Laughs Festival with the reunion of Kids in the Hall, and also with his show "Hammy and the Kids" with Craig Northey, based on his two dysfunctional families, his father ("Hammy") and the Kids in the Hall, as well as “Death Comes to Town” on CBC.
June 16
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Jokes On You Comedy Tour: "The Reverend" Bob Levy with Artie Fletcher
Jokes On You Comedy Tour featuring "The Reverend" Bob Levy with special guest Artie Fletcher. These are the Original Bad Boys of Comedy A.K.A. New York City Bad Boys! This is a special event. Bob Levy is a regular personality on the Howard Stern Show. Artie Fletcher has been seen on Law & Order Criminal Intent, Conan, and The Tonight Show.