The Noble Fool Theater and the Onion announce a free new weekly improv series, called The Laughs Are On Us. The series kicks off with a free five-hour comedy marathon featuring the best of Chicago’s comic theater community, on Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, Nov. 21, from 5-10 p.m. It continues with four free evenings of improvisation by the Noble Fool Theater Company Tuesday evenings, Nov. 27-Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. and a family caroling day interspersed with various comedy bits on the busiest shopping day of the year, Friday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
The Nov. 21 comedy marathon will be co-hosted by Aaron Freeman and Will Clinger. Freeman will reunite with Do the White Thing partner Rob Kolson for what is certain to be a topical tribute. Also scheduled to perform are Jim Carrane, The Weird Sisters, Marc Smith, Sergi Bosch, and Mike O’Connell, plus members of the Noble Fool Theater Company, Second City, Stir-Friday Night! and alumni performers from Comedy Sportz, Free Associates and Improv Olympics. Interspersed throughout will be scenes from such comic hits as “Flanagan’s Wake,” “The Baritones,” “Late Night Catechism,” “Baby Wants Candy,” and the “Big Al and Clay Show” plus musical guests from the Noble Fool’s “Wild Card Wednesday” series of comic cabaret. A cash bar will be available throughout the event, with complimentary appetizers served from 5-6:30 p.m. Although free, the marathon will benefit the New York Police & Widows’ & Children’s Fund through sales of raffle tickets for Chicago weekend getaways (courtesy of Chicago Hilton & Towers and the Palmer House Hilton), dinner packages and theater performances.
Later that week, The Laughs Are On Us series will continue with a day of free humorous holiday entertainment for shoppers seeking comic relief on the “busiest shopping day of the year,” Friday, Nov. 23, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Complimentary coffee, cookies and carols will be served. The Laughs Are On Us will resume its free evening performances on Tuesdays, Nov. 28-Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. featuring classic Chicago improv from the Noble Fool Theater Company, which created such long-running hits as “Flanagan’s Wake” and “The Baritones.”
“The events of Sept. 11 have impacted everyone and we at the Noble Fool, like so many others, have felt the need to do something that can help. What we uniquely can offer Chicago is a good laugh, a free laugh, which is even better,” said Noble Fool managing director Paul Botts. “Since we can all use a bit of diversion, the event will be a CNN-free-zone. There might be references to current events but only the jokes can bomb.”
All performances of The Laughs Are On Us will take place at the Noble Fool’s temporary home at 8 E. Randolph St. in the heart of the Chicago Theater District. The Noble Fool will open its new home, just down the street at 16 W. Randolph St., in the first quarter of 2002.
No tickets are needed for any The Laughs Are On Us performance, but seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information on the Noble Fool Theater or The Laughs Are On Us, visit www.noblefool.com or call (312) 630-2631.
Printable Version