Practical Theatre Company Presents a Holiday Year-End Revue Dec. 20-22

Evanston, Ill. — The Practical Theater Company — a sketch comedy group that launched the careers of “Saturday Night Live” veterans Julia Louis Dreyfus, Paul Barrosse, Brad Hall, and Gary Kroeger in the 1980s — is pleased to be staging a new revue in their inimitable style at Studio5 for three shows only, from Dec. 20 to 22.

Their latest revue, entitled “Weird,” blends elements of the vintage radio shows of the 1940s with contemporary sketch comedy ripped from today’s headlines, as well as improvisation and lots of great music for a night of celebratory fun. Tickets range from $30 to $55.

“Weird” features a merry mix of comic sketches, acquired wisdom, original songs, and beloved holiday standards presented like you’ve never experienced them before — touching on everything from the presidential election to drama on the international space station, male and female relationships, Elon Musk, pet-eating hoaxes, Charlie Brown & Lucy, and other scenes from this very weird year.

New this year is the addition of Chicago jazz singer Paul Marinaro, who will sing and serve as the show’s announcer, and piano virtuoso Larry Schanker, who will perform soulful, jazzy holiday music for the show, along with the Studio5 All-Stars band.

“We’re especially excited about this year’s show,” says PTC founder Paul Barrosse. “It’s been such a weird year, there’s so much to play with – and having Paul Marinaro and Larry Schanker onstage with us makes it extra special. I might miss all my cues just listening to Paul sing and Larry tinkling the ivories.”

“Weird” stars Barrosse, longtime PTC member Victoria Zielinski, screenwriter and fellow Northwestern alum Dana Olsen, the PTC’s musical director and Studio5 impresario Steve Rashid, joined by Marinaro, and Schanker (the PTC’s original musical director), as well as Jim Cox on bass and Robert Rashid on drums.

Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase at all shows.

The Practical Theatre Company was founded in 1979 by Barrosse and his comedy partner, Brad Hall, while students at Northwestern University. Three years later, after producing a string of new plays and comedy revues in their 42-seat storefront theatre on Howard Street in Evanston, they joined with Second City owner Bernie Sahlins to open The Piper’s Alley Theatre — where the entire cast of their first comedy revue in that venue, “The Golden 50th Anniversary Jubilee” was hired by “Saturday Night Live.”

In the years that followed, The PTC followed up with the long-running “Megafun” at the Piper’s Alley Theatre and their longest-running show, “Art, Ruth & Trudy” at the Briar Street and Vic Theatres — which teamed Barrosse and Zielinski for the first time. Four years later, Paul and Victoria were married.

After a two-decade hiatus from the stage while Barrosse and Zielinski produced television — and a family — in Los Angeles, The PTC was revived in 2010 when Barrosse and Zielinski joined with fellow Northwestern alum Steve Rashid to stage comedy shows in Los Angeles, Cleveland, and Chicago. The trio then joined in 2015 with Olsen, a Northwestern pal and screenwriter known for writing comedy films like “The Burbs,” “George of the Jungle,” and the current hit Nickelodeon series, “Henry Danger.”

For the past dozen years, their annual comedy revues have attracted enthusiastic audiences for their sophisticated blend of smart, adult, classic cabaret comedy and impressive musical talent -- featuring some of Chicago’s finest jazz artists. And in 2022, The PTC reestablished itself in the Chicago area with a residency at Studio5 in Evanston.

EVENT DETAILS

Practical Theatre Company’s “Weird”

The Practical Theatre Company returns with a fun-filled holiday variety show starring writer-performers Victoria Zielinski, Dana Olsen, and PTC co-founder, Paul Barrosse. Music is provided by PTC musical director Steve Rashid and his Studio5 All-Stars, including bassist Jim Cox, drummer Robert Rashid, keyboard genius Larry Schanker, and Chicago’s popular jazz vocalist Paul Marinaro. “Weird” is a comedic blend, mixing music, sketches, and improvisation: an entertaining holiday cocktail!

When:

Friday, Dec. 20 at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 22 at 8 p.m.

Where: Studio5, 1934 Dempster St., Evanston, IL 60202

Info: http://studio5.dance/calendar

Tickets: $35 to $40 for theatre seating, $50 to $55 for cabaret table seating