'The J & M Comedy Hour; Christpocalypse!' Arrives at Strawdog Theatre's Hugen Hall

Strawdog Theatre Company’s Hugen Hall, named “Best Theater Bar” by the Chicago Reader, is proud to present The J & M Comedy Hour; Christpocalypse!

The show is starring Justine Turner and Michaela Petro, is directed by Matthew MacNab, and is for one weekend only, Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec, 8 at 8 p.m. at the Strawdog Theatre Hugen Hall, 3829 North Broadway Street. Tickets are $15 or  $10 with a non-perishable food donation. Tickets may be ordered online at strawdog.org, ovationtix.com or by calling OvationTix toll-free: 866-811-4111.

As J (Justine Turner) tries to get M (Michaela Petro) in the holiday spirit after the destruction of a prized possession, the Hfob-N-Gals join the pair, bringing some levity and beauty with their clown magnificence. Next, enter the object of M's desire, Lieutenant John McClane, to throw off their feminist dynamic while Lilac & Crowe croon and swoon the audience into submission. The lovely ladies of Hugen Hall are prepping for the holidays, but not without first preaching from their soapboxes and saving the world from the coming apocalypse.

Special guests performers include: The Hfob-N-Gals (Allison Latta and Noel Williams), Lilac & Crow (Kate Carson-Groner and Tyler Paterson) and featuring as “Lieutenant John McClane,” the talents behind Reviews You Can Lews! (Eric Roach/December 7 and Anderson Lawfer/December 8) and The Ampersands (Josh Bell, Evan Bivins, Matthew Bivins, Ariel Bolles, and Jeffery Parker).

Justine Turner, Michaela Petro, Evan Bivins and Matthew Bivins write The J & M Comedy Hour: Christpocalypse! with stage management and talent wrangler Tyler Veronica Wilsey. 

ABOUT J&M

Justine Turner and Michaela Petro both have ovaries and are not afraid to use them. They met when attending Columbia College Chicago and created a few memorable collaborations for the stage. The shifting tides of life separated them until they were reuniting during Strawdog's 2010 hit production of Red Noses where they vowed to never let the other go again. Forming a variety show in the style of the Smother's Brothers Comedy Hour, soaked in vanilla extract and tempered with bright red lipstick, these two femmes express their ideals, sing, air gripes and curate an evening with some of Chicago's hottest storefront talent.

J & M invite audiences to observe the modern world around them, question what seems questionable and always fight for the greater good, The American Dream.

J doesn't care for graphic language while M communicates using primarily graphic language. J's a little bit country, M's a little bit rock-n-roll.

ABOUT STRAWDOG THEATRE COMPANY

Since its founding in 1988, Strawdog Theatre Company has offered Chicagoland the premiere storefront theatre experience and garnered numerous Non-Equity Jeff Awards with its commitment to ensemble acting and an immersive design approach. The celebrated Company develops new work, re-imagines the classics, melds music with theatre, asks provocative questions and delivers their audience the unexpected.

The current Strawdog ensemble includes Hank Boland, Michael Dailey, Anita Deely, Paul Fagen, John Ferrick, , Kyle Gibson, Sarah Goeden, Aly Greaves Amidei, Carmine Grisolia, Kyle Hamman, Shannon Hoag, Jordan Kardasz, Anderson Lawfer, Sean Mallary, Kat McDonnell, Joanna Melville, Gregor Mortis, Mike Mroch, Michaela Petro, Mike Przygoda, John Henry Roberts, Justine C. Turner, and Jamie Vann.  Strawdog’s Managing Director is Patrick Rybarczyk and General Manager is Mike Mroch. Notable Strawdog alums include Jenny Avery (Next), Elizabeth Auman (TimeLine), Alexandra Billings (actress, cabaret star), Nancy Bishop (casting director), Chrisanne Blankenship (director), Becca Cardo (voice-over artist), Kristin Caskey (Fox Theatricals), Scott Cummins (actor, director) and James Denton (Desperate Housewives).

Strawdog’s Next Main Stage Production:

 Improbable Frequency

Book and lyrics by Arthur Riordan; Music by Bell Helicopter

Directed by Kyle Hamman

Music Direction by Mike Przygoda

February 21 – March 30, 2013

Opening Night: Sunday, Feb. 24, 2013 at 4 p.m. or

Monday, Feb. 25, 2013 at 8 p.m.

Strawdog Theatre Company

3829 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60613

strawdog.org

Tickets: $15 Students/Seniors/Previews; Regular Run: $28; Benefit Preview $50

Schedule: Previews: Thursday, Feb. 21 and Friday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m.; Benefit Preview Saturday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m.

Regular Run: Thursday - Saturday at 8 p.m.; Sunday at 4 p.m.

*Please note, there is no Sunday, March 31, 2013 performance due to Easter

Dizzying wordplay, jaunty music, and quantum mechanics in 1940’s Dublin. What more do you need? The answer is spies. You need spies. Strawdog Ensemble Member Kyle Hamman  teams with Strawdog Ensemble Member and composer/arranger Mike Przygoda to stage this quick and clever new musical, called "dazzling" by The New York Times but never before seen in this time zone.

All productions, plus ongoing late night offerings, are presented at Strawdog’s space in the heart of Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood, 3829 N. Broadway Street. Tickets are available at .773.528.9696 or www.strawdog.org.

The neighborhood has limited paid parking and is easily accessible by public transportation (via the Red Line Sheridan stop, plus 36-Broadway, 80-Irving Park, and 151-Sheridan buses).

Tickets for The J & M Comedy Hour; Christpocalypse!,  starring Justine Turner and Michaela Petro, directed by Matthew MacNab, for one weekend only, Friday, Dec. 7 and Saturday, Dec, 8 at 8 p.m. at the Strawdog Theatre Hugen Hall, 3829 North Broadway Street. are $15 or a $10 with a non-perishable food donation. Tickets may be ordered online at strawdog.org, ovationtix.com or by calling OvationTix toll-free: 866-811-4111.

All non-perishable items are donated to the Lakeview Pantry. Items that are most in need include; 100% shelf stable fruit juice, canned tuna and tomato sauce.