South Side of Heaven

I had the chance to attend last night's opening of South Side of Heaven. I give it two thumbs up. If I had more thumbs, I would give it more. I've seen Red Scare, America: All Better, Taming of the Flu, Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies, and now the 99th Mainstage revue, South Side of Heaven. This current revue gives the others a run for their money. Second City has managed to outdo itself with the new one.

Newcomers Holly Laurent, Katie Rich, and Edgar Blackmon join the three holdovers from Spoiler Alert: Timothy Edward Mason, Tim Robinson, and Sam Richardson.

Sam Richardson's impression of Barack Obama gives Fred Armisen a run for his money.

Mason's TSA agent is one of the highlights of the night.

The way that they paid tribute to former Mayor Richard Daley was hilarious. Different than I expected but still funny nonetheless. How will we survive?

After directing the recent ETC hit revue, The Absolute Best Friggin' Time of Your Life, Billy Bungeroth was asked to direct the newest Mainstage hit.

Tribune critic Chris Jones gave it 3.5 stars. I give it four out of four stars.

ETC news

Tim Ryder announced his last night on ETC via Twitter. Tim has been filling in for Tom Flanigan, who departed Second City to be a writer for SNL.

Well friends, this is it. My last night on the etc stage is April 17. So if you've waited seven months to see me, you now have two weekends.

Matthew Craig hired by SNL

Saturday Night Live has hired Matthew Craig as a writer. Congrats!

Second City to open new revue in April

South Side of Heaven, the 99th Mainstage revue at Second City, will open on Sunday April 10, 2011. The revue, directed by Billy Bungeroth and featuring Julie Nichols as Musical Director, features the following in the cast: Edgar Blackmon, Holly Laurent, Timothy Edward Mason, Katie Rich, Sam Richardson and Tim Robinson.

The synopsis:

South Side of Heaven is a thought-provoking, irreverent and hilarious new show from The Second City exploring the many fates that propel our world and universe. From the cultural divide between Cubs and White Sox fans to the delicate distinction between dancing and stripping, South Side of Heaven rejoices in the earthly and ethereal. A President, an outgoing Mayor and a creepy TSA agent are all just part of the natural flow of South Side of Heaven.

Brad Morris cast in NBC pilot

Brad Morris was cast in an untitled multi-camera sitcom pilot for NBC. Via Deadline:

Brad Morris has landed a co-starring role in NBC's untitled Dan Goor pilot. The multicamera comedy, from writer/exec producer Dan Goor, centers on Adam Foote (Andrew J. West), a young doctor who joins his parents’ medical practice and spends as much time tending to his family as to his patients. Morris, recently out of Chicago's Second City, will play Adam's older brother Matt, the only non-doctor in the family. Morris is with Innovative and 3 Arts.

New York Television Festival

The New York Television Festival is hosting an event in Chicago on March 21st, and Chicago area comedians are encouraged to find out about what opportunities await them.

Here's the press release:

ATTENTION COMEDIANS OF CHICAGO: The New York Television Festival is coming to the Windy City and we want to meet you!

On Monday, March 21st, join Festival staffers and alumni for networking, cocktails and a chance to learn more about the NYTVF - including current development opportunities with FOX ($25k script deal - comedy), FX ($25k development deal - comedy pilot), IFC ($25k development deal - comedy pilot) and MTV (two $5k development deals for comedic animation).

WHEN: Monday, 3/21, 6 pm - 9 pm
WHERE: The Spot (4437 N. Broadway Avenue)
RSVP: RSVP@NYTVF.com

You can register for the event via Facebook. It's a fun time for all.

TV Squad interviews Vanessa

Vanessa Bayer was interviewed by TV Squad. She spoke about Miley, the audition process, not having cable in Chicago, etc.