Sketch Comedy Festival Jan. 10-19, 2019

Since its inception in 2002, the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival has grown to be the largest festival of its kind, with over 1,000 artists and 10,000 patrons annually from around the world.

A comedic melting pot, the Chicago SketchFest has evolved as a sketch comedy haven starring local favorites, award-winning international ensembles, veterans, and fresh talent.

SketchFest Executive Producer Jill Valentine is thrilled to announce the official line-up for the 18^th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, taking place January 10 through 20, 2019 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont. Since its inception in 2002, the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival has grown to be the largest festival of its kind, with over 1,000 artists and 10,000 patrons annually from around the world. A comedic melting pot, the Chicago SketchFest has evolved as a sketch comedy haven starring local favorites, award-winning international ensembles, veterans, and fresh talent.

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“Every year, SketchFest has become bigger and better and is such an essential part of the Chicago comedy community that has withstood the test of time for an unbelievable 18 years,” said Valentine. “It is always a pleasure of mine to witness how a new local group or one-man show is able to shine and find their comedic voice to make audience members laugh uncontrollably. This festival would not have made it this far without the support of writers, performers, and comedy lovers who every year come together under one roof to enjoy all things funny in the comedy capital of the world. It truly is a unique event!”

The eclectic 2019 line-up will boast 120 shows in 8 days. Headliners include the two-man show, Parv and Pudi, comprised of Danny Pudi, best known for his role in the TV sitcom, Community, alongside Parvesh Cheena, and The Fail Yours, featuring Derek Mize and Eric Eikey from FUCT, NYC’s most outrageous comedy group. Sketchfest longtime favorites The Cupid Players, Rehner and Nixon, Off Off Broadway, and Patty Vazquez from WGN Radio, return to represent the essence of the Chicago sketch comedy scene, while great, out of state ensembles, Brick Penguin and newcomer, Welcome to Anhedonia, a puppet show embracing nerd culture, make their mark in the annual festival. Featured international participants for the 2019 SketchFest consist of HUNKS, Hot Raw Fire, the award-winning troupe from Montreal, and Sketchersons. The entire schedule for the 18^th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival may be viewed at www.ChicagoSketchfest.com.

Tickets for the 18^th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival go on sale on December 1^st at 12 p.m. Individual ticket prices are $15, and festival passes are available for $24 (Thursday), $48 (Friday), $60 (Saturday), $36 (Sunday), $120 flex pass good for up to 10 shows or $225 for an all festival pass. New this year, VIP Packages of two drink tickets and two show tickets for $40 and four drink tickets and four show tickets for $80 will be available.

Performances take place at the top of each hour from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. for Thursday shows; 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. for Friday shows; 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. for Saturday shows; and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, January 13^th and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, January 20^th. Tickets and information are available online at www.Stage773.com, by phone 773.327.5252, and in person at the Stage 773 box office, located at 1225 W Belmont.

The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival is supported by the following sponsors, CH Distillery, Official Liquor Sponsor of SketchFest, Time Out Magazine, Official Media Sponsor of SketchFest and Home Run Inn, Official Neighborhood Sponsor of SketchFest.

About Stage 773

Stage 773 is a vibrant anchor of the Belmont Theatre District and home to Chicago’s finest off-Loop talent. As a performance and tenant venue, our four stages provide entertainment for everyone: comedy, theatre, dance, musicals and more. We are a not-for-profit, connecting and catalyzing the theater community, while showcasing established artists and incubating up-and-coming talent. Stage 773 is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events, and by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

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Ray Hanania

Ray Hanania is an award-winning columnist, author & former Chicago City Hall reporter (1977-1992). A veteran who served during the Vietnam War and the recipient of four SPJ Peter Lisagor Awards for column writing, Hanania writes weekly opinion columns on mainstream American & Chicagoland topics for the Southwest News-Herald, Des Plaines Valley News, the Regional News, The Reporter Newspapers, and Suburban Chicagoland.

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