Ensemble Cast is proud to announce the debut of their comedic revue, Come As You Aren't, playing April 1st- April 29th at The Public House Theatre. The six person ensemble explores the most intimate and awkward situations of daily life that most people would rather keep secret. Tackling the tough subjects such as death, unwanted pregnancies, political tension, sexual assault, and social anxiety, the cast comprised of Chicago veteran comedians weaves in and out of these often treacherous waters by finding light in the daily darkness that threatens to consume them. This refreshing take on sketch comedy poses the question, "If one could get those deeply desired 'do-overs' of life, would they change the course of history, or leave it to be messed up all over again?"
Ensemble member Jenna Steege laughs, "Our satire strikes a balance between the intelligent and inane."
Come As You Aren't also utilizes mixed media to push beyond the traditional sketch show and into the audience firing on all levels of sound and sight. The unique musical talents of the ensemble add hilarious songs sprinkled throughout the show. Running just over an hour, this revue pushes forward without break and strives to challenge and awaken its audience by making even the scenic transitions exciting to watch.
"We are surrounded by sketch comedy and improv in a city like Chicago," says director Molly Todd Madison, "but we wanted to put up something different that reached beyond what the traditional revue style show usually does. We really wanted to push the boundaries and offer our audience and unique experience."
Come As You Aren't was devised through the process of improvising and reimprovising. As thriving improvisers and comedic sketch artists in Chicago, the members of Ensemble Cast are no strangers to this process, but wanted to see how far they could stretch the end product by presenting a very poignant, yet wacky revue that speaks for the voices and ideals of their generation.
"Celebrating the dark strange parts of life through wackiness is a refreshing experience," says Michael Silver an ensemble member. "The unique situations presented constantly make you laugh while reflecting on your own life experience."
Audiences will be excited to find characters return throughout the revue and untraditional to sketch comedy, live beyond their three minute scenes.
"This is something I'm really excited about. In Come As You Aren't we are able to see characters before and after they have life changing moments. We get to see them evolve as true humans do," commented Director Molly Todd Madison.
Come As You Aren't is directed by Molly Todd Madison and written and performed by Audrey Beauchamp, Holly Lambert, Luke Peters, Elias Rios, Micheal Silver, and Jenna Steege with Musical Direction by Stuart Mott.
Tickets are $12 and may be purchased at The Public House Theatre box office by phone ( 773 )230-4770 or online at www.pubhousetheatre.com . Performances are Fridays at 10pm in the House Theatre.
ABOUT THE ENSEMBLE: Ensemble Cast is the combination of several comedic artists working in Chicago. Although this is the first collaboration of the group, they have worked extensively throughout the city.
Audrey Beauchamp recently completed the Severn Darden Graduate Program at Second City concluding in a sketch revue entitled SELF ESTEAMPUNK. She is a company member of the sketch group "Legends in the Game" and has put on numerous revues such as Go To Hell ( De Maat Theater, Gorilla Tango ) and New Hack City ( Stage 773, Sketchfest 2016 ). In addition, Audrey also enjoys performing burlesque and solo sketch in numerous theaters and festivals around the city under the name "Peaches N. Cream" with Vaudzilla at Stage 773 on Saturday nights.
Holly Lambert is the creator and producer of Buzzed Broadway!: An Improvised Musical and Audience Drinking Game, and is the founding member and producer of the independent musical improv team, After Party. Holly also plays on the iO Harold team, Emergency Sleepover, on the house team, Omega, at ComedySportz, and with her independent team, Yay Radley. Holly is a graduate of The Second City Training Center Writing Program, Musical Improv Conservatory, and Conservatory as well as iO Chicago's Improv Program.
Elias Rios is a recent graduate of the Severn Darden Graduate Program, as well as a recent graduate of the Second City Conservatory program. He is also a 2015 Bob Curry Fellow and previously understudied for #DateMe in the Up Comedy Club. He can currently be seen performing with Tammy Rozofsky in their two person sketch duo, Fully Functional. Elias is represented by Gray Talent.
Luke Peters graduated from Dartmouth College in 2013. He is a former member of The Second City Training Center's HouseCo and a current member of the digital group The Mayors Club. He also has a daily comedy website, The Daily Luke ( dailyluke.com ).
Michael Silver is a graduate of the Second City Music Conservatory and has performed in a number of musicals and acapella groups. He is founding member of Anarchy: an improvised rock opera and performs with the refreshingly wacky Comedy Dance Collective. His sketches can also be seen with Unlikely Company at Stage 773. He recently was part of the original cast for the musical "The Thanksgiving Circumcision", is a writer and actor in the web series "Toured", and has coached improv teams around the Chicago area.
Jenna Steege is an alumni of the Second City Training Center's Musical Improv House Ensemble, Infinite Sundaes, and a founding member of STACKED, which tours comedy festivals all over North America. Recent credits include "Miracle on 34th Street: A Radio Play" ( The Artistic Home ), "The Miracle Walker: A Tale of Two Bushes" ( Public House Theatre ), "TAPPED" ( MCL Chicago ), "Thirsty: Chicago's Premiere Improv Drinking Party" ( Apollo Theater ) and a series of web commercials for Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L. Jenna is a graduate of the Second City Training Center's Conservatory and Musical Improv Conservatory programs, iO, and the Annoyance.
