FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, CHICAGO —- Put on your heels, and get ready to spill the tea and dish the dirt. In 2017, Laugh Factory Chicago presents The Kiki — Queer Comedy with Variety, an evening of Chicago's most fabulously funny queer comics, storytellers, spoken word artists, and improvisers. This brand new showcase, produced by Eric Lewis-Baker ( iO ), Erin Diamond ( Paper Machete ), Scott Duff ( Laugh Factory, OUT CHICAGO ), and Peter Kim ( Second City ), an extension of Laugh Factory Chicago's current hit LGBT show, Chigaygo, will draw from the incredible talent across many different comedy venues.
"I have had such an amazing time working on Chigaygo for three and a half years," says Duff, the show's producer and host. "But, we wanted to expand the scope of the show and provide queer artists from other disciplines in the comedy world a platform to have their voices heard. And we are so fortunate to be working with Peter, Erin, and Eric, who are some of the funniest people in Chicago, to bring this show to life."
A "kiki" is a slang term for a party including good music, good friends, and dishing the dirt with the purpose of reducing anxiety and stress. And, with the incoming administration, the LGBT community and their allies need a kiki more than ever. "The format of The Kiki allows us to showcase performers who don't fit into traditional comedic categories," adds Diamond, a regular contributor to Paper Machete, "and we look forward to developing unique voices that are currently missing or underrepresented in the Chicago comedy scene."
The monthly show, performing at 5:00pm the second Sunday of every month, will feature video clips, audience interaction, games, and, of course, comedy. The premiere of "The Kiki" features Chicago favorites Gwen La Roka and Allison Reese as well as Diamond, Duff, Kim, and Lewis-Baker. Doors open at 4 p.m.; the show starts at 5 p.m. It's first-come-first-serve seating, and you never know what surprises might show up. So bring your family, your big gay lover, or gay best friend and come out for an evening of pride and laughter.
Laugh Factory Chicago is located 3175 N. Broadway at Broadway and Belmont. All shows are 18 and over. For details and reservations please go to www.LaughFactory.com or call ( 773 ) 327-3175 .
Erin Diamond ( Host/Producer ):
Erin Diamond is a writer and comedian. She is a frequent contributor to The Paper Machete and co-creator of ORAL: A Storytelling Hour at The Annoyance Theater. She is a devoted fan of the band Third Eye Blind. While Erin possesses The Trump Family Chin—or lack thereof, she is no relation.
Scott Duff ( Host/Producer ):
Scott Duff is a Chicago based actor, comedian, and professional gay. He is a founding member of About Face Theatre, Chicago's premiere LGBT theatre dedicated to creating and producing plays that advance the national dialogue on gender and sexuality. In addition to over 15 AFT productions, his Chicago credits include the Goodman, Steppenwolf, Chicago Shakespeare, Lookingglass, iO, and ATC. Scott is also the host of OUT CHICAGO, a weekly live talk show for the LGBT community airing Sundays from 11am-1pm on WCPT, Chicago's Progressive Talk AM & FM.
Peter Kim ( Host/Producer ):
Peter Kim is a Chicago based writer, performer, comedian and bad boy represented by Gray Talent Group. Recent credits include Zanies, The Laugh Factory, The Second City National Touring Company, and The Second City e.t.c. - where he was nominated for a Jeff Award in the critically acclaimed revue: 'A Red Line Runs Through It'. He can currently be seen hosting The Moth at Lincoln Hall and The Kiki at The Laugh Factory. Follow @peterkz
Eric Lewis-Baker ( Host/Producer ):
Eric Lewis-Baker is a creator and performer living in Chicago. He performs stand up throughout the Midwest, and can also be seen improvising with Brother and performing sketch with Splitzies. He's currently waist-deep on a few scripts, including the tentatively-titled "Captain HugeCock."
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Laugh Factory's History in the Gay Community:
The Laugh Factory has always fought against adversity. It was born during a time when comedians were striking against the very clubs that they perform in. Laugh Factory and its owner Jamie Masada started with one simple philosophy, "Let's treat comics with respect." As the Laugh Factory grew into the brand it is today, the philosophy grew with it. Masada and the Laugh Factory had front row seats to the gay rights movement of the 1980s. As AIDS began to ravage the gay community, Masada began passing out condoms at all of his shows. Masada was also instrumental in the creation of West Hollywood, which is considered one of the most gay-friendly cities in the country. Soon, this little underdog of a club was receiving national news coverage for its efforts to fight the AIDS epidemic. Masada, a noted philanthropist, has always strived to make his clubs a forward thinking, progressive and safe place for all who enter. When Masada discovered that some of his comics were remaining in the closet for fear of crowd backlash, he decided to start "Coming Out of the Closet" one of the nation's first all gay comedy shows. The show became a huge success and to this day the Laugh Factory is seen as a shining beacon of the now safe and gay-friendly West Hollywood. In 2012, the Laugh Factory brought its brand, and philosophy of respect to Chicago. Laugh Factory Chicago set up camp in Boys Town, where it hopes to continue its tradition of supporting those in need. Masada is excited to work with the Chicago's LGBTQ community to keep the city loving, tolerant and of course, laughing.
About Laugh Factory Chicago:
Located at 3175 N. Broadway, following a $5 million renovation of the former Lakeshore Theatre, Chicago's new Laugh Factory features a flashy new video marquee, 311 seats in an intimate, dinner theater-like setting, high ceilings to accommodate balcony seating, plus a full bar with table service and a selection of appetizers. The Chicago stage and backdrop is a replica of the familiar Laugh Factory stage now so famous in L.A.
Founder Jamie Masada - the driving force behind Laugh Factory - is revered as a pioneer and innovator and is an iconic name on the comedy scene, instrumental in launching the careers of many of today's biggest comics. The New York Daily News called him the "Real King of Comedy." His knowledge and expertise have made him a leading authority on all things comedy and his advice is highly regarded by the entertainment industry's top power brokers.
Among the comedians who have performed at Laugh Factory are Tim Allen, Louie Anderson, Roseanne Barr, Milton Berle, David Brenner, Nick Cannon, Drew Carey, George Carlin, Jim Carrey, Dave Chappelle, Dane Cook, Rodney Dangerfield, Ellen DeGeneres, Phyllis Diller, Tom Dreesen, Jeff Dunham, Jeff Foxworthy, Redd Foxx, Brad Garrett, Eddie Griffin, Kathy Griffin, Buddy Hackett, Bob Hope, Andy Kaufman, Sam Kinison, Martin Lawrence, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Richard Lewis, George Lopez, Bernie Mac, Bill Maher, Howie Mandel, Carlos Mencia, Larry Miller, Mo'Nique, Paul Mooney, Eddie Murphy, Kevin Pollack, Richard Pryor, Paul Reiser, Chris Rock, Paul Rodriguez, Ray Romano, Bob Saget, Mort Sahl, Adam Sandler, Jerry Seinfield, Garry Shandling, Sarah Silverman, Jon Stewart, Wanda Sykes, Chris Tucker, Damon Wayans, Keenan Ivory Wayans, Flip Wilson, Robin Williams, Jonathan Winters, Steven Wright, Henry Youngman and many, many more.
For more information about the Laugh Factory and to learn about upcoming shows at the new Chicago location, visit www.LaughFactory.com .
