The Chicago comedy scene is ringing in the New Year with a bang Monday, in what is becoming something of a tradition.
For the last few years, big-time talent has been gracing some of the area clubs, with the clubs getting in the spirit by offering champagne, noisemakers and those funny-looking hats.
In what will surely be the biggest show on New Year`s Eve, the Chicago Theatre will be transformed into a giant comedy club, with Jerry Seinfeld, Jake Johansen and Jeff Cesario taking the stage. Seinfeld is one of the most in-demand comics working today, while Johansen and Cesario are accomplished national headliners.
”The Three J`s, that`s us baby. Don`t you forget it,” says Cesario, who along with Johnasen works the Chicago Improv when in town.
”Let me put it this way for you: We are ready to rumble,” notes Seinfeld, whose NBC series, ”Seinfeld,” returns to TV on Wednesdays starting next month. ”This is going to be the biggest comedy rumble Chicago has ever seen.”
There will be no ego-clashing fistfights. All three at one time or another have gotten together for softball games with other comedians on Sundays in Los Angeles, when they`re not on the road.
”Oh, man, are you kidding? It`ll be great” that the three will be working together, Johansen adds. ”I think it`s a good blend of different styles, but all in a similar vein.” Johansen says that fans of one comic who haven`t seen the others will ”get a little treat. They`re gonna enjoy the other guys.”
The ”Three J`s” kick things off at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be obtained at all Ticketmaster locations or by phone: 559-1212.
Not far away will be another great talent, Rich Jeni, at the Funny Firm
(318 W. Grand Ave.; 321-9500). And it sounds like he is looking forward to the evening.
”It`s an opportunity to perform in front of people what are not only in a festive mood, but are so drunk that they think you`re actually a woman,”
says Jeni, who is starting off the new year right with his second Showtime special, ”Richard Jeni: Crazy From the Heat,” which debuts Jan. 5.
Jeni jokes that on New Year`s ”everybody gets drunk, including your parents. So the day after New Year`s Eve is the only day of the year you get to actually walk into their bedroom and say, `Look at you. Do you know what time it is? It`s 11 o`clock at night, how long are you gonna be in that bed?
You`re a disgrace.` ”
Here`s a short list of the talents scheduled to make merry Monday. The clubs will be offering various types of packages with each show, so call for more details:
”Full House`s” Dave Coulier, who has a second hit on his talented hands with ABC`s ”America`s Funniest People,” appears at the Chicago Improv (312- STAND-UP). Closing out Catch a Rising Star-Oak Brook (708-573-7888) is Lorne Elliott, one of Canada`s top comics. Paul Provenza, who has a Showtime special debuting next month, ”Paul Provenza: The Incredible Man-Boy,” is the top talent at the Funny Bone-Naperville (708-955-0500).
Chicago talents round out the festivities at other local clubs. Ken Sevara, whose cable show ”Testing 1-2-3” is gaining in popularity, is scheduled to headline at K.J. Riddle`s Comedy Stop (708-614-6336) on New Year`s Eve. Dea Staley brings Baby New Year in at the Funny Bone-Schaumburg
(708-303-5700. And it`s Brian Schmidt at Zanies (337-4027), Larry Reeb at Zanies-Mount Prospect (708-228-6166) and Fred Klett at Zanies-Pheasant Run
(708-513-1761).
The standup lineup
Here`s who`s working at the comedy clubs. Current sets are scheduled to run through Sunday; all new acts begin on Tuesday unless otherwise noted. Lineups are subject to change.
Catch a Rising Star-Oak Brook (1909 Spring Rd., Oak Brook; 708-573-7888): Jeff Allen has the honor of being the last week-long headliner to play at Catch. After closing for a few weeks for remodeling, the room will reopen as Double Exposure, with a mix of comedy, magic and music.
Chicago Improv (504 N. Wells St.; call 312-STAND-UP): The No-Chinned One himself, Steve Mittleman, is working through Sunday. The first headliner of the new year will be southerner Blake Clark, beginning on Wednesday.
Funny Bone-Naperville (1504 Naper Blvd.-Tower Crossing Shopping Center;
708-955-0500): it`s Paul Provenza through Monday, and Houston`s Mike Vance starting on Wednesday.
Zanies (1548 N. Wells St.; 337-4027): After Brian Schmidt this weekend, Dale Irvin returns to the club beginning on Wednesday.
