Recently, this author lazily cut and pasted an e-mail interview with Chicago Underground Comedy co-producer, cast member and filmmaker, Elizabeth McQuern. As will be a regular feature of these columns, the interviewee was asked to compose a question to answer. Elizabeth composed and answered 3! Here are some of the high points of this exercise in lethargy.
DD: ChUC has been running since 2005. What do you owe the longevity to?
EM: Chicago Underground Comedy is an artist-run show that started off with a great group of stand-ups who wanted to create a home base for themselves, and as the years have gone by and individuals developed and progressed enough to leave the nest (i.e. move to NYC/LA), they were replaced by newer up-and-comers with a similar drive and spirit. I think the careful, thoughtful replenishing of the cast has kept a consistency that is a hallmark of the show.
In my view, one key to our success is that, we’ve maintained a group who, talent and work ethic aside, are just awesome people to hang out with. Tuesdays are the best night of the week for me, because I get to spend time with some of my favorite people, and just relax and laugh and enjoy the camaraderie. And the audience definitely feels that, too, and it’s part of the overall experience of coming to ChUC.
Another important feature is our loyal audience, who know that every week, they can come see a solid, funny, and awesome show for only $5. (If I’m not mistaken, I think that’s the cheapest show in town.) You don’t need a big advertising budget or a PR team to spread the word if people know that every week, your show is going to be a fun place to be. Word of mouth will take care of that.
DD: What's good about comedy in Chicago?
EM: Oh man, I could go on forever on this topic. First, there are the legendary comedy institutions that draw people here from all over the country to study comedy: The Second City, iO, The Annoyance Theater, ComedySportz, etc. Chicago is like a factory that churns out funny people.
Then there’s the fact that we’re Midwestern, so we’re maybe a little less intimidating, friendlier and more welcoming. And, as our pals who have moved to New York and Los Angeles tell us, the lack of industry here means a lack of self-consciousness, and a greater willingness to experiment. There is no scout from NBC in the audience, and there’s no sitcom deal on the line, so your main focus is on this moment, and the people in front of you, so all you care about is making them laugh.
And finally, Chicago comedians are really fantastic at creating their own platforms and opportunities. You don't have to wait for someone else to give you a chance to do something creative, you can start by doing it yourself. There are so many artist-produced open mics, showcases, podcasts and short comedy films in Chicago, which means we're all doing the work, which is the most important thing. Want to be a big time comedy filmmaker in Hollywood in the near future? Start by being a comedy filmmaker right here right now. Grab whatever camera is available and find something to edit on, gather your friends, and start creating. Writing is writing, editing is editing, and acting is acting, no matter what scale you’re doing it on. Not to mention, doing the work also give you experience in working with others, and learning how to collaborate, which is just as important to success as raw talent.
(The following are Elizabeth McQuern's self-composed questions and answers)
EM: In your experience, what's the difference between a middling stand-up and a really good stand-up?
EM: To me, the more personal and specific your material is, the more interesting and enjoyable your stand-up is. Talk about things you feel strongly about (positively or negatively) and really go for it. Don't tell generic jokes that could come out of anyone's mouth. If you don't really give a crap, your audience won't either. This is your moment: there's a spotlight on your face and a mic in front of your mouth, and the only boundaries are the ones you establish, so really make it count. Dig deep, tap into your passions, and let it fly. It doesn't really matter if your audience is as familiar with your subject matter as you are, it's your energy and commitment they will respond to.
EM: Who are some of the newer comedians on the scene who have caught your eye?
EM: As it happens, I have nothing to do with the booking of Chicago Underground Comedy, that's all done by my (much appreciated) co-producer Dan Telfer, so it's always a nice surprise to me when new people I haven't seen yet take our stage for the first time. Most recently, I've been delighted to see Andrew Halter, Jeff Steinbrunner, Timmy Brochu, and Nancy Fast for the first time. They're all strong and funny and all bring something unique to the mix. I know there are lots of other new comics I haven't seen who are also really good.
EM: Who are some of your favorite comedians in Chicago, and what do you think they're doing right?
EM: Of course I'm partial to the ChUC cast, because I spend the most time with them, and they're like my brothers and sisters, and we're all kind of growing up together creatively. This summer, with a massive exodus of cast members to LA, we brought in six new people to the ChUC cast, and it's really great having them. They are:
Ever Mainard is just a doll. Even if you never saw her do stand-up, you'd fall in love with her. Ever's character-based stuff is killer, and her excitement and drive are very inspiring. I love it when she talks onstage about her family, and her home state of Texas. She's one of those people you feel like is not going to stop until she goes all the way, and I love her attitude.
Joe Fernandez keeps surprising me with really sharply written dark stuff, and unexpected stuff like the Rapping Edgar Allen Poe he did at our Halloween show. The judges at the Andy Kaufmann awards apparently also appreciate his weirdness, which you don't always notice at first glance because he's so sweet. I feel like he's filled the Ken Barnard niche of "wholesome face, which allows him to get away with a lot of boundary-pushing."
I also adore Candy Lawrence, who I originally knew as half of the Money Kids (with Lauren Lapkus), and whose solo stand-up is just getting better and better. She's very brave as a performer and is willing to get down and dirty (or soaking wet, if you've ever seen her).
Nate Simmons is someone I've been aware of for several years, and it's great to see his material getting really tight. His onstage persona has gotten stronger and stronger, and he always cracks me up. His "eating lunch at the restaurant I got fired from" bit always kills me. Sometimes I think "Nate Simmons" is a well-written character from a sitcom we're all unknowingly living in.
Then there's The Puterbaugh Sisters. They're such an integral part of the scene here, it's hard to remember what it was like before they arrived. They're so magical, with their costumes and wigs and crazy stuff, and the patter between them is so damn fun to watch. They're full of surprises, and I swear if they move to LA I might have to pack it in and go back home to Indiana. They're irreplaceable.
Aside from our cast, two of my other favorites are Junior Stopka and Michael Lehrer. They, like everyone else I've mentioned, are 100% themselves onstage (even if they're in character), and they let you peek into their perspective enough to laugh like hell at the way their minds work, but with that enjoyable sense that you're barely scratching the surface, and it makes you hungry to hear more.
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