BEST STAND-UP IN THE BURBS
2023-24 Season | @ RAUE CENTER FOR THE ARTS @ 8:30p
Best stand-up in the burbs! Raue Center brings the best stand-up comics in the Chicagoland area close to home with Lucy’s Comedy, Raue Center’s longest-running program! Curated by comic and radio personality, John DaCosse.
October 6, 2023
headliner Brian Hicks, featuring Carter Dougherty and hosted by Ted Willson
November 17, 2023
headliner Larry Reeb, featuring Orly KG and hosted by Brian Williams
January 5, 2024
headliner Mr. Derick Lengwenus, featuring Marcus Hendricks hosted by Mike Preston
February 16, 2024
headliner Ralphie Roberts, featuring St. James Jackson, hosted by Tim Benker
March 22, 2024
headliner John DaCosse, featuring RCSA Winter/Spring 2024 Stand-Up Comedy Grads!
This event is sponsored by
Friday, October 6, 2023
HEADLINER
Brian Hicks
Brian Hicks is one of the country’s most sought-after stand-up comics. He currently tours the country as an opening act for Michael Carbonaro from “The Carbonaro Effect” Brian has taken the comedy world by storm with his insightful views on what people find funny. The laughs come fast and frequently, since he has spent the last 22 years honing his craft at clubs and theaters across the country. Brian specializes in giving every audience a hilarious and singular comedic experience. His unique talent consists of clever material and unparalleled audience interaction, which he combines seamlessly with his lightning quick wit. Brian has incredible instincts and an undeniable ability to make audiences laugh. Sounds great, right? Of course, it does, Brian wrote it!
Brian’s Comedy album “Dibs” is available on I-tunes and can be heard on Sirius XM radio. Drybar special released in Dec. 2021
FEATURE
Carter Dougherty
Winner of Funniest Person in Cincinnati 2022, Now Chicago resident, Carter Dockerty performs throughout the Midwest comedy club circuit where he is a go-to opener for comics such as Big Jay Oakerson, Ali Sultan, and Ran Barnaclo. His awkward style helps connect with audiences, young and old, with his views on the world as a 22-year-old. Also, bios are weird and Carter hates talking about himself in the third person.
HOST
Ted Willson
Ted Willson, the comedic half of the wildly popular online show That Checks Out, is a Chicago area native. While entertaining at clubs throughout the Midwest, he regularly makes audiences laugh with his funny and familiar stories that you can’t imagine really happened to him. Ted brings those unbelievable true stories to life with a polished wit and an endearing charm.
Friday, November 17, 2023
HEADLINER
Larry Reeb
Known as Uncle Lar’, Larry Reeb is the wise-cracking black sheep, politically incorrect relative everyone knows. Like any concerned relative Uncle Lar’ wants to help. So in his own twisted way he does. He gives you “tips”. Uncle Lar’ offers tips on everything from marriage to lotteries to children. Always topping them off with, “That’s a tip from your Uncle Lar’.”
Uncle Lar’ is a regular on “The Bob & Tom Show”, syndicated in over 100 markets. Larry has been voted Chicago Comedian of the Year, and has made numerous television and radio appearances.
FEATURE
Orly K.G.
As seen in The Chicago Tribune, on WLS Radio, WGN News, and nationally on The Kelly Clarkson Show on NBC – continues to hustle her way into the comedy scene with her antics about marriage, shame eating, and her constantly decaying body. She’s appeared at Zanies Rosemont and Chicago, Laugh Factory, Comedy Bar, Laughing Academy, The Lincoln Lodge, Annoyance Theater, and at her weekly open mic (Guinness & Giggles) at Chief O’Neill’s. Orly K.G. also produces Bad Momz of Comedy for Chicago-area ladies night events. This Jewish mom is funny — but PLEASE do not call her Mrs. Maisel. Oy! www.chicagocomedyworks.com
www.facebook.com/OrlyKGComedy
www.instagram.com/k.g.orly/
Kelly Clarkson Show on NBC
HOST
Brian Williams
After studying improv for 4 years, Brian Williams has spent the last 5 years launching his stand up career. He has performed all over Chicagoland including Zanies and Lucy’s Comedy Cafe.
Friday, January 5, 2024
HEADLINER
Mr. Derick
Recently spotlighted on the Joe Rogan Experience, Mr. Derick is one of the fastest rising comedians in the country. The Just for Laughs Festival, where he has appeared 5 times, describes Mr. Derick’s act as “Clever comedy with a quick left turn into absurdity!” The Montreal Gazette writes, “This comedian can make high, hilarious comedy out of any subject!” Other credits included a 1hr television special for the Comedy Network, an appearance on FOX TV, and 2 Canadian Comedy Award Nominations! His act is a blend of searing social commentary and skilled character performance that he honed as a student in the Second City Conservatory in Chicago.
Mr. Derick is originally from Montreal, but now makes his home in Chicago where he recently became a U.S. citizen.
FEATURED
Marcus Hendricks
Marcus is a season regular on NBC as a uniformed officer of Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.! After writing his first few jokes and attending a stand-up comedy amateur night the same year of his NBC debut, he was hooked! Since then, he has performed all over the Midwest and is looking to soon make the trip to Las Vegas and New York. He will be headlining his first full weekend in Niles, Michigan in February of 2024!
HOST
Mike Preston
Comic, Author, Talk Show Host. With his slightly damaged take on things, Mike Preston has worked comedy clubs and sordid one-nighters from coast to coast for over thirty years and made several TV appearances, including SHOWTIMES COMEDY CLUB, and NBCS FRIDAY NIGHT. Along the way, he produced and hosted a cable access talk show, as well as
self-publishing several books, including the landmark self-help parody – STOP TALKING NOW!
In addition to standup, Preston is currently working in the storytelling genre.
Friday, February 16, 2024
HEADLINER
Ralphie Roberts
Don’t let the innocent face and the shy smile fool you, Ralphie Roberts will MAKE YOU LAUGH. Ralphie’s too-silly-to-be-serious brand of comedy is full of high energy and has a universal appeal.
Born on the west side of Chicago but now living that suburban life, Ralphie has a very dysfunctional view that he loves to share with his audiences.
Whether it’s about his past relationships, funny command of the English language, job status, over-achieving wife or parody songs Ralphie finds the material to keep his audience in stitches because to him life is a joke.
FEATURE
St James Jackson
St James Jackson is a touring Chicago comedian who has featured at prominent comedy clubs such as The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, and Caroline’s on Broadway. He has been mentioned in the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Reader. He has opened up for comedy icons Roy Wood Jr. (Daily Show), Hannibal Buress (Broad City), and Chris Redd (SNL). He founded the biggest independent comedy show in Chicago called “Something Unexpected” and currently produces the hilarious “Up & Up” podcast.
HOST
A Chicago comedy veteran, Tim Benker has performed stand-up from New York to Las Vegas, and has co-hosted morning radio in Las Vegas and Houston along the way. Tim currently performs the multi-media comedy show “The Idiots Guide to fixing Stooopid” , and occasionally appears on the musical comedy stage as his alter-ego,The Very Famous Lance
Vegas”
Friday, March 22, 2024
Headliner
JOHN DACOSSE
John is known as a WGN Radio personality and the curator of Raue Center’s Lucy’s Comedy series. During his 30-plus years in stand-up comedy, the brilliant DaCosse has developed a solid reputation nationwide. He has opened for big names like Ellen DeGeneres, George Lopez, Craig Ferguson, and Billy Gardell and has appeared on NBC, Comedy Central and TBS. DaCosse has also served as an audience warm-up for Rosie O’Donnell and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
Featuring
RCSA Stand-Up Comedy Spring 2024 Grads!
Samantha Chiappone
Brynn Jeffries
Phil Smith
Jerry Trachsler
Sean Unverzagt
Josh Lavigne
(Not Performing This Evening)
Friday, May 24, 2024
HEADLINER
Dobie Maxwell
Dobie Maxwell is a nationally touring, award-winning comedian. He has been perfecting his craft since 1985. Dobie has worked with such notable comedians as Jay Leno, Jeff Foxworthy, Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Tim Allen, Drew Carey, Andrew “Dice” Clay, Richard Pryor, Sam Kinison, Dennis Miller, Chris Rock, and many others too. Dobie has appeared on CBS TV’s “The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson” and Byron Allen’s ‘Comics.TV’ among many other shows. He has also been on nationally syndicated radio on the “Bob and Tom.”
His remarkable memoir “Monkey in the Middle” chronicles his life from being born to motorcycle gang parents and abandoned at five months old to having to testify against his childhood best friend in federal court for robbing a local bank – TWICE.
FEATURE
Laura Hugg
Laura Hugg is a writer and performer of stand-up, sketch comedy, and storytelling. Originally from Cincinnati, Laura studied and graduated from The Second City Conservatory. Laura has performed at Zanies, Laugh Factory, and Comedy Bar to name a few. Currently, she co-produces and hosts a comedy variety show at The
Lincoln Lodge in Chicago called, “Keep Coming Back”, and co-produces a stand-up showcase in Evanston called, “Laughs on a Hot Tin Roof”, at Five & Dime.
HOST
Brian Williams
After studying improv for 4 years, Brian Williams has spent the last 5 years launching his stand up career. He has performed all over Chicagoland including Zanies and Lucy’s Comedy Cafe.
JOHN DACOSSE
John is known as a WGN Radio personality and the curator of Raue Center’s Lucy’s Comedy series. During his 30-plus years in stand-up comedy, the brilliant DaCosse has developed a solid reputation nationwide. He has opened for big names like Ellen DeGeneres, George Lopez, Craig Ferguson, and Billy Gardell and has appeared on NBC, Comedy Central and TBS. DaCosse has also served as an audience warm-up for Rosie O’Donnell and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Tim Paul, board president
John Jacobsen, vice president
Chuck Stevens, treasurer
Luanne Flavin, secretary
Stacey McInerney
Volunteer Liaison
John Green
Mike H. Johnson
Richard Kuranda
Jack Minsley
Rich Naponelli
Michelle Nowland
Sandra Pierce
Regan Shepley
Steven Szalaj
Jerry Trachsler
RAUE CENTER STAFF
Richard Kuranda
Raue Center CEO & Founding Artistic Director of Williams Street Repertory
Justin Wellington
Managing Director
Jenna Klaproth
Operations Manager
Meredith Schaefer-Flowers
Director of Marketing &
Institutional Advancement
Michele V. Knight
Marketing Manager
James Knight
Economic Development Manager
Rob Scharlow
Raue Center School for the Arts
Director of Education
Maribeth Ling
Front of House Manager
Chris Tumblin
Raue Center Director of Production
Ryan Meadow
Raue Center Production Manager
Robin Hughes
Executive Producer / Production Manager
Box Office Staff
Dan Cosgray
Naomi Unverzagt
About Raue Center For The Arts
Raue Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of all through the arts. For 20 years, they have provided quality programming – striving to make it pertinent, available, and affordable to all. As a painstakingly restored, 1920s regional showcase theatre named for its benefactor—Lucile Raue—Raue Center has attracted the finest stars, Broadway shows, musicians and artists. Named on the League of Historic American Theatres, Raue Center is one of the finest examples of restored art and decor in the nation. The 750-seat theatre, located in historic downtown Crystal Lake, Illinois, is a gathering place for our region’s citizens and has become a true destination.
For additional information follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit rauecenter.org.
