Ladies and gentlemen, what you are about to see will amaze you. If you are quiet and still, you will see the curtain pulled back to reveal the people behind some of the best magic our city has to offer. Our featured tellers this month know secrets, have been on pilgrimages, worked behind the scenes of political machines and movements, have penned some of this country’s favorite anonymous stories, and literally stand behind curtains each night to create delight and wonder for passers-by.
One of our goals at Here’s the Story is to bring people together across lines that normally divide us. Those lines being the usual: political, economic, racial, religious, social and professional. We do this with storytelling in order to help us connect; to delight in each other’s differences, and to bond over what we have in common.
One of the most difficult lines for people to look past is a religious one. And so from time to time we like to host a religious leader or two. In the past we’ve hosted Dr’s of Theology, a Buddhist nun, a Unitarian Minister, Christian poets, Jewish teachers and a nice sprinkling of Diests, Agnostics and Athiests. The fact is, wonderful people show up everywhere, and in all constituencies. Here’s the Story is our monthly chance to let down our guards and see the good.
Point being, we hope you’ll warmly welcome our Minister of Puppet Joy this month. (Oh, and our Catholic Priest, too. :))
Jen Spyra is a writer and comic. She is a staff writer at The Onion, and her comedy writing has also appeared in places like McSweeney’s, the New York Daily News and The Wall Street Journal. She does stand up comedy and has performed extensively with iO and The Annoyance. She graduated from Columbia University with a BA in English in ’07, and Northwestern with an MFA in ’12. She is from Pittsburgh. Come by and judge her at www.jenspyra.com!
Fr. Michael Shanahan has been a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago for 22 years. His ministry focuses on building bridges between immigrant communities and American culture. Fr. Michael is an active member of the Priests for Justice for Immigrants. This group is active in advocating for immigration reform and providing much needed services for the immigrant community in Chicago. He is currently the pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish at the corner of Leland and Ashland Ave. This is a parish of about 1200 registered households which are primarily of Latino descent. The parish is also home to a significant Philippino population. In his spare time (of which there is little) Fr. Michael is a professional pianist. He has played jazz and blues at a restaurant on the near North North Side in Chicago for more than ten years.
Chicago Stage Review says: “For those who have not yet been blessed with its brilliance, Puppet Bike is a traveling puppet theater that roams the streets and festivals of Chicago delivering spontaneous joy to all in its wake. Although there have been rare winter sightings, Puppet Bike is more a regular fixture of summer in the city. The joy that it brings is like the life giving rays of the sun. One little trike plus several antique puppets equals sheer delight for both young and old alike. Here’s to the magic of Puppet Bike!” Our man behind the curtain, Michael King, is a Passionista and a rainbow light warrior nurturing the love matrix. He likes skiing, bikes, and books. All gratitude.
Angela Benander, Co-Producer of That’s All She Wrote, is a Chicago-based writer, performer, and Crisis PR Goddess. She is a Midwesterner recovering from Capitol Hill. Angela has more than a decade of high-level communications and public policy experience. As press secretary for U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and a member of his Senate leadership staff, Benander gained considerable experience with message-based communication, media strategy, rapid response and outreach. She also served as communications director and official spokeswoman for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in the key period leading up to her 2006 re-election. In 2007, Benander left Capitol Hill to join Res Publica Group in Chicago. As vice president, she provided crisis communication and coalition-building counsel to clients ranging from nonprofit hospitals to agricultural operations.
Josh Berling was our October Audience Favorite. As was the case with most men in their 20’s who live within 30 miles of the city, Josh was in a comedy a troupe as one of the founding members of Big Dog Eat Child. Since he left the group, he has spent his spare time writing, gaming, drinking, and working in his decidedly uncreative job. Now, he’s taking his near supernatural ability to put his foot in his mouth to fuel his stories about growing up and finding his place in the world. He’s performed at The Button Down, Grown Folks Stories, and Story Lab, as well as any other stage that will have him, including The Moth at Haymarket where he was the May StorySlam winner.
Join us on November 3rd for a wonderful night. We look forward to being with you.
Here’s the Story on November 3rd
Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave
7:30 potluck/ 8pm show
Tickets
Comments Closed