The Scene Comedy Vlog is a 10 episode docuseries that featured improv, stand-up, and variety sets in local performance spaces, including Chicago’s “big three” —The Second City, iO Theater, and The Annoyance.
The episodes were published from May 2022 through November 2023 to capture the rehabilitating post-pandemic comedy scene in Chicago; it followed local comedians backstage and between the scenes during their favorite performances.
FRIDAY NIGHT RIOT
EPISODE ONE | RELEASED MAY 29th, 2022
THE BUGHOUSE THEATER
The Bughouse is home to the weekly improv showcase Friday Night Riot, produced by Sammy Tamimi. This Episode features performances by Improv teams Ghost Baby, Propane, and JOY!
Performers include: Andrew Cochrane, Greg Dickenson, Michelle Gajus, Collin O’Connell, Marty Hasler, Ben Tennenbaum, Callye Bolster, Mitch Winkler, Chris Laychak, Aaron Paulsen, Anna Weatherwax, Conner Stumm, Rob Ayers, Casey Searles, Kayla Shipman, and Sammy Tamimi.
Theme Music "Ampersand" by Kithkin. Written by Ian Earnest Rust, Bob Wilson, and Alex Barr.
This vlog was recorded May 27, 2022.
UNREMARKABLE FAIRYTALES
EPISODE TWO | ReLeased JUNE 14th, 2022
THE ANNOYANCE THEATRE & BAR
In this episode Ali visits the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago, where he’s joined by some the cast of Unremarkable Fairytales. The production went up in March 2022 and their run has since been extended thrice since the time of this episode’s release.
Performers include: Riley Woollen, Emma Sappington, Margaret Rose. Sean Koch. Ari Levin.
Stage Tech: Jeremy Helsel.
Credits Music "Baby Carrot Dick Swag" by Dummy Crew. Written and performed by Levi Friedman.
This vlog was recorded June 2nd, 2022.
STACKED
EPISODE THREE | RELEASED JULY 6th, 2022
THE BUGHOUSE THEATER
We're back at The Bughouse Theater for Stacked, the new Thursday night showcase that's an extension of Friday Night Riot. 4 teams, 15 minutes each. Just like FNR, Stacked is produced by Sammy Tamimi. This episode features performances by Improv teams Detention, Chicago Fourcast, Burnt Toast, and Junior Mayor.
Performers include: Holly Barras, Callye Bolster, Sammy Tamimi, Chris George, Casey Searles, Elyse Ruppert, Micaela Mccabe, Rob Ayers, Miriam Gevinson, Bianca Anderson, Amy Berger, Rachael Howland Ray Morgan, Calvin Kolbe, Chelsie Polifka, Andrew Marczak, Connor O'Locklin, and Ali Khan.
Theme Music "Already Know" by The Co-Founder. Written by Hayden Eller, Jake Barrow, Luke Hogfoss, and Nikko Van Wyck.
Filmed at The Bughouse Theater in Chicago, IL.
This vlog was recorded June 9th, 2022.
THE GALA
EPISODE FOUR | RELEASED JULY 17th, 2022
THE ANNOYANCE THEATRE & BAR
Celebrity. Mystery. Impressions. NYC Rats. Audacity. French People. This show has everything. The Gala premiered on The Annoyance Mainstage on April 29th, 2022.
The Gala is directed by Elias Rios, assistant directed by Arielle Jones, written by the cast with head writer Daryn Robinson, with contributions from Kaili Y. Turner. Costume design by Sam Kerns and Danielle Ganz. Stage Technician Sam MacNerland.
Performers Include: Amita Rao, Alonso Ramirez, Elim Almedom, Dani Pike, Jillian Mueller, Lauren Lonergan, Anna Bortnick, Keiter Liriano, Chelsea Matkins, and Mason King.
Music "Diamonds" By Vervex. Written and performed by Jake Barrow. From the album "Full Speed In Place"
The Gala Theme Written and performed by JC Brooks. Follow on Instagram: jcbrooksband
This vlog was recorded on June 10th, 2022.
STACKED II
EPISODE FIVE | RELEASED AUGUST 3RD, 2022
THE BUGHOUSE THEATER
We're back again at The Bughouse Theater for Stacked, the Thursday night showcase that's an extension of Friday Night Riot. 4 teams, 15 minutes each. Just like FNR, Stacked is produced by Sammy Tamimi. This episode features performances by Improv teams Detention, Pulp, Lower Wacker Book Club, Above Ground Pool.
Performers include: Holly Barras, Sammy Tamimi, Chris George, Michelle Castro, Mary-Kate Kelly, Charlsie Bastian, Lucy Brooks, Casey Golden, Aaron Alicea, James Alcock, Shawna Seals, Erica Seff Adam Rozak, Erin Ryan, Blake Hood, John Doan, Ruby Avina, Haley Holtje, Ashley Stenner, Maddie Cole, and Charles Curren.
Filmed at The Bughouse Theater in Chicago, IL.
Theme Music "Already Know" by The Co-Founder. Written by Hayden Eller, Jake Barrow, Luke Hogfoss, and Nikko Van Wyck.
This vlog was recorded on June 16th, 2022
COMEDY AT THE BIRDHOUSE
EPISODE SIX | RELEASED AUGUST 21ST, 2022
A SECRET SHOW
Welcome to The Birdhouse. This quaint location usually hosting shows in a living room space decided to change things up and take advantage of the summer heat. Loose Lips hosts the evening, with guest improvisers Sunday Best and The Greatest Rapper in the United States, Scoochie Boochie.
Performers include: Bill Reick Angelika Giatras Jeff Menezes Nicole Lopez Lauryn Ringwood Renee Pedigo Shelby Deutsch Aaron Alicea Holly Barras Ryan Wenzel and Michael Ribbens as Scoochie Boochie.
All music in this episode written and performed by Scoochie Boochie.
This vlog was filmed at The Birdhouse (a secret show) in Chicago, IL on June 17th, 2022
EVERYTHING IS FINE
EPISODE SEVEN | RELEASED SEPTEMBER 29th, 2022
THE BUGHOUSE THEATER
We're back at The Bughouse again for 'Everything is Fine' which is a variety show that celebrates leaving your problems at the door. This episode features Stand Up Comedians Ryan Haynes and Mitch Winkler, with musical performances by Lauren Memrey and Andrew Freeland, and Improv Sets by Sunday Best and the Everything Is Fine producers.
Performers include: Ryan Haynes, Mitch Winkler, Andrew Freeland, Lauren Memrey, Shelby Deutsch, Andrew Baldwin, Alex O'Brien, Holly Barras, Josie Benedetti, Steven Dionne, Jake Wagner, Lizzie Kaniecki, Aaron Alicea, DJ Mudfree
End Credits Music "Eating Alone" written and performed by The Co-Founder. Written by Hayden Eller, Jake Barrow, Luke Hogfoss, and Nikko Van Wyck.
Filmed at The Bughouse in Chicago, IL.
RESURRECTION
EPISODE EIGHT | RELEASED aPRIL 2nd, 2023
The Return of iO Theater
After almost 40 years of serving the Chicago improv community, iO Theater closed its doors in 2020 after allegations of racism and bigotry and a final blow from the global pandemic. In 2022, iO reopened under new management and a leadership team that is dedicated in making the theater a space for all. This episode features the productions Whirled News Tonight and Improvised Survivor.
Appearing in this episode: Adonis Holmes, Jesse Swanson, Katie Caussin, Francisco Quinones, Erica Seff, James Alcock, Padraic Connelly, James Dugan, Rob White, Josh Segovia, Mo Phillips, Andrew Baldwin, Edgar Navarez, Sierra Kenyon, Kiki Hughes, Keiter Liriano, Alonso Ramirez, Stuart Hicar, Carly Strait, Rogue Schmidt, Kristen Aviles, Daryn Robinson, Brad Pike, Steve Plock, Kim Ineme, Annie Chimienti, Anna Bortnick, Mason King, Daniel Neary, Scott Campbell, and Dan Stauffer
Music “Fallen Giants” by the band Kithkin from the album “Rituals, Trances, and Ecstasies For Humans In The Face Of Collapse”
This vlog was filmed at the iO Theater in Chicago, IL. between Nov 2022 - Jan 2023.
UNCUT GEMS
THE MUSICAL PARODY
EPISODE NINE | Released MAY 31ST, 2023
THE ANNOYANCE THEATER
Go behind the scenes of this musical rendition of the Safdie Brothers popular crime thriller, with all the swearing and violence of the original in half the run time.
Performers include: Richard Pazarro, Elim Almedom, Phylicia McLeod, Mason King, Tara Egan, Jon Barnes, and Meredith Weir.
Uncut Gems The Musical Parody was directed by Ian Mullen.
This vlog was filmed at The Annoyance in Chicago, IL.
It’s the end of the world and we blow it
EPISODE ten | RELEASED November 29th, 2023
A Second City Conservatory Show
A look behind the scenes of a Second City grad revue with the cast of "It's The End Of The World And We Blow It," which had an 8 week run on the ETC stage between late May and early July of 2022.
Written and performed by: Conor Delaney, Shelby Deutsch, Bill Reich, Anna Weatherwax, Ali Khan, Jeff Menezes, Jay Moreau, Renee Pedigo, Nichole Reed, Angelika Giatras, Todd Wilson, and Winnie Yeung.
Directed by: Laurel Krabacher
Musical Director: Stephanie McCullough
Stage Manager: Vicky Diaz-Escobar
Music: “Portrait Of My Own Butthole (Insturmental)” written and performed by Dummy Crew.
“Funny Hip-Hop” written and performed by Pashastriker
Filmed at The Second City in Chicago, IL between May and July of 2022.
