- Annoyance Theatre
The Annoyance Theatre, or Annoyance Productions as it is sometimes called, is a
theater and associated ensemble based inChicago that deals mainly in absurd and outrageoushumor . Many people that have performed with the ensemble have gone on to become successful stage and screen actors. [ [https://www.annoyanceproductions.com/people.html Annoyanceproductions.com] ] Popular productions included "Coed Prison Sluts" and "That Darned Antichrist".History
The Annoyance Theatre was founded by
Mick Napier , as Metraform in 1987 and changed its name to the Annoyance after moving into a new building in 1989. The Annoyance moved again in 1994 to a theater on the 3700 block of North Clark Street where it would remain for six years. In 2000 the Annoyance was forced to move out so the building could be demolished to make room for a temporary parking lot for nearbyWrigley Field , and later a mixed commercial/residential building containing aBlockbuster Video . At the time of its closing in 2000, "Coed Prison Sluts," a musical comedy with a frequently rotating cast, was the longest-running musical comedy in Chicago, having played for 11 years. The Annoyance took up residence in a new building in 2002, and signed a lease for a permanent home in 2004.In 1992 the Annoyance opened a show called "The Real Live Brady Bunch," in which a troupe of performers, with an eye toward irony, acted out entire episodes of the 1960s and '70s family
sitcom "The Brady Bunch ". The show was hugely successful, riding the wave of 1970snostalgia that came in part to define the 1990s and continues to this day. "What Every Girl Should Know... An Ode to Judy Blume" was another popular show and even gained the respect and approval of authorJudy Blume . Throughout the late 1990s iconic film director John Waters and comedianCharlie Callas made appearances at the Annoyance.The Annoyance opened a new theatre and bar in July 2006 in the Uptown area of Chicago (4830 N Broadway) and the company continues to produce original material created by their own ensemble. The new location opened with a production of "President Bush is a Great Man" directed by
Mick Napier . In October 2006, the theatre revived their very first show, "Splatter Theatre," first performed in 1987. [ [http://www.annoyanceproductions.com/history.html Annoyanceproductions.com] ]In July 2008, the theatre revived their flagship show, "Coed Prison Sluts" first performed in April, 1988 [ [http://www.annoyanceproductions.com/coed/index.shtml Annoyanceproductions.com] ]
Notable alumni
*
Ike Barinholtz , "MADtv " castmember
*Joe Bill , "Bassprov " actor
*Tom Booker , "Primetime Glick " actor
*Beth Cahill , Saturday Night Live castmember
*Stephen Colbert , television host
*Martin de Maat , teacher
*Paul Dinello , "Strangers with Candy " actor/director
*Jennifer Estlin "Law & Order " actor
*Jon Favreau , "Swingers" writer and actor
*Kate Flannery , "The Office (US TV series) " actor
*Jeff Garlin , "Curb Your Enthusiasm " actor/producer
*Eric Hoffman , "Mr. Show " actor/writer
*Melanie Hutsell , "Saturday Night Live " castmember
*Jodi Lennon , "Artie Lange's Beer League " actor
*Madeline Long , "" actor
*Jane Lynch , "A Mighty Wind " actor
*Susan Messing , "Late Friday " comedian
*Mick Napier , "Exit 57 " director
*Kerri Randles , actress
*David Razowsky , director
*Andy Richter , "Late Night with Conan O'Brien " cohost/actor
*Amy Sedaris , "Strangers with Candy " actor
*Faith Soloway , musician
*Jill Soloway , "Six Feet Under" writer/producer
*Jason Sudeikis , "Saturday Night Live " castmember
*Mark Sutton , "Bassprov " actor
*Becky Thyre , "Weeds", actor
*Matt Walsh , "Upright Citizen's Brigade " actorLisa Lewis, actress, voiceover artist, Georgia Pacific, The View, NBC Nightly NewsReferences
External links
* [http://www.annoyanceproductions.com Annoyance Theatre official site]
* [http://www.timeout.com/chicago/Details.do?page=1&xyurl=xyl://TOCWebArticles2/66/comedy/sophomoric_effort.xml 2006 "TimeOut: Chicago" article on return of the "Annoyance Theater"]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
