Jenniffer Weigel, host of the Friday Funnies at the Wilmette Theatre.
WILMETTE – Chicago is known for its stand-up comedy, but since Wilmette Theatre’s launching of Friday Funnies in February, the North Shore suburb is developing its own reputation as a comedic hot-spot. Hosted by comedian and media personality Jenniffer Weigel, the Friday Funnies are held on the first Friday of each month and feature comedians from all over Chicagoland.
“We’ve had a very nice variety of comedians,” Wendy Sharon, executive director of the Wilmette Theatre told DailyNorthShore.com.
Indeed, on Friday, September 12, a range of comedians entertained the crowd — some seasoned veterans like Richard Laible, who has performed at Second City — while other performers were developing talents.
Sharon decided to launch the series after Weigel suggested idea. It seemed like the perfect fit since theatre patrons had been requesting live comedy over the years. Weigel hosts the series and also creates the line-up. Initially, Weigel relied on contacts she has made through her own experience doing stand-up at Zanies in Chicago and Rosemont. But now the theatre has become a well known venue.
“Comedians have been reaching out to me since the word has gotten out that there is a receptive crowd in Wilmette,” Weigel told DailyNorthShore.com.
Over time the series has gained momentum. “It’s taken off. It is really exciting,” Sharon said.
There are usually six to seven comedians who perform at the Friday events. There is always a variety of talent — some who are veterans — while others who are trying stand-up for the first time. For example, once a Wilmette mom decided to check an item off her bucket-list and perform at Friday Funnies. “It was really special and she was fabulous,” Sharon said. “It’s special to give people an opportunity to try something like this,” Sharon added.
Not all of the acts are straight stand-up comedy. Some include story-telling, such as Karen O’Donnell’s performance on Sept. 12. O’Donnell is a dentist by day who hosts a storytelling night in Homewood. At Friday Funnies she told stories about growing up as the fourth oldest in a family of eleven children.
Comedian Richard Laible kept the audience involved by walking up and down the aisles, talking to members of the audience and even taking a seat. He was perfectly comfortable engaging the audience and making fun of people for a laugh.
Weigel relied on her own comedic talent to keep the evening energetic. She warmed up the crowd with jokes about her ten year-old-son. “Until he starts driving I am going to like him a lot,” she joked. Weigel maintained the silliness throughout the evening as she introduced each performer.
Friday night’s performance ended on a high note with Paul Teodo, who told a hilariously true story about running over a herd of sheep during a road trip to California. Teodo won The Moth competition on National Public Radio a couple of years ago.
The Friday Funnies certainly provide an easy option to see live comedy for North Shore residents. The Wilmette Theatre is a cozy setting, right in the heart of revitalized downtown with plenty of restaurants nearby to catch a bite to eat first. As Weigel said as she greeted people on Friday night: “Go in and take a seat. Get ready to laugh.”
For more information go to www.wilmettetheatre.org.