'The Wonder Bread Years,' Grammy-winning vocals of Sweet Honey In The Rock and 'Whose Live Anyway?' comes to ECC Arts Center
Pat Hazell's engaging comedic salute to the Baby Boomer Generation, "The Wonder Bread Years" (Oct. 2), the Grammy-winning a cappella vocals of Sweet Honey in the Rock (Oct. 8) and the hysterically funny improv of "Whose Live Anyway" (Oct. 11 & 14) combine for a thoroughly entertaining series of performances this month at the Elgin Community College Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive. Delicious preshow dining is available for the comedy events. For tickets or more information, call (847) 622-0300 or visit tickets.elgin.edu.
"The Wonder Bread Years" starring Pat Hazell will be 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2. Tickets are $33. A salute to the Baby Boomer Generation, "The Wonder Bread Years" is a fast-paced, hilarious production that gracefully walks the line between stand-up and theater. This show not only restores a much-needed sense of wonder, but leaves audiences laughing and savoring the past as never before. Declared by Showtime as one of the five funniest people in America, Pat Hazell is one of the original writers for NBC's "Seinfeld," a "Tonight Show" veteran, a critically acclaimed playwright and a contributing commentator to National Public Radio. He is widely recognized for his genuine, funny Americana humor and his salutes to pop culture.
Sweet Honey In The Rock, a Grammy-winning a cappella ensemble, will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. Tickets are $39. This group captures the complex sounds of blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, hip-hop, jazz and improvisation with stunning vocal prowess. Their collective voice, often accompanied by hand percussion instruments and bass, produces a sound filled with soulful harmonies and intricate rhythms. The ensemble educates, entertains, and empowers its audience and community through the dynamic vehicles of a cappella singing and American Sign Language interpretation.
Rooted in a deeply held commitment to create music out of the rich textures of African-American traditions, Sweet Honey In The Rock is one of the most treasured vocal ensembles in contemporary music. Founded in 1973 by Bernice Johnson Reagon, Sweet Honey In The Rock's ensemble is currently comprised of Nitanju Bolade Casel, Shirley Childress Saxton, Louise Robinson, Carol Maillard and Aisha Kahlil, it strives to educate, entertain and empower its audience and community.
The group has performed in Australia, Peru, various parts of Africa and numerous cities across the United States. As artists, activists, and humanitarians, the group has raised its voice to advocate for truth, justice and compassion while addressing the critical issues of democracy, freedom, racism, and economic and social justice for 40 years.
"Whose Live Anyway?" starring Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray, will have two performances at 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14. Tickets are $55/$45. Inspired by the Emmy-nominated show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" this 90-minute evening of hilarious improvised comedy and song stars Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray and uses audience suggestions to create hysterically funny scenes invented on the spot.
Ryan Stiles began his career in comedy in Vancouver as a member of the cast of Second City in Vancouver in 1986. He went on to guest roles on several popular TV shows including "The Gary Shandling Show" and "Murphy Brown" and in 1995 landed a regular role on "The Drew Cary Show." Greg Proops hails from San Francisco. He leant his voice to "Star Wars: The Phantom Menace" and "Bob the Builder" and currently hosts the popular podcast "The Smartest Man in the World". Stiles and Proops both appeared on the ABC's "Whose Line Is Is Anyway?" LA born and bred Jeff B. Davis began his comedy career at ComedySportz. His extensive list of TV credits include his current role on The CW reboot of "Whose Line is It Anyway?" Joel Murray, a Chicago-native and member of the famed Murray clan (he's the younger brother of Bill and Brian Doyle Murray), is an alum of Chicago's Second City, and has appeared in AMC's Emmy-winning "Mad Men," ABC's "Dharma and Greg," Showtime's "Shameless" and the Oscar-winning film "The Artist."
Add dinner before the Oct. 11 performance for $29. Order by Monday, Oct. 5. The menu includes: cream of onion soup, Tuscan lemon chicken accompanied by herb mashed potatoes and a fresh vegetable, and chocolate mousse cheesecake.
ECC Arts Center box office hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 5 p.m. Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. Dinners prepared through a partnership with the ECC's award-winning culinary arts program often accompany events. Parking is free.
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