Serious side to Schaumburg comedy fundraiser
You won't hear them mention it on stage, but the three comedians performing in this weekend's "Comedy Relief" show in Schaumburg all have life-threatening illnesses.
Bob Jay, Jim McHugh and James Wesley Jackson say there's not a lot of humor in what they're going through, so when they take the stage at the Prairie Center for the Arts in Schaumburg on Saturday, March 13, the veteran comedians stick to what they do best: celebrity impressions, discussing stories in the news, and making people laugh with their stories.
"And I'm going to sacrifice a goat," Jay adds.
Jay, 49, of Algonquin, has a rare form of leukemia. James Wesley Jackson, 68, of Chicago, is in remission for prostate cancer. And Jimmy McHugh, 50, of Hoffman Estates, gets blood clots in his legs and lungs.
While their health issues aren't part of their act, they still have a sense of humor about the health-care industry. McHugh created itsmybestguess.com, where "Dr. Chance Birnbaum" will respond with a humorous diagnosis if you send him an e-mail describing your ailments.
"We've all gone through medical procedures where you go, 'Do you really know what you're doing?' So, I figure, I can guess what's wrong, too," McHugh said.
Jackson -- an Emmy Award-winning comedian who once toured with George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic -- says laughing makes him feel better.
"My doctor told me I was getting better faster than he can cure me," he said.
Their upcoming comedy show will raise funds for Schaumburg High School's VIP Club, which provides student scholarships and a safe, post-prom party. There'll also be a raffle for restaurant gift certificates and autographed sports merchandise.
"Hopefully, this will open up the door for us to do some other shows for the cancer association or the leukemia foundation," McHugh said.
Jay, McHugh and Jackson -- who are all part of a group called Chicago Comedy All-Stars -- are lucky enough to have health insurance, which allows them to continue to do stand-up.
"We all married into insurance. That's the key," said Jay.
"Otherwise, we'd be doing fundraisers for ourselves," McHugh added.
Comedy Relief, featuring Chicago Comedy All-StarsWhen: 8:30 p.m. Saturday, March 13Where: Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, SchaumburgTickets: $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Cash or check only. Tickets can be purchased at the Prairie Center box office or by e-mailing vipcomedyrelief2010yahoo.com. Also: Recommended for ages 21 and over. There also will be a raffle for autographed merchandise from the Chicago Blackhawks, Cubs, Bears and White Sox merchandise, as well as restaurant gift certificates.False15431076From left, James Wesley Jackson, Chicago, Jim McHugh of Hoffman Estates and Bob Jay of Algonquin star in a fundraising comedy show Saturday.Bob Chwedyk | Staff PhotographerFalse