Suburban comics aim for laughs at Chicago Women's Funny Festival
Vicki Kunz isn't quite sure where she finds the inspiration for her comedy material.
“All my stuff is random,” the Lake in the Hills comedian says. “I don't really have a point to anything.”
And that's what makes it interesting. Kunz's material - described in a show summary as “an organized mess full of characters and situations that are more random than the number of red Skittles in any given bag” - is weird, unique and “not too deep,” she says.
Kunz is one of 400 women who will be performing in the 5th Annual Chicago Women's Funny Festival from June 16 to 19 at Stage 773 in Chicago. The celebration features 95 groups and 83 shows and is the largest female comedy festival in the nation.
The event was founded in 2012, beginning with 66 shows over five days. Over the years, it has received a huge response, says fest co-producer Jill Valentine, Stage 773's director of operations.
“We are extremely excited to be celebrating the fifth year of the festival and to host some of the best in female comedy in the nation,” Valentine says. “Having women from all different comedic art forms come together and celebrate under one roof in Chicago is something that is very special to us and the community.”
The festival features all forms of comedy, from “highbrow musical improv” to “relatable stand-up” to “character-driven sketch,” organizers say.
Highlights include the return of “Saturday Night Live” writer Katie Rich with former Second City veteran Holly Laurent in their sketch duo Joan and Ro, Chicago Sketchfest veteran groups Off Off Broadzway and The Cupid Players and transgender comic and writer Dina Martinez.
“Every year, the festival reinvents itself,” Valentine says. “This year, solo sketch is a big trend, a reflection of what's currently popular in the broader comedy world.”
Kunz, whose show is titled “The Vicki Kunz Solo Experiment,” created nearly all new material. Her show is fast-paced, utilizes music - and of course, is super random. For example, she may be talking about the mannerisms of her grandma in one scene; the next scene features a cat trying to get a bird out of a cage to cause a little trouble. “I don't know where (that) came from,” she says.
It's the mundane day-to-day routines that ultimately spark her creativity, says Kunz, who also will be performing in the fest as part of a group. “I like being around talented people, getting to see the best of what's out there,” she says. “I appreciate really simple stuff. The fest really implements all different types of comedy, and to be able to see improv, stand up, musical sketch, podcast, all these different art forms in one weekend is very cool.”
Buffalo Grove performer Kat Herskovic also has a one-woman show, with material that she describes as “kind of cerebral, and with some dark material offset by an innocent persona.” She jokes about incidents in her life, and often involve her dogs, boyfriend and family.
Herskovic, a full-time comedian, also does street performances, where she sells jokes, as well as buttons and T-shirts. “I'll never go broke because I'll always have jokes,” she says.
Her goal as a comedian is simple - she wants her guests to have a good time. “I hope they're able to laugh and forget about their problems at the moment,” she says.
When appropriate, she also uses comedy to shine a light on topics that aren't always easy to discuss, such as mental illness. “If people can laugh about it, hopefully (such subjects) aren't so scary,” she says.
In coming years, Valentine says organizers hope to continue growing the fest and are aiming to include more diversity. Women in comedy face particular challenges, she says, and show producers work hard to keep the fest focused on the celebration of women, rather than stage struggles.
“We're focused on keeping it a place where women feel extremely comfortable and empowered,” she says, “that's the most important issue.”
The 5th Annual Chicago Women's Funny Festival
Where: Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont, Chicago, (773) 327-5252,
When: Thursday, June 16, to Sunday, June 19. A full lineup and times for individual shows can be found at
www.stage773.com/womensfestcalendar.
Tickets: Individual tickets are $15; festival passes available for varying rates.