Sandwiched at Under The Gun Theater

Hush Money added their energy to the Sunday night show at Under The Gun Theater. Sandwiched between two quality acts; Ellen, Rob, John and Kannan rolled back the years and brought out some of their best stuff from their fall run. Having done a deep set of rehearsals and taken a break to recover. The four-person troupe took their 20 minute set to unseen heights creating several creepy, playful, dystopian, sexual, realistic and Shakespearean like characters and scenes. You missed a treat if you were not there. Dates for new shows will be announced in the New Year.

Happy Holidays!

 

Hush Money Opens For Business!

Hush Money made it’s 2014 debut with a naughty set at the Thorpedo promoted improv set at Sylvie’s Lounge, Chicago. It was a

John, Ellen and Kannan under the spotlight

great change of pace for us and helped get us back in the swing of things after a bit of an hiatus. The audience was non players and players which made things light and fun for everyone. Three groups played followed at the end with short form games with audience participation. Good fun, cheap beers, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.

We were happy with the ‘dirty threesome’ scene and the ‘pick up plumber’. Come by the Crocodile Lounge on Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago at the Show Below for the next Hush Money set.

Hush Money’s Valentine’s Day Show at BugHouse Theater, Chicago

Hush Money is booked for a special Valentines Day show at the Bughouse Theater on Friday February 14. Show starts at 8pm. Take your seats and beverages at 7:45pm.

Hush Money Booked at The Show Below

Hush Money is booked for Friday February 21, 2014 at one of our favorite venues, Crocodile Lounge on Milwaukee Ave near the Wicker Park neighborhood.

Hush Money Booking Shows for 2014

Hush Money booked its first show for 2014 with Thorpedo Productions. Hush Money will begin its third year at Sylvie’s on Thursday January 30, 2014. Call time is 7:45pm.

Join Hush Money for it’s new look set for 2014!

Hush Money New Shows

Marilyn Flores (second left) joins cast members Kannan Arumugum, Ellen Wolhlberg, Robert Carter and John Coumbe-Lilley

Tonight, Stage 773 (1225 W Belmont). Call time 9:40; show time 10:00.

Sunday, April 21st at Underground Lounge (952 W Newport). Call time 7:45; show time 8:00.

Thursday, May 2nd at Stage 773 (1225 W Belmont). Call time 9:40; show time 10:00.

Upcoming Hush Money Shows

Hush Money’s back in 2013! Upcoming shows will be at the locations below. Follow us on Facebook (another team member manages that).

We’re looking forward to a fun 2013, doing good shows and meeting up with improv lovers.

Current Shows

Friday, 2/1/13 Crocodile Lounge. Call 8:45pm.

Wednesday 2/27/13 Strawdog Theater Call 8:30pm.

Kannan, Ellen and John after a recent show at Stage 773, Chicago.

Review of 2012

Big Thank you!

Big thank you to everyone that helped us in 2012 to put up our own show, supported us and booked us for a show.

2012 Redux

As the year closes on Hush Money’s (HM) second year together we look  back on a busy year for one of Chicago’s most diverse independent improv teams.

January 2012, Ellen Wohlberg got bedded into HM and brought fresh perspectives and new ideas (Thank goodness someone did). The team put up its first show at the Upstairs Gallery with its then coach Padraig Connelly. The form was loose long form with the team trying a variety of openings and show processes.

February – March 2012 HM played on at local venues including Quenchers, Crocodile Lounge, and Gorilla Tango and the team took a mini break before April’s Gladiator series. New team member Marilynn Flores was added and brought her influence to HM giving the team a new edge for its Latin following.

April-May 2012. HM played the Improv Gladiators series at the Cornservatory. Four four Friday’s HM battled it out with some of Chicago’s up and coming short form improvisers. HM battled valiantly but forlornly. There were several honorable mentions in dispatches from the front lines.

August-Septmber 2012 HM members came back to a reduced scheduled of every other week rehearsing and doing shows. September was a big month because HM played its first comedy festival in Grand Rapids. Bringing the house down literally when the stage gave way at the end of the set. Not an ideal way to finish a good set but one way to conclude the performance. HM’s new coach, Mark Pomenga joined the team and brought new ideas, energy and commitment. With this new energy HM moved on to the last quarter of the year with confidence.

October-December 2012 HM did a couple of shows at Stage 773, Upstairs Gallery and the Corcodile Lounge. Several of the team members got cast in new projects but everyone’s commitment was still high.

Looking Ahead to 2013

HM’s second anniversary proper is Jan 4th, 2013. New shows are planned and the team expects to continue to keep putting on shows and working hard to be consistent with its forms. The team’s open minded, willing to work on new things and improve on old things. The year ahead looks bright for this team. Stay tuned for more HM news in early January.

Want to book us for a show?

HM has never missed a curtain call in two years at any venue, at any time on any day in any area of the city.

Show frequency HM averages 2-3 shows per month now and has done as many as 4-5 in a month.

Hush Money at Stage 773

Robert, Kannan, and Ellen did a set at Stage 773 on 11/1, here’s the video:

Hush Money at Stage 773 on 11-1-12 from Robert Carter on Vimeo.

Hush Money Battle With Improv Gladiators At Cornservatory

Hush Money at 16th Season Improv Gladiators

Hush Money played its 47th show since January 4th, 2011 and debuted it’s short form 8 minute set with short form games at the 16th Season of the Improv Gladiators at the Cornservatory on Friday night. Kannan, Marilyn, Robert and John played strong but came up short in this audience dominated production at the Cornservatory.

Each of the four competing teams plays for 8 minutes and is judged by the audience and three guest judges in an American Idol style format. The way to win is to have the largest cheering section (bring lots of friends, buy their beer and have them scream really loudly for you whenever you make a funny). Following an intermission the teams play a  series of short form games with the Improv Gladiators cast. The energy’s high and the BYOB influence helps build a raucous atmosphere. Improv Gladiators is a fun night for everyone. Hush Money plays again on Friday April 20, 27 and May 4. Doors 7:45pm-Show ends at 10:30pm. A Great night. Bring your friends, make some noise and have plenty of laughs.