Photo Flash: BABY WANTS CANDY at Chicago's Apollo Theater

By: Feb. 15, 2011
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BABY WANTS CANDY, the hilarious improvised musical comedy, kicks off its fifth year this month at Chicago's Apollo Theater, 2540 North Lincoln Avenue. The smash hit production is currently in an open run.

BABY WANTS CANDY has performed over 1,700 completely improvised musicals to thousands of fans from New York to Singapore to Scotland. The production has just returned from a smash hit engagement at the Assembly at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and is also currently running in New York City and Los Angeles. A cutting edge theatrical experience, BABY WANTS CANDY features a revolving cast of A-list comedians and performers and a full band.

BABY WANTS CANDY begins with the cast asking the audience for a suggestion of a musical that has never been performed before. Accompanied by a full band, the first title that the group hears becomes the title and theme for that evening's 60 minute show. It's a roller coaster ride of spontaneously choreographed dance numbers, rhyming verses, and witty jaw-dropping comedy. Each performance is its own opening and closing night, and by design every show is completely unique and a once-in-a-lifetime premiere.

BABY WANTS CANDY has received rave reviews in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, The Onion, the Chicago Sun-Times, TimeOut New York and more. BABY WANTS CANDY has received numerous awards and was the Winner of FringeNYC 2009's Outstanding Unique Theatrical Performance, FringeNYC 2009's Outstanding Unique Theatrical Performance, the Best Improv Ensemble by Chicago Magazine, the Best Visiting Comedy Ensemble by TimeOut New York, the recipient of the Ensemble of the Year Award at the Chicago Improv Festival and the Eugene O'Neill Festival Opening Ceremonies.

BABY WANTS CANDY features an all-star cast in Chicago including Joey Bland, Christy Bonstell, Ross Bryant, Erica Elam, Amanda Davis, Brendan Dowling, John Hartman, Beth Melewski, Nick Semar, Tim Sniffen, Sam Super, and Chris Witaski. The production's band includes Richie Betts (Drums), Chris Ditton (Bass), Kevin Florian (Guitar), Joe Kelly (Trumpet), Douglas Levin (Drums), and Ben McFadden (Piano.)

BABY WANTS CANDY has featured several notable performers including Rachel Dratch and Seth Meyers of Saturday Night Live; Stephnie Weir of MadTV; Nicole Parker of MadTV and Elphaba in WICKED on Broadway; Jack McBrayer of 30 Rock; Al Samuels and KEVIN FLEMING of Sports Action Team; Beth Melewski , the host Chicago Cash Cab; Garry W. Tallent of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band; Mark Pender of The Max Weinberg 7 and Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band; and Johnny Pisano of the Jesse Malin Band and The Marky Ramone Band.

The regular schedule for BABY WANTS CANDY is Fridays at 10:30 p.m. on the Mainstage at the Apollo Theater, 2540 North Lincoln Avenue in Chicago. Tickets are $15. Student discounts are available with a valid student ID the day of the show only. For tickets, call the Apollo Theater box office at (773) 935-6100, Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, visit www.BabyWantsCandy.com or www.Twitter.com/BabyWantsCandy.



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