SCHADENFREUDE

Main Stage @ Martyrs, 3855 N. Lincoln
Sunday, April 29
8pm

Tickets $10; available only at the door & on the night of the show

Formed in 1997, Schadenfreude began performing sketch comedy on Chicago's north side. The comedy troupe has since performed at countless venues including The Goodman Theatre in Chicago, The Second City, Lollapalooza, ImprovOlympic, ComedySportz, the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and Area 51 in Los Angeles, the HERE Arts Centre in New York City, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland. The ensemble also headlined numerous sold-out shows at annual Chicago Improv Festivals -- and was the first group to receive the CIF's "Festival Highlight Award."

Most recently, Schadenfreude broadened its multimedia scope, creating and producing a self-titled weekly comedy program for Chicago Public Radio. 61 half-hour episodes were aired on CPR in Chicago over a three-year period. Schadenfreude continues to broadcast specials for Chicago Public Radio, and has received national syndication in markets including Seattle, Boston and Los Angeles.

Schadenfreude's short film "Phudi Mart" was recently selected to air on WTTW's "Image Union," and was licensed for international broadcast via Sprint PCS. The ensemble recently finished a screenplay based on a fictitious local politician, is working on its first book, and is performing live around Chicago.

"Chicago has always provided a nurturing environment for comedy, but only a handful of artists have been able to take full advantage of that community. Schadenfreude is as bold, adventurous, innovative, and yes, entertaining, as any of the famous and influential groups to have called Chicagohome. It enriches the city by its presence."
Rick Kogan, Senior Writer, Chicago Tribune Magazine

"I first saw Schadenfreude about five years ago, and they immediately became my favorite local comedy company. They're hip, they're smart, they're mean, and they're very, very funny. We've hosted them several times here at the Goodman, and they've been wildly successful. I'm anxious to bring them back here again, soon. Consider me a groupie."
Steve Scott, Associate Producer, The Goodman Theatre

"Brilliant. Original. Consistently funny. Way too many vowels. These are just some of the ways I would describe Schadenfreude. When even a radio show's closing credits make you crack up, you know you are listening to something rare and special."
Amy Krause Rosenthal, author of Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life