The Annoyance Theatre & Bar

40 Whacks Credits

SHERMAN EDWARDS (DOCTOR BOWEN/JUDGE BLAISDELL) is thrilled to be doing another show with the Annoyance Theatre. When he's not hanging out with Lizzie Borden and the gang, he's either playing with the improv group "BLACKOUT" (BLACKOUTcomedy.com), or he's doing his two man staged sitcom, "Tomato/Tomatoe" (TomatoTomatoe.com). He's an alum of The Second City's Outreach and Diversity Ensemble and Educational Touring Company, played "Adam" in N.U.F.A.N. Ensembles' production of "Tell Me Why" and was seen last summer in the 3 time, Jeff-Nominated "POSEIDON: An Upside-Down Musical" at the Chopin Theater. Right before moving to Chicago, he was on tour in the national touring production of "Buffalo Soldier" with Theatre IV. In Scotland, he did a production of "Cyrano de Bergerac" at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He's a graduate of the Annoyance Training Center, Second City Conservatory, and he recieved his BA in Theatre from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virgina. He did some other stuff too but there's probably a limit on words. Listen to his radio show "BLACKOUTpresents: Radio" every Thursday @ 6pm on 89.5 FM or online at Vocalo.org.

JENNIFER ESTLIN (ABBY BORDEN) has been with the Annoyance since 1989 and currently serves as Executive Producer. She has worked in theatre in Chicago and New York, as well as regionally in many shows, and far too many productions of "A Christmas Carol." Favorite roles include Karen Goran in the Annoyance's "Tommy's Place," Gilda Radner in "Bunny Bunny," Mary in "The Detective Story," and Peggy in "The Front Page." Jennifer has also worked in film and television; and particularly enjoyed playing Jerry Orbach's daughter Cathy Briscoe on "Law & Order." She has a small but loud role in the recently released film "iMurders." Thanks to Abby and Irene for this opportunity.

CHELSEA FARMER ("THE MAID" BRIDGET SULLIVAN) is an original ensemble member of the Underage Sugar Addicts. She has been performing long form improv with them since 2004. Chelsea has performed with USA around Chicago and at festivals in North Carolina, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Toronto. She has also taken classes from Piven Theatre, and was a member of Piven’s Young People’s Company from 2007-2009. She is a recent graduate from Lincoln Park High School and plans to attend either the University of Minnesota or the University of North Carolina in the fall.

NOAH GREGOROPOLOUS (ANDREW BORDEN) has been performing and directing improvisational theater in Chicago for over a decade. He has been a mainstay at the legendary iO theater (formerly Improv Olympic), where he currently performs with the house team "Carl and the Passions" and in Chicago’s longest running improv hit "The Armando Diaz Experience." He is also performing weekly in the critically acclaimed "Chicagoland" at the Annoyance Theatre. Noah was a founding member of the popular Jazz Freddy, and he has directed several troupes at the famous Second City Chicago, including the resident company revue, "If the White House is A’Rockin’, Don’t Come A’Knockin’." Noah was a staff writer on the ABC sitcom "Dharma and Greg," and has appeared in numerous television series and independent films. Noah is a member of SAG, AFTRA, and WGA.

MIKE MALTZ (JOHN V. MORSE) is pleased as punch to be a part of this show. A Chicago native, Mike moved back home in 2007 after four years of living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he worked closely with Obie award winning, theatrical clown, Bob Berky. Since being back he has completed the improv training program at iO and most (what he could afford) of the Second City Conservatory program. You may have seen him do comedy around the city with the iO Harold teams Hunter Family Crest and Archimedes, with his sketch group Adults or here at the Annoyance, as the bumbling, jump-suited super in, The Loser Show. Currently he can be seen doing “Sadprov” with his friend Griffen in their two-man show Therapy as a part of Our Friends and Loved Ones at the Trap Door Theatre. Mike would like to thank Mick, Jen, Tyler and Jimmy, his awesome director Irene, Lisa for all of her amazing work, and his girlfriend Aggie for writing a fantastic script and not leaving her shoes under the coffee table.

CRISTIN MCALISTER (EMMA BORDEN) is thrilled to be a part of 40 Whacks. She is originally from Baton Rouge, LA (Geaux Tigers!) but has found a nice home in Chicago. She’s fortunate enough to have worked with some great people here at places like New Leaf Theatre, Caffeine Theatre, WNEP, Visions and Voices, Open House Dance, iO and The Playground where she can be seen performing regularly with her improv team, The Senate. Cristin would like to thank all the super people at The Annoyance for this opportunity. She would also like to thank the cast for being so cool, Irene and Aggie for letting her live out a (secret) dream, Marisa at Paonessa Talent for representing her and James for always being supportive and allowing her to sing about blood and murder anywhere, anytime.

ELLEN STONEKING (LIZZIE BORDEN) While in college Ellen attended a costume party dressed as Lizzie Borden. After college Ellen was in a theatre company that toured prisons. She worked with all kinds of people, including a girl who had killed both her parents. After that Ellen met Mick Napier and became a founder of the Annoyance. She created the role of The Dame in Coed Prison Sluts. She created a lot of other roles for a lot of other shows. Now she is Lizzie Borden. Circles. Love to family, genetic and chosen. Many thanks to the cast, Irene, Aggie, the magical Mrs. McQueen and of course, Mick, Jen, Fitz and Tyler.

LISA MCQUEEN (MUSICAL DIRECTOR) Ensemble Member / Musical Director at Annoyance Theater for 20 years, has composed the musicals Tippi: Portrait of a Virgin, President Bush is a Great Man, The Invention Show and Kink, among others. She also wrote the music for Annoyance's new sketch show, Swear Jar. Second City Musical Director credits include their National Touring Company, two revues written for Atlanta's Alliance Theater, the remounting of Red Scare at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, the Holder Festival (Barbados) and Boom Chicago (Amsterdam). Regional credits include Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s How Can You Run with a Shell on Your Back?, Hamlet! The Musical and People vs. Friar Tuck, Romeo & Juliet, the Musical; and the Victory Gardens and Off-Broadway productions of Wild Men! both starring George Wendt. She performed choreography duties for the recent Second City revues America - All Better!, Rod Blagojevich Superstar and Rush! The Musical. Lisa is also pianist for the Jeannie Tanner Jazz Quartet and plays keyboards for The Rolling Clones, a band dedicated to the music of the Rolling Stones, the greatest rock band in all history.

AGGIE HEWITT (WRITER) is so proud of this show. This is the second full-length play she's worked on at The Annoyance, and her third collaboration with her bloody buddy, Irene. Last October, she co-wrote and performed in the super freaky comedy, "Lights Out, Alma," her other proudest achievement. You can find more of Aggie's writing at chicagotheaterblog.com where she criticizes other people’s work. Aggie would like to thank: Mick and Jen for this amazing theatre, Tyler and Jimmy, the incredible cast that agreed to do this show, and does it so, so, so well; her friend Irene, with whom she is honored to share the best creative partnership she ever could have dreamed of; Lisa McQueen, one of the most talented people she has ever met, and her hilarious and wonderful boyfriend Mike, who plays John Morse and who she loves a lot. She would also like to thank her kind and supportive parents, and assure them that this play is 0% autobiographical.

IRENE MARQUETTE (DIRECTOR) pinches herself every day when thinking about "40 Whacks" and the amazing group of people she gets to work with. Along with "Lights Out, Alma!" that ran during the fall of '09 this is the second full-length play she has directed at the Annoyance. She can be seen performing in "Friends and Loved Ones" at the Trap Door Theater until July 6th and at the Playground with the member team "The Senate." She was an understudy at Second City Las Vegas, was in The Improvised Star Trek at iO and has been an ensemble member in Annoyance productions including "Sodomites" and "Chasing Dumb." She thanks Lisa McQueen for her gorgeous music, Mick, Jen and Tyler for their support and creating an atmosphere where anything is possible, Aggie for being the best friend and creative partner a girl could hope for and so much love to her husband Griffen who always makes things beautiful.

Saturdays | 8:00PM | $15

To order tickets by phone call 773-561-HONK (4665).

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40 Whacks Credits SHERMAN EDWARDS (DOCTOR BOWEN/JUDGE BLAISDELL) is thrilled to be doing another show with the Annoyance Theatre. When he's not hanging out with Lizzie Borden and the gang, he's either playing with the improv group "BLACKOUT" (BLACKOUTcomedy.com), or he's doing his two man staged sitcom, "Tomato/Tomatoe" (TomatoTomatoe.com). He's an alum of The Second City's Outreach and Diversity Ensemble and Educational Touring Company, played "Adam" in N.U.F.A.N. Ensembles' production of "Tell Me Why" and was seen last summer in the 3 time, Jeff-Nominated "POSEIDON: An Upside-Down Musical" at the Chopin Theater. Right before moving to Chicago, he was on tour in the national touring production of "Buffalo Soldier" with Theatre IV. In Scotland, he did a production of "Cyrano de Bergerac" at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He's a graduate of the Annoyance Training Center, Second City Conservatory, and he recieved his BA in Theatre from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virgina. He did some other stuff too but there's probably a limit on words. Listen to his radio show "BLACKOUTpresents: Radio" every Thursday @ 6pm on 89.5 FM or online at Vocalo.org. JENNIFER ESTLIN (ABBY BORDEN) has been with the Annoyance since 1989 and currently serves as Executive Producer. She has worked in theatre in Chicago and New York, as well as regionally in many shows, and far too many productions of "A Christmas Carol." Favorite roles include Karen Goran in the Annoyance's "Tommy's Place," Gilda Radner in "Bunny Bunny," Mary in "The Detective Story," and Peggy in "The Front Page." Jennifer has also worked in film and television; and particularly enjoyed playing Jerry Orbach's daughter Cathy Briscoe on "Law & Order." She has a small but loud role in the recently released film "iMurders." Thanks to Abby and Irene for this opportunity. CHELSEA FARMER ("THE MAID" BRIDGET SULLIVAN) is an original ensemble member of the Underage Sugar Addicts. She has been performing long form improv with them since 2004. Chelsea has performed with USA around Chicago and at festivals in North Carolina, Milwaukee, Atlanta, and Toronto. She has also taken classes from Piven Theatre, and was a member of Piven’s Young People’s Company from 2007-2009. She is a recent graduate from Lincoln Park High School and plans to attend either the University of Minnesota or the University of North Carolina in the fall. NOAH GREGOROPOLOUS (ANDREW BORDEN) has been performing and directing improvisational theater in Chicago for over a decade. He has been a mainstay at the legendary iO theater (formerly Improv Olympic), where he currently performs with the house team "Carl and the Passions" and in Chicago’s longest running improv hit "The Armando Diaz Experience." He is also performing weekly in the critically acclaimed "Chicagoland" at the Annoyance Theatre. Noah was a founding member of the popular Jazz Freddy, and he has directed several troupes at the famous Second City Chicago, including the resident company revue, "If the White House is A’Rockin’, Don’t Come A’Knockin’." Noah was a staff writer on the ABC sitcom "Dharma and Greg," and has appeared in numerous television series and independent films. Noah is a member of SAG, AFTRA, and WGA. MIKE MALTZ (JOHN V. MORSE) is pleased as punch to be a part of this show. A Chicago native, Mike moved back home in 2007 after four years of living in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, where he worked closely with Obie award winning, theatrical clown, Bob Berky. Since being back he has completed the improv training program at iO and most (what he could afford) of the Second City Conservatory program. You may have seen him do comedy around the city with the iO Harold teams Hunter Family Crest and Archimedes, with his sketch group Adults or here at the Annoyance, as the bumbling, jump-suited super in, The Loser Show. Currently he can be seen doing “Sadprov” with his friend Griffen in their two-man show Therapy as a part of Our Friends and Loved Ones at the Trap Door Theatre. Mike would like to thank Mick, Jen, Tyler and Jimmy, his awesome director Irene, Lisa for all of her amazing work, and his girlfriend Aggie for writing a fantastic script and not leaving her shoes under the coffee table. CRISTIN MCALISTER (EMMA BORDEN) is thrilled to be a part of 40 Whacks. She is originally from Baton Rouge, LA (Geaux Tigers!) but has found a nice home in Chicago. She’s fortunate enough to have worked with some great people here at places like New Leaf Theatre, Caffeine Theatre, WNEP, Visions and Voices, Open House Dance, iO and The Playground where she can be seen performing regularly with her improv team, The Senate. Cristin would like to thank all the super people at The Annoyance for this opportunity. She would also like to thank the cast for being so cool, Irene and Aggie for letting her live out a (secret) dream, Marisa at Paonessa Talent for representing her and James for always being supportive and allowing her to sing about blood and murder anywhere, anytime. ELLEN STONEKING (LIZZIE BORDEN) While in college Ellen attended a costume party dressed as Lizzie Borden. After college Ellen was in a theatre company that toured prisons. She worked with all kinds of people, including a girl who had killed both her parents. After that Ellen met Mick Napier and became a founder of the Annoyance. She created the role of The Dame in Coed Prison Sluts. She created a lot of other roles for a lot of other shows. Now she is Lizzie Borden. Circles. Love to family, genetic and chosen. Many thanks to the cast, Irene, Aggie, the magical Mrs. McQueen and of course, Mick, Jen, Fitz and Tyler. LISA MCQUEEN (MUSICAL DIRECTOR) Ensemble Member / Musical Director at Annoyance Theater for 20 years, has composed the musicals Tippi: Portrait of a Virgin, President Bush is a Great Man, The Invention Show and Kink, among others. She also wrote the music for Annoyance's new sketch show, Swear Jar. Second City Musical Director credits include their National Touring Company, two revues written for Atlanta's Alliance Theater, the remounting of Red Scare at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, the Holder Festival (Barbados) and Boom Chicago (Amsterdam). Regional credits include Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s How Can You Run with a Shell on Your Back?, Hamlet! The Musical and People vs. Friar Tuck, Romeo & Juliet, the Musical; and the Victory Gardens and Off-Broadway productions of Wild Men! both starring George Wendt. She performed choreography duties for the recent Second City revues America - All Better!, Rod Blagojevich Superstar and Rush! The Musical. Lisa is also pianist for the Jeannie Tanner Jazz Quartet and plays keyboards for The Rolling Clones, a band dedicated to the music of the Rolling Stones, the greatest rock band in all history. AGGIE HEWITT (WRITER) is so proud of this show. This is the second full-length play she's worked on at The Annoyance, and her third collaboration with her bloody buddy, Irene. Last October, she co-wrote and performed in the super freaky comedy, "Lights Out, Alma," her other proudest achievement. You can find more of Aggie's writing at chicagotheaterblog.com where she criticizes other people’s work. Aggie would like to thank: Mick and Jen for this amazing theatre, Tyler and Jimmy, the incredible cast that agreed to do this show, and does it so, so, so well; her friend Irene, with whom she is honored to share the best creative partnership she ever could have dreamed of; Lisa McQueen, one of the most talented people she has ever met, and her hilarious and wonderful boyfriend Mike, who plays John Morse and who she loves a lot. She would also like to thank her kind and supportive parents, and assure them that this play is 0% autobiographical. IRENE MARQUETTE (DIRECTOR) pinches herself every day when thinking about "40 Whacks" and the amazing group of people she gets to work with. Along with "Lights Out, Alma!" that ran during the fall of '09 this is the second full-length play she has directed at the Annoyance. She can be seen performing in "Friends and Loved Ones" at the Trap Door Theater until July 6th and at the Playground with the member team "The Senate." She was an understudy at Second City Las Vegas, was in The Improvised Star Trek at iO and has been an ensemble member in Annoyance productions including "Sodomites" and "Chasing Dumb." She thanks Lisa McQueen for her gorgeous music, Mick, Jen and Tyler for their support and creating an atmosphere where anything is possible, Aggie for being the best friend and creative partner a girl could hope for and so much love to her husband Griffen who always makes things beautiful. Saturdays \| 8:00PM \| $15 To order tickets by phone call 773-561-HONK (4665). Back		To order tickets by phone call 773-561-HONK (4665). View All Our Current Shows