More Top Picks Top Rolex Watches
player ready...How does Aaron Freeman, one of Chicago’s most on-target political pundits, top “Do the White Thing,” which enjoyed such critical and commercial success? He grows up.
“We all run around here pretending like we’re all adults and wearing these grownup clothes,” says Freeman. “But none of us are actually adults. Most of the Baby Boomers, we love our adolescence and most of us had hoped to extend it into senility.”
This is the theme that Freeman decided to explore in “Disguised as a Grownup,” his new one-man play scheduled to open on Tuesday.
“One day you kinda woke up, and all the people older than you are either dead or retired to Miami. And somebody had to run this stuff.”
Somebody like who? How about Freeman’s old buddy, Richard M. Daley?
“Richie Daley. This is not an adult, not even remotely grown up,” laughs Freeman, whose “Do the White Thing” ran for three years in Chicago.
“He couldn’t even get his airport when he wanted, and he pouted, and the governor said, `OK, you can have it now,’ and Daley said, `No, I couldn’t have it then, I don’t want it now.’ This is not the behavior of a grownup.”
Part of the reason that Freeman wanted to touch on adulthood is that he is the proud papa of twin baby girls, who are now 8 months old.
” Fools that they are! They’re going to grow up thinking, `Yes, Dad has all the big answers.’ And it’s gonna take them decades to figure out that Dad has no idea what he’s doing.”
“Disguised as a Grownup” is set to bow at the Royal George Cabaret, 1641 N. Halsted St., for a six-week limited run. Call 312 988-9000 for ticket reservations and other information.
Live from Washington …
A few quick hits with Dennis Miller, one of the sharpest social commentators in comedy:
On his being back working live on Saturday night (the onetime anchor of “Saturday Night Live’s” Weekend Update segment has a new live HBO special this Saturday): “I’m a little daunted by the prospect, but I think that once I get out there I should have some muscle memory that will carry me through.”
On getting in shape to do almost an hour of material live: “It’s like a fighter hitting the gym. You can do all the road work you want, and then you’ve got to get in and start sparring.”
On some of the stuff he’ll touch on: the neurosis that the culture has acquired., “how we kinda lay in the weeds waiting for other people to screw up,” and President Clinton “and Clinton’s wife, the good Yoko.”
“Dennis Miller Live From Washington D.C.: They Shoot HBO Specials, Don’t They?” takes place at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, with repeats in April.
The standup lineup
Here’s who’s working at the comedy clubs. Current sets are scheduled to run through Sunday; all new acts begin on Tuesday unless otherwise noted. Lineups are subject to change.
Funny Bone-Naperville (1504 Naper Blvd.-Tower Crossing Shopping Center; 708-955-0500): David Allen Grier, who has been something of the star of Fox-TV’s “In Living Color” after the departure of the Wayans family, is making special appearances Friday and Saturday. At the Funny Bone-Schaumburg (1725 Algonquin Rd.; 708-303-5700) is Dan O’Sullivan this weekend.
The Improv (504 N. Wells St.; call 312-STAND-UP): Home-grown product Finis Henderson, a singer-impressionist who has worked with Stevie Wonder, Richard Pryor and Sammy Davis Jr., completes a two-week stint on Sunday. Another impressionist, Tom McGillen, starts Tuesday.
More Top Picks Fin
And . . . Chicago native Margaret Smith, who has appeared on “The Tonight Show,” “Late Night With David Letterman,” Oprah Winfrey’s syndicated gabfest and shows all over the dial, is appearing this weekend at the Funny Firm (318 W. Grand Ave.; 312-321-9500).