Everything will be Hunky Dory.

Yeah- Maybe we're a bunch of clowns over here at the Factory Theater. We certainly like to juggle. As we gear up for load-in, build and tech week for 1985, we've got another show hot on its heels.

Who doesn't like watching TV all day and eating well cooked meals without
lifting a finger? The American dream, right? Well, there's a little work
involved. What with signing the social security checks of the recently deceased,
not to mention the necessary clean-up- you think it's easy? Maybe. Factory
Theater's comic thriller Hunky Dory takes you back to 1975 Haneyville, Texas. A time and place when life was easier, but so was death.

That's right, we do 'em two at a time over at the Factory, and you can too. We've got our fabulous Factory Double Feature Deal that will let you see both shows for one low price. Check it out by clicking here.

So, that's kind of cool, right? We think so. No tricks here, all treats and no @#%!ing rocks.

HAVE A GREAT HALLOWEEN!

We're Grabowskis not Smiths.

Grabowski :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Chicagopedia:

"Grabowski /grah bow ski/n.1.A hardworking, blue-collar, lunch-pail-carrying grunt, as made famous by Mike Ditka before a Bears playoff game. 'There are teams named Smith and teams named Grabowski,' Da Coach said. 'The Rams are the Smiths. We're the Grabowskis.'"

The Factory is a Grabowski theater company, without question. You can decide who the Smiths are.

We're just a few weeks away from the 1985's first preview. Make your reservation soon, or suffer like Phil Simms and the rest.

Starting Steps

The first show of Factory Theater's 2010 season will be Hey! Dancin'! by Kirk Pynchon and Mike Beyer. Upon first reading, this play felt like a hilariously twisted take on Disney's High School Musical if it was set in 1986. There's much more to it, as will be seen (and heard) this weekend. On Sunday, the play will get its first reading for the ensemble to chew on. I expect ideas to fly and my perspectives to change after the reading and discussions. These are the first steps in the process; I'm excited to hear the collective ensemble gears turn as we develop this show.

Two ensemble members will be doing something different for the Hey! Dancin'! production crew. The sparkling Sarah Rose Graber will be directing a Factory show for the first time, and I will be producing a Factory show for the first time. We are neither of us green in these capacities, but this is our first time doing these jobs in the Factory uniform. We are wonderfully supported by a sturdy ensemble. I am pleased to put on this particular hat for the company and I'm eager to see what devious plans Sarah Rose has in store.

In the meantime, keep a lookout for 1985 updates. I expect DJ Chas to share more goodies as the November 6 previews rapidly approach. Bear down!

Official 1985 Poster Unveiled

Design By: Tom Donalek. Click on Poster for larger view. Actual Poster is obviously crisp and clear, but you get the idea.

Bear Down!

THE SUPER BOWL SHUFFLE FACTORY STYLE

Saturday, September 26, 2009: The day the Super Bowl Shuffle came back. Now as everyone knows that song is a Grammy nominated classic (yes, really-Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance- Duo or Group) So- needless to say we had our work cut out for us if we wanted to do the song justice. Rehearsals began in earnest, um...the day before the event. Hunkering down with The Cain Mutiny in their basement rehearsal space we worked dilligently to get this right.

We must have run it 3 or 4 times before the night was over! Sure, perhaps we could have eased up, maybe we didn't need all that work, but we can't let something so complex overwhelm us, and the only way to ensure that is to work our asses off. The "step, touch, step touch" choreography that was mastered by the original Shuffling Crew proved to be a challenge. These guys were pro football players, they know a thing or two about dance. We just had to practice and pray. In the end- We feel that we pulled it off. While we lacked the services of Tyrone Keys on the keys, or Calvin Thomas on the sax and there was certainly no way to replace Maury Buford on cow bell- we were game and worked hard to overcome such obstacles. However, we encountered a setback that could have proven to be catastrophic- our very own Paul Metreyeon wound up on the injured reserve. We thought it might be a game time decision, but the flu bug knocked him out hours before kick-off. We needed a "LA Mike" and had to look at the free agents available at the party to find one. Enter Brian Serio. Finding out he was going to play just moments before he hit the stage, Brian proved to be a invaluable role player on this night. We felt very lucky to have him there. So, with that set here was our starting line up:

Chas Vrba- Walter "Sweetness" Payton

Scott OKen- "Speedy Willie" Gault/Lead Guitar

Allison Cain- "Samurai Mike" Singletary

Mike Beyer- Jim "The Punky QB" McMahon

Corri Feuerstein- "Momma's Boy" Otis Wilson

Timothy C. Amos- Steve Fuller

Brian Serio- "LA Mike" Richardson

Carrie Sullivan- Richard "Sack Man" Dent/Bass

Josh Graves- Gary "Hit Man" Fencik

Eric Roach- William "Refrigerator" Perry

Mark Rew- Drums/ Stefan Humphries

Well, with that list of All-Pros, You can see why this thing went as well as it did. We "love to play for the World's Best Fans" so Thanks again for making it such a memorable night.

Also, an extra special thanks goes out The Wanton Looks, ROYCE and Lady Jack for great entertainment, to Magnolia Cafe for providing all the food, and of course, The Lakeview Baseball Club for providing such a great venue.

BEAR DOWN!

Randoms

Happy 39th birthday Scott OKen!! A new poll has been constructed in his honor. I didn't include "Repair Guys" or "God, Guns and Gold", but only because they are shorts. But those two are actually a couple of my very favorites. Vote early and vote often.

TREMENDOUS time at the Factory Rooftop Shuffle this past Saturday night. The bands rocked out, Lady Jack was sexy but all too brief, and the Super Bowl Shuffle defied all words. Thanks to all who came out and supported the Factory. Pictures will be forthcoming soon. Let's do it again!!

Is it just me, or did Devin Hester look like a real NFL receiver yesterday? The fingertip catch and stretch for a first down was absolutely epic....

I shouldn't be surprised, but "Dirty Dancing" edged out "Road House" for Best Swayze Movie. I suspect some poll skullduggery, but at this point I should just be happy people are taking the time to vote.

Shows in Chicago to see! Treasure Island at Lifeline! The Hostage at the Griffin! Dinner For Six at Metropolis! Animal Crackers at the Goodman (if you have a million dollars)! St. Crispin's Day at the Strawdog! Support the arts! Have I forgotten any shows? Well, excuuuuuuse me! It ain't like this blog costs you anything!

Always good to see old Factory friends out on the town like Susan Donatello and Christian and Lauren Murphy, who showed up at the Rooftop Shuffle. As Bob Seger would say...."see some old friends, good for the soul." Also, Melissa Nedell is back in Chicago after a summer in Montana. Just in time to take care of Sir Gimp-A-Lot (Matt Engle) who is preparing for ACL surgery.

Bon voyage to Heather Tyler and Matt Samsel, who will soon be striking out for LA to seek their fortune. We'll be sending them off in grand style (check your Facebook events calendar). I could be wrong, but I believe that drinking will be involved in that particular event.

Coming soon to this very blog -- a cast retrospective of the 1993 Factory classic Santa Claus Conquers The Martians. Find out what those cast members are up to in 2009, and get their thoughts on one of my personal Factory faves.

Saw Curtis Armstrong all too briefly on the season premiere of "House"! That man is a genius -- why doesn't he work more? I mean....he's Booger! He's Miles! He was Lane Meyer's coke-snorting buddy! He pals around with Cybill Shepherd! Come on!

If it's a Yankees-Red Sox ALCS, I will bash my head against a post. The world does not need four-hour games filled with working counts, drawing walks, and fouling off pitches. Note to sabermetricians: It's a way to win ballgames, but it isn't fun to watch.

Do I sound bitter, perhaps? Let's see....I'm 40 and have never witnessed any of my favorite teams celebrate a championship! The Indians just broke an 11-game losing streak, the Browns are 0-16, and I'm preparing for LeBron's last year with the Cavs! What could I POSSIBLY have to be bitter about?

Champion: Derek Jarvis

Congratulations to Derek Jarvis, who was the first one to answer our 5 questions correctly. There were many who followed up with the correct answers but Derek was first. Derek and a guest have won two free tickets to the Factory Theater Rooftop Shuffle!

What about everyone else? Well, there is a consulation prize. Answer the following question (in your head, don't write the answer here) and click the ticketing link. Write the correct answer in the promo code box and you will receive 5.00 dollars off per ticket for the Shuffle. Pretty sweet.

The Question:
What is the last name of the man being hoisted on Steve McMichael & William Perry's shoulders in the above picture?

Click Here To Answer and Get the discount.