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Comics do it for laughs at La Grange Theatre

By Renee Tomell
La Grange Suburban Life
Wed Apr 09, 2008, 02:18 PM CDT

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La Grange, IL -
A firm believer in the healing power of laughter, Brian Stephenson delivers a monthly dose of humor with his Rolling Mojo Comedy Revue, which offers a changing lineup of performers at the La Grange Theatre.

“The quality of the comics is outstanding; these are people you would traditionally have to travel downtown to see, and we have them right in our backyard,” said the La Grange Park resident, adding audience members have told him they haven’t laughed that hard in a long time.

And while crowds have been good, and last month’s performance by Mike Toomey sold out, Stephenson said he is puzzled by the audience demographics.

“What strikes me as odd is people are coming from everywhere, but not from La Grange,” he said. “Someone from La Grange called it the best-kept secret. I know one group that comes to every show from Naperville.”

Stephenson is out to spread the word and is promoting Saturday’s show featuring four performers, including the man who encouraged him to spend his weekends making people laugh. It’s an interesting counterbalance to his day job as trial attorney.

Stephenson recounts catching a show by multiple comics including Chuck Ray of Clarendon Hills, a friend of a friend, about three years ago, and telling his wife afterward, “I can do this.”

“I wrote a bunch of jokes,” he said. “Chuck had me come back and a few weeks later open a show in front of a couple hundred people. (Now) I perform all over the place.”

He heads to New York City in May, and he is the regular host of the Rolling Mojo shows.

“The La Grange Theatre used to do vaudeville and live entertainment,” said Jim Longino of La Grange, who has helped promote the comedy series at the 83-year-old art deco venue for the past year. “It’s nice to bring that resurgent entertainment back to the area.”

Stephenson said he’s grateful for the movie theater owners’ support of the project. The revue will be back every three to four weeks, taking its turn among other events, including the theater’s teen and adult acting groups. He is producer for the teen troupe. The comedy revue had been presented occasionally beginning two years ago at the theater, but became a monthly attraction in September.

“I thank John (Rot) and David (Rizner), the owners of the theater, for giving me the opportunity,” Stephenson said. “I’m getting bigger and bigger comics who want to come out. They get exposed to a whole new community.”

He said the shows are PG and “clean” in nature, but not recommended for people younger than 16.

“It’s comedy for the sake of comedy,” he added, going on to describe Saturday’s performers.

“Bob Jay is a top-tier comedian,” he said of the impersonator. “A lot of people may know Matt Kissane from WGN. He does a lot of Chris Farley and Brian Dennehy impersonations. Chuck Ray is a personal friend and an excellent comedian. He does a lot about family and living in the suburbs with kids. I do that, too,” said the father of four, whose dog, Mojo, is the inspiration for the revue’s name.

“It’s nice, an opportunity to follow something I really love doing; I love being an attorney, a parent and all that — and getting up on stage and telling jokes,” he said, noting the legal professional doesn’t even surface in his material.

“There is nothing better than laughter; it’s therapeutic and makes life so much easier,” Stephenson said. “It’s great for our community, and it brings a lot of people into downtown.”

Looking ahead to May, the revue will feature Gary Wheaton, a headlining comic who hails from La Grange.

“He’s outstanding,” Stephenson said. “He plays a lot of music on keyboards and is really funny.” If there were no comedy career, Stephenson confesses, “I’d still be telling jokes to people.”

Comedy central

What The Rolling Mojo Comedy Revue next presents impersonator and comic Bob Jay as headliner; Matt Kissane, frequently featured on WGN television, as opening comic; Chuck Ray as featured comic; and Brian Stephenson as host.?

When 8 p.m. Saturday, April 12.

Where La Grange Theatre, 80 S. La Grange Road, La Grange (www.lagrangetheatre.com).??Tickets $20, $10 for seniors. They can be purchased at the box office, by visiting www.rollingmojocomedy.com or by calling (312) 804-4783. Visit the Web site to be put on the e-mail list for coming shows.