Chicago Style StandUps return to Spencer

Photo submitted The Chicago Style StandsUps will make their annual trip to Spencer's Clay County Regional Events Center on Friday, March 13.

Four Chicago Style StandUp Comedians are returning to the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer on Friday, March 13, for an 8 p.m. show.

"Chicago-style" comedy is a term created by the group and offers a unique, fresh approach to humor. Each comedian -- unique in his or her own comic style -- performs comic relief while playing off the quips delivered by the other comedians. All four comics appear onstage simultaneously and perform as if they are participating in a friendly, jocular conversation.

New this year will be an hors d'oeuvres buffet featuring a large assortment of hot and cold hors d'oeuvres. This will be served before the show at 6:30 pm. The show will be held in the Events Center ballroom with cabaret seating (round tables with seating for 8 guests).

The stand-up comedians will host an evening of humorous jabs discussing everything from politics to sports, from parenting to dating. The comedians include: Willie Farrell has been headlining major comedy clubs and colleges for the past 20 years and is a much requested entertainer on the corporate scene. You may have seen him on HBO, Showtime, Comedy Central and A&E's Comedy on the Road. His act? Little this, little that, little improve, little scotch, lot of laughs.

James Wesley Jackson is the world's only "environmedian" offering entertainment with an environmental theme. Jackson has won an Emmy for his writing and performance on the TV show "SFO." He has appeared on Comedy Central, London Underground, Comedy Tonight, HBO's Chris Rock Show, and Comedy on the Road.

Paul Kelly is a nationally touring comedian who headlines comedy clubs from coast to coast. With real-life humor and a unique physical style, Kelly is a master storyteller and quick ad-libber. Audiences recognize themselves in his interactive and hilarious routines.

Bill Gorgo's first love is performing standup around the country. In addition to standup comedy, Gorgo has written three plays and a television series, acted in a half dozen Chicago stage productions, is an award-winning storyteller, been active in talk radio, and conducted classes in the art of comedy.

Gorgo said the audience at this show will see "four comics at the top of their game, doing the best of their material, as it fits the moment, with no scripts. They don't know when it will stop. The only complaint we've gotten is that audiences don't know when to go to the bathroom. It's a good tribute to us that they're holding it for an hour and a half."

Kelly added, "The show is a wholesome show, though not squeaky clean. It's a grown-up show. It's not G-rated, but not R-rated either. It's more like a PG-15 show."

How can I get tickets?

* Tickets to Chicago Style StandUp Comedy and buffet are $28.50 for Premium seating and $23.50 for Reserved seating. Tables of 8 are $218.00 for Premium seating and $178.00 for Reserved seating. Tickets for the show only are $18.50 for Premium seating and $13.50 for Reserved seating. Tables of 8 are $138.00 for Premium seating and $98.00 for Reserved seating. Tables of 8 are only available in advance. Tickets are on sale now at the Clay County Regional Events Center ticket office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets are available at www.ticketmaster.com or charge-by-phone at 800-745-3000.

The Clay County Regional Events Center ticket office is open Monday -- Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.