Get Your Geek On With the 2nd Annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival Back By Popular Demand

Let your inner nerd shine and enjoy
the 2014 line-up of over 15 nerd-centric performances March 19 through March 22
at Stage 773

CHICAGO – Stage 773 is proud to announce the
line-up for their second annual Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival, running from
March 19 through March 22. Nerd Fest stems from the popularity of HEY, I’M A
BIG FAN, a series of fun, free monthly fan fiction events produced by Stage
773, 1225 W. Belmont. The Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival celebrates all that is
the Chicago nerd comedy scene; from Stand Up to Improv to one-woman puppet
shows, nerds will unite for one glorious weekend in Chicago to laugh, pay
homage, and perhaps worship their favorite genres of nerd-ness.

"This
festival is essential for the nerd community of Chicago," say festival
co-producers, Katie Johnston-Smith and Fin Coe.  "We nerds need to
gather together to laugh with our brethren, and forget that The Big Bang Theory on CBS
is how our parents explain us to their friends.”

Highlights of
the 2014 Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival include The Best of Hey, I'm A Big Fan: A Night Of Fan Fiction
Readings paying homage to
the monthly nights of passionate fan fiction readings and nerdy libations that
grew into what is now this festival; Jack and The Nerds: A Nerdy Cabaret,
performing non-hit songs from
beloved TV shows and films such as Battlestar Galactica, Dr.
Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog, and Lord Of The Rings; Chi Nerd Fest
Stand Up Showcase!; Improvised Star Trek; WHO PROV,
improvised episodes of Doctor Who; Michinoku Driver and Mrs.; Clown
Car to Sicily and Matt Griffo; Lowcarbcomedy; THOR
and The Hot Karl; Planetary Defense Force; Pretty/Windy; Plan
9 Burlesque; Improvised Jane Austen; Urlakis & Cusik and The
Nerdologues.

“Stage
773 loves producing festivals, and we are consistently doing it successfully,
which is ubermagfabulous,” states Brian Posen, Executive Producer of the
Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival and Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival.  “This is
our theatre’s heritage, and we couldn’t be more excited to expand our festival
repertoire!” 

Staying true
to its roots, having developed from a free monthly event, the Chicago Nerd
Comedy Festival will offer three complimentary interactive events at the end of
each day’s performances.  The first, on Thursday, March 20 at 11 p.m.,
will be The Nerdologues Presents Your Stories: Chicago Nerd First Edition. 
Every month, the Nerdologues invite their friends and nerds from the community
to collaborate. Enjoy or perform stand-up, sketches, songs, share stories; all
are welcome.  Friday, March 21st at midnight, Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival
presents: Game Night.  The Stage 773 lobby will transform into a
table games playground.  Stop in to settle some Catans, gather all of the
magic and teach humanity a thing or two about cards.  To round out the
trio on Saturday, March 22 at midnight the Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival
presents Once More, With Whedon!, complete with cosplay, Dr. Horrible’s
Drink-A-Long Blog (yes, that is a Dr. Horrible drinking game), an "Evil
Laugh" competition for the ladies, "tightest shirt" contest for
the guys and a Costume Contest on another level, this event IS unlike anything
else.  Prizes for events provided by Cards Against Humanity and Ript
Apparel. 

The festival
kicks off on Wednesday, March 19 with a free HEY, I’M A BIG FAN
fan-fiction event from 7-9 p.m. Performance dates and times are Thursday, March
20 at 7, 8, 9, and 10pm, Friday, March 21 at 8, 9, 10, and 11p.m., and
Saturday, March 22 at 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11p.m.   Individual tickets
are $10 for each show; an all-festival pass is $50. For more information, visit
http://chicagonerdfest.tumblr.com/.  To purchase tickets, call
773-327-5252 or visit www.stage773.com.

ABOUT Stage
773

Stage 773
connects over 80,000 guests and 2,500 artists a year, first and foremost, by
offering subsidized rentals at the best state of the art off-loop performance
facility with four stages and a lively bar. Stage 773 is a vital part of the
Belmont Theater District located in the Lakeview neighborhood. Offering a
multitude of live performances in a multi-complex performance facility, Stage
773 is home to four different performance spaces seating a total of 442
patrons. The Huffington Post describes Stage 773 as “an eccentric space
with a fresh approach to presenting dance, theatre, sketch comedy – even
cabaret.” In addition to its unique education program including an array of higher skill level adult education in the dramatic and
comedic theatrical arts classes, Stage 773 is also home to Sketchfest –
the largest sketch comedy festival in the nation. Stage 773 is located at 1225
W. Belmont. Stage 773’s four theaters are home to performances by some of
Chicago’s most innovative, creative and passionate off-Loop performing artists.
To purchase tickets call the Stage 773 box office at 773.327.5252 or visit www.stage773.com.