The Crew
Wouldn't you give these guys their own TV show?
I would.
June 3, 2008
Yeah, Dudes.
Represent.
May 26, 2008
Don't Spit the Water on WGN!
May 13, 2008
Please come!
Blewt! Sings on Thursday, May 22nd, 8-10pm!
Blewt! is taking its show Don't Spit the Water! to the Comedy Central Stage in Los Angeles for a performance on May 28th. To help raise money for our trip, we're holding a karaoke party at Trader Todd's. Your favorite comics and characters from Don't Spit the Water! will be joining the fun with karaoke performances, and, of course, you'll be welcome to pick up the mic and sing a song or two!
Your admission of $40 gets you unlimited drinks and appetizers from 8pm to 10pm. Half of that money goes directly toward the cost of sending 7 actors out to Los Angeles to perform fart jokes for strangers.
Blewt! Sings!
Thursday, May 22nd @ Trader Todd's
3216 N. Sheffield
8pm to 10pm - $40
Open Bar, Appetizers, Karaoke!
Purchase your tickets now to get on the guest list for this exciting event! All admissions come with a FREE ticket to a future performance of Don't Spit the Water and a lifetime of gratitude from the Blewt! family.
Click Here to purchase tickets!
May 12, 2008
Don't Spit the Water!
August 27, 2007
DSTW Commercial!
By the awesome Steve Delahoyde
August 24, 2007
Soiree DADA: Blinde Essel Hopse
We open September 7th. This is a show you don't want to miss!!
July 10, 2007
Cutie Bumblesnatch Doll
In the world of "My Friends are Amazingly Awesome," Stephanie "Speedy" Hoerner made me a Cutie Bumblesnatch doll and I love it so much! It is amazing! Thank you Speedy! You are the best!
Photo Tour:
Cutie Doll
Cutie
Cutie's Vest snaps open to reveal the name Monica on a white tank. This is a part of one of my bits in the show. So freaking detailed!
Cutie Doll
Cutie
She made Sasha and the Noob, too!
April 28, 2007
DSTW Comix!
Click the pic to enlarge.
April 3, 2007
Soiree DADA: Blinde Essel Hopse
I am honored to have been cast in the next WNEP Soiree DADA, which will run this fall. In my opinion, you can't get any cooler than WNEP's DADA, so I am really excited to be a part of the show and to work with such an amazing cast, composers, and directing crew.
I'll post updates here on the writing process as we go!
The cast is:
ÜberDADA: Jen Ellison (DADA Dabo)
GERMANS
1. Joe Janes (DADA Mondo Yippeeee)
2. Virginia Killian (DADA to be named later)
3. Jeff Shivar (DADA Hoydl)
4. Ron Kroll (DADA to be named later)
FRENCH
1. Patrick Brennan (DADA to be named later)
2. Lori Goss (DADA Nip)
3. Gabriel Garza (DADA I can't remember his name from GPC)
4. Erica Reid Gerdes (DADA to be named later)
Our underDADAs (who will also contribute writing):
Dave Goss (DADA to be named later)
David Dastmalchian (DADA to be named later)
Stephanie Hoerner (DADA Es-Pee-Dee) will be our Stage Manager and will also be writing for the show.
Our DADA composers are
Steve Zimmers (DADA Wainscotting)
Jeff Shivar (DADA Hoydl)
Soiree DADA: Blinde Essel Hopse will be directed by Don Hall and assistant directed by Steve Lund and Bob Fisher.
DADA!
March 22, 2007
Camenae Ensemble Theatre Company Announces Monologue Writing Competition
Camenae Ensemble Theatre Company is pleased to announce Monomaniacal, a monologue writing competition for established and emerging playwrights. Steve Dickerson, Camenae Ensemble Theatre Company Board President says, "Monomaniacal offers Camenae Ensemble the chance to find and promote the best writing talent in Chicago while also creating opportunities for women in theater. It's an exciting and ambitious project that accomplishes so many of our goals with one broad stroke, and I'm proud to support it."
Playwrights are encouraged to submit a monologue within the contest guidelines at http://www.camenae.org/monomaniacal.htm . Semifinalists and finalists will be selected by the Camenae Ensemble. Monologues by semifinalists and finalists will be published. Finalists will have their works performed by members of the Camenae Ensemble in front of an audience and a panel of judges, in a showcase performance on June 11, 2007 at Steep Theatre, 3902 N. Sheridan Road, Chicago, IL 60613. The judges will select a first second and third place winner, who will receive a cash prize; the winner gets the title of Monomaniac. Submission deadline is May 1, 2007.
For more information and a complete list of rules, please visit www.camenae.org.
March 10, 2007
More on DSTW 100th show!
We got a shout out on the Comedy Central blog! Awesome!
March 6, 2007
Don't Spit the Water's 100th Show!
The very first DSTW
DSTW January 2007
It is so hard to believe, but Don't Spit the Water is having its 100th show this Saturday, March 10th. It seems like only yesterday that we were not sure what to expect while playing for about 12 people on our first night. Looking back at the old pictures, it is amazing to see what has changed and what is still the same. Cutie Bumblesnatch used to wear a different headpiece each time she was onstage (skunk ears, wigs, tiara's) and change costumes frequently. I think the tutu might not have even made it into the first 4 shows. Timekeeper Willis didn't wear a mask, Sasha and the Noob didn't have vests, we had Mr. Pickles, and the first sign was so adorably homemade.
On the other hand, some things are exactly the same. The vest, the stare, the 'Good Vibrations', and our excitement to put up a show that almost completely makes no sense. And now, 2 1/2 years and 99 shows later, we've performed in NYC, travelled to a number of festivals, have our own cable access show, tons of comedians, an open run, and jammed packed houses. I have been proud of this show since day 1, and I can't wait for the next 100 shows.
Congratulations, DSTW!
(Don't Spit the Water is at the Playground Theatre Saturday nights at 10:30)
February 6, 2007
Still in the lead!!
We were paired up, given a song, and had to write an original scene that would be in context with the song. Hilarious.
This video even cracks me up. And I was in it.
Thanks to the wonderful Fuzzy for helping with the ideas and props, and to the brilliant Jim for being an amazing partner.
PS-We totally can't sing.
January 16, 2007
Impress These Apes! Standup!
Here is week 2 of Impress These Apes! All of the routines were awesome, and I am particularly proud of mine. Enjoy!
January 11, 2007
Impress These Apes! Reader Review
Reader Review: Impress These Apes! (Recommended)
In Blewt! Productions' talent show, the face of the human race depends on eight contestants impressing three apes from the future whose intelligence has increased to the level of, well, amateur comedians. Each week the same eight performers compete in a different category, like music or stand-up. There's a silly backstory to this lively show, anchored by loony host (and local stand-up) Jared Logan, who convincingly behaves as though he's missing a frontal lobe. But there's also real stakes: the producers held an open audition, and after eight weeks the winning contestant gets $250. A volatile mix of the staged and the sincere, Impress These Apes delivers the best kind of inconsistancy; can't-look-away failure and spontaneous charm. It's American Idol meets lowbrow comedy. -- Ryan Hubbard
January 10, 2007
Impress These Apes!
I am happily a contestant on the new Blewt! show Impress these Apes!, a talent competition where each week we get a new challenge to perform the following Monday. The show premiered Monday night, and it was a total and utter blast! For those of you in Chicago, it is Mondays for the next 7 weeks at 8pm at the Playground theatre. I need your support! For those of you not in Chicago, you can follow along and watch the segments online at www.impresstheseapes.com.
SO FUN!!
January 5, 2007
Crime Scene Bride
The amazing photographer Johnny Knight has an ongoing Bride Series, and I am honored to be a part of the above photo. Yep! That's me dead on the ground. It was cold, before sunrise, and I had to lay on freezing concrete for a long time, but if those skinny bitches can do swinsuit photo shoots in the dead of winter, I can handle a little bit of cold for the sake of awesome art. I am really proud of this photo! Enjoy!
January 2, 2007
Upcoming shows!
I am happy to now be a member of the amazing Pastor of Muppets Playground team! So far we are having a blast! And with this lineup, how could you not? Bryan Bowden, Jason Geis, Fuzzy Gerdes, Paul Luikart, Paul O'Toole, and Dan Telfer! So great!
This pic is not our official pic (sadly, it lacks PO'T), but I like how our hands indicate smaller and smaller. That was unintentional.
Upcoming shows--all at 8pm at the Playground:
January 6, 8:00pm
January 17, 8:00pm
February 3, 8:00pm
February 16, 8:00pm
March 10, 8:00pm
October 17, 2006
Ethel's Promo Shot
Katherine and I did some promo shots of Ethel's Chocolate Lounge last month and here is one of them. Yay Fondue!
I will hopefully have the photographer's name soon.
October 14, 2006
Wacky Dance
Here is Fuzzy and I as 'Pretty Lady with a Mustache and Man with One Gorilla Hand' the night we hosted DSTW. What fun!
September 25, 2006
Silly Horse Whispering
September 22, 2006
Fred Astaire and Audrey Hepburn!!
Two years ago, I was blessed to have been chosen to be a subject of a photo exhibit by Victor Skrebneski in the City Gallery in the old Water Tower. The subject was 'On With the Show' and featured people behind the scenes in Chicago Theatre. There were stagehands, costumers, producers, fight choreographers, and then me-the Assistant Ticket Services Manager at the Goodman Theatre. When the PR guys at the Goodman came to take my polaroid to submit me to Skrebneski, I had no idea who or what it was for. When I got more details, I did some research, and realized that I'd only seen Skrebneski photos all over Chicago for years and that I recognized some of his more well-known photos (Vanessa Redgrave, Bette Davis, etc.) When they told me I was selected, I was ecstatic.
When I spoke with Dennis and Victor at the studio, they told me to wear something that was distinctly me and the way that I would want to be photographed. I chose a very "Erica" outfit--black tank top, long black skirt, and my red, white, and blue wristbands. It was a cold, snowy day on my shoot (I think it was February 10, 2004), and when I showed up everyone made me feel right at home. Victor said that my polaroid stood out to him because of my hair and the crazy pink shirt I was wearing. I've never felt more like a supermodel than when I had one guy holding a mirror for me, and one guy moving my hair spikes around while I put more and more hair goo in. We wanted crazy hair!
The shoot was a blast--I could not stop laughing (this is not unlike the headshot shoot I did on Friday, or any shoot I've done for that matter) and I think the whole thing lasted about 45 minutes to an hour. To celebrate, I rounded up my best girl Hanson afterwards and we went to Le Creperie and ate and drank all kinds of yummy stuff for hours. It was great. Jump to a few months later in July when the exhibit premiered. I won't go into too much detail about it, because Fuzzy already has here , but long story short, I had NINE pictures in the exhibit. NINE! When most others had 1-3. Needless to say, I was amazed and very very touched and the whole experience is one of the coolest things I have ever experienced in my life.
Ok, so now it is over 2 years later, I have a few copies of the pictures that Victor so generously gave me, and I call it my '15 minutes thus far'. At a birthday party in Indiana Friday night, a friend tells us the story of how his company was interested in hiring Skrebneski for some photos, and when he was googled, a pic of Victor and I of us shows up near the top (thanks, Fuzzy!). Then our friend goes on to tell us that on the Skrebneski Photo website (to which I responded-'He has a website now?' cause he didn't before,) one of my pics is used in the opening photo montage on the home page (see picture above)!!! Well, needless to say, this is one of the coolest things ever in my opinion, and I am SO HONORED to be on the website, especially when his portfolio contains portraits of Orson Wells, Bette Davis, Fred Astaire, Audrey Hepburn, and David Bowie. Me? How do I even begin to compare? Utterly amazing.
So check out the website to see the works of one of the greatest photographers of our time: http://skrebneskiphotographs.com/. And Dennis and Victor, if you are reading this post, hello! Thank you so much for making me feel so beautiful and important, and thank you for giving me the confidence I needed especially now, when I am about to embark on my new phase in my performance career.
Lovely.
May 11, 2006
Upcoming Shows and Choreography!
Oh jeepers. What has been going on? Um...a little of this and a little of that. A lot of wedding planning and some random shows. Dido closed, I went home for a week. I have turned down a bunch of projects. You know, basically life has been happening and all that.
BUT! I have some upcoming shows and performances!
First of all, tonight my dear friend Caitlin Savage premieres her one woman show, God Don't Like Ugly as a part of the Neo Futurist's Neo Solo Fetival. I am happy to say that I choreographed a little piece for it that I am very excited to see. I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say that I watched a lot of Britney for it...
God Don't Like Ugly
written and performed by Caitlin Savage
May 11, 12, 13 and May 18, 19, 20
7:30 pm
Neo Futurarium at Ashland and Foster
More Info Here
I also have an upcoming KOKO show! Hooray! KOKO shows are my favorite shows!
Saturday, May 27
8:00 pm
The Playground Theatre
And then, that same night, Gerdes and Reid are back on stage! YAY!
The Belmont Burlesque Revue
Saturday, May 27
a quarter after midnight
More Info Here
So come check them out!
February 16, 2006
DIDO!!
Here it is! The opening week of Dido! And to celebrate, here is an amazing pic (that's me with the blue hair and skimpy costume...)!!
Photo by Fuzzy Gerdes (of course)
January 26, 2006
Upcoming Shows!
Man oh Man!
It is time again for another installment of "When-Does-Erica-Sleep?" aka--My Upcoming Shows. If you have been wondering why you haven't seen me in ages, well--wonder no more!
SINema Smutty Comedy and Comic Smut
This show is a riot to be a part of. We will be screening cheesy 70s Boobie and Sexploitation films, while playing games, drinking, and making snarky (but hilarious!) commentaries. Featuring Shaun Himmerick, Jared Logan, Andrea Swanson, and myself. Chosen as a 'Best Bet' by MetroMix in today's (1/26/06) print editions--so pick up a Red Eye or a Trib!
Fridays at 11:00 pm (current run: Jan 27-Feb 24)
starting January 27th
Improv Kitchen
3419 N. Clark Street
773-868-6423
$10
Produced by Lavender Cabaret and FuzzyCo
Directed by Fuzzy Gerdes
Dido, Queen of Carthage
This show just amazes me. The next of the Camenae shows, Dido is filled to the gills with an amazing cast and crew--it is truly going to be spectacular. Honestly, I am honored to be a part of the show. This is classic drama with a new spin, done only as the Camenae can. I will be playing Mercury, winged messenger of the gods.
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm
February 16- March 18th
Sundays at 2:00pm on February 26 & March 5th
Indian Boundary Fieldhouse
2500 W. Lunt Ave (take the Western bus to Lunt Avenue, or cab it)
773-347-1080
$15 (discounts for students, seniors, and groups)
Directed by Sara Keely McGuire
www.camenae.org
Don't Spit the Water
Hooray for DSTW! We've been going strong for over a year now, and I couldn't be more proud or happy! 2006 is an all new year for us, with new bits and comedians, but with the tried and true DSTW humor. Fuzzy and I will be doing new characters this Saturday, January 28th, so don't miss it! Also, premiering soon will be an all new musical and dance explosion featuring the DSTW cast, choreographed by Jeff Gandy and myself. So hilarious.
Saturdays at 10:30pm (open run)
Fuzzy and I will be performing January 28th & February 11th
The Playground Theatre
3209 N. Halsted
866-208-6296
tickets@dontspitthewater.com
$12 ($10 with print-out coupon from the website)
Make a reservation! We've been selling out!
www.dontspitthewater.com
For fun things to look at:
Photo Gallery from recent photo shoot (featuring Cutie Bumblesnatch)
http://www.steev.org/gallery/v/dstwpics/jk060121/
Fun Randomness:
www.talkinfunny.com (make sure to check out the Tribute to Basketball)
KOKO
KOKO is still going strong, and we are still kicking ass. KOKO is Rebecca Hanson, Megan Hovde, Jane Menendez, Andrea Swanson, and Myself. These are my favorite gals to perform with!
Saturday Feb 11th
Friday March 10 (I will not be performing)
8:00 pm
The Playground Theatre
3209 N. Halsted
$10
www.the-playground.com
Belmont Burlesque Review
This is one of my favorite shows in Chicago. Dancing, singing, comedy, magic, boobies--what's not to love? Fuzzy and I every now and again perform our style of dirty comedy, plus I have recently had the honor of choreographing a few dances for the Belmont Bombshells (including a brand spanking new intro dance premiering Feb 25th!)
Saturdays (usually the last Saturday of the month)
January 28th, February 25th
About a quarter after midnight (get there early--it tends to sell out)
The Playground Theatre
3209 N. Halsted
$10
773-556-8328
www.belmontburlesque.com
Hope to see you at one or all of them!!
December 14, 2005
Dido, Queen of Carthage - Feb 16 to Mar 18
Erica's theatre company, Camenae Ensemble Theatre Company, will be presenting Christopher Marlowe's Dido, Queen of Carthage:
Indian Boundary Fieldhouse
2500 W. Lunt Ave., Chicago
(Western Bus to Lunt Ave.)
February 16 to March 18, 2006 at 7:30 pm
Thursday through Saturday (Sunday Matinee performances on February 26 & March 5)
Erica will be Hermes, winged messenger of the gods.
October 23, 2005
DSTW - December 17
Don't Spit the Water
Saturday, December 17, 2005
10:30 PM - The Playground
DSTW - November 5
Don't Spit the Water
Saturday, November 5, 2005
10:30 PM - The Playground
DSTW - October 29
Don't Spit the Water
Saturday, October 29, 2005
10:30 PM - The Playground
It's a very special Halloween edition of Don't Spit the Water.
October 12, 2005
KOKO - December 17
KOKO
8 PM - December 17, 2005
The Playground, 3209 N Halsted, Chicago
KOKO - December 9
KOKO
8 PM - December 9, 2005
The Playground, 3209 N Halsted, Chicago