Looking for Something Cool to Do? York Students Will Cure Your Post-Holiday Blues

When the Christmas decorations are put away and the merriment of the season is just a memory, what are we to do during the dreary month of January to keep our spirits up?

Fortunately, there is a group of York High School kids who make comedy their business, and they want to share the laughs with you.

This weekend kicked off the 12th annual SketchFest at Stage 773 in Chicago's avant garde Lake View neighborhood. The fest started on Jan. 3 and goes through Jan. 13, and our own York kids will take the stage Sundays, Jan. 6 and 13.

Just Bust a Move is a comedy troupe of three York girls who have made quite a name for themselves locally, through their and a must-see video they submitted to the Ellen Degeneres Show last year. JBAM—featuring Kirsten Mose, Michelina Boehmer and Lizzie Rudakas—will have the crowd rolling in the aisles at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6.

Department of Homeland Obscurity will be performing simultaneously at 2 p.m., and features York's Clark Pavlik, Ryan Doyle, Dan Sonenberg and Colin MacGregor, who have been performing sketch together for two years.

Nearly 20 more York Sketch Comedy Club students will perform the following weekend, at 2 p.m., Jan. 13, as part of York's Sketch Comedy Troupe, S-Cubed.

Here's a little glimpse at last year's performance.

The brain child of the York troupe is senior Rachel Michaud. Her mom, Laura Michaud, is chairman of the board for Stage 773, and her uncle, Brian Posen, is its founder, executive producer and artistic director. Posen has produced SketchFest since it began in 2000.

For the complete SketchFest schedule, click here. Tickets are $14. Click on a group name in the schedule to purchase tickets online. Stage 773 is located at 1225 W. Belmont Ave. Click here for a map.