NEWS
To buy tickets, use the QR code or click on THIS LINK!
Big ol’ heaping pile of thank yous to everyone who helped make Meet the Author a reality. It’s always affirming to know that there are people out there who will happily hop on board and join me in a crazy idea. Andi Dymond is always a joy to work with as a director and was crucial for helping me shape the script. Magica Bottari and Law Tarello brought some serious acting chops and credibility. Whisk(e)y Expert Marty Duffy brought a lot of helpful support while bringing to life fan favorites Seth and Sacred Meow. He didn’t have to audition. He had us at “whisk(e)y expert”.
A super-sized thank you to the bookstores that took a chance on us and tried something new. Tangible Books, Looking Glass Books, Uncharted Books, Women & Children First, The Book Cellar, Madison Street Books, and Kibbitznest. Please visit them all and give them all your money. Every one of them was very supportive and trusted us to put on a good show and not destroy their homes or reputations in the process. Special thanks to Kerry Reid and Jack Helbig for helping us get the word out about the show.
Thanks to YOU, those who were able to come out and see the show. Thank you for your laughter, your feedback, and for throwing a few bucks into the Pay-What-You-Can-Can. We loved bringing Meet the Author to you all. If you missed it, there are plans to bring it back, hopefully in the fall, but definitely next year.
Here’s what audience members had to say…
“Cats! Trolls! Broken Dreams! Bad writing! Casey Stumpner has to deal with all of these maladies and more in this hilarious one-act. Highly Recommended!” – John Weagley
“Joe Janes as Casey Stumpner tickles your funny bone with his dissonant twists of phrase and oblivious demeanor.” – Terry Sofianos Wohlgenant
“It’s like Cats the musical without the music, dancing or singing.” – Beth Kathan O’Connor
“This show was fun and fresh. I highly recommend it.” – Charley Arksey
“An immersive and hilarious theater experience with equal parts absurdity and heart. Plus, you get to support your local bookstore.” – Marta Segal Block
“This was so much fun! Joe and Andrea, and company deliver the perfect book signing gone wrong. BIG LAUGHS!” – Richard Lyons Conlon
Meet the Author is a one-act play by Chicago playwright Joe Janes
that takes place in a bookstore.
Casey Stumpner is an aspiring writer trying desperately to be seen by others as the next Tom Clancy or James Patterson. He has spent all his money to get his book into print and has managed to talk his way into doing a book signing at a little independent bookstore in the middle of nowhere. It doesn't go well. The bookstore owner begrudgingly presents the book signing that her partner Seth booked because he liked Casey’s press release. Nate, the only person in the world who has read all of Casey’s books, is there not to support, but to troll. The book that Casey thinks will put him on the map is Thrust & Perry: Pig in a Blanket of Death. An action erotica spy novel. Whatever the heck that is. Meet the Author is about trying to live one's dreams and failing miserably.
Joe Janes (playwright/Casey) is an Emmy Award winning writer who also teaches comedy writing and improvisation at Columbia College and The Second City. His most recent production was Macbeth By The Sea which premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2023 to rave reviews and will be performed at The Den Theatre in Chicago this fall. More information can be found at www.joejanes.net and www.macbethbythesea.com.
Andrea J. Dymond (director) is a Chicago-based freelance director specializing in developing and directing new work; Andrea was Resident Director at Victory Gardens Theater, where she directed 11 productions, including 7 world premieres, and helped to develop and launch The Ignition Festival of New Plays. She also does research and production dramaturgy, directs at new works festivals; and has served as thesis play advisor for MFA playwrights at Carnegie Mellon University; and, as a director at NNPN’s MFA Playwrights Workshops, at the Kennedy Center. This is her fourth collaboration with Joe Janes. Their other productions were Our Christian Nation, The Greatest Theatrical Event…EVER!, and Macbeth By The Sea.
Law Tarello (Nate) is a Television and Broadway Actor, most notably as the recurring role of Correctional Officer Dan Dietz on the NBC/Dick Wolf drama, "Chicago P.D." His professional theatre roles include William Barfeè in "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and Brian in "Avenue Q". He is also a faculty member at The Second City. Law is represented by Paonessa Talent. You can find his stand-up clips, improv comedy instructionals, and comedic musings on Instagram @ImprovLaw.
Magica Bottari (Paige Turner/ Joan) is thrilled to be a member of this esteemed cast! Her most recent stage time has been solo, doing stand-up comedy in both Chicago and New York City. Recent screen credits include the indie film Anchor, which will be in festivals soon, and NBC's Chicago Fire, as a firm but fair teacher, which she also is in everyday life.
Martin Duffy (Seth/Sacred Meow) is Chicago born & bred. Marty is a graduate of The Players Workshop of The Second City, The Second City Training Center, and the Columbia College Theater Department. He has portrayed Shelly “The Machine” Levine in the Pointe Theater production of Glengarry Glen Ross, Cousin Teddy in Arsenic & Old Lace at the Desplaines Theater and numerous roles in Davin Cromer’s Miracle on 34th Street. He is delighted to be returning to performing after a break of some 20 years.
SPECIAL THANKS TO Galway Arms, Chief O’Neil’s, Tangible Books, Looking Glass Books, Uncharted Books, Women & Children First, The Book Cellar, Madison Street Books, Kibbitznest, Abby Rankin, Max Balderston, Eric Doane, Richard Bradley, and Gigi Noblewolf.
Here’s a link to an article about us in The Chicago Reader.
Here’s a link to an article about us in Wednesday Journal.
Photo by Joe Janes. Cover and bookmark designed by Joe Janes. Model: Chewie.
Read the great reviews Macbeth by the sea
written by Joe janes
received at its world premiere during the 2023 Edinburgh Festival fringe! (click on the title)
Macbeth by the Sea
Salt City
written by Joe Janes
is now available on YouTube!
Play Danger with Me presents... SALT CITY An interactive film noir thriller. Sort of. Journey through the gritty crime-filled streets of Salt City. Someone is trying to catch who is leaving death threats in the mailbox at their new flat at The Blue Sparrow Arms. It's like a cup of coffee so strong it'll punch you in the mouth and steal your danish. That someone is YOU! READ THE SUBTITLES OUT LOUD by yourself or with friends. Having many faces can only help you survive in Salt City. FILMED IN ZOOM-O-VISION This is all five parts together. Running time 25:00 minutes. Featuring Jason Meyer Ginger Leopoldo David Dastmalchian Ric Walker Nicole Walker Joe Janes Written By Joe Janes Directed By Andrea J. Dymond Title Graphics by Shane Swinnea Foley and Music by Steph McCullough
Well, well, well. I sure do miss performing live and being in a room with people. I also really enjoy breathing and not being sick. So, since March, I have been channeling much of my creativity into making videos in home with my iMac - using PhotoBooth or Zoom and (learning to) edit on iMovie. Check them out. There are many cat photo bombs. Many of the videos are satirical and quite a few are just silly fun because some weeks I don’t even want to make fun of the madness. I hope you enjoy them! Click on the link, like and subscribe!
A Historical Comedy About Drama!
Well, needless to say, our show is on hold until we’re allowed to come out and play. Keep an eye on this space for updates.
Until then…
Thursday morning at 11am (Central). Come do some writing with me.
This Thursday at 11am (Central)!
Writing Alone Together with Joe Janes, Alone
It doesn't matter what you are working on. The heart of the session is a 45-minute writing sprint. If you don't have a goal, you can free write or use the provided writing prompt. Free! Good times!
Send me your e-mail address through this website and I will send you the Zoom link.
design by Shane Swinea
Our Show is on Fire!
It’s a hysterical romp through 100 years of the world’s most flammable theater, The Grand Carlysle.
It’s a merciless yet loving tribute to theater as seen through the eyes of three theater historians who also happen to be unreliable ghosts!
The Grand Carlysle has hosted some of the worst shows in history including Unsinkable Love – The Musical Tragedy about The Titanic, Come and Get Me – a musical adaptation of Herman Melville’s Moby Dick told from the whale’s perspective, and Death of a Salesman on Ice!
It has also hosted vaudeville acts, high wire circus stars, kitchen sink dramas, turn-of-the-century humor-filled scenarios, and Shakespeare!
The Greatest Theatrical Event...EVER! was written by Joe Janes, Lori McClain, and Ric Walker. Performed by Joe Janes, Kelly Haran, and Ric Walker. Directed by Andrea J. Dymond. Original music by Jeff Bouthiette. Graphics by Shane Swinea.
Showtimes
Preview: Thursday, March 26
Opening Night: Friday, March 27th
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30pm. Matinees Saturdays at 4:40pm.
Closing night is Saturday, April 25th
75 minutes running time
Tickets are pay-what-you-can ($20 suggested donation) are are available online at Eventbrite.com (full url is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-greatest-theatrical-eventever-tickets-95514571655?aff=ebdssbdestsearch) or may be purchased at the door. If you use eventbrite, you can only purchase one ticket at a time. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Langley (Ric Walker) and Pratt (Joe Janes” perform their vaudeville routine “Right in the Balzac” much to Alice’s (Kelly Haran) disgust. Photo by Jerry Schulman.
Robert (Joe Janes) and Elaine (Kelly Haran) rehearse Romeo and Juliet. Photo by Jerry Schulman.
The Amazing Albeit Mediocre Craig (Joe Janes) and The Amazing Maxwell (Ric Walker) face off on the high wire. Photo by Jerry Schulman.
Trey Van Betheysen III (Ric Walker) really wants to tell you about his musical about Anne Frank titled “Panic in the Attic”. It has a happy ending, unless you’re a nazi. Photo by Jerry Schulman.
Gettin' to know joe
Joe Janes is an Emmy award-winning writer and teaches comedy writing and improvisation at The Second City and Columbia College. He has written for Jellyvision's "You Don't Know Jack" and SNL's "Weekend Update." He has published three books of his staged work: 365 Sketches, 50 Plays and Seven Deadly Plays.
His full-length plays include Metaluna and the Science of the Mind Revue, A Hard Day's Journey Into Night, Our Christian Nation, The Incident, and Always Never. He is a regular contributor to the on-line magazine Literate Ape with his weekly satirical column The Minutes of Our Last Meeting.
Writing Samples
hammer of love
10-Minute Play about a mysterious international spy returning to his love after decades apart fighting to keep the world safe from his nemesis, The Crimson Marsupial.
butterfly jar
10-Minute Play about finding the love of your life and not being able to keep her told through spoken word.
damen silos
10-MInute Play based on a true experience of finding someone's heart wrenching journal in the abandoned Damen Silos in Chicago.
pushing the envelope
Monologue - A very arrogant theater creator gushes about his latest project. His arrogance is only matched by his lack of talent.
“Joe pretends like his Emmy is just a paperweight, but when you read and experience his work, you know you’re in the presence of one of the greats.”
the something blue mile
10-Minute Play about a death row convict's happiest and last day.
CONTACT joe
Would you like Joe to work on one of your shows? Teach a workshop? Give you some sage wisdom? Email Joe directly.