And I sort of felt like the way I do comedy really reminds me of that banter I used to have on the checkouts.” Q: As someone from a local background ... you step onto the stage.

Comedian Michael Palascak, who went to high school in Joliet, says he’s excited to take the stage at Elgin’s Hemmens Cultural ...

Close your eyes and imagine a stand-up comedian. Perhaps they’re standing in a basement in front of an exposed brick wall. Or sitting on a wooden stool in the middle of a black curtained stage.

Now, Bradford is turning back to comedy as he mourns. He is going to bare his truth on stage at the Sheldon on May 17 when he opens for Will Downing. With 25 years of comedy under his belt ...

In particular, when you're used to getting laughs on stage and feeding off the adrenaline of the crowd, it can feel alarming to be met with a silent, attentive audience. "With comedy you can bail ...