I’m an ensemble member of a pretty great theatre company here in Chicago called WNEP (What No one Else Produces) and this summer, we’ve got two original one-act plays coming up!
RAINBOWS AND LOLLIPOPS by Dave Goss (to be directed by Rebecca Langguth)
THE TRIBUTE by Rebecca Langguth (to be directed by Amanda Rountree)
Both one-acts will be performed at the Zoo Studios in Ravenswood from July 26th – Aug 17th! More details on the show (and auditions for both plays) will be out soon!
Oh, my goddess! Look, everyone! IT’S SPRING OUTSIDE! Right now! Right now, spring is happening! Just yesterday, I was walking outside past a tree–you know, those big stick-things protruding from the ground with smaller sticks branching out from them to hold snow. Well, guess what!! Guess what I saw on the sticks!! I saw SOME GREEN SHIT coming out of the branches! GREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEN!!!!! Beautiful! I can’t remember the last time I saw something so beautiful!!! This tree is not just a big stick, you guys. IT’S ALIVE! It’s this beautiful living thing. AND IT’S GROWING RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR EYES!!!!
That’s not all, you guys. There is some green stuff coming out of the ground too. That’s right. GREEN STUFF IS 
GROWING RIGHT OUT OF THE FUCKING GROUND! And when it comes up and out, it’s not done growing! Gorgeous, colorful shit called FLOWERS are going to keep growing on those beautiful green stems. AND THEY SMELL WONDERFUL!
I don’t mean to alarm you or yell at you too much, BUT YOU NEED TO GET YOUR BUTT OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW AND SMELL THE AIR AND WALK IN THE GRASS AND LOOK AT THE TREES! Seriously. GO OUTSIDE RIGHT NOW AND HUG A FUCKING TREE. You’ll thank me later. And if you don’t, that’s okay. I don’t fucking care. I’m so fucking happy that it’s spring outside.
Chicago actually had a winter this year–which means we all died a little bit in our soul. But not the year before that. The year before that, our winter was so lame, that we never felt dead inside. I almost missed feeling dead inside. Because when you are beat down so much by a long, cold, relentless winter, it feels amazing to have spring breeze in and rescue you. Because spring comes in and says, “Guess what! You’re not dead inside! Your spirit was just sleeping!” And just like that, YOU ARE RESURRECTED! All of a sudden, every single religious and mythical tale about resurrection makes sense. THEY ARE ABOUT SPRING, YOU GUYS! They are about how you are now saved! YOUR SOUL IS BACK! IT NEVER REALLY LEFT YOU. It just felt like it was gone. But now–now, you have a new life. And this life is fucking beautiful. Your skin can be exposed to the outside air and not hate you for it. It will love you for it. You walk outside and suddenly, everything is beautiful, you’re in love with everything, and you suddenly understand how someone could write a whole fucking poem about a blade of grass.
GET OUTSIDE, YOU GUYS! I LOVE YOU! I LOVE ALL OF THIS! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!
I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: One cannot do a solo show alone. I had great help from the obvious suspects, of course, like my director, Jen and the technical support of Joey and Andrew. But there were also others who helped with a variety of skills and talents, including, most definitely, my amazing opening acts! I was very lucky to have gotten so many talented people to open for my solo show.
One cannot do a solo show alone!
Thanks to everyone who helped me!
In addition to all of these people on my list of “Who To Thank” I add every single audience member who carved out a bit of time on their schedule to see the show. Life is busy and it can be hard to make time to see a bit of art on a Thursday night. So I’m grateful and honored for everyone who took the time and came out. Beyond that, I again thank the audience members who were generous enough with their enjoyment of the show to tell me (an actor’s ego thanks you for that) and to tell others. I had quite a few audience members over the run who had heard about the show because someone they knew saw it, loved it, and suggested it. And let me tell you, it certainly gives a performer a warm fuzzy feeling to look out into the audience and see so many familiar faces! Yet it gives the same performer another type of joy to look out into that crowd and realize she doesn’t recognize every single face; that there are people who came–not because they’re supporting their friend–but they just want to see a good show, and heard that this was one.
I hope I gave everyone–friends and strangers–a good show.
The Chicago Reader says, “Amanda Rountree is a riot!” Audience members have described the show as “inspiring,” “funny,” “beautiful,” and “a must-see!“ The Chicagoist picked this show as one of their “three to see.” There is only one more show left: this Thursday (TONIGHT!), March 28 at 8pm and I am so very excited that the funny and talented Amy Sumpter opens for me on closing night! Click here to watch a trailer for the show. You can also click here to read a review of the show.
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, directed by Jen Ellison
Studio Be
3110 N. Sheffield Ave.
$12 in advance, $15 at the door Buy Tickets!
Thursday, March 28 at 8pm
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
The art of improvisation creates stories from thin air, making the unseen seen. For Amanda Rountree, this is not just anartform, but a way of life — one that includes unexpected twists and turns — leading, if not to mastery, to enlightenment. Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, and directed by Jen Ellison, this show follows the artist on her path with all of the funny and touching moments along the way.
The Chicago Reader says, “Amanda Rountree is a riot!” Audience members have described the show as “inspiring,” “funny,” “beautiful,” and “a must-see!“ The Chicagoist picked this show as one of their “three to see.” There is only one more show left: this Thursday, March 28 at 8pm and I am so very excited that the funny and talented Amy Sumpter opens for me on closing night! Click here to watch a trailer for the show. You can also click here to read a review of the show.
Amy Sumpter is a comedic actress who has focused mainly on stand-up for 5 years. She is a regular performer of The Kates, can be seen in Beast Women, and if you’re lucky you may see her performing in her car. Just pretend you didn’t see her talking to herself…she is doing bits! She is also in an all female Beastie Boy tribute band called She’s Crafty.
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, directed by Jen Ellison
Studio Be
3110 N. Sheffield Ave.
$12 in advance, $15 at the door Buy Tickets!
Thursday, March 28 at 8pm
Amanda Rountree in 185 Buddhas
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
The art of improvisation creates stories from thin air, making the unseen seen. For Amanda Rountree, this is not just anartform, but a way of life — one that includes unexpected twists and turns — leading, if not to mastery, to enlightenment. Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, and directed by Jen Ellison, this show follows the artist on her path with all of the funny and touching moments along the way.
I am having a delightful time performing my one-woman show, 185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar… I can’t believe that the run is almost over! When I got online this morning, I was greeted by a lovely message from an audience member who saw the show last night. Here is the message:
“I cannot stop thinking about your show, it’s still talking to me in so many ways. It needs to go viral, more viral than the book of Mormon.
I’m going to promote it to as many people as I can force. Thank you for writing it and sharing it with us.” -Tareq M.
You don’t have to take his word for it, come check it out on your own! …But you only have one chance left!
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar (with opening act, Amy Sumpter)
Amanda Rountree in 185 Buddhas
Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, directed by Jen Ellison
Studio Be
3110 N. Sheffield Ave.
$12 in advance, $15 at the door Buy Tickets!
Thursday, March 28 at 8pm
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
The art of improvisation creates stories from thin air, making the unseen seen. For Amanda Rountree, this is not just an artform, but a way of life — one that includes unexpected twists and turns — leading, if not to mastery, to enlightenment. Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, and directed by Jen Ellison, this show follows the artist on her path with all of the funny and touching moments along the way.
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, directed by Jen Ellison
Studio Be
3110 N. Sheffield Ave.
$12 in advance, $15 at the door Buy Tickets!
Thursday, March 28 at 8pm
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
The art of improvisation creates stories from thin air, making the unseen seen. For Amanda Rountree, this is not just an artform, but a way of life — one that includes unexpected twists and turns — leading, if not to mastery, to enlightenment. Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, and directed by Jen Ellison, this show follows the artist on her path with all of the funny and touching moments along the way.
There’s a different opening act every night! And I am delighted to announce that Amy Sumpter is opening for me on closing night! I guess maybe you’re lucky you waited this long to see the show…..’cause she’s pretty awesome. See you there!
The Chicago Reader says, “Amanda Rountree is a riot!” Audience members have described the show as “inspiring,” “funny,” “beautiful,” and “a must-see!“ The Chicagoist picked this show as one of their “three to see.” There are only two more shows left: this Thursday, March 21 and next Thursday, March 28 at 8pm. Click here to watch a trailer for the show. You can also click here to read a review of the show.
Amanda Rountree in 185 Buddhas
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, directed by Jen Ellison
Studio Be
3110 N. Sheffield Ave.
$12 in advance, $15 at the door Buy Tickets!
Thursdays in March at 8pm
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
The art of improvisation creates stories from thin air, making the unseen seen. For Amanda Rountree, this is not just an artform, but a way of life — one that includes unexpected twists and turns — leading, if not to mastery, to enlightenment. Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, and directed by Jen Ellison, this show follows the artist on her path with all of the funny and touching moments along the way.
There are only two more performances left of my solo show, 185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar. Every single performance has a different opening act and The Twitty Birds (ukelele boy band featuring Jeff Gandy and Andrew Thorp) open for me this Thursday. That’s right, y’all. I said a ukelele boy band!
The Twitty Birds are America’s favorite boy band that has yet to be discovered. Armed with ukeleles and boyish charm, The Twitty birds will make you feel like it’s 1986-2012 all over again! The Twitty Birds, or T-Birds as they were known by briefly in 1998, is currently comprised of two original band members Jeff Gandy and Andrew Thorp.
Jeff Gandy has been working with youth programs since his teen years in Mississippi. In addition to being Director of the Youth Training Center at The Second City, he is currently part of the youth program teaching staff at Old Town School of Folk Music and Joel Hall Dance Center. As an actor and improviser Jeff has performed with many teams at i.O. including Otis, Garbagé, The Strangers and currently Cowboy Couture. His love for sketch comedy is illustrated each time he performs with The Fowler Family.
Andrew Thorp is an improviser, stand-up comedian, actor, writer, director, and producer of Thorpedo Productions. He improvises with ‘The Stevens Family’ and can be seen in the Donny’s Skybox at The Second City co-running an open mic and performing or writing sketch revues.
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, directed by Jen Ellison
Studio Be
3110 N. Sheffield Ave.
$12 in advance, $15 at the door Buy Tickets!
Thursdays in March at 8pm
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
The art of improvisation creates stories from thin air, making the unseen seen. For Amanda Rountree, this is not just an artform, but a way of life — one that includes unexpected twists and turns — leading, if not to mastery, to enlightenment. Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, and directed by Jen Ellison, this show follows the artist on her path with all of the funny and touching moments along the way.
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, directed by Jen Ellison
Studio Be
3110 N. Sheffield Ave.
$12 in advance, $15 at the door Buy Tickets!
Thursdays in March at 8pm
185 Buddhas Walk into a Bar
The art of improvisation creates stories from thin air, making the unseen seen. For Amanda Rountree, this is not just an artform, but a way of life — one that includes unexpected twists and turns — leading, if not to mastery, to enlightenment. Written and performed by Amanda Rountree, and directed by Jen Ellison, this show follows the artist on her path with all of the funny and touching moments along the way.
There’s a different opening act every night! And guess what, you guys….. The world’s ONLY* ukelele boy band, The Twitty Birds (featuring Jeff Gandy and Andrew Thorp), is opening on Thursday, March 21st. If you miss this show, I don’t know what you’re going to tell your grandchildren.
*I’ve never ever heard of a ukelele boy band before, so I’m pretty sure they’re the only one. But I’ve never been to Hawaii. They’re for sure the only one in Chicago. They’ve gotta be.
