CHICAGO LOVES NY Comedy Benefit Set for 12/2

The Skokie Theatre will play host to Chicago Loves NY, a comedy benefit fundraiser for the victims of Hurricane Sandy on Sunday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m. at 7924 N. Lincoln Ave. in Skokie, IL. The show features comedy acts from throughout the Chicagoland area. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by visiting: http://www.indiegogo.com/chicago-loves-ny.

Chicago Loves NY is a show produced by Chicago author and actor Bryan Cohen and run through the IndieGoGo crowdfunding platform. Cohen and his team hope to raise $2,500 for the American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund by bringing great comedy to Skokie.

The acts include comedy musician Matt Griffo, sketch comedy duo Urlakis and Cusick and Evanston favorites Rom-com and the Underage Sugar Addicts. Several other area acts are in discussions to play at the event as well. While there will be a lot of comedy the night of the show, Cohen said that the focus is on helping people in need.

"After a major election and with the holidays coming up, people forget that there are still thousands victims of Hurricane Sandy who have had their lives turned upside down," Cohen said. "I hope that we can pack the house at the Skokie Theatre and demonstrate that the Chicago area cares deeply about the people in need this holiday season."

The confirmed acts for Chicago Loves NY include:

Chicago musical comedian Matt Griffo who has used his piano and ukulele skills to play at Chicago Sketchfest, the LA Comedy Festival and to open for comedian Reggie Watts. He is the composer of the smash Chicago musical, "Jersey Shore: The Musical."

Urlakis and Cusick recently closed their show "Questionable Lullabies" at Stage 773 in Chicago. The Chicago Tribune said that the group has "a real talent for intellectual high jinks and wordplay" and Gapers Block says you should see them "because, duh, they are both super strong comedic actors."

Rom-com has had successful runs at the Evanston Improv festival, Stage Left Theatre and Chemically Imbalanced Theatre.

The Underage Sugar Addicts showcase young improvisers ranging from 11 to 18-years-old . The Evanston Roundtable called the show, "An improv experience unlike any other in Chicago."

Producer Bryan Cohen recently finished his 30th book by his 30th birthday. His books have sold over 15,000 copies.

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