The Grand Opening Celebrations for Mayne Stage and Act One Café continue with more special events

Tony Award nominated, Ann Hampton Callaway performs at Mayne Stage

Mayne Stage welcomes Tony Award nominated singer, pianist, composer, lyricist, arranger, actress, educator, TV host and producer, Ann Hampton Callaway at Mayne Stage on Friday, July 2 and Saturday, July 3 at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) and 10 p.m. (doors open at 9 p.m.). Tickets are $35.

Ann Hampton Callaway, daughter of Peabody and Chicago Emmy Award winning television and radio journalist John Callaway, is back in Chicago for four shows only. She is best known for Tony-nominated performance in the hit Broadway musical Swing! and for writing and singing the theme song to the hit TV series The Nanny. Callaway is a Platinum Award winning writer whose songs are featured on five of Barbra Streisand's recent CD's. The only composer to have collaborated with Cole Porter, she has also written songs with Carole King, Rolf Lovland and Barbara Carroll to name a few.

For more information about Ann Hampton Callaway, visit www.annhamptoncallaway.com. For tickets, visit www.maynestage.com or call (773) 381-4554.

Listen to Chicago Favorite, Ron Hawking

Fall in love again with the timeless classics and interpreted by Chicago's entertainer Ron Hawking. Enjoy standards made famous by such artists as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and more with shows at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) Thursday, July 8, Friday, July 9 and Saturday, July 10. Hawking interprets the songs "his way" but with the same vocal charm and charisma that made the original artists so beloved. Tickets are $30 for main floor, $35 for mezzanine and $45 for VIP seating.

For more information on Ron Hawking, visit www.ronhawking.com. To purchase tickets, visit www.maynestage.com or call (773) 381-4554.

Enjoy a night of improvisional sketch comedy with TJ and Dave

Laugh the night away with an improv show created on the spot by T. J. Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi, Second City-seasoned masters of long-form improv. At 8 p.m. Friday, July 16, TJ Jagodowski and Dave Pasquesi perform a 45-minute showcase of characters whose relationships reveal the quirks of human nature. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15.

For more information about TJ & Dave, visit www.tjanddave.com. For ticket information visit, www.maynestage.com or call (773) 381-4554.

Cabaret duo Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael rewind time to the 60’s

After Dark's 2007 Outstanding Cabaret Artists of the Year, Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael sing their way through the music that defined a generation - in "That 60's Show". At 8 p.m. Friday, July 23, relive the decade that changed the world as one of Cabaret Scenes Magazine “Top Ten Cabaret Acts,” Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael perform “That 60’s Show” at Mayne Stage. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20.

For more information on Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael, visit www.beckiemenzie.com. For ticket information visit, www.maynestage.com or call (773) 381-4554.

Journey back to the 60’s and 70’s with comedian Mike Toomey

Take a trip back in time as Mike Toomey presents his “TV & Me,” a look back at growing up with now-classic television shows and cartoons. Joining Mike is special guest, Ana Belaval from WGN Morning News. The show is at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) Saturday, July 24 at Mayne Stage. Tickets are $20.

For ticket information visit, http://www.maynestage.com/ or call (773) 381-4554.

Enjoy party tunes with The Stephanie Rogers Band and Blues and more with Nicholas Barron Band

Enjoy a night of live entertainment. Friday, August 6 at 8 p.m., listen to The Stephanie Rogers Band with Nicholas Barron Band performing at Mayne Stage. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets range $15-$20.

The Stephanie Rogers Band is a high-energy group who make party music fun again. They play a variety of music for people of all ages.

Nicholas Barron is an American artist. He's a songwriter, guitarist, singer and painter. The band plays blues with a combination acoustic guitar playing with bass and solo performances. For more information on The Stephanie Rogers Band, visit www.hipchick.com.

For more information on Nicholas Barron visit www.myspace.com/nicholasbarron. To purchase tickets, visit www.maynestage.com or call (773) 381-4554.

About Mayne Stage

Mayne Stage is located at 1328 W. Morse Ave. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. The new Mayne Stage showcases the hottest local and national musical acts, theatrical performances, comedy troupes and more. It is the ideal location for a variety of private events. It shares the space with Act One Café, the perfect place for pre-show dining or an after-show cocktail or dessert. Valet parking is available for $5. The venue is conveniently located ½ block east of the Morse stop on the CTA Red Line. For more information, to see a list of upcoming shows or for tickets, please call (773) 381-4554 or visit www.maynestage.com.

Cheers to drink specials at Act One Café

Enjoy discounted drinks with friends at Act One Café (1330 W. Morse Ave., Chicago; 773-381-4550). The following drinks are offered daily:

Sunday: Enjoy a Bloody Mary or Mimosa for $5

Tuesday: Drink up with $4 draft pints

Wednesday: Cheers to half-priced bottles of wine

Thursday: Sip on Mayne-Hattens and Elder Statesman for $5

Don’t forget about Act One Café’s all-you-can-eat buffet

Satisfy hunger with an all-you-can-eat buffet at Act One Café (1330 W. Morse Ave., Chicago; 773-381-4550). From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, enjoy all that Act One Café has to offer. Adults are $12.99 and children are $6.99.

Remember, Act One Café's patio is now open. For more information, call (773) 381-4550 or visit www.actonecafe.com.

About Act One Café

Act One Café is located at 1330 W. Morse Ave. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. It is open for dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The bar is open until 10 p.m. weekdays and until Midnight Friday and Saturday. Brunch is served from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, or to make a reservation, call (773) 381-4550 or visit www.actonecafe.com.

Kate Flannery from NBC's "The Office" brings "The Lampshades" to Mayne Stage June 25-26

Mayne Stage (1328 W. Morse Ave., Chicago; 773-381-4554), announces the addition of Kate Flannery, who plays Meredith on the NBC hit, The Office to the calendar of grand opening events at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 25-26 with her outrageously off-beat comedy lounge act, The Lampshades. Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets range from $10-20.

Flannery plays singer, Kassie Chew alongside Chicago native, Scot Robinson (Anchorman) who plays Kassie's partner, Hori Pismo. Together they present a night of hilariously entertaining musical numbers and over-the-top comedy.

"We're very excited to come home to Chicago where it all started for The Lampshades and for us," says Flannery. "It'll be great to see our old friends and to make new friends and fans."

The Lampshades was originally conceived and performed in Chicago in 1992, and has been playing in Hollywood for more than nine years to devoted audiences at the Improv Olympic West, the Steve Allen Theater and as the favorite opening act for The Dan Band. They've appeared in clubs and comedy festivals in Las Vegas, Vancouver, San Francisco and Aspen.

Flannery and Robinson are happy to bring The Lampshades back to its original home of Chicago at the beautiful new Mayne Stage. Flannery has strong ties to Chicago. At the suggestion of her aunt and uncle, who had a flavoring company on Irving Park Road, she moved from Philadelphia after college to study improv at The Second City and Del Close's Improv Olympic, while working for Lettuce Entertain You's ever-popular, Café Ba Ba Reeba. She was an ensemble member in The Second City's National Touring Company, and is an original member of Chicago's Annoyance Theater, where she co-created and starred in more than 15 shows including Manson the Musical, The Real Live Brady Bunch and The Lampshades.

Flannery went on to L.A. and New York City to play Neely O'Hara in the cult off-Broadway hit Theater A-Go-Go's Valley of the Dolls. She's been seen on The Bernie Mac Show, Boomtown and Curb your Enthusiasm before landing her signature role of Meredith on NBC's Emmy-winning hit, The Office.

Robinson was born and raised on Chicago's south side. He attended Bloom Trail High School, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University in Dekalb, Ill. He's an Improv Olympic alumna who got his start in Chicago's comedy scene with a job at The Second City. He appeared in numerous shows at the Annoyance Theatre including Manson the Musical, Your Butt, The Real Live Brady Bunch, and the show he developed with Flannery-The Lampshades.

Now living in L.A., Robinson has been seen in Anchorman with Will Ferrell, as well as on MADtv, Comedy Central, Air America's Ravenhurst and All Comedy Radio. You can see him in the hilarious book Comedy by the Numbers and its accompanying short films directed by Bob Odenkirk. He also teaches improv in L.A. at IO West and Otis College. Flannery and Robinson will be reunited on TV playing Harper's parents in an upcoming episode of the wildly popular, Wizards of Waverly Place.

Chicago theatre buffs may remember seeing The Lampshades at the Annoyance Theater back in 1992 as the opening act for the hit show, I'm 27, I Still Live at Home And I Sell Office Supplies; or as the musical act at Mark Smith's Poetry Slam at the Green Mill in 1993; or behind the glass in the storefront window on Broadway Avenue and Belmont Avenue trying to get the attention of passersby.

Flannery and Robinson's The Lampshades takes viewers on a wacky ride of unexpected laughs, quirky twists on familiar music (like "Mandy" and "Brandy" sung simultaneously), red jumpsuits, cigarette butts and almond cookies. Lounge acts may be a dying breed, but The Lampshades dares to bring the genre back to its former glory... or so Kassie and Hori like to believe.

Special guest Tim Clue opens the show on Friday, June 25. Clue is a Chicago comedian, comedy writer and motivational speaker with countless appearances at local and national clubs. "Tim's comic instincts are a cut above the rest," says Lisa Helfrich, television producer from Everybody Loves Raymond. He is sure to start the evening off on a comedy high.

On Saturday night, special guest Tim Walkoe gets things started with his brand of high-energy, off-the-cuff comedy. "Nonstop laughter from start-to-finish" is what critics have to say about the stand up comedy performance of Walkoe, going on to comment: "Walkoe's rapid-fire delivery and shoot-from-the-hip style leaves audiences laughing so hard, it's hard to catch up to the next joke." Tim is a veteran headliner at more than 100 comedy clubs nationwide.

To see The Lampshades in action, visit to http://www.thelampshades.com/ and go to the "videos" tab.

The Lampshades are part of the Grand Opening Celebration Series for Mayne Stage. Other acts scheduled to appear include Ann Hampton Callaway on July 2 and 3, Ron Hawking July 8 - 10, TJ & Dave on July 16, Beckie Menzie & Tom Michael in That 60's Show on July 23 and Mike Toomey's TV&Me with special guest Ana Belaval from WGN-TV on July 24. Please note that all shows are subject to change. For more information on all shows, visit http://www.maynestage.com/.

About Mayne Stage

Mayne Stage is located at 1328 W. Morse Ave. in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. The new Mayne Stage showcases the hottest local and national musical acts, theatrical performances, comedy troupes and more. It is the ideal location for a variety of private events. It shares the space with Act One Café, the perfect place for pre-show dining or an after-show cocktail or dessert. Valet parking is available. The venue is conveniently located ½ block east of the Morse stop on the CTA Red Line. For more information, to see a list of upcoming shows, to make a reservation for Act One Café or for tickets, please call (773) 381-4554 or visit http://www.maynestage.com/.

Curtain ready to rise on Mayne Stage

Opening in mid-June, Mayne Stage (1328 W. Morse Ave., Chicago; 773-381-4554), is poised to present a diverse entertainment calendar of established and emerging performers in its intimate, sophisticated atmosphere with state of the art sound, lighting and recording amenities. Reflecting its location in the diverse Rogers Park neighborhood, Mayne Stage will showcase an eclectic mix of musical styles including jazz, cabaret, classical and more. In addition to music, a variety of comedy, theatrical and family programs are promised to appeal to a wide audience.

Mayne Stage officially opens in mid-June as one of the locations for the TBS Presents a “Very Funny” Festival: Just for Laughs and will feature The Not Inappropriate Show, featuring Bob Odenkirk and Kate Micucci. For show times and to purchase tickets, visit www.justforlaughschicago.com.

Other artists currently scheduled to appear include nationally acclaimed singer/songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway on July 2 and 3, Chicago favorite Ron Hawking July 8, 9 and 10, Beckie Menzie and Tom Michael in That 60’s Show on July 23 and Mike Toomey’s TV & Me on July 24. Show times and ticket information for these shows and other upcoming performances is available at www.maynestage.com. All shows are subject to change.

Booking and creative development for the venue is handled by industry veteran Denise McGowan Tracy and her DMT Entertainment, Inc.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to book this new, yet historic, venue. Live entertainment is crucial to the fabric of Rogers Park and Chicago. Mayne Stage provides the perfect setting for both the artist and the audience to enjoy the live performance experience,” said McGowan Tracy.

The 299-seat venue is unique in its flexibility and versatility. Mayne Stage offers attractive cabaret and theater style seating, comfortable booths on the mezzanine level as well as balcony seating – all with excellent sightlines. With its state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, nine-foot Steinway piano and intimate feel, Mayne Stage is an exceptional venue for a wide range of performance styles. Comfortable and beautifully lit, full-service bars on the main level and the mezzanine level complete the experience.

Mayne Stage has been designed as a unique, memorable space for both public performances and private events. The bar areas on both levels outside the main theater room are perfect for private receptions before and after performances. The flexibility of the seating area in the main room allows clients to customize the room for a myriad of events, from meetings and award celebrations, to themed social events, fundraisers and large personal celebrations and parties.

Recognizing its exceptional performance capabilities, McGowan Tracy has big plans.

“Mayne Stage has so much potential as a performance space allowing us to present an eclectic mix of entertainment styles. We hope to make new fans - not just of the entertainers who play the room - but of the room itself. The focus is on showcasing outstanding performers - some familiar to audiences and some who are making a name for themselves,“ continues McGowan Tracy who has worked with celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Kevin Nealon, Harvey Korman, Tim Conway, Maureen McGovern, The Beach Boys, Pat Benatar and dozens more in her nearly 30 year career. “I’m thrilled to be a part of the team of professionals bringing Mayne Stage to life.”

Mayne Stage can also serve as a rehearsal, recording and performing arts facility. In addition to its state-of-the-art sound and lighting, Mayne Stage offers a digital mixing console and electronic recording equipment. Musical artists, theatrical groups and film producers will find Mayne Stage the perfect venue for producing live recordings, conducting auditions or holding rehearsals. Its 298-inch projection screen and high-definition digital projector add cinema capabilities for multimedia performances providing the perfect backdrop for film screenings, seminars, workshops and corporate presentations.

About Mayne Stage
Mayne Stage is located at 1328 W. Morse Ave. in Chicago’s Rogers Park neighborhood. Mayne Stage showcases emerging and established local and national musical acts, theatrical performances, comedy and more. It is the ideal location for a variety of private events. For more information, or to see a list of upcoming shows, call (773) 381-4554 or visit www.maynestage.com.