If Abbey Londer has her way, the next great comedic performer will be from Oxford, Michigan.
Londer, a 2004 Oxford High School graduate, and her zany sketch comedy group, The Deformed, are set to perform in the 7th Annual Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival (or Sketchfest) on Sunday, Jan. 13 at 5:30 p.m.
‘This will be The Deformed’s first sketch show,? she said. ‘We’re all very, very excited about it.?
The Chicago Sketchfest is an annual event that celebrates the best in local and national sketch comedy. This year’s festival will feature 100 groups performing from Jan. 3-13 at the Theatre Building Chicago (1225 W. Belmont).
Londer’s hoping some folks from Oxford will decide to attend the festival.
‘I know it’s a five-hour drive, but most people in Oxford aren’t exposed to things of this nature and this is something the whole family could enjoy,? she said.
Unlike improvisation (or improv), sketch comedy, which was born in Chicago at The Second City Theater during the 1950s, is all original scripted material set for the stage. A sketch comedy performance usually consists of short unrelated sketches rooted in satire.
Londer’s group offers audiences a brand of off-the-wall humor that’s fresh, bold and innovative. The press release describing The Deformed’s first sketch show, ‘Backpack Town,? gives people a glimpse of their antics:
‘The Deformed, while being wildly hilarious, are only mildly offensive. Their newest sketch show, ‘Backpack Town,? is ‘witty and intelligent,? according to everyone that’s in it. A unique exploitation of commonplace relationships and Saigon sex slaves, ‘Backpack Town? will make you want to punch your wife in the face.?
‘It’s very hard to write what your show is actually about, but you have to draw people’s attention somehow, if you want them to come see you,? Londer explained.
Besides Londer, The Deformed includes actors Allison Bosma, Tim Reardon and Howie Kremer.
‘There’s actually two men and two women,? Londer said. ‘Or you could say a Jew, a gay, and two blondes. Or you could say three of funniest people I know.?
The group is directed by Jet Evelth, whom Londer called ‘one of the best female improvisers I’ve ever seen.?
‘She’s really helped make our show outstanding,? she said.
When asked to describe the group’s brand of humor, Londer said, ‘It’s fun. It’s fast. It’s smart.?
‘It’s comedy that hits hard with people because it’s very real, and everyone can relate to it,? she explained.
However, there are also ‘ideas and characters that push the limits and boundaries of our world,? Londer noted. ‘It’s unique, as all sketch is, but what really makes a good sketch group is just loving your team.?
The group met during a class at The Annoyance, one of the four major houses of improv comedy in Chicago. It, along with Second City, i.O. and Comedy Sportz, serve as theaters and training centers.
‘The reason The Deformed got together with each other,? Londer said. ‘We were cracking each other up in class. We’ve only known each other for less than a year, but it feels like I’ve known them forever.?
Londer arrived in Chicago just over three years ago and ‘quickly became infatuated with it.?
‘Initially, I went to art school ? because that was clearly the safer way to go ? and I started taking classes one night a week at the Second City,? she said. ‘I paid more attention to my one-night-a-week-Wednesdays then I did to my Monday-through-Thursday classes. And, in result barely passed my freshman year.?
These days Londer is a senior at Columbia College studying for a degree in acting.
‘I guess what I love about acting is being able to be someone else ? being able to escape whatever reality I’m in and be someone completely different,? she said. ‘I’ll never stop doing it because it’s what I want to do. Ultimately, I would love to work in film and television.
When she’s not in class or waiting tables, she’s soaking up comedy like a sponge and practicing her art.
‘I watch and study as much improv as I can stomach,? Londer said. ‘Comedy is my forte. It sounds so cliche, but laughter really is the best medicine.?
Londer graduated from i.O. (formerly Improv Olympic) and has almost completed The Annoyance program.
Last semester, she was accepted into the Comedy Studies Program at Second City.
‘It’s a program through Columbia (College),? Londer explained. ‘Think of it as a semester abroad, but not really because its still in Chicago. I went to Second City for all my classes Monday through Thursday from 10am to 6pm, basically. They accepted 17 students. It was a super intensive semester (of) nothing but comedy. And it was amazing.?
She currently performs at a variety of improv venues in Chicago. ‘I’m in an all-female improv troupe, Valid Hysteria, which is amazing because they are all so diverse,? Londer said. ‘There are 10 of us, and we range in age from 21 to 46.
‘Improv is a male-dominated sport as it is, so it’s really refreshing to see strong women who are hilarious,? she noted.
Londer and some members of Valid Hysteria branched out to co-create The Chicago Women’s Improv Forum
‘It’s basically a place where any and all women who love to improvise can come and play, regardless of their experience,? she said. ‘We’ve had some of the best female improvisers in the City of Chicago teach.?
Never one to forget her roots, Londer is extremely grateful for her days with the OHS Drama Club.
It really helped me express my craziness in a constructive way,? she said. ‘I knew that I always loved to make people laugh. Any chance I got I was acting stupid or goofy.?
‘I remember my senior year, I was Lucy in ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,? and I think that may have been one of my favorite memories of high school,? Londer recalled. ‘I loved being there, I loved rehearsing, and I loved hearing the audience laugh.?
Londer gives a lot of credit for where she is today to Drama Club Adviser Debra Brown, whom she said ‘really helped push me to recognize that I had the potential to do this ? to do something that I love for a living.?
During the last week of November, the Drama Club visited Chicago and got a chance to meet with Londer. She said the students asked her all the same questions she’s asked herself over the years.
‘They’re a little unsure of themselves, which is exactly how they’re supposed to be,? she said. ‘Ultimately what I told them is this ? Do what you love to do. If the passion is there, that’s half the battle. Work twice as hard as you think you are. Try, try, try. And even if it doesn’t work out, at least you can say that you tried it ? that you did whatever you wanted to do. You have so much time on this earth. The only limits you’ll have are the ones you set on yourself.?
Although she’s been influenced and inspired by many many comedic actors ? Gilda Radner, Sid Caesar, Alan Arkin, Catherine O’Hara, Fred Willard, to name a few ? Londer said it’s her family and friends who have influenced her comedy the most.
‘Especially my father, who’s the funniest man I know,? she said.
For more information about The Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival visit www.chicagosketchfest.net.