CHICAGO (WLS) — Jeremy Piven is back in his sweet home, Chicago, this week, recording his new comedy special, and you can be there.
The star of stage and screen talked about bringing his stand-up show to The Vic in Lakeview this Friday.
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“It’s about utilizing all the skills I’ve honed on the stages here in Chicago, in film and TV, improvising, putting everything out there, and making people laugh,” Piven expressed. “When I receive standing ovations and people remark, ‘we didn’t realize you were this funny,’ I want to share that with my hometown. I recently walked into a place in L.A., waved, and someone responded with, ‘what are you smiling at?’ to which I replied, ‘nothing, sorry, that was an unauthorized use of kindness, my apologies.’ And then you just tone it down a bit.”
Piven is from a showbiz family, and grew up on the North Shore, with memories of Evanston High School.
“Some guys used to bully me. I can’t name names, Billy Dawson, come on, Billy D,” Piven said. “There’s a saying I love, ‘life doesn’t happen to you; it happens for you.’ So, you need to embrace that idea, and when facing obstacles, you find a way to overcome them. By doing so, you grow as a person.”
His mom, who recently died, was Piven’s theater coach.
“I practice lines with Joyce Piven because she’s been my acting coach since I was 8 years old. Everything I’ve ever said as Ari Gold, I first said to my mother’s face,” Piven stated. “I know people miss him and ‘Entourage.’ You could hear them shouting in the streets, ‘Ari!'”
Taking center stage at the Chicago Theatre is on Piven’s wish list. But first, it’s Friday at The Vic.
“Whatever you think of me, if you love me or hate me, that’s not my concern,” Piven said. “I’ve seen people be offended and laugh at the same time, which is the best.”
You can be there when Piven records his stand-up special on Friday night.
There are shows at The Vic Theatre on Sheffield Avenue at 7:30 and 10 p.m. It’s a performance tour getting rave reviews.
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