Rowan & Martin have got nothing on the Woman’s Club of Evanston’s 59th annual benefit show, “Age of Hilarious,” to be held March 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13. Audience members will be entertained by a slew of song parodies written, directed, choreographed and performed by WCE members and friends. This year, they will include numbers featuring everything from hippies and hormonal wives to meat-grillin’ men and funnel cake … and Phyllis Diller. Yes, you read correctly.
Proceeds from this year’s production will go to the Center of Independent Futures, an organization that helps adults with disabilities and their families plan, support and sustain new ways of living in their community. Specifically, the show will fund CIF’s Community Dream Team, a group of local professionals who volunteer their time to meet with students engaged in future planning at Evanston Township High School.
“Each year the benefit show takes on a unique feel as a result of the special energy that our beneficiary brings to the production process,” says show producer Cynthia Bridges. This year, that energy will be spurred by the fact that CIF clients are actually taking part onstage.
“Their participation makes this process all the more meaningful,” says co-producer Lisa Bany-Winters.
“The Age of Hilarious” will be held at the Woman’s Club of Evanston, located at 1702 Chicago Ave., Evanston, Ill. All shows start at 8 p.m., with the exception of March 7, which starts at 6 p.m. Metered street parking, lot and garage are conveniently located within walking distance of the club.
Get the hottest ticket in town by visiting www.wcofe.org and clicking on “Benefit Show.” Tickets are $30 a piece. Additionally, premium tables seating 12 people can be purchased for $450. The event will include snack and beverage concessions.
About the Woman’s Club of Evanston
The Woman’s Club of Evanston is a nonprofit organization dedicated to community service, philanthropic work and friendship. Annually, the club contributes upwards of $120,000 and more than 4,000 volunteer hours to social service agencies, many of which are devoted to women and children. For more information, visit www.wcofe.org.
About the Center for Independent Futures
The Center for Independent Futures was founded in 2002 by Evanstonians Kay Branz and Jane Doyle, who shared the experience of raising daughters with developmental disabilities over the course of 20 years. Because of the lack of services in Illinois, these two women decided to create ways to obtain needed services themselves. Today, Doyle serves as CIF’s Executive Director and has assembled a dedicated team made up of the board of directors, staff, professional support, family partners, corporate sponsors and foundations, and private financial supporters that help CIF with its rapid expansion of services. CIF supports individuals in four Evanston residences and serves more than 100 individuals annually. For more information, visit www.independentfutures.com, call 1-847-328-2044, or e-mail center@independentfutures.com.
