Chicago LGBTQ+ comedians Gwen La Roka, Krystal Ball, Jayleigh, Princess Gwen Rose, Beckett Kenny, Sonal Aggarwal, and Matt Brown appear for an unforgettable night of laughter for a pride-themed show on June 23
Chicago, Illinois (June 14, 2023) – The Den Theatre today announced Stand-Up for Pride, featuring Gwen La Roka (she/her), Krystal Ball (she/he/they), Jayleigh (he/him), Princess Gwen Rose (she/her), Beckett Kenny (he/him), Sonal Aggarwal (she/her), and Matt Brown (he/him) on Friday, June 23, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. on The Heath Mainstage, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Tickets ($26.00) are now on sale at www.thedentheatre.com or by calling (773) 697-3830.
Join The Den Theatre for an unforgettable night of laughter at a pride-themed stand-up comedy show. Audiences will enter into a world of joy, inclusivity, and hilarity as the best LGBTQ+ comedians in Chicago come together for a special one-night-only show. Each comedian will bring their own unique style and perspective, promising a night of laughter that will be hard to forget. Become immersed in a celebration of Pride with vibrant decorations, themed cocktails, and a joyful atmosphere that embraces the spirit of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Den Theatre believes in creating a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone to enjoy. The event will provide a safe environment where people of all genders, sexual orientations, and backgrounds can laugh freely and feel accepted for who they are.
Gwen La Roka
Gwen La Roka is without a doubt a rising star of stand-up. She hit the comedy scene with an explosive energy that quickly won the hearts of her audiences and led to performances at world famous comedy clubs such as The Laugh Factory, Zanies, and The Improv. Her honest comedic approach, meshed with her physical humor, has crowds from all ages & backgrounds laughing at life, together. Gwen has worked with some of today’s funniest comedians like Gina Yashere, Felipe Esparza, Aida Rodriguez, & Finesse Mitchell, as well as legendary Paul Rodriguez & George Wallace. Gwen has written and directed her own one woman show titled Mi Casa Es Tu Casa, which sold out the entire 13-show run debut in Chicago just last year. She also recently had some fun as a voiceover actor for a Viva Films role in “Around the World in 80 Days”. Winner of the ’21 NY Latino Film Festival Latino Stand Up Comedy Competition, she is now the first Latina from Chicago to make her comedy special debut on HBO Max. Catch her now on "Entre Nos: The Winners 3" or keep your eyes peeled for when she headlines a club near you. Gwen is most definitely one to look out for.
Krystal Ball
Krystal Ball is a drag queen from Rockford, Illinois, and host of The Drag Show-Down, “the most avant-garde competition on YouTube.” At 26 years old, Krystal has been a favorite of the teen queen community on Instagram and is an advocate for drag performances as an art form.
Jayleigh
Jayleigh is a well-known LGBTQIA+ Rap Artist in the Midwest area. Jayleigh has, and continues to inspire the queer community and its youth through music and volunteer work. He has recently come out as being a trans man, and has dedicated his life outside of music to educating people and youth on queer topics. Founding a youth program out of Woodstock with the help of the Woodstock pride committee, he has really shifted his focus onto helping others understand queer people through the power of music and creativity.
Princess Gwen Rose
Princess Gwen Rose has a unique comedy style that has been described by fellow Chicago stand-up Sara Snyder as “bad news covered in glitter and stickers!” The most famous person in the world Dylan Mulvany slid into Princess Gwen’s dm’s to say give Princess Gwen a special Netflix show, and national headliner Felonious Munk listed Princess Gwen as a comic he loved watching in 2022. That same year Princess Gwen won the Laugh Factory’s Fresh Faces tournament proving to be one of the best new comics in Chicago. Princess Gwen has opened for national headliners like Bobcat Goldthwait and River Butcher and she is very excited to be the future of comedy.
Beckett Kenny
Beckett Kenny is a queer writer, actor, keynote speaker, and comedian located in Chicago, where he regularly performs stand-up for venues and shows all over the city. Just beginning in comedy, Beckett has become a performer at some of the most successful comedy shows and venues in the city. He's a producer for the all-queer showcase Sashay at the Laugh Factory, and the wildly fun Afterthoughts, and has opened for international headliners like Chris Kattan and Janelle James. He also originated the titular role in Annie on Broadway and has become a regular at two separate Auntie Anne’s.
Sonal Aggarwal
Sonal Aggarwal is not a suitable marriage candidate, but she’s a great comic.
She is a world-traveling performer. Raised in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, she left the country after college to travel the world. In March of 2015, while living in India as an artist and emcee, her life took a dramatic turn with a motorcycle accident that led her back to Chicago. During her rehabilitation, she realized that she was meant to do stand-up comedy. Now, her infectious energy is on stage all over Chicago.
Matt Brown (a.k.a.) Ms. Brown
Ms. Brown is a comedian, singer, and host based in Chicago. Known for his rapid-fire tongue, incisive crowd work, and improvisational fancy, Ms. Brown can be seen performing at Lincoln Lodge, Laugh Factory, Comedy Bar, and other live performance venues throughout the Chicagoland area. Before starting stand-up comedy in 2016, he trained to be a classical singer and makeup artist. He continues his work in music as a producer, journalist, and vocal pedagogue for the Black Music Archive.
Performance schedule:
Friday, June 23, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $26 general admission. All ticket prices include cocktail service with a two-drink minimum.
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