BOYSTOWN — In the wake of the fatal police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and the sniper ambush that left five Dallas police officers dead, a group of Chicago performers are set to protest the best way they know how — with brutally honest comedy.
"This show is about how artists deal with s---," comedian and actress Lori Diaz said. "You get in the same room and entertain as a way to educate people without them even knowing it is happening. If you're just pissed off about everything that has happened, we won't be able to reach people. That's a very Chicago thing to do. Get people to come to a show to laugh, but make them uncomfortable and make them think."
The improv comedy show set for Wednesday at 10 p.m. will pack the stage at Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted Street with a cast of "black and brown bodies" in a collaborative performance called the "Take Action Now Show."
"We realize as artists, we have a platform and it is time to use it. ... There will be no censorship, you will hear us in our truest form," show organizer Wendy Mateo said.
"And once we speak we will have actionable ways in which to to follow through on our word and affect the world around us."
The show aims to raise cash for Chicago Survivors, a group that offers support to the families of murder victims, and the criminal justice reform advocacy group Chicago Alliance Against Racial and Political Repression.
"We hope to open up the perspective so that it is inclusive of our unique point of view. Normally we are on stages in this city performing for white suburban audiences. You don't usually get to see this type of perspective from us," Mateo said.
"We hope to open up conversation and continue that conversation beyond this moment, beyond trendy hashtags and effect real change until reform is achieved."
In addition to the Wednesday night performance, Mateo has launched an online fundraiser.
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