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Feliz Navidad
HEY-O! Mikey O attracts surprisingly large crowds.A few weeks ago, I headed to Joe’s on Weed Street to catch Que Paso, Que Paso!, a comedy show housed regularly at the cavernous space. I hadn’t heard of Que Paso!, or ever stepped foot into Joe’s, but I figured the setting would be bare-bones—a few tables scattered here and there and, given the title, some newbie Latino comics trying to speak over the chatter and clinking of glasses.
But when I arrived ten minutes early, the place was already filled to the brim—so much so that I had to grab one of the few remaining seats at the bar. And the show itself—headlined by Manny Maldonado, who was part of this year’s Latin Kings of Comedy Tour, and South Side up-and-comer Joey Villagomez (Joey V.)—was really enjoyable, with a laid-back, ready-to-laugh audience making things even more inviting. Obviously, I’d been missing out on something.
Mike Oquendo knows the feeling. Thinking Chicago’s Latino community deserved a night of comedy that could “deliver home” (where local Latino comics could better connect with their audience), Oquendo founded Mikey O Productions in 2001, the company that produces Que Paso! and other regular shows. While things started small, Mikey O’s shows quickly grew in size. “If you go to the Latino community, in Humboldt Park or Pilsen, and you mention Mikey O, they know who I am,” the 41-year-old boasts with a smile.
To give you an idea of how much the production company has grown, just take a look at its annual holiday event. During the winter of their first year, Oquendo and his crew debuted the Holiday Giggle, a night of stand-up where all proceeds benefited local charities. “The event went from like 80 people to like 800 in five years,” he says. This year’s Giggle, which takes place Wednesday 12, has moved to the Portage Theater, a 2,000-seat venue.
That’s a drastic leap (Joe’s, where last year’s Giggle took place, holds less than half of that), and this year’s event offers another step forward with a national headliner: Frank Santorelli of Sopranos fame (he played Georgie). What’s more, every cent goes to charity; the theater, promotion and talent are all donated.
Even when he’s being altruistic, Oquendo lives and breathes comedy, a habit that started at a young age. “My sister came home with [a Freddie Prinze] album when I was a little kid, and I was just amazed at the fact that there was this comedian talking about what my life was like [as a Latino]. And I probably spent the next ten years mimicking this guy.”
But when he grew up and started to pursue his own stand-up career, he felt like he wasn’t getting his “This is where I’m from” message across. “I started doing some stand-up myself [and] I just really felt like, you know, the audiences are great in Chicago, but I wasn’t reaching home,” says Oquendo, who grew up in the Logan Square/Humboldt Park area. “I heard the great comedians like Carlin and Pryor and guys like that. Even though they were hysterical, they didn’t deliver home for me.”
But recently he has stretched beyond Latino-only acts. Santorelli, Giggle’s headliner, of course, doesn’t have a Latino ring, and that’s something Oquendo and company take pride in. “What I think is kinda cool is that we have a Latino comedy show, [and] you’ll see non-Latinos on our stage. I love the fact that we can take a guy that’s not Latino [like one of his recent faves, Michael Palascak], put him in an audience of 90 percent Latinos and he absolutely takes the audience home,” he says.
“Listen to the math,” he says of his gigs at Watra Night Club on the Southwest Side, “it’s a Polish nightclub with a Latino comedy show. The comedians that are non-Latino go in there and absolutely smoke the room, they kill ’em there.”
Deck the halls of the Portage Theater (with laughter) Wednesday 12 at the Holiday Giggle.
Time Out Chicago / Issue 145 : Dec 6–12, 2007
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Mikey keep up the good work!! BUT YOU HAVENT MADE IT UNTIL YOU GET A I-PASS .JUST REMEMBER THAT... GREAT JOB!!ALMANDO "EL BALXICANO"
Mickey, you guys are great and funny as hell. Thanks for putting my brother (Joey V) on the spot. Love you guys!!!
Great press!! I heard a rumor that Latinos find asians hiralious!! - Ku
Thanks for representing US! I really like the Cultural Madness shows!
Hey Mikey, I knew you would make it big , all the times you made us laughed in our younger years left a memorable memory, with so much laughter, keep up the good work we need these humors in our life GREAT JOB
Hey Mikey, I don't know what to say? But I did want to see my name up here like all the people below. Yes, Luis Frontany is selfish and pompous. Luis Frontany is proud of you Mikey! By the way, I never new Prince had a first name, Freddie, who ever knew? I have all his albums, except Purple Rain. Mikey, Luis Frontany is a little jealous pa pa. That great article should have been about Luis Frontany. Do your thing brother! Let's take this show to our troops! Peace, Luis Frontany P.S. Can I borrow $5 till next week?
oops lets try this again, I am proud of all your accomplishments and am honored in being allowed to sponsor your events and will continue to support you in the future. Thank you for bringing laughter back into my life and for helping organizations accomplish their goals with your venue. "Holiday Giggle" Keep up the good work! Love ya!
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My hat goes out Mickey O, he has been one outstanding Latino Leader in our community. Holiday Giggle is a one of a kind "giving back" to your community. Congradulation on the great article. Keep up the good work. God bless
OOPs that last comment wasnt wearing my glasses! Mikey who new growing up that you would be as funny as the frontany family ! love you God bless you ! see you soon!
Congrats on your article ! we love your show ! many blessings ! Hope to see you in your Dec show !
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Even though Mikey still owes me some money, he still deserves credit for what he's done for Chicago's comedy scene! I mean, he put me on it right? Much love Mke from ya boy...Joey V...Let's do this!!
I have attended several of the Mickey O Comedy shows before myself, and have invited many to attend with me through word of mouth and they have aboslutely enjoyed themselves. So i encourage you that if you have not atteneded a show and want to have some serious fun come out to one of the up and coming Mikey O Comedy shows or one of the shows at Watra.
I have attended several of Mikey O Comedy shows and I have never been disappointed. I have by word spread the word and have taken several new comers in which they say they will attend again. So i hope everyone who hasn't been to one of his shows, definetly should attend. Happy Holidays.
Great article, and many congrats on all of your future endeavors!! Your shows have been great and I look forward to many more of them!! God bless you and your family always!!
The Mikey O Show just keeps getting better and better. There is no restriction to how far they can go. Much love, thanks for taking great care of us last week. Bring it home!
I love Mikey O's comedy shows! He won me over last year and I will keep coming back and I'm not Latino! Great Job Mikey!
Thanks Mikey for putting on some hilarious shows, we always have a great time! I'm glad you're getting the recognition you deserve, take care!
Love the article! Mikey, Thank you for bringing comedy into our lives. God bless you. See you soon. xoxox
Mikey, not just a old friend, one great comedian. God bless you, your family, your work, la lucha, & your future.
EXCUSE THE PRINT ERROR. (BUT ONE GREAT COMEDIAN)
mikey O not just a old friend, but no great comedian with his heart in the right place, God bless you, your family, your ideas & your future..
Go ahead mi hermano .Blow it up but nunca te olvide de donde vienes. God Bless
Mikey O is the BEST!