Displaying items by tag: storytelling

You know him from “The Neighborhood,” “The Last O.G.,” “The Proud Family” and much more.

Don’t miss your chance to catch Cedric the Entertainer live on tour, one-night-only, in his only Chicago-area stop, Saturday, August 8 at 8 p.m. at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Blvd. in downtown Aurora. Tickets are $41-$161*. 

For tickets, visit ParamountAurora.com, call (630) 896-6666, or stop by the Paramount box office Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until show time on show days. For group discounts, contact Melissa Striedl, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (630) 723-2461. *Prices are for in-person purchases. Additional fees apply for phone and online orders.

Of course, Cedric is a veteran stand-up icon known for warm, story‑driven humor, sharp observations about family, work, and everyday life, and the playful crowd interaction that made him a household name. A star of The Neighborhood on CBS, the Barbershop films, and the Original Kings of Comedy, Cedric blends old‑school showmanship with modern timing, moving from quick one‑liners to vivid storytelling and characters. 

Audiences can expect clean but grown‑folks language, improvisation with the crowd, topical bits and call‑backs that reward attention. This show includes some adult language and content. Recommended for 18+

More about Cedric the Entertainer

American actor, comedian, and game show host Cedric The Entertainer is one of the world’s premier performers on stage, film and television, with a career spanning 30 years.

Currently, Cedric is starring in and executive producing the CBS Television hit comedy The Neighborhood, hosting and executive producing The Greatest #AtHome Videos, executive producing the dramedy Johnson for Bounce TV, and recently executive produced and hosted the 73rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. He also appears co-starring in The Last O.G., opposite Tracy Morgan and Tiffany Haddish, and is reprising his role as Uncle Bobby in Disney+’s The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder – the long-anticipated revival of the groundbreaking animated series The Proud Family. Cedric also won a 2023 and 2026 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for The Neighborhood.

He was recently seen in a dramatic role portraying legendary civil rights activist and leader, Ralph Abernathy, in the feature film, Son Of The South, executive produced by Spike Lee and directed by Lee’s long-time editor, Barry Alexander Brown; The Opening Act, about a group of comedians trying to breakthrough in the stand-up comedy world; and will soon begin production of the sequel to his hit Johnson Family Vacation, that he will again star in and produce.

Cedric’s other noteworthy television credits include the comedy series The Soul Man, which he co-created and executive produced through A Bird And A Bear Entertainment; The Steve Harvey Show, which he won four NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy; the sketch comedy series Cedric The Entertainer Presents, which he starred in and executive produced and was honored the AFTRA Award of Excellence for; served as host of season 12 of the hit game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire; and was featured as the voice of Bobby Proud in the Disney animated series The Proud Family, that he also received an NAACP Image Award for.

His versatile film work spans genres from memorable performances in comedies such as the hit Barbershop franchise, Johnson Family Vacation, The Original Kings of Comedy concert film which chronicled his record breaking Kings of Comedy Tour with fellow comedians Steve Harvey, D.L Hughley and the late Bernie Mac; to dramas like Paul Schrader’s critically acclaimed Oscar nominated drama First Reformed, co-starring Ethan Hawke and Amanda Seyfried; and his signature baritone voice in animated hits such as Disney’s Madagascar and Planes franchises, Ice Age 2 and Dr. Dolittle 2, among many others.

In addition to his achievements in television and film, Cedric is also an accomplished author. His first book, “Flipping Boxcars,” was released in 2023. Cedric has also ventured into entrepreneurship, launching a wine brand named Setta in honor of his late mother, Rosetta B. Kyles. Furthermore, he introduced a premium barbecue brand called AC Barbeque in collaboration with his longtime friend, Anthony Anderson. For more, visit iamcedric.com.

PrideArts announced today that Craig Ramsay and Catherine Wreford will bring the magic of Broadway to the Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center on Halsted in BEHIND THE CURTAIN: UNTOLD STORIES FROM CANADA'S TEAM BROADWAY for one night only - Monday, July 6 -  under the music direction of Robert Ollis - an artistic associate of PrideArts.

Craig and Catherine—winners of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA— will raise the curtain on their incredible journey from the ballet barre in Winnipeg to Broadway stages and beyond. Through song, dance and unfiltered storytelling, Craig and Catherine share hilarious, heartfelt, and often outrageous behind-the-scenes moments from their experiences performing on Broadway in high profile productions of musicals including FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, 42^ND STREET and OKLAHOMA! and their encounters with some of the biggest names in show business. The PrideArts engagement of their critically acclaimed show is a stop on their second tour of American and Canadian cities, which will play through summer and fall of 2026.

This high-energy musical cabaret celebrates resilience, friendship, and the magic of theatre, featuring iconic Broadway show tunes, dazzling dancing, and inspiring tales of triumph - both onstage and off. They will also share some highlights of the AMAZING RACE competition that swept them across Canada to a thrilling series win. Lovers of theatre or reality TV will leave with a smile on their face and a song in their heart.

Craig, who started his career in ballet, tells how he entered show business as part of a lengthy tour with the original pre-Broadway cast of the hit show MAMMA MIA!. Catherine, his best friend, then convinced him to join her in New York City and before long, they were each involved in various Broadway shows as singer/actor/dancers.  

Over the years, they were able to work with many notable directors, composers and choreographers, as well as the famous leading actors and actresses that they shared the stage with. This one-night cabaret show gives Craig and Catherine a chance to relate some of the humorous, startling or racy anecdotes of their theatrical pasts, including stories of some unusual auditions. They will also express gratitude for the theatre training and professional opportunities that they each experienced during extended stays in Chicago.

Craig has deep ties to Chicago's theatre scene, from his roles in MAMMA MIA! (Cadillac Palace), CATS and HOT MIKADO (Marriott Lincolnshire), workshops at Steppenwolf and in the cast of the world premiere production of Stephen Sondheim's BOUNCE, directed by Harold Prince at the Goodman Theatre.  

Catherine also spent many months in Chicago in the national touring companies of the award-winning Broadway revivals of 42ND STREET and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Craig and Catherine are excited to be performing their show at the intimate Hoover-Leppen Theatre, located in the heart of Lakeview. This modern theatre space in the Center on Halsted will provide an ideal setting for Craig and Catherine's lively evening of song and dance, plus video highlights of their favorite moments on Broadway and in THE AMAZING RACE CANADA. 

BEHIND THE CURTAIN: UNTOLD STORIES FROM CANADA'S TEAM BROADWAY

Performers:  Craig Ramsay and Catherine Wreford

Music Director:  Robert Ollis

Monday, July 6, 2026, at 7:30 pm

Hoover-Leppen Theatre,
Center on Halsted
3656 N. Halsted, 773-661-0770

Tickets $35

Further information athttps://www.pridearts.org

Broadway performers and reality TV stars Craig Ramsay and Catherine Wreford, winners of THE AMAZING RACE CANADA, will perform a cabaret of songs, dances and stories from their lives on the stage and on the road. Through song, dance and unfiltered storytelling, Craig and Catherine share hilarious, heartfelt, and often outrageous behind-the-scenes moments from their experiences performing on Broadway in high profile productions of musicals including FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, 42^ND STREET and OKLAHOMA! and their encounters with some of the biggest names in show business. This high-energy musical cabaret celebrates resilience, friendship, and the magic of theatre, featuring iconic Broadway show tunes, dazzling dancing, and inspiring tales of triumph - both onstage and off.