Amanda Seales Chicago Comedy Show
Has Successful End, Despite Controversy Tiana Allen CNW Contributor
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ultitalented actress, comedian, and unapologetic truth-teller, Amanda Seales, concluded her 2022 “Black Outside Again” Comedy tour on December 4th in The Windy City. Its success, Seales mentions “was completely and solely due to my fans in Chicago and followers on social media.” The ‘Black Outside Again’ Comedy Tour began on June 24th in Brea, CA, and reached several other cities before making its final destination on December 2nd, 3rd and 4th at The Chicago Improv Theatre in Schaumburg, IL. However, before the show, Seales ran into some roadblocks with The Chicago Improv. The issue was said to be due to the theatre switching Seales dates stating that another comic requested the same days. Fortunately, Seales’ Chicago fan base wasn’t having it. Fans contacted the Chicago Improv, emailed, and flooded the theatre’s social media to stop the show dates from being changed. It worked, and the other comic, (found to be the equally talented and hilarious Gabriel Iglesias), did not receive the dates. “I am not here to do a smear campaign” on a fellow comic, Seales clarifies. “At the end of the day, the situation happened, and I turned it around because I had people supporting me. I went way above expectations.” “The problem, Seales adds, is that some companies don’t work off morality, they work off money. People drove an hour away from the city, they came from Indiana and flew in from Canada, just to see my show. Maybe [The Chicago Improv] didn’t see my value before, but they definitely can see that now.” Seales eventually sold out some of her shows, which definitely makes for a win. Then there was the “heckler situation.” On her first show, Seales ran into a disruptive naysayer who targeted Seales as “being what’s wrong with America” in the middle of her set. “I was doing a joke that gives commentary on what it means to be an ally and co-conspirator, and the guy got ‘butt hurt’ for whatever reason” Seales shares. “This is what happens to people
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who are unable to receive the truth. [The heckler] felt like he needed to try and yell over [the truth] in an effort to make it stop, but once again, the fans weren’t having it.” As the ‘butt hurt’ heckler was ushered out of the venue, Seales and fans sang their rendition of “Hit The Road Jack” and continued onward with the laughter. “I’m never going to quiet my voice when it lifts up so many other people just because it’s going to bother a few.” Expresses Seales Reminiscent of D.L. Hughley, Seale’s Comedy style is filled with candid humor that addresses the socio-economic climate of the nation on multiple levels. With that, she always brings a level of learning to the stage that sheds light on important issues we all need to know about. Seales further gives D.L. Hughley his props sharing how supportive he has been to her. “D.L. is a huge champion of me stepping into the radio space again and using the voice I bring to the stage on the mic.” She states Overall, Chicago did not disappoint Seales, it all went her way despite the challenges. “I had a great weekend” She states, noting that she finally tried an infamous “Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza for the first time. Seales also shares her tradition of going to the Shed Aquarium each time she visits the city declaring ‘The Shed’ to be her “favorite aquarium in the nation.” Seales further expresses her love for decorations stating, “Chicago does it up for Christmas, you can’t miss those lights!” Regarding the tour, Seals concludes “I want to thank everybody who put out their time, energy, and money to support the show at the Chicago Improv. It proved that it was valuable for me to come to the city.” Chicago Improv Theatre, Schaumburg, General Manager Stefani Schweda, issued a reply stating, “There is no need to apologize, it’s common for 40% of our bookings to get switched.” Her [Seales] fans were calling, but we told them that her ticket sales were still on, and her show was not canceled. We are all on the same team. If we didn’t, none of us would be successful.” December 14 - December 20, 2022