Dinner and Stand-Up at The Continental

[rating=4] Over the years, as times have changed, the comedy clubs have dropped in numbers. Yes, Zanies is still around and there are a great number of Improv clubs, but most are in the city and many suburbanites would rather not drive into the city on a Saturday night and pay the high cost of parking as well as the cost of dinner and then a show with a two drink minimum. That is why The Continental Restaurant of Buffalo Grove has joined with A. Mark  Klaber Productions to use the banquet room as the perfect spot for “Dinner and Stand-Up” !

Yes, this family favorite in Buffalo Grove converts to a supper-club with a full dinner and show for under $50 per person, including desert ( by the way, tonight it was a delicious cheesecake with a strawberry sauce) and coffee. They offered salmon and steak dinners tonight, but I would love to see Pete offer his famous Greek Chicken as one of the entrees. It is to die for!

Tonight’s show featured the zany antics of host Dario Durham, a newcomer to the scene and probably the youngest person in the room ( trust me on this one. I think my shoes were older than this young man), who is a graduate of Second City and as he learns the geography of his audiences will see he needs to change directions a bit. He had some very funny stuff, but being the host limits one’s abilty to spread their wings. Watch for him in the future, when he hits the main stage.

The send act was Pam Englehart, a blonde bombshell who uses her age as part of her material. Understand, the room was full and most everyone was a senior citizen, so her material was very “this is our life” to the audience. Most o fher material is truly geared toward the female population and they WERE into it! A funny lady who is sure to please you.

The headliner, Bill Gorgo is one that we have seen before. In fact, Jane and I sat at the dinner table with the stars of the show and when I remarked that we caught Mr. Gorgo’s previous performance in Buffalo Grove, he set his dinner plate aside and got his brain in gear. He searched his brain for other material and with only a short time to do so and he himself being a senior, did a magnificent job in finding completely different stuff than we heard before. If you do not know this name, shame on you! He has played the local clubs including Zanies, has been on TV ( Fox, Abs and the Oprah Winfrey Show) and other various venues. he is one hell of a funny man!! If you see that he is playing somewhere around the town, I suggest you change your plans to see him. I can guarantee that you will laugh away any troubles you may have, and let’s face it with today’s political scene, we all have troubles to laugh away!

As for The Continental, please keep your eye open for their next edition of the  “Dinner and Stand-Up Comedy Show” at The Continental located at 788 S. Buffalo Grove Road ( just North of Dundee Rd in the Ranch Mart Plaza). their phone is 847-459-4095. Listen to me on WCPT820 am radio on Sundays at 2 p.m. as I will keep you posted for the next show. I must tell you dinner and a show for  $40 is a value and you will have a great time ( and for you early bird types, you will be  home before the 10p.m. news).