Celebs to make cameos in 'Old Jews'

Scott Turow will kick-off new “Celebrity Cameos” program at “Old Jews Telling Jokes” show at the Royal George Theatre.

Not only is the hit “Old Jews Telling Jokes” being extended — through March 30 — but the highly-successful Royal George Theatre show is adding special celebrity cameos for a new charity series at the North Halsted Street venue.

And, just like the audience who attends, those local famous folks don’t even have to be Jewish to enjoy and “get” the experience!

The celebrity cameo events will be launched Dec. 17 by bestselling author and attorney Scott Turow, whose popular books have included “Presumed Innocent” and his newest novel, “Identical.” His appearance will benefit the Authors Guild Foundation.

†High-profile Chicago celebrity scribe and blogger Candace Jordan (“Candid Candace”) will be on the program Dec. 18, followed by a joint appearance on Jan. 8 by Illinois Senate President John Cullerton and state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, benefiting the Jane Addams Senior Caucus.

Noted author Sara Paretsky — best known for her many mystery novels featuring fictional sleuth Vi Warshawski will raise funds for Sisters4Science.

The idea to make the celebrity cameos a regular event was inspired by a well-received November preview, featuring chef Ina Pinkney and comedian Caryn Bark.

“Audiences get the chance to see someone famous; the cast gets to see well-known people doing something they’re not well-known for; and a non-profit makes a few bucks. What’s not to like,” said Daniel Okrent, who co-created “Old Jews Telling Jokes” with Peter Gethers.

Other celebrity cameos may also be added in the coming weeks.

The hit show, which originated off-Broadway, plays on the main stage of the Royal George and features a quintet of Chicago favorites: Dara Cameron, Alex Goodrich, Tim Kazurinsky, Renee Matthews and Gene Weygandt. The show’s concept centers on comedy that pays tribute to and reinvents classic jokes of the past and present, as well as humorous songs.