About

The People Appearing on Playing in Peoria include…


Dustin Levell runs this show. These are people he knows that sometimes say funny things.  Originally from Southern Indiana, he can now be seen writing and performing comedy regularly in Chicago.  He is a member of the Annoyance family. One time he was on E! (the network, not the drug). Email him at dustin[at]playinginpeoria[dot]org.

Kurt Lewis is awesome, but a special kind of awesome. He’s the kind of awesome where you don’t think he’s awesome at first. In fact, you don’t even think you like him at all. “Something about that guy…I don’t know…I just don’t like.” But then you spend time with him. You don’t mean to, he’s just there when you show up at parties and shows. And you know what? He starts to grow on you. His comfortable, easy-going nature reminds you of your favorite jeans. He’s just handsome enough to be good friend material, but not so much that he’s a threat. He makes you laugh at the time, but then later you can’t stop thinking about the thing he said that made you laugh and it keeps making you laugh days later. Then you see him again and you say “You know, I didn’t like you at first, but you are awesome!” and then Kurt modestly thanks you and cracks you up again. Then you want him to come to your party and he does and after the party one of your friends says “I don’t know, I just don’t like that guy.” and you say “Trust me, he’s awesome. Just hang out with him some time.” Kurt lives in Chicago, but in the good part. Not in the part where Dustin lives. Email him at kurt[at]playinginpeoria[dot]org.

Evan O’Donnell was born in Evansville Indiana. He grew up the way most mid-west kids did, playing mahjong and learning how to ride cattle. His migrant farm worker parents tried to sell him on the value of a honest days work, but Evan was buying. When he was 6, Evan packed up his belongings kissed his parents goodbye and went to live with his Gypsy Uncle Gypsy. Uncle Gypsy taught Evan the ways of humor…and hobo stabbing. To this day Evan still loves to make people laugh and stab hobos. Evan is currently married and lives in Evanston Illinois. He doesn’t really like it there but made a promise a long time ago to his dying dog that he would only live in cities with his name in them. Evan loves pickles but hates cucumbers. Email him at evan[at]playinginpeoria[dot]org.

Samuel Priest has been called a young Don Draper of his generation, but with more hutzpah. And spunk. He is new to Chicago and he hopes to put his stamp on the city, what kind of stamp you ask? A tramp stamp. Or possibly a piercing. Samuel has as many tattoos as he has wives, and he’s getting tired of all of them. Happiest fishing off the back of a pontoon boat or just throwing actual pigskin around, Samuel has been known to spin a yarn about growing up in the deep Southern part of Indiana. He used to catch frogs and throw eggs at the milkman. Those were the days. He is survived by his two Boston Terriers, Ginger and SpiceRack. Email him at sam[at]playinginpeoria[dot]org.

Jason Peck was born in England and spent a large portion of his life in London through no fault of his own. Now married and living in Chicago, his goal is to become a frequent semi-regular on the comedy scene. He wants to be like the guy you see in a movie and somehow recognize from another movie, but are unsure how. Before moving to the U.S. he got his perfect teeth damaged in order to maintain the stereotype. His lifelong dream is to import the word “bollocks” to the U.S. He is a member of his own family. Please don’t email him.

Lainie = Evan’s wife.