AN EVENING OF COMEDY STARRING WGN'S VERY OWN

Join us for a night of Comedy with Chicago’s Very own Ana Belval, Mike Toomey and Jeff Hoover! The WGN 9 Morning Team is the #1 ranked morning show in Chicagoland and most loved! Don’t Miss this special evening featuring the members of the morning crew that will leave you laughing until dawn! ANA BELAVAL Will try most anything once as the “Around Town” reporter for Chicago’s top-rated WGN Morning News. A four-time Emmy Award winner and Puerto Rico native, Ana previews notable attractions, people, activities and uncovers some of Chicago’s best-kept secrets with a dose of improv in her signature funny and fluent style. There is nothing Ana loves more than to make people laugh. She has found the humor in navigating a bilingual and bicultural life and out of that, a love for stand-up comedy was born. You can often see her performing in Chicago with the Mikey O Comedy Show “Girl, let me tell you” , “La Sala”, and “Las Boricuas of Comedy”. From hosting a Ted X Talk to emceeing charity events, Ana enjoys making audiences of all kinds laugh and realize that sometimes your Plan B is the ticket to living the American Dream. Upon graduating from The American University in Washington, D.C., her native language became her asset as a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor for Univision’s Chicago affiliate. She worked her way up to a New York-based network correspondent and substitute host for Univision’s national morning show, “Despierta America”. In 2005 Ana joined WGN – one of few Spanish reporters to cross over to the English broadcast market. In addition to Around Town, Ana has also worked as a substitute anchor for the Morning and Midday News as well as WGN Radio 720. A four-time Emmy award winner and six-time Emmy nominee, she received awards for her “Living Green” and “One Tank Trips” series, the community affairs show “Adelante Chicago,” and her coverage of the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in her beloved Puerto Rico – an honor for which she is most proud. She was also a finalist for the Peter Lisagor award for the special story, “anabelaval.com.” Ana has also served as the host of Chicago Stand Up Project on WTTW – a documentary-style show featuring two well-known Chicagoans who try their hand at stand-up comedy. Off camera and off-stage, Ana enjoys spending time with her family including her husband, Steve, daughter Amelia, son Alexander and frequent Skype sessions with her parents in Puerto Rico. MIKE TOOMEY An integral part of WGN Morning News (9-10am), Mike Toomey serves as the “Announcer” for the show. He started out doing bits on WGN Morning News in 2003. By September 2013, Mike had become an everyday part of the show. A regular performer on WGN Morning News, Mike has appeared in concert with such names as George Carlin, Wayne Newton, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Reba McEntire. He has performed on numerous television programs including; HBO’s U.S. comedy Arts Festival in Aspen Colorado; MTV’s Half Hour Comedy Hour; and A&E’s Comedy on the Road. With his sharp delivery, quick wit, and unique style, Mike Toomey has been a favorite at comedy clubs and special events since 1982. Mike grew up in Carol Stream. He has volunteered with Cal’s All Star Angels Foundation, an organization that grants wishes to kids fighting childhood cancer. Mike lives with his wife and four children in the Chicagoland area. JEFF HOOVER Jeff Hoover has made a living at making people laugh. A native of St. Joseph, Michigan, Hoover has nestled a place for himself in Chicago Broadcasting history. A product of the determination, and perseverance of his parents back in Michigan, Hoover’s pathway has been one trailblazing turn after another that landed at the doorstep of number 1, at the ol’ number 9. The Jonathan Brandmeier was a radio juggernaut, #1 in Chicago, and a following that was beyond the windy city. A simple phone call, a great Jerry Lewis impression, and Hoover was a radio star in Chicago on the “Johnny B” show. Hoover’s comedic timing, or in some cases he might say divine intervention landed him a per diem role on the WGN Morning News and that’s where he’s been ever since. (Yes, using that Jerry Lewis charm and comic wit) In his 20 years at WGN, Hoover has been part of the blood that pumps the heart of the WGN Morning News, from his “Brad The Robot,” to the ever-famous Wink Winkle, Hoover is the embodiment of the WGN. His brand of weird, goofy, and leave-it-all-out-on-the-table kind of personality is why so many appreciate him. It feels like you know Hoover, he’s just that kind of guy.