Michael Mellini

"Stop judging! There’s no difference between the horny guy and the nice guy—they’re the same guy." Not necessarily advice most women want to hear, but according to comedian Daniel Packard, it’s what they need to hear.

Packard brings his "Live Group Sex Therapy Show" to the Lakeshore Theater July 26 and 27, in which he combines Q&A sessions, a bit of lecturing, approving/disapproving audience whistle-blowing and crowd conversation. Packard’s show aims to divulge taboo topics (not to mention people discussing their personal affairs in front of hundreds of strangers), in hopes of improving sex lives and relationships.

"This is nothing edgy," Packard insists. "I’m just telling the truth."

While some audience members might not be thrilled with Packard’s views, ("There’s always about ten percent of the crowd that looks like they have laser beams in their eyes and want to shoot me," he says) he ensures they will actually help. "There’s a lot of information out there women resist hearing because the truth shatters their fantasies," says Packard. "Once they come out of their comfort zone and listen to what I have to say they can create healthy and fun relationships. It’s like medicine—that first pin prick hurts a little, but then you feel healthy."

And it’s up to the women to make these changes in order to get the wheels rolling. "Guys can only do so much," Packard says. "They can go put on deodorant, wear a nice shirt and hope that women laugh at their dumb jokes…women have the power. But they get caught up in fear. Is this guy going to sleep with me and not call me back? Lie to me? Sure they may be safe by keeping out one or two bad guys, but they’re also keeping out the good guys, and not allowing natural romance to take over."

Sick of telling generic jokes as a stand-up, five years ago Packard decided to switch his subject matter to something he actually cares about—sex.

"I noticed how a woman can get on stage and tell jokes about men and everybody laughs, but once you switch that and a man is making fun of women, people look at you like ‘how dare you,’" he says. "I wanted to know how I could change that tight control problem of what people can and can’t say."

After about a year of experimentation—and trying to express his views "without people getting too pissed off"—Packard shaped his show into its current form.

"Dating is supposed to be fun," Packard reminds his audiences. He feels the combined effort between him and the audience is what makes the show enjoyable. "It’s a really fun, interactive conversational debate. People always leave the show smiling and laughing. They learn a lot and aren’t as threatened, and without the comedy, you wouldn’t be able to pull that off."

"Live Group Sex Therapy Show" runs July 26-27 at Lakeshore Theater, 3157 North Broadway, (773)472-3492.

(2007-07-24)

Also by Michael Mellini

Number One, With a Bullitt
Surrounded by autographed movie posters of recent films like "The Departed," "Happy Feet" and "Ocean’s Thirteen," several groups of well-dressed women chitchat with wine glasses in hand in the ballroom lobby of the Sheraton hotel. They’re here for the 43rd Annual Chicago International Film Festival Summer Gala, honoring British actress Jacqueline Bisset
(2007-07-20)

Pizzaless Fest
While hordes of people cram together chomping down on giant turkey legs at the Taste of Chicago, five and a half miles away on North Racine in Lincoln Park, a more subdued crowd gathers in a parking lot for Chicago’s first ever Pizza Fest
(2007-07-13)

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