Tag Archives: improv

IO Theater: SNL Loves Them So You Should Too

thumb_ccsc_slide Yes Chi-town is a funny freaking city. Ever stop to think how many native Chicagoans star on SNL and are the comedic stars of the big screen? And when SNL is ready for new cast members, guess where they recruit? Yep, Chicago. Not just Second City either, in the Lakeview neighborhood, just a hop skip and a jump away from Wrigely Field is the IO Theater – the best of the city’s improv.

Spectators are oohed and ahhed over the skills of these actor slash comedians as they whip up entire musicals based on words provided by the audience. From cabaret to the just plain bizarre one thing is sure here – you won’t leave without a side ache.

Love It at the Lovitz Comedy Club

Looking for a laugh with a famous face to match? Look no further than the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club at Universal City Walk. Along with the famous actor/comedian, many famous faces have passed through to deliver some of the best laughs Universal City has ever seen. With three levels and out of this world audio, the experience at this comedy club is truly unlike any other.

The reason this club is a rising gem is also due to its appearances and live tapings. Thanks to Pilot Jake and the rest of the girls from The Bachelorette, the comedy club turned into a group date experience where all the girls went on stage to perform some original routines.

Though this comedy club has brought in some pretty hysterical people, don’t expect the decor to be as A-list as the comedians. Taking a more laid back approach, the beach set meets Full House decor sets the mood for a, errr, unique experience. With a fun ambiance and even funnier performers, this comedy club is sure to keep the laughs roaring in.

Where SNL Stars are Born: Upright Citizens Brigade

Before Amy Poehler was Baby Mama and a SNL star, she was one of the four founders of Upright Citizens Brigade, one of the premiere improvisation theaters in the country. UCB is known for its long form improvisation and the 152-seat, intimate basement theater. It is so intimate that you can literally see the sweat on the performers’ faces during the scenes. The talent ranges from familiar faces you may have seen on Madtv and 30 Rock to advanced students showing off their comedic timing on stage.

Make sure to book tickets in advance and if you plan on going to the famously free Sunday show, be prepared for a long wait. This is a casual affair with fold up chairs and an intermission filled with cheaply priced beer and wine, but that’s the way comedy should be: gritty and real.