The Playground Theater recently hosted a 30-hour improv marathon to raise money for the Illinois Coalition of Reach Out and Read. KC Redheart, an incubator team at The Playground, performed the unthinkable: a new guest team with a new improv form, on the hour, every hour, for 30 hours. They came out … [Read more...]
Our "3 Questions" series continues with the screamingly successful improv team Michael Pizza. In the two years since Michael Pizza (otherwise known as Brett Elam, Eric Christensen, Ben Kass, and Josh Logan) have been together, they've been named "Best New Improv Group" by Chicago Magazine, won … [Read more...]
Our "3 Questions" series continues by probing the minds of Kellen Alexander, Seth Dodson, and John Hartman of the improv team 1 ,2, 3, Fag! We asked them the same 3 questions separately. Here's what they had to say: 1. What were the qualities of your teammates that drew you to this … [Read more...]
As this November marks the sixth anniversary of Big Yellow Bus, the Playground’s longest running production, each month leading up to the anniversary will welcome a different theme of artists to provide inspiration to the performers. Beginning in September with “Writers Month,” BYB will … [Read more...]
A great philosopher once said, “If you want to know something, ask a question.” We took that advice two steps further: we wanted to know a whole bunch, so we asked three questions. In fact, we asked the same three questions to several improv teams in Chicago, hoping to get a glimpse into the … [Read more...]
Chuckles and Cocktails for Charity Presented by Stand Up @ The BE Laugh Off Lupus ! - Presented by Stand-up @ the BE is an inaugural comedy event dedicated to raising money for the Lupus Foundation of Illinois. The evening will feature five of Chicago’s funniest stand up comics: Kenny Metroff, … [Read more...]
Critically acclaimed improv team Michael Pizza (Eric Christensen, Brett Elam, Josh Logan and Ben Kass) are throwing a SWEET 2 year anniversary party this Sunday for their friends and fans. SWEET factor #1: Music improv giants Baby Wants Candy will be opening SWEET factor #2: Improv legend … [Read more...]
Craig Uhlir was the first improv teacher I had in Chicago, and I couldn’t have asked for a more positive welcome to the city. Not only does Craig teach at Second City and iO, but he performs every week with the improv teams Deep Schwa and Middle Age Comeback...in short, one talented mofo. My first … [Read more...]
Watch the pros make you laugh then stick around for an open mic The ComedySportz Theatre is hosting "100-Proof Comedy" and "The Chaser" Monday nights this fall. "100-Proof Comedy" lineups will include comics that have performed on HBO, Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing, and The TBS Just For … [Read more...]
9 Actors. 30 Hours. No Script. No Sleep. No Sanity On September 10-11 at the Playground Theater, local improv troupe K.C. Redheart will perform 30 straight hours of comedy as part of the inaugural Playground Improv Marathon, a charity event benefiting the Illinois Coalition of Reach Out and Read … [Read more...]
The Sandbox is a show running at the Playground Theater every Monday at 8 pm. Every Sandbox show will have three improv ensembles (the third being the ensemble "Bella") and each will be given 20ish minutes to perform. Each ensemble performing that evening is responsible for an equal portion of the … [Read more...]
Thirty-six Chicago sketch groups have begun the competetition for the title of Sketch Cagematch Champion. Every Friday night three groups enter and one moves on, based on audience vote. The winner of the competition gets a run at iO's Del Close Theater. Here is round one's roster of sketch … [Read more...]
Comedy Cares presents a fundraiser for Rape Victim Advocates August 19th from 8-10pm, doors at 7pm. Line up includes: Cameron Esposito Carri Callahan Candy Lawrence Jeanie Doogan Adam Burke Ryan Walker Rasa Gierstikas Mo Welch Kat Barker Dan Telfer Hosted by Ever Mainard 21+ $10 … [Read more...]
Chicago’s favorite dirty improv show celebrates their 11th anniversary with a show and after-party WHAT: The Hot Karl 11th Anniversary Sextacular! The ensemble members of the long running hit show The Hot Karl plan to celebrate their anniversary with returning alumni Bill Arnett (iO’s 3033) … [Read more...]
Saturday Night Live co-creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels made his annual visit to Chicago to scope out the scene and possibly hijack some local talent for his little-known TV show which is currently in its 35th year on NBC. Charna Halpern, co-founder and director of iO Theater, arranged … [Read more...]
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