The Last LAF

All Good Things Must Come to an End This is the most difficult post I've had to write and coincidentally, it will also be my last. Today marks a day I was never convinced would come. Today, LAFS is two years old. It has been an incredible two years, absolutely incredible filled with more excitement, laughter, awe and humility than I could have ever dreamed. However, today is bittersweet, because today is Read More

INTERVIEW: Charna Halpern

The Mother of Improv Comedy I first fell in love with improv at iO's Clark Street location. iO changed my life, but my story is not unlike many others. Charna created a world at iO that many call "home" and it has become the center of their universe. Charna Halpern is one of the most influential people in improv, has paved the path for hundreds of comedians over the last few Read More

INTERVIEW: Matt Besser

Focus on the Game. Matt Besser is one of the founding members of Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB). UCB started as a Chicago-based improv team composed of Besser, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh and Amy Poehler and has transformed into a well-known comedy establishment in New York City and Los Angeles. These folks not only formed UCB but Besser, Roberts, Walsh and friends regularly perform together as ASSSSCAT. ASSSSCAT will be performing, with a Read More

INTERVIEW: Dan Bakkedahl

Just make a choice. Dan Bakkedahl has made his mark on Chicago's comedy scene. Coming up in the late 90s and early 2000s, Dan spent a lot of time at iO and Second City. Since his departure, you may have seen him on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Community, Veep, Legit or a number of other television appearances. He was also in The Heat with Sandra Bullock and Melissa Read More

INTERVIEW: Carisa Barreca

Do everything, because you’re going to need all of it. I am declaring Carisa Barreca Second City's sweetheart. One of the most beautiful, talented, kind and humble ladies I have ever met, Carisa has a heart of gold and nothing but good intentions. With a lifetime of performance background, she can do just about anything you throw at her. I was so lucky to be able to sit down with Read More

INTERVIEW: Scott Adsit and John Lutz

Hitting Your Mark in Hollywood Thanks to Aren Zolninger from Chicago Improv Productions, I was able to sneak in a few minutes to interview Scott Adsit and John Lutz before they took the stage for their "Super Secret" midnight show at Stage 773. As we were waiting for the show ahead of us to clear out, Scott, John and I stepped into a back hallway with CIP staff and a Read More

INTERVIEW: Tim Baltz

If you’re not listening, you’re going to miss the joke. After months of trying to nail down both of our schedules after Tim left Second City's Mainstage, I was finally able to meet up with him to talk life and comedy. I had the pleasure of meeting Tim last Fall at Jimmy Carrane's Improv Nerd and for obvious reasons, I was dead set on interviewing him. Tim is extremely passionate Read More

INTERVIEW: Ted Tremper

Just love what you love and let that be the work that you do. It was a true pleasure interviewing Ted, as I have an incredible amount of respect for him as a person, performer and filmmaker. He's so talented and is such a genuinely kind human being. We met at iO on a late November morning and, truth be told, divulged a great deal of personal details, some of which Read More

INTERVIEW: TJ Jagodowski

I am truly the luckiest person I know. TJ Jagodowski is not only one of the most brilliant improvisers I have ever seen, he's also one of the nicest guys I've ever met. I've bumped into TJ a number of times around iO, but it wasn't until the end of October where I had the pleasure of taking a class taught by him. This man is a poet and every Read More

INTERVIEW: Jet Eveleth

Dream big and then do it. I met Jet at her apartment where she lives with her improviser beau, Brett Elam and his sister Erica. We chatted about where her name came from, some of life’s big questions, drinking sake before bed to live longer and then she told me the details of the secret she’s been keeping from everyone for the last two years… Alright Jet, the first thing I Read More
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NEWS: Under the Gun Theater Announces New Space

posted on August 19, 2014 by Brynne Ramella posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: Under the Gun Theater Announces New Space

Another Chicago Theater gets a new home

Under the GunAdd one more to the list of Chicago comedy theaters on the move. Under the Gun Theater owners Angie McMahon and Kevin Mullaney have just announced their theater will be relocating to the historic Links Hall Building at 956 W Newport in Chicago. McMahon and Mullaney will be working with the firm Webster Powell and the theatrical design team at Crosstown Scenic to renovate the space and create 100 seat auditorium and bar. Renovations will take place next month, with the hopes that the theater can open in October.

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NEWS: Support Trailer Premiere

posted on August 15, 2014 by Brynne Ramella posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: Support Trailer Premiere

Listen. Apologize. Sympathize. Apologize.

SupportMost people work at least one job in their life that they can’t stand. For Jessie Stegner, that was being a customer service representative. The only way that Jessie was able to get through the day was by writing down the outrageous things that clients said to her over the phone. While she did not enjoy her job, she did enjoy looking back at all the ridiculous things customers said. This became the inspiration for Support, a show about a group of friends working together at a call center.

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Remembering Robin Williams

posted on August 11, 2014 by Kiley Peters posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on Remembering Robin Williams

A Legend Lost Too Soon

Robin Williams

Robin Williams touched many lives. He reminds me of my father in a lot of ways, so I’ve always felt some sort of special connection to Robin Williams. He was a brilliant talent who enlightened lives with laughter, love, curiosity, sincerity and a natural sense of playfulness. He truly was one of a kind and will be greatly missed. Sleep tight Mr. Williams, thank you for everything.
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NEWS: National Sketch Writing Month Comes to Chicago

posted on August 7, 2014 by Brynne Ramella posted in Chatter, News/Updates | Comments Off on NEWS: National Sketch Writing Month Comes to Chicago

30 Days of Funny

NaSkeWriMoGet your funniest material ready, folks because September is National Sketch Writing Month (NaSkeWriMo). It is an offshoot of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWrMo), which is a 30 day challenge to help writers get their creative juices flowing. NaSkeWriMo is similiar, but the goal here is to write 30 sketches in 30 days.

The idea to bring NaSkeWriMo to Chicago comes from Angie McMahon of Under the Gun Theater. She heard of a group of writers at UCB in New York starting the sketch writing challenge, so she decided to bring the fun to Chicago. Read More

VIDEO: Les Mannequins

posted on August 5, 2014 by Brynne Ramella posted in Chatter, Features, News/Updates, Video | Comments Off on VIDEO: Les Mannequins

Wonderfully Weird

Les MannequinsWe’re finding more and more Chicago comedy on Funny or Die and we love it. You can now check out Tim Soszko and Micah Philbrook of the tim & micah project on the comedy website. Funny or Die now features their video Les Mannequins, a darkly comedic look at the life of a mannequin couple.

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