June 27, 2008

IO West hit by car

IO West was hit by a car yesterday and the jokes are almost too easy.

Posted by Fuzzy at 4:03 PM | Comments (0)

July 18, 2006

Annoyance Theatre

After five years without a space of their own, Chicago's influential Annoyance Theatre is opening their new theatre this weekend. Opening weekend shows include

Chicago Tribune: They're Ba-aaack

Posted by Fuzzy at 5:32 PM | Comments (0)

September 1, 2005

Improv Inferno Anniversary/Hurricane Benefit

The Improv Inferno in Ann Arbor, MI writes:

Comedy Marathon to Benefit Hurricane Relief Efforts

Ann Arbor, Michigan — On September 10, 2005, Improv Inferno, Ann Arbor’s comedy/lounge, will be celebrating it's first anniversary in an unusual manner. Since the traditional first anniversary present is paper, we've decided to put that paper to good use, specifically the green paper. Improv Inferno is holding a 12 hour comedy marathon to benefit Hurricane Relief efforts. Starting at 7:00 a.m. in the morning and running until 7:00 p.m. that night, comedians, improvisers and improv groups will take the stage for 12 solid hours of comedy. All money raised during the benefit will be donated to the local chapter of the American Red Cross.

The event was the idea of Sabrina Harper, the co-owner of Improv Inferno, and a native of New Orleans. "I thought it would be a great way of celebrating our anniversary. My parents luckily left right before the storm hit, and are now safe with my brother in Houston. But you look at the news and your heart just breaks. All those people trapped down there, and the devastation. It makes me want to cry just thinking about it. I'm glad that we can do something, however small, to help out," said Harper. Improv Inferno ensemble member Chris Diangelo said, “It's going to be an awesome event for a great cause. We'll have stand-ups, improvisers, all sorts of comedy going on."

Tickets to the benefit are $5, and will entitle the ticket holder to attend all 12 hours of the benefit. Patrons will also be asked to make voluntary donations of $2 for every hour of the marathon they attend. All proceeds from the marathon will be donated to the Washtenaw County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Improv Inferno is located at 309 S. Main Street, Ann Arbor. For information call 734/214-7080.

Posted by Fuzzy at 2:55 PM | Comments (0)

August 29, 2005

IO Anniversary Show plagued by sound problems

The sold-out and highly anticipated IO 25th Anniversary Show was marred by a malfunctioning sound system.

Chicago Tribune: Sound system failure spoils ImprovOlympic.
Chicago Sun-Times: IO show suffers snafus improv can't cover

Posted by Fuzzy at 9:13 AM | Comments (0)

July 9, 2005

I.O. Rebranding and 25th Anniversary

Bowing to years of pressure from the International Olympic Committee, the renowned ImprovOlympic theater is becoming simply the I.O. Theater, with a new web address - http://www.iochicago.net/. The theater's LA branch will become IO West.

I.O. will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary this summer with a star-studded Reunion Show at the Chicago Theater. Scheduled to appear are Ike Barinholtz, Andy Dick, Kevin Dorff, Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, Neil Flynn, Ian Gomez, David Koechner, John Lutz, Brian McCaan, Adam McKay, Seth Meyers, Joel Murray, Mike Myers, Amy Poehler, Andy Richter, Horatio Sanz, Brian Stack, Rich Talarico, Stephnie Weir, and The Upright Citizens Brigade.

I.O.'s 25th Anniversary Reunion Show
Saturday, August 27, 2005, 8 pm
Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State Street, Chicago, IL
Tickets: $25-$75

(The I.O. website notes that the theater had its 20th Anniversary show in August 2001. Was that anniversary late or is this one early?)

Deanna Issacs' The Business column in the Chicago Reader this week covers the history of the ImprovOlympic, the rebranding, and the anniversary show. The article is not available online, but Chicago readers can pick up a copy and find the article in section 2.

Update:
Chicago Tribune: No laughing matter: Club gets new name after Olympian spat
Chicago Sun-Times: No joke: ImprovOlympic changing name to avoid suit

Posted by Fuzzy at 1:18 PM | Comments (2)

June 7, 2004

ImprovOlympic New York

Yes, I know it's old news. But maybe you didn't read it, either. ImprovOlympic is planning a New York location.

Posted by Fuzzy at 6:26 PM