Chicago's comedy and improv clubs are nationally known for giving the world some of its greatest comedians. Actors such as John Belushi and Bill Murray along with today's Mike Meyers and Tina Fey have all honed their skills in the clubs of Chicago. Chicago offers so many different styles and settings of comedy that clubs can be found geared towards young and old alike.



ImprovOlympic has a nightclub setting for their nightly unscripted

performances. The technique of this club is to have the audience suggest a theme and all the night's skits, monologues and songs are built around the theme. Although you may laugh hysterically, you also run the risk of not laughing at all because of the club's amateur performers. However, Monday nights at ImprovOlympic are guaranteed to bring laughs. The club does a show called the Armando Diaz Experience every Monday night in which they assemble an all-star improv team. Because of ImprovOlympic's nightclub setting and some of its performers, it is not the right place for kids and younger teens.

Second City, the most famous comedy club of Chicago has been entertaining for more than forty years. The club features two stages, a main stage and a smaller stage, along with a training school. To get a sample of the Second City comedy, there is the free post-show improv session that starts around 10:30 p.m. It doesn't require a ticket of any kind so it is open to everyone, even if you skipped the main show. Second City has been a Chicago staple for many years and is responsible for many comedic careers, including past and current Saturday Night Live cast members. Zanie's Comedy Club, just down the street from Second City, is a traditional comedy club. It is one of the only traditional clubs left in Chicago. The club draws its headliners directly off late night shows and is a regular stop for many nationally known comedians. At Zanie's you can inquire about smoke-free shows, but you also must be 21 years or older to attend a show. ImprovOlympic, Second City, and Zanie's Comedy Club are all clubs that gear more towards adults and older teens. Besides obvious age requirements, they take place in a night club setting, serve alcohol, and their performers may possibly have subject matter that is inappropriate for younger audience members. However, Chicago is not without clubs that can entertain and be enjoyed by a younger audience. Shear Madness is a comedic performance that is performed in cities across the U.S. Shear Madness has recently just returned to Chicago in fall 2006.

The performance is set in a hair salon where a murder has taken place. The wacky characters involve the audience as it is the audience that decides each night who has committed the murder. Shear Madness accommodates both student travel and adult bus tour groups well, offering discounts for groups of fifteen or more. ComedySportz is another experience that is appropriate for all ages. In this show, improv actors are divided into two teams. They improvise every show and a referee decides who wins each night based on the response and laughter each team gets from the audience. The show is also based on games that the audience picks, making it a completely interactive experience for every audience member. ComedySportz also gives group rates and encourages groups to look into their show.

The Chicago comedy scene offers many different experiences, from clubs to theater to improv. Whether you have a large group or small, young or old, there will always be something to tickle your funny bone in Chicago.



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