Chicago City Limits
| Formation | 1977 |
|---|---|
| Type | improvisational comedy troupe |
| Location |
|
| Website | www.chicagocitylimits.com |
Chicago City Limits (CCL), at 351 E 74th Street in Manhattan, is an improvisational comedy and Sketch comedy troupe in New York City, New York.[1][2]
The original incarnation of CCL was founded by George Todisco with Bill McLaughlin, Carol Schindler, Paul Zuckerman, Linda Gelman, Rick Crom and Christopher Oyen.
History
Chicago City Limits was founded by George Todisco and first performed on Labor Day, 1977, and is New York City's oldest improv comedy troupe,[2][3][4] with a run of over 8,500 performances.[5][6] Originally formed in Chicago, CCL performed there before traveling around the country, eventually moving to New York City in 1979. Once there, they performed at clubs and cabarets until establishing their first theatre, The Chicago City Limits Improvisational Theatre, at 534 W 42nd Street on June 1, 1980 The. 75-seat theatre offered shows from Wednesdays through Sunday and within two months, Todisco began workshops to teach and share the group's specific approach to improvisation. About a year later, the troupe relocated to The Jan Hus Playhouse at 351 E 74th Street. In February of '82, Todisco tragically passed away, and Zuckerman and Oyen became co-producers, until 1988, when Oyen left the show. Zuckerman became artistic director and producer and 4 years later, the company reestablished its own theatre at 1105 First Avenue. They performed there through 2004, until returning to its comedy club and cabaret roots, by relocating to the Broadway Comedy Club at 318 W 53rd Street, running until going on hiatus in 2013. In 2014 CCL headed back to The Jan Hus Playhouse with a strictly improvised show, offering shows on Friday and Saturday nights. In April 2015, the schedule was reduced to Saturday nights only.
The show went on hiatus again in April 2016, and remains so indefinitely while the company does some light touring.
CCL was a three time recipient of The Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs (MAC) Award.[7] The Chicago City Limits National Touring Company received the very first MAC Award given for Best Comedy/Improv Group in 1987 and again in 1988. The New York Company of CCL won again in 2008.
In 2011, Top 10 New York City by Eleanor Berman rated it one of New York City's top 10 comedy clubs.[8]
References
- ↑ Vincent Frontero (1991). What's free and cheap in New York. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- 1 2 Andrew Rosenberg, Martin Dunford (2011). The Rough Guide to New York. Penguin. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ↑ Martin Dunford, Jack Holland (2002). Rough guide to New York City. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ↑ Lisa Mulcahy (2002). Building the successful theater company. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ↑ Mulcahy, Lisa (2002-01-01). Building the Successful Theater Company. Allworth. ISBN 9781581152371.
- ↑ "Chicago City Limits will reach AG". Times Press Recorder. April 29, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ↑ "Chicago City Limits". Centerstageartists.com. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- ↑ Eleanor Berman (2011). Top 10 New York City. Retrieved August 2, 2011.