New York Improv

Address: 318 West 53rd Street - New York, NY 10019 - Midtown - South side of West 53rd Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues.

Closest subway: C, E to 50th Street. Walk north on 8th Avenue to West 53rd Street, then west to the theatre.

Now Playing:

Chicago City Limits

ComedySportz

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)

Chicago City Limits:

Chicago City Limits premiered its latest show in Fall 2005, Live at the Improv. This information is from the press materials: "It's been nearly a year since CCL moved back to their roots, taking up residence at The Improv, the infamous venue where this windy city crew first performed for the tough New York audiences. And 25 years later, we're keeping them laughing. See what you're missing, see it again, see it all. Every night is, of course, different.

"Some of our society's issues are large and looming, others perhaps sublime yet ridiculous-CCL incorporates them all into their show. The war in Iraq (is that still going on?), Social Security, 'roids on our ball fields, the glamorous life of Jenna Bush, our dependence on foreign oil, Jukebox musicals (who goes to them anyway?), the unexpected expecting Mrs. Spears-Federline, upcoming mayoral elections, and more-it's up to you to decide. CCL combines sketch comedy and improv, offering up a combination insane scenes as well as never-to-be-seen-again moments of genius."

PERFORMANCES:

Wed - Sat: 8:00 pm

Sat: 10:00 pm

CAST:
Joe DeGise II, Kimmy Gatewood, Morgan Phillips, Rob Schiffman

DIRECTOR:
Paul Zuckerman & Joe DeGise II

MUSIC DIRECTOR:
Travis Ploeger

STAGE MANAGER:
Carter Edwards

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:
Paul Zuckerman

ComedySportz:

ComedySportz is a interactive improv show, in which two teams of performers compete for laughter and points by devising improvised sketches from audience suggestions. There's a rotating cast of comedians.

PERFORMANCES:

Sat & Sun: 6:00 pm

CAST:
Sam Cohen, Dan Diggles, Tanner Efinger, Annie Figenshu, Dan Fleming, Robin Gelfenbien, Doug Goodrich, Robert Z. Grant, Lynn Marie Hulsman, Stephanie Kornick, Laurie Naughton, Glenn Packman, Susan Pasquantonia, Deb Rabbai, Andy Redeker, Michael Rock, Caprice Royal, Rory Scholl, Ann Scobie, Jill Shely, Greg Triggs, Christine Turner, Zoe

MUSIC DIRECTOR:
Matthew Loren Cohen

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare: (abridged)

Phoenix Theatre Ensemble opens its third season with a remounting of last season's production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged). The following description is from the show's press release: "The piece is an irreverent, fast-paced romp through all 37 plays and 154 sonnets in just 96 minutes. Improvisation plays a heavy role and it is normal for the actors to deviate from the script and break into spontaneous conversations about the material with each other and the audience. Usually, there are references to pop culture, local people and the neighborhood; each performance is vastly different, even with the same cast."

PERFORMANCES: Oct 1 at 2:00 pm, Oct 3 at 7:00 pm, Oct 7 at 2:00 pm, Oct 8 at 2:00 pm, Oct 14 at 2:00 pm, Oct 15 at 2:00 pm, Oct 16 at 7:00 pm, Oct 17 at 7:00 pm, Oct 21 at 2:00 pm, Oct 22 at 2:00 pm, Oct 28 at 2:00 pm, Oct 29 at 2:00 pm, Oct 30 at 7:00 pm, Oct 31 at 7:00 pm.

CAST:
Scott D. Phillips, Brian Costello, Matt Neely

AUTHOR:
Adam Long, Daniel Singer & Jess Winfield

DIRECTOR:
Michael Surabian

SETS:
Robert Klingelhoefer

COSTUMES:
Nicole Frachiseur

PRODUCING COMPANY:
Phoenix Theatre Ensemble