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Chicago City
Limits is NYC’s longest running show! Hailed as
"hysterical and unpredictable" by The New York Times, An Evening With
Chicago City Limits, the national touring production, has been
presented at such diverse venues as Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian Institution,
Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon, the 1995 Super Bowl, and, at colleges and
regional theaters in North America and Europe.
Director Paul Zuckerman defines improvisation as "comedy without a net." The
troupe creates a one of a kind theatrical experience by taking suggestions from
audience members and crafting scenes -- everything from mini-musicals to game
shows -- on the spot. The result is a hilarious evening of comedy that is
totally unique. No two Chicago City Limits productions are ever alike; as
The Washington Post raves, "[Chicago City Limits is] Uproarious and
Amazing!". The Newhouse Papers describe Chicago City Limits as a troupe
of “Actor-Writer-Psychopaths that will have you rolling in the aisles”.
The
impressive list of guest artists who have improvised with Chicago City Limits
over the years include international stars such as Paul Reiser, Robin Williams,
Brett Butler, and Bill Irwin. Chicago City Limits has made dozens of TV
appearances, including segments on The Today Show, McLaughlin,
The Joan Rivers Show, The Jackie Mason Show, Comedy Central,
and Good Day New York. The troupe has also appeared on HBO, CNN, and
CNBC. The ensemble was featured in its own TV news comedy series, Reel News,
on the USA network.
Chicago City Limits was founded in
Chicago by George Todisco and by actors participating in the workshop program at
The Second City. In 1979, the troupe soon relocated to New York and began
performing regularly at some of New York's premiere comedy venues including
Catch a Rising Star, The Improv, and The Comic Strip, among others. The ensemble
established its own theater in the summer of 1980 and began a continuous run now
numbering over 8,500 Off Broadway performances. The group appears nightly in
its own theater at The Improv, NYC’s iconic comedy club.
The
Chicago City Limits workshops offer a complete training program in
improvisational theater for participants of all ages and skills. Company members
have conducted these classes at a variety of institutions such as Choate
Rosemary Hall, the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, Tampa Bay Performing Arts
Center, and the Walton Arts Center in Arkansas.
Chicago City Limits also offers a
special corporate workshop, Comedy in the Workplace. This interactive program
has been conducted with major corporations and small businesses across the
country.
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Imagine walking
out onto a blank stage. There is no script, no set, no preconceived ideas.
Suddenly the stage lights flash and the show starts. Some call this the Actor's
nightmare, others call it Improvisational Theatre.
Improvisational actors take their inspiration from
suggestions called out by the audience, and create a kaleidoscope of sketch
comedy, one-liners, improvised music and who-knows-what-else right on the spot.
It is comedy without a net -- Spontaneous and interactive, where both actor and
audience share in the conspiracy.
The show
is a creation of the collective lunatic unconscious of both actors and
audience. We’ve done our part; we haven’t prepared a thing. It’s now time to
do your part. Just sit back, relax and get ready to call out whatever is on
your mind...a word...a phrase...an idea. Audience,
start your engines!
~ Paul
Zuckerman
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Touring
Programs 2008-2009
MySpace or Yours?
Chicago
City Limits launches the ’08-’09 touring season with its new improvisational
comedy revue, MySpace or Yours?. This is dot comedy without a computer,
as the CCL cast takes aim at the faces, places and events from today’s
headlines, bylines and sidelines. Whether its social networks or Internet
jerks, board rooms or bored grooms, gas prices or a leadership crisis, tainted
toothpaste or tainted celebrities, Chicago City Limits will take you on a
virtual tour de force of high energy improvisations and gut splitting laughter
for a completely unique evening of comedy!
Revenge
of the Reindeer!
The
holiday season brings wishes of joy and peace on earth, but not necessarily if
you’re a reindeer, especially one that has to spend their holiday season
flying from rooftop to rooftop lugging a big fat guy in a red suit who keeps
trying to squeeze down chimneys.
Well,
we all have our issues, and Chicago City Limit’s special holiday show,
“Revenge of the Reindeer” gives us a chance to air them out. Through a combination of comedy sketches, improvisations created
on-the-spot from audience suggestions and song parodies, the CCL cast will add a
little Ho Ho Ho point-of-view to the trials and tribulations of the past year.
This special December event is unlike any other holiday show.
Yule love it!
One State, Two State, Red State, Blue State
“Ingenious and very,
very funny!” - The New York Times
Whether your heart bleeds red or blue, Chicago City Limits has the political
comedy cure: our special pre-election show. One State, Two State, Red State,
Blue State goes head-to-head with the faces, places and events that shape the
2008 election. The CCL cast takes issue with the issues, as it combines the very
best in sketch comedy, musical theater and audience-inspired improvisations.
Give your audiences the opportunity to seek shelter from the political storm, as
CCL brings to life debatable debates, candid candidates and the carnage of the
campaign trail in this smart and timely show!
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Improvisational Workshops
Are you an
actor who wants to practice new techniques? Or someone who would like to
loosen up and learn to think more quickly on your feet? Chicago City Limits
offers workshops in improvisation geared to all ages and all levels of
experience, from newcomers to the art form to seasoned performers. The
workshops introduce a number of improvisational skills to foster creativity,
out-of-the box thinking and performance skills. The classes are fun and
fast-paced and taught in a supportive environment.
All classes
are taught by a Chicago City Limits cast member and are ideal for actors,
comedians, teachers or anyone who wants to feel more creative.
This
workshop can be conducted in a variety of locations - classroom, gym, on
stage, back stage, etc. as long as there is sufficient floor room for the
number of participants to all move around comfortably. The standard
workshop lasts about 90 minutes but can be shortened or lengthened to
accommodate your needs. Please inform Baylin Artists as to the number of
participants expected.
There is a
maximum of 30 participants per workshop. Workshop is taught by one company
member.
Comedy in the Workplace
Chicago City Limits brings its award-winning
style of improvisational comedy to the workplace with a hands-on interactive
workshop experience designed to entertain and enlighten. This program
introduces participants to the skills and techniques improvisational actors
use to maximize their creativity and spontaneity on stage. Performance
experience is definitely not a prerequisite to join in the fun. The class
is conducted in a supportive and light-hearted atmosphere.
This
workshop is ideal for any company, organization or department that would
like to encourage people to feel more comfortable thinking “out-of-the-box”,
listening to, embracing and improving upon each other’s ideas. It’s an ideal
teambuilding event! Here is an opportunity to provide your corporate
sponsors with a very memorable reward for their support.
These
classes have become part of the training experience at many companies,
including GE Capital, American Express, Merck, General Foods, and Comedy
Central. Basic sessions last about 2 hours and can be tailored to a
company’s specific needs. There are no major technical requirements -
simply a room will do.
The maximum
number of participants for this workshop is 25. Adding additional
participants will require extra personnel and an additional fee.
Diversity Workshops
Diversity is more than gender, race and religion. It reflects the way we
live, our personal tastes, lifestyles, and attitudes. Everyone is
different, and it is those differences that often represent a great untapped
resource in a company, group or organization.
The Chicago City Limits’ Diversity Workshop celebrates those individual
differences. A series of exercises help identify differences
and similarities among
participants. Find out what talents and skills each individual possess and
offer to the group. Learn how different approaches to problems, issues and
situations facing a company or organization strengthen its ability to deal
with and resolve conflicts and issues. Sharing mutual and diversified
experiences not only strengthens the team, but brings a renewed sense of
invigoration to the group, and helps it work more effectively and
productively.
Chicago City Limits has done workshops with such companies as American
Express, Bayer, Pepsi and many others.
Develop a deeper understanding of the members of your team, and uncover the
hidden treasures they can offer.
The workshop lasts 1 ½ to 2 hours, and is for groups of up to 25 people.
Note: multiple sessions can be conducted to accommodate larger groups.
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*FOR
REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY*
Please
contact Baylin Artists Management for additional
technical information.
Minimum
Stage Size: 24' x 12'
Lighting
-
Two
full stage washes (1 warm, 1 cool); three warm specials (DL, DC, DR); special on
pianist; blue wash; red wash; any additional colors or specials available.
-
House
lights accessible to board operator or running crew.
-
Our
Stage Manager will accompany the group and run lights.
Sound
-
5
body mics are ideal and will assure you of the best sound quality. If they're
not available, 5 PCCs or PZMs, possibly reinforced with shotgun mics may be
used. Sound must be discussed with CCL Stage Manager prior to our arrival as
size and acoustics of house will dictate needs.
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Audio
Technician must be available during show.
-
If
floor mics are used and the piano is a grand, velour or any other sound-absorbant
material may need to be put on the floor under the piano.
-
Cassette
deck or CD player to play pre-show, post-show, and intermission music.
Miscellaneous
-
Four
sturdy chairs without arms.
-
Vocal
mic on boom for pianist.
-
Vocal
mic on stand, off-stage R which can be brought DSC.
-
Monitors
for pianist and off-stage R w/ vocal mix.
-
Steps
up to stage if more than 2' hight.
-
Orchestra
light/lamp/clip-light for pianist w/ blue gel or dimmer.
-
Back
stage running lights
-
Tuned
grand, baby grand, or upright piano, DSL at 45 degrees facing center.
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Coat
rack with 30 hangers for costumes, off-stage R.
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6'
(or bigger) table for props.
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Cold
water w/ cups for cast.
-
Crossover
space between SR and SL with running lights.
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