Archive for the ‘Announcement’ Category

Wanna Perform

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

Each season we open up applications to Guest Artists to apply to perform in our Comedy Showcase on Saturday and Sunday Nights.

Improv, Sketch Comedy, and Musical Comedy Troupes can apply to perform with us through our website at this Link

Some FAQ we have gotten over the years:

Q: Do you pay the groups that perform in your showcase?

A: No we do not pay the groups. But we offer 20-25 min of stage time rent free, publicity, and support staff to run the show. We do expect the groups that perform in our showcase to help spread word of mouth about the shows.

Q: Where is all that door money going then?

A: CIC is a 501c3 Not For Profit 100% all volunteer organization. All proceeds from ticket sales to go maintain our Theater space and promotions of the shows.

Q: If you like my group or act would you produce a longer run of it?

A: It has happened. We currently do that with long time friends “Pimprov”. Over this past summer we also produced a short run of “The Mike and Duane Show”. Both groups have developed a long term relationship working with our company. So bring great shows and the fates will see…vauge eh?

Q: What is the difference in your showcase vs. other Comedy Showcases around town?

A: Well ours is now in its 9th season. Try to structure our night to have newer groups and first time groups open the night, more established groups in the middle spot, and closing groups that have shown consistent above the bar product and are usually made up of seasoned established Improvisers. Not saying other showcases don’t do this…but this is how we work and it seems to work well for us.

Also we seem to get a audience that is specifically Theater and Comedy lovers…we have some of the best audience members around.

So come play with us…

Welcome New Troupe members

Thursday, September 11th, 2008

CIC is happy to welcome our new sponsored Improv Troupe coached by Mike Johnson.

Welcome to:
Emily Harpe
Madeline Wager
Jo Scott
Kathryn Premo
Paul Whitehouse
Sammy Tamimi
Mark Vannier
Steve Konet
Jared Jeffries

We all look forward to seeing you guys in our showcase in the next few months…and welcome to the family.

Pimprov Open Run!

Monday, June 16th, 2008


Chicagos favorite Improv Group has signed on for an OPEN RUN at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater. Hailed by critics and audiences a like Pimprov is one of the most original and hilarious unscripted shows in town. Yes its Pimps that improvise its that simple.

Politically Correct, No, Funny Yes!- Chicago Tribune

More Than Traditional Improv- Los Angles Times

Holarious- Now Toronto Magazine

CIC is proud to present this open run with our dear old friends of Pimprov. Pimprov creator Marz Timms said CIC is as close to a home theater as Pimprov has, and looks forward to another great season of quality shows. CIC is a class company waiting to explode.

Opening for Pimprov will be special guest improv and sktech comedy groups who perform regularly in CIC’s self Titled comedy showcase on Saturday Nights.

Fridays 10:30pm starting July 11 Tickets $12

NOTE: No-one under 13 years old will be admitted.

Notes Chemically Imbalanced Theater is BYOB, but you must bring your own cups, bottle openers, and ice. We can not provide them for you.

Because of the popularity of this show it is HIGHLY recommended you purchase your tickets in advance. The show very often sells out.

www.cicomedy.com www.pimprov.com
Box Office 800-838-3006
Chemically Imbalanced Theater
1420 W Irving Park
Chicago, IL 60613

No Bad Review this week.

Friday, March 21st, 2008

Thanks to all of the loyal Bad Reviw fans. But we are taking Easter Sunday off. We hope everyone has a nice holiday.

We do have some other amazing shows lined up for the weekend.

Only two weekends left to catch The Book of Liz by Amy and David Sedaris

And our Comedy Showcase has fantastic line ups all weekend:

March 21
Black Irish
Panty Filers
21st Century Men
Host Adam Higgins

March 22
Counter Productive Lover
Basic 8
Cornwallis
Host Brady Novak

Hope to see you out this weekend, and Have a very Happy Easter!

Lots of New Shows This Weekend

Friday, January 11th, 2008

This weekend we hit full swing in our new space with two shows each night Fri-Sun.

The Book of Liz Kicks us off Tonight at 8pm

We start our Friday Night Comedy Showcase at 10:30pm

And we bring back our Hit Improv Show Bad Review, Sun @ 8pm

Here is the Bad Review we will be doing on Sunday:

LORD BUTTERSCOTCH AND THE CURSE OF THE DARKWATER PHANTOM Noted playwrights
Lisa Dillman, Rebecca Gilman, and Brett Neveu teamed up for this sophomoric
spoof of pre-World War I mysteries and romances. These three are gifted writers, but
parody is not their forte. Set at a supposedly haunted English country estate, this mostly unfunny comedy pokes fun at writers ranging from Mary Roberts Rinehart and Elinor Glynn to D.H. Lawrence and P.G. Wodehouse. But the self-indulgent, often vulgar script is woefully short on wit, and Blindfaith Theatre’s production relies on broad physical humor that quickly grows tiresome. The show’s saving graces are composer Mikhail Fiksel’s live incidental music and designer Grant Sabin’s clever set, which depicts the estate’s walls and doors as a giant tea service. –Albert William

Time Out Article

Monday, September 24th, 2007

Striking a new balance

Posted in Comedy by Steve Heisler on September 19th, 2007

After years and years of theater-renting, including a stint at the Cornservatory, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy will be moving into their own theater space. Angie McMahon will lead her sketch, improv and theater company to the former Artistic Home, located at 1420 W Irving Park Rd, starting November 1. They’ll build out the snug 40-person space for a month and launch their full line-up of shows, including the weekly self-titled comedy showcase, on December 1. Additionally, their current play The Book of Liz will come back in January.

Cheers to CIC! Look for more info as it becomes available.


Leave a comment

Happy Memorial Day!

Monday, May 28th, 2007

We are officially on Summer Break! We want to thank everyone for a wonderful season! Starting this week we will cut our Blog down to once a week and only post on Wednesdays through out the summer.

Keep an eye out for upcoming auditions for “The Book of Liz” by the Talent Family and Sponsored Improv Troupes. As well as Festival tours, and “Bad Review” at the Lakeshore Theater!

So we will be around, just kind of hanging out by the pool. Enjoy the Holiday!

Lakeshore Theater Gets Bad Review

Thursday, May 24th, 2007

Lakeshore Theater is proud to present Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s hit show Bad Review

Recently Chemically Imbalanced Comedy performed our show “Bad Review” as part of the Downtown festival Looptopia on May 11 at the Chase Auditorium. We were told that over 100 people got turned away from the show and were not able to view it because it was sold out. So CIC has partnered with The Lakeshore Theater to present an Encore Presentation of “Bad Review” for only $5 for all those folks who were unable to attend the show, as well as those who did attend and would like to come again!

“Bad Review” takes the worst Review from the Chicago Reader and we Improvise the show we feel the Critic would have rather seen.

Here is what the Press says about Bad Review:

The Chicago Reader Review: Each week this Chemically Imbalanced Comedy team selects a disparaging theater review from the latest Reader and performs an hour-long improvisation of “the show we feel the critic would have rather seen.” When I went, they read aloud Zac Thompson’s review of Invasion of the Minnesota Normals (which he said “tries to make a case for individuality without exhibiting any”), then acted out a 50s-sitcom version in which clean-cut citizens revolt against normalcy by smoking, embracing homosexuality, and eventually killing. The cast fixated on easy pop references, but the sarcasm was thick and zany. Director Angela McMahon crafts a truly professional improv production, with efficient blackouts, precise lighting, timely and clever musical touches, and a perky pace.
–Ryan Hubbard Highly Recommended

“Critic’s Pick”-Timeout Chicago

“Best Bet”- Chicago Redeye

“Bad Review” has performed at the LA Improv Festival, Toronto Improv Festival, Donny’s Skybox in Pipers Alley, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s ENCORE shows, and a guest night at The Annoyance Theater.

“We are so excited to be able to do this show for our loyal fans and the folks who really wanted to see it but were turned away,” says Angie McMahon creator and Director of “Bad Review”

To check out online clips of past shows log on to www.myspace.com/badreview

Lakeshore Theater 3175 N. Broadway Chicago, IL 60657
Box Office 773-472-3492
Friday June 15 @ 10:30pm
$5

For your enjoyment here is a Bad Review Montage taking suggestions:

Montage

Add to My Profile | More Videos

You could Sponsor Comedy!

Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007

I am having a hard time finding a blog for today so I am gonna do a bit of business.

The following is how you can Sponsor Snubfest.

Description and history of the event or activity to be sponsored.

Mission:

Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (CIC) is an organization of artists from the Chicago area and beyond, dedicated to providing performance opportunities for comedic artists. CIC supports the vision of talented writers, directors and performers, and is committed to producing new and previously produced works while also providing a venue for stand-up and improvisational comedy. Through the diversification of our projects and the cross-pollination of artists across multiple disciplines, we look to expand the horizons of our audiences and educate them in the various comedic styles.

History:
For seven years CIC has been a leader in the underground movement to cultivate Chicago comedy for the masses, creating a unique performance environment that includes every aspect of comedy. Throughout that time our weekly showcase has highlighted sketch, improvisation and stand-up comedy giving our audience the opportunity to experience multiple forms of comedy in one evening. The showcase also provides artists with a professional environment in which to perform that includes a production staff and promotions at no cost to the artist. CIC also produces and performs multiple comedic plays per season, both original and previously produced

It is this mixture of the various forms of comedy that makes CIC unique. Gaps between the various styles of comedy are bridged for performer and audience member alike. Performers from within CIC’s ranks and from the community at large have the rare opportunity to stretch their talents across multiple forms of entertainment in a nurturing environment while audiences are challenged to expand their horizons and educated in forms of comedy they may be less familiar with.

Event:

As part of our mission to create performance opportunities we initiated Snubfest, a new breed of comedy festival held in Chicago. In January 2008 the fourth annual Snubfest will continue to provide a venue for artists who have been rejected from other festivals. Sketch, improvisation and stand-up performers also have the chance to compete for performance slots in major comedy festivals throughout the country. Giving an entrance opportunity to up and coming artists who have talent but have not been able to connect with these larger institutions. This festival also empowers the performers to believe in their abilities and push forward to achieve their goals in comedy.

CIC partnered with New York Underground Comedy Festival, LA Improv Festival, Twincites Improv Festival, Phoenix Improv Festival, and Lowell Comedy Festival to provide performance opportunities in our annual Snubfest comedy festival. We also partnered with online content provider ComedyNet.com to produce and release performance clips from the festival on their website, providing greater exposure for participating artists. Press from TimeOut Chicago and the Chicago Reader participated in Snubfest and representatives from Zanies Comedy Club, The Improv Comedy Club and Lincoln Lodge scouted talent at the event, giving access to publications and talent bookers that many of the performers would not have had otherwise.


Why Your Company should sponsor this event or activity.

We feel this is a great opportunity to associate your brand with the exciting visceral experience only a live event like this can offer. People love to cheer for the underdog, and they love to laugh. Associating your brand with that feeling will keep your name on the front of your core demographics minds.

We are excited about our 2008 Festival because we are partnering with New Media Comedy (www.newmediacomedy.com) to be our online content producer. New Media Comedy is lead by the Producers of the New York Underground Comedy Festival. Set to launch in September there cornerstone productions will include the over 400 shows New York Underground Produces each year. We are very excited to be included in the mix of such National Talent that they attract. It also gives us a unique opportunity for our sponsors to hang a banner behind our performers to be seen in the online broadcast through out the year.

Sponsorship levels available (e.g., exclusive, presenting, etc.), including a list of title or other major partners if applicable.

Current Sponsors:

www.NewMediaComedy.com (Official Sponsor)online content Producers

New York Underground Comedy Festival
(Sponsor) Performance Slot Provider

Phoenix Improv Festival (Sponsor) Performance Slot Provider

Seattle Improv Festival (Sponsor) Performance Slot Provider

Corn Productions (Sponsor) Location Provider

Chemically Imbalanced Comedy(Presenting Sponsor)

Sponsorship Levels Available:
$5,000 – Presenting Sponsor

As a Presenting Sponsor of SnubFest 2007, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s 3rd annual comedy festival, your company will receive the following benefits:

Sponsor Recognition and Publicity
• Attribution in all promotional materials and signage as Presenting Sponsor.
• Special live acknowledgements by host during the event.
• Rights to utilize SnubFest 2007 event name promoting your support of the event.
• Inclusion in all press releases and media alerts.
• Complimentary full-page advertisement in event program distributed to all attendees.
• Inclusion in direct mailing materials
• Complimentary full-page advertisement in CIC’s Season program distributed to all attendees at all CIC Main Stage Shows through out the year.
• Walk on Role in an Improv Scene with CIC performers during a Snubfest Timewaster to be given to person of Presenting Sponsors choice.

Tickets and Hospitality
• Ten (10) complimentary all Festival Passes SnubFest 2007.
• Ten (10) complimentary tickets to the SnubFest 2007 Party, which will be held on Friday, January

Web Site Presence
• Inclusion of your company’s logo and a link to your company’s site on the Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (www.cicomedy.com) and SnubFest (www.snubfest.com) web sites.

Onsite Exposure / Sampling & Display
• Opportunity to hang three (3) sponsor-provided banners on-site at event. Including banner on stage to be seen in online broadcast. Clips produced by www.NewMediaComedy.com and release through out the year.
• The opportunity to establish a corporate area during the event, dedicated to displaying and distributing product and literature.

$2,500 – Official Sponsor

As a Presenting Sponsor of SnubFest 2007, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s 3rd annual comedy festival, your company will receive the following benefits:

Sponsor Recognition and Publicity
• Attribution in all promotional materials and signage as Official Sponsor.
• Special live acknowledgements by host during the event.
• Rights to utilize SnubFest 2007 event name promoting your support of the event.
• Inclusion in all press releases and media alerts.
• Complimentary full-page advertisement in event program distributed to all attendees.
• Inclusion in direct mailing materials
• Complimentary full-page advertisement in CIC’s Season program distributed to all attendees at all CIC Main Stage Shows through out the year.
• Walk on Role in an Improv Scene with CIC performers during a Snubfest Timewaster to be given to person of Official Sponsors choice.

Tickets and Hospitality
• Ten (10) complimentary tickets to SnubFest 2007.
• Ten (10) complimentary tickets to the SnubFest 2007 Party, which will be held on Friday, January

Web Site Presence
• Inclusion of your company’s logo and a link to your company’s site on the Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (www.cicomedy.com) and SnubFest (www.snubfest.com) web sites.

Onsite Exposure / Sampling & Display
• Opportunity to hang one (1) sponsor-provided banners on-site at event (stage not included).
• The opportunity to establish a corporate area during the event, dedicated to displaying and distributing product and literature.

$1,000 – Lead Sponsor

As a Presenting Sponsor of SnubFest 2007, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s 3rd annual comedy festival, your company will receive the following benefits:

Sponsor Recognition and Publicity
• Attribution in all promotional materials and signage as Lead Sponsor.
• Special live acknowledgements by host during the event.
• Rights to utilize SnubFest 2007 event name promoting your support of the event.
• Inclusion in all press releases and media alerts.
• Complimentary full-page advertisement in event program distributed to all attendees.

Tickets and Hospitality
• Ten (10) complimentary tickets to SnubFest 2007.
• Ten (10) complimentary tickets to the SnubFest 2007 Party, which will be held on Friday, January

Web Site Presence
• Inclusion of your company’s logo and a link to your company’s site on the Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (www.cicomedy.com) and SnubFest (www.snubfest.com) web sites.

Onsite Exposure / Sampling & Display
• Opportunity to hang one (1) sponsor-provided banners on-site at event (stage not included).
• The opportunity to establish a corporate area during the event, dedicated to displaying and distributing product and literature.

$500 – Supporting Sponsor

As a Supporting Sponsor of SnubFest 2007, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s 3rd annual comedy festival, your company will receive the following benefits:

Publicity
• Inclusion in all press releases and media alerts.
• Special live acknowledgements by host during the event.
• Complimentary half-page advertisement in event program distributed to all attendees.

Tickets and Hospitality
• Four (4) complimentary tickets to SnubFest 2007.
• Four (4) complimentary tickets to the SnubFest 2007 Party, which will be held on Friday, January

Web Site Presence
• Inclusion of your company’s logo and a link to your company’s site on the Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (www.cicomedy.com) and SnubFest (www.snubfest.com) web sites.

Onsite Exposure / Sampling & Display
• The opportunity to establish a corporate area during the event, dedicated to displaying and distributing product and literature.

Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s
SnubFest 2007

$250 – Participating Sponsor

As a Participating Sponsor of SnubFest 2007, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s 3rd annual comedy festival, your company will receive the following benefits:

Publicity
• Inclusion in all press releases and media alerts.
• Special live acknowledgements by host during the event.
• Company logo in event program distributed to all attendees.

Tickets and Hospitality
• Two (2) complimentary tickets to SnubFest 2007.
• Two (2) complimentary tickets to the SnubFest 2007 Pre-Party, which will be held on Friday, January

Web Site Presence
• Inclusion of your company’s logo and a link to your company’s site on the Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (www.cicomedy.com) and SnubFest (www.snubfest.com) web sites.

Sampling & Display
• The opportunity to establish a corporate area during the event, dedicated to displaying and distributing product and literature.

Under $250 – Sponsor

As a Sponsor of SnubFest 2007, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s 3rd annual comedy festival, your company will receive the following benefits:

• Inclusion in all press releases and media alerts.
• Special live acknowledgements by host during the event.
• Company name in event program distributed to all attendees.
• Inclusion of your company’s logo and a link to your company’s site on both Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (www.cicomedy.com) and SnubFest (www.snubfest.com) web sites.

In Kind – Donor

As a Donor of SnubFest 2007, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s 3rd annual comedy festival, your company will receive the following benefits:

• Special live acknowledgements by host during the event.
• Company name in event program distributed to all attendees.
• Inclusion of your company’s logo and a link to your company’s site on both Chemically Imbalanced Comedy (www.cicomedy.com) and SnubFest (www.snubfest.com) web sites.

Program Advertiser

As a Program of SnubFest 2007, Chemically Imbalanced Comedy’s 3rd annual comedy festival, your company will receive the following benefits:

• Company ad in event program distributed to all attendees.

Quarter Page ads available for $25
Half Page ads available for $50
Full Page ads available for $100

Deadline for sponsorship decision.

October 31, 2007

Launch Party for ChicagoPokerLive.com to benefit Comedy Theater

Monday, May 14th, 2007


Naperville…Chicago Charitable Games Association is proud to announce the launch party for ChicagoPokerLive.com at Two-Nine in Naperville on May 19 at 7pm-10pm. Tickets $35, includes open bar, passed appetizers, door prizes, and raffle items. Including Tickets to Late Night Catechism, Gorilla Tango Theater, ImprovOlympic, Hell in a Handbag, Thunder and Lightning, Zanies Comedy Club and much much more!

Proceeds from the evenings events will benefit Chemically Imbalanced Comedy, a 7 year old not for profit Theater Company in Chicago dedicated to exploring every aspect of comedy in its many art forms.

Chicago Charitable Games is a party planning and consulting firm looking to help charities maximize their fund raising events. They specialize in Casino Night Events with Poker being the number one game offered. Using their resources to connect the charities with suppliers, locations, volunteers, and a dedicated roster of poker fans to play.

Bert Kaulen, Vice President and Co-Founder of Chicago Charitable Games Association says it’s all about a good cause. “We are dedicated to helping charities host successful events in order to raise money that go to worthy causes. We are with you during every stage of the event process, from filling out paperwork, to setting up the chairs at the event, to shaking the hands of the players for a wonderful night.”

Chemically Imbalanced Comedy was fortunate enough to be one of the partnering Charities just a month or so ago. “We raised $8,000 in four events. For a small arts organization that is equivalent to a major grant that could take us up to a year to get. This is the kind of major donation that can change the direction of your whole season.” Says Angie McMahon, Executive Producer and Founder of Chemically Imbalanced Comedy.

Charitable Gaming Consultants have been around for over 20 years, but this is all news to McMahon. “I had never even heard of this kind of thing.” But she is not the only one learning something out of this partnership. Kaulen says “I had no idea Theaters were charities.” So it is great that they found each other. Because of it now Kaulen’s organization is partnering with over 15 arts based organizations for their summer fundraising events. These include Chicago Music Group, Stage Left Theater, and Strawdog Theater just to name a few.

To kick off there summer full of poker and arts they are throwing a lunch party at Two-Nine in Naperville on May 19. Two-Nine is a trendy bar located in the heart of Naperville. It seems like a perfect match of folks who would love to laugh and have a good time. Being that Chemically Imbalanced Comedy was there first Arts Based client they have named them the Charity of Choice to get proceeds for the evening. “Its wonderful to find a group of people who can really benefit and appreciate from the services we offer. When I know how much this small amount can mean to an organizations like Angie’s it makes it worth it even more”

Two-Nine
29 W. Jefferson Avenue
Naperville, Illinois 60540
http://www.two-nine29.com

Saturday May 19
7pm-10pm
Tickets $35
Includes: Open Bar, Appetizers, Raffle Prizes

www.ChicagoPokerLive.com

www.Cicomedy.com

###


Site last updated March 8, 2010 @ 10:50 am