A friend of a friend of mine in Chicago, Matt Walsh, was one of the founders of the now New York based company, The Upright Citizens Brigade. He started the company in the city of Chicago in 1996, along with Ian Roberts, Matt Besser and Amy Poehler. They staged a show and performed for audiences in New York in 1999, and soon afterward began teaching their long-form improv techniques. One of the philosophies of the company involves big star names, for a little bit of change…meaning that when you attend any given performance you may see on stage Conan O’Brien, Will Ferrell, Mike Meyers, or Robin Williams in the cast of players, for the cost of eight bucks.
The classes that they offer provide the means for improv students and actors to find their own creative voices and to forge their way in the career of comedy. Their home in New York was at first, far away from the classy hotels of Manhattan, in a building that used to house a very questionable strip club. Soon big time casting directors, journalists, and agents were members of an audience that was growing exponentially. The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre became THE place to go to see cutting-edge and innovative comedy.
They have always kept their prices low, as on any given night you may pay six dollars, two dollars, or nothing at all, and the price never exceeds eight dollars. And unlike most comedy clubs, not only is there no such thing as a drink minimum, all of the drinks be it wine, beer or soda, are priced extremely low. This is a company that simply wants to make their comedy and laughter available to and affordable for the public. This is a no-holds-barred company in every way, and should you pass by the theatre some night, take in a show. You will have the time of your life, however, you may leave with a belly ache from laughing non-stop, but it will be well worth it.