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2004 News Archive
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"The Paper Spaceship"
Lands at ComedySportz!
On January 15, 2004, ComedySportz ensemble members Matt Larsen and Jeff Shivar will open their original children's musical, a first for The Family Matinee Series.
"The Paper Spaceship" is the story of Wendy, a little girl who discovers aliens in her father's mail bag. Ippo and Sumat, the aliens and pilots of the Paper Spaceship, hitch a ride on Wendy's bicycle as they travel through her neighborhood. The fun does not last. |
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Neighborhood bullies Jo and Robin Van Huffle steal the paper spaceship and dump it in the trash. The passengers (audience members) must help save the Paper Spaceship by shouting to their rescuers in the call-and-response song, "We're over here."
Eventually, all is well - the bullies meet justice and the aliens return home soggier but with new Earthling friends who believe in them.
The Paper Spaceship
Previews 1/08/05
1/15/05 - 3/05/05
$5 Children, $10 Adults
Sounds great! Let's buy me some tickets!
-12/16/04 back to top
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This Year, Give the Gift of Laughter!
Tired of facing long lines while trying to find "the perfect gift"? Try ComedySportz Gift Passes! All you need is your credit card. You can order them online or by phone. We'll mail your special someone their gift with a personalized note from you - you tell us what to say and we do ALL the rest! |
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To purchase ComedySportz Gift Passes,
call our box office at 773-549-8080 or
Purchase right now on-line!
-11/08/04 back to top
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The Nutcracker Suite
retold for children!
ComedySportz presents
"The Nutcracker - SWEET!"
The ComedySportz Family Matinee Series is proud to present a one hour, somewhat fractured version of the classic tale by E.T.A. Hoffman. "The Nutcracker - SWEET!" is an audience-interactive play targeted toward children aged 4-12. The kids in the audience will be the stars of the show. They'll help name the nutcracker, fight and entrap the evil mouse army in Clara's basement, make spaghetti strands and bubble gum flowers with the Sugar Plum Fairy and hopefully help little Clara stay awake all Christmas Eve so that she can enjoy her private tour of the Kingdom of Yum Yum. Directed by Katherine Gotsick. |
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Runs Saturdays at 2pm
November 6, 2004 through December 18, 2004
SPECIAL SNEAK PREVIEW: October 30, 2004
$10 - Adults
$5 - Children under 12
You can purchase tickets online or call 773-549-8080!
-10/19/04 back to top
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Are YOU The Next
Great Improv Comic?
ComedySportz is going to be the host of the Chicago auditions of PAX TV's, World Cup Comedy, produced by Kelsey Grammer
The auditions are Wednesday, October 27th at 8pm. Callbacks will be on Monday, November 1st at 8pm. |
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Doors will open at 6pm and you can sign up for one of 100 slots to audition that night. Auditionees will improvise in pairs based on slot. Our new Artistic Director, Joe Janes, will be there to host.
It is completely free to attend. Anyone is welcome to audition, but people are also encouraged to come just to watch the festivities and cheer on their friends.
Call 773-549-8080 to reserve.
For more information, check out the PAX website!
Still have a question? E-mail Matt Elwell
-10/16/04 back to top
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ComedySportz Student Rush
Program In Full Swing
If you have a valid student I.D. you can get into our $17 show for only $10! These tickets can't be reserved, but are released a half hour prior to show time. These are rush prices, so the offer is based on availability. Some shows do sell out prior to a half hour before show time. |
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You don't have to be over 21 to come to ComedySportz! And, almost any student I.D. is valid!
- High School
- College
- Improv Student
See us today!!!!!
-9/24/04 back to top
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Downtown Chicago Bosses
vs. Metropolis Reds
September 8-November 3
Wednesdays at 7:30 pm
Special Offer for Bosses Fans!
Mention you're a Bosses fan and we will give you
$5 off your ticket and your choice between a Free T-shirt or Frisbee. This offer is good while supplies last, so buy your tickets now! |
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Ready for the battle of the century? ComedySportz is on the road again and making a pit stop at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights! Watch the Metropolis Reds as they challenge the Downtown Chicago Bosses' reign as ComedySportz champions. For a limited time only, you'll be able to participate in this intense cage match as Metropolis hosts ComedySportz every Wednesday at 7:30 pm.
With your special discount, tickets are only $15!
Located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, only one block from the Metra station, Metropolis presents exceptional productions and provides an intimate atmosphere in its 330-seat state-of-the-art facility. To top it off, kick back and relax at Metropolis' very own service bar before the show. Enjoy drinks at The Boiler Room (lower level) or have a pre-or post-show dinner/drinks at Peggy Kinnane's (across the street).
To reserve your space and witness history in the making, call the Metropolis Box Office at 847.577.2121. For special group rates, call Joel at 847.577.5982 x241. You can also visit us online at www.metropolisarts.com.
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
111 W. Campbell St.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
847-577-2121 |
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-9/08/04 back to top
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HOT KARL celebrates 5 years of
"Brutally Humorous Improvisation"
On a balmy August 28th, the Chicago improv community and hard-boiled late night comedy fans poured into The ComedySportz Theatre to witness history in the making, the five year anniversary of The Hot Karl. The Hot Karl, having received critical acclaim from both The Chicago Reader and The Sun Times, is a Chicago anomaly. |
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On any given night, The Hot Karl can deconstruct, scandalize, enlighten, or just plain gross out. Jack Helbig said of the show: So despite the assertions that all they're doing is creating the vilest improv they can think of, they summon up the kind of witty scenes that other improv troupes would kill for.
In addition to the fifth anniversary living up to the show's name in terms of both the obscure and the stomach turning, August 28th also witnessed a return of several Hot Karl favorites to the stage. Original members Bill Arnett and Frank Caeti made return appearances, as well as longstanding members Hans Holsen and Heather Simms - both infamous for their roles in "A Christmas Karl", a 2002 musical production of The Hot Karl's holiday material. (Don't ask.) Saturday night also lived up to the Hot Karl's history of providing a song and dance number at the start of each anniversary performance. This one featured Kat Gotsick's voice and Eric Lindberg's . . talents. (Sorry to be cryptic, but this is an all-ages website!)
To buy tickets to The Hot Karl, which plays every Saturday at Midnight, click here!
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| Hot Karl girls - Two long time fans of the Hot Karl show their late night pride. |
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Tim, et al. - (l to r) Original members Frank Caeti, Tim Chidester, and Bill Arnett pose for a shot in front of their 2002 Critic's Choice review from The Chicago Reader. Tim Chidester is the current Artistic Director of ComedySportz and the founder of The Hot Karl. |
Click here for more information about The Hot Karl.
-9/07/04 back to top
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Students Poised to Present
Support your friends, see what you're missing...or BOTH!
On Sunday, July 25th and Monday, July 26th you can witness the culmination of 8 weeks of training in improvisation for the students in The ComedySportz Training Center.
Five different classes will perform over the course of three different shows. |
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Sunday July 25th-
5:00pm: 101A (taught by Katherine Gotsick) and 303 (taught by Rance Rizzutto)
8:00pm: 101B (taught by Robyn Norris) and 202 (taught by Jason Anfinsen)
Monday July 26th-
8:00pm: 404 (taught by Matt Elwell)
Admission to these shows is $5 at the door.
Drawings will be held at these shows for free registration to our next round of 101 classes, beginning August 8th. There are three sections of our upcoming introductory class:
Sundays, 3-6pm, beginning August 8th
Mondays, 7-10pm, beginning August 9th
Wednesdays, 7-10 beginning August 11th
For more information, call Robyn Norris at 773-549-8080 or send her an e-mail.
Click here for more information about the Training Center.
-7/16/04 back to top
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METROMIX LOVES COMEDYSPORTZ
FOR BACHELOR PARTIES
In a recent article on the metromix website, ComedySportz was listed as a great place for pre-wedding fun. If you have a friend whose special day is coming up, here's a great chance to score points with his fiancé. We have yet to meet a bride-to-be who objects to her man having a great time at ComedySportz.
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| See the whole article: Click here!
For more info on bringing your group to our theater: Click here!
-7/14/04 back to top
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OLD SCHOOL PLAYERS defeat
WRATH OF KARL in
MARCH MADNESS
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
On April 9 at approximately 9:45pm, the championship of ComedySportz's March Madness campaign was decided. The Old School Players started off strong, leaving with an eight-point lead at half time. |
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Not willing to throw in the towel, the Wrath of Karl made an amazing come back in the second half. Captain Mark Bolan made a bold choice in the final round by picking the game "185". And that bold choice barely pulled off the win they were hoping for...but win they did! After the show Bolan said, "I chose the game that we were born playing. 185 is a real humdinger!"
With the win of the Championship Game, the Old School Players were awarded the title of "2004 Chicago Bosses," and will carry this title until next year's March Madness. When asked about the competition overall Captain Bolan replied, "We've seen the most action. We've been through every imaginable circumstance. We've played every game. Winning this match was like eating salt water taffy...if someone puts taffy in front of you, you eat it." In response to the loss and the comments of Captain Bolan, Wrath of Karl Captain Kat Gotsick had the following statement, "Well played, Old School...well played."
Click here for all March Madness information leading up to the final win!
-4/10/04 back to top
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OLD SCHOOL PLAYERS to face
WRATH OF KARL in
MARCH MADNESS
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
On April 9 at 8pm, the championship of ComedySportz's March Madness campaign will be decided. Out of 12, two outstanding ComedySportz teams have made it to the final round. |
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The Wrath of Karl, made up of players from ComedySportz's late night hit, The Hot Karl, will face the Old School Players, a tightly bonded group of players with a combined experience of over 40 years in ComedySportz. One of these two teams will be awarded the title of "2004 Chicago Bosses," and will carry this title until next year's March Madness.
Click here for team details, show schedule, and other March Madness information!
-4/08/04 back to top
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ComedySportz brings it's own
MARCH MADNESS!!
"College basketball is not very funny."
For 17 years, the Downtown Chicago Bosses have been the official home team of ComedySportz, "America's #1 Comedy Competition". Soon, all of that will change.
How will we find the new Bosses? |
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Beginning Thursday, March 11, ComedySportz will host a 5 week long tournament to decide the 2004 Bosses, a team of four individuals who will hold the title of "Champion Player" for the next year. Over the course of 13 shows, 12 teams from the ranks of the ensemble will be whittled down through 4 rounds of play. But down does not always mean out, as a wild card battle on April 3 will allow two random teams to re-enter the competition for the ultimate prize.
Click here for team details, show schedule, and other March Madness information!
-3/06/04 back to top
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Saturday Night Liz
ComedySportz alumni hired as
writer for Saturday Night Live
Within months of retiring from ComedySportz to perform full time on the Second City Mainstage, Liz Cackowski found herself switching jobs again.
As reported in the Red Eye on February 10, "It's so crazy. . . I was hired at, like, 4 a.m. on Sunday morning." Her NBC job begins Monday.
A member of the ComedySportz Ensemble since February of 2001, Liz Cackowski performed with the 60 person ensemble of ComedySportz for almost three years.
To read more about Liz Cackowski, check out the article about her going to Second City. |
 
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-2/17/04 back to top
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