Upcoming Chicago Improv Shows

Hello friends and family!

Just wanted to let you know about all the improv happening in my life. My improv group "WILDCARD!" has a boat load of shows coming up in the next week.

If you have a free night and want to see some improvised hilarity, we would love to have you! We recently advanced in the Gorilla Tango Theater's $1,000 Competition and really need people this Friday Jan 22 at 8pm.

Hope you all are doing well and are having a great new year!

-Nick Paul

SHOW LIST:

WILDCARD with pH Productions @ Studio BE
Where: Studio BE 3110 North Sheffield Ave, Chicago IL, 60657
When: 8pm on January 21 Thursday
Price: $5
Do they sell booze: Nope...this theater is BYOB
How can I buy tickets: Not necessary. Show up and smile.
Description: My independent improv ensemble was chosen to open for pH Productions Improv Company. Come out and see some cheap, off-the-cuff hilarity. Improv Comedy.

WILDCARD @ The $1000 Improv Thing ROUND 2!!!!******
Where: Gorilla Tango Theater (1919 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL)
When: 8:00 pm on Friday January 22
Price: $12.00
Do they sell booze: YUP!
How can I buy tickets: Online (https://www.gorillatango.com/cgi-bin/public/gttv2.cgi?location_number=2&show_num=2803) Or you may walk up to the theater and purchase at the box office. However, I strongly urge against doing this because this show will sell out.
Description: The hottest and most influential independant improvisation ensembles from around the city battle for a grand prize of $1000 and a spot in the 2010 Chicago Improv Festival. The winners are chose by audience vote...think NCAA March Madness bracket-esque.

*****We really need supporters for the Jan 22 Show! The competition works by audience vote!!

WILDCARD @ Cornservatory's Original Improv Gladiators - Season 9
Where: Cornservatory Theater (4210 N. Lincoln, Chicago, IL)
When: 8pm on Saturday evenings on January 23, 30th and February 6th, 13th, & 20th
Price: $10
Do they sell booze: Not sure.
How can I buy tickets: Call 312-409-6435, ext 1 or to buy tickets with your credit or debit card click: https://www.vendini.com/ticket-software.html?e=d2888f888125b2a857edf3777bfc35bc&t=tix
Description: Another improvisational battle royale, however this show is much less like NCAA March Madness and more like American Idol. A weekly-rotating panel of judges from Second City, iO Theater, comedysportz, and other renown institutions will judge and score each weekly competition. My ensemble will perform a 10-15 minute set and then we will battle Cornservatory's House Team - The Improv Gladiators.


WILDCARD (& Friends) @ "Community Chest!" at Stage Left Theater
Where: 3408 North Sheffield Avenue Chicago, IL 60657
When: 8pm on Tues January 26 & Feb 2
Price: Not sure :(
Do they sell booze: Nope...this theater is BYOB

Conan Rally at NBC building in Chicago

So I get it. I understand why NBC is taking the tonight show back.

One of the perks of living in a big city is hearing about rediculous rallys that can occurs. I'm not talking about banning gay marrige or abortion, but a Conan Obrien rally to keep him on the air. Naturally being a huge Conan fan I had to partake, plus I had nothing better to do on a Monday.

I aproached the crowd of maybe 60 plus Cone-Zone fans infront of the NBC 5 building in Chicago with my roomate Jeff. He was holding a hockey stick coverd in a Trader Joes paper bag on top stating "I'm with CoCo" on one side, and "Thanks for the day off MLK" on the other.

We began to assimilate into the crowd. I quickly realized something, no one there was over the age of 25 (not counting the mother of the 6 and 15 year old girls from the suburbs) With this age range how was NBC supposed to get great sponsors when no one who watches the show has disposable income? That's like putting up a Jaguar dealer in downtown Detroit, ain't gunna make money. Or a GMC dealerhsip for that matter.

So as I smiled for the multiple news cameras covering the event and dodged the kid spray coloring everyone's hair orange, it all made sense. I guess a goofy guy with funny hair and a great back up band is not enough to succeed.

Maybe one day it won't be about money, but instead, good content. Not very likely, those Mcdonalds nuggets don't sell them selves...oh wait.

Megabus Madness

So I'm on the Megabus for to cagillionth time (don't think that's really a word). Seems the heavy flow of holiday traffic has finally come to a stand still. Less crowded, but the annoying factors still exist. Like the guy behind me counciling his best buddy on a recent break up. Not that i want to be a jerk about this, but I didn't know the Megabus ticket came with a free broadcast of Jr. Dr. Phil here.
It seems like such an impropper place to play counsilor. My theroy is that he wants everyone to listen to his advice. In his mind not only will his buddy feel good, but the entire bus will as well. I'm guessing he was not the popular kid in HS (high school for all you un-acronym types out there)

Who knows maybe I'll learn something.
Or I may break his phone. Stay tuned.