52nd City

Comedy on Parade: Mons. @ Mad Art

I'm unfamiliar with this Bill Chott character, but his new, Monday night series at Mad Art sounds like an interesting experience. It's also a nice way to incorporate more into our "theatre & improv" sub-section!:

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Did you know that St. Louis is the birthplace of one of the most physically and mentally challenging performance mediums known to mankind? We're speaking of improvisational acting. Or, as we know it today, improv.

The scene was set in the 1959 when improv legend Del Close came to St. Louis along with Elaine May and Mike Nichols and refined improvisational acting techniques into the art form we know it as today. The three were part of the St. Louis branch of Chicago's Compass Players, which were a direct precursor to the most legendary improvisation and sketch comedy group in the United States, The Second City . The company performed at the Crystal Palace in the heyday of Gaslight Square to great acclaim before its various members went on to groundbreaking careers in movies, television, books and Broadway.

Bill Chott- himself a native St. Louisian and an alumnus of Second City- wants St. Louis to embrace its comedy roots, and as such, is bringing the funny back to The Lou with a fervor not seen since the 50s and 60s.

Starting Monday, February 11, 2008, Bill is excited to present a whole new experience in St. Louis comedy: the debut of a weekly showcase aimed at spotlighting the burgeoning sketch comedy and improv scene that's alive and kicking right here in the Heart of the Midwest. It's called Bill Chott's Comedy On Parade.

This weekly independent comedy showcase will feature some of the best edgy comics in St. Louis including Gabe Kea, Josh Arnold, a video featuring Bob Odenkirk and Paul F. Tompkins (both of the acclaimed HBO sketch comedy series Mr. Show with Bob and David), sketch and improv from The NonProphet Theater Company, The Fingerbreaker Brothers, Brand X, East County and many more surprises. Start setting Mondays aside for the best comedy in town!

The show will be produced weekly at the MAD ART Gallery in Soulard, located at 2727 South 12th St. at Lynch St., right next to the AB Brewery. It was a jail, then an Art Gallery....now a Comedy Funhouse!

Tickets are $10 at the door and include two free drinks. Join Bill and his guests in this exciting experiment in local comedy.

Doors open at 7:00pm and the show begins at 8:00pm (subject to change).

You may know Bill from various appearances in some of the most hilarious films and television shows in the last ten years, including The Ringer, Saturday Night Live's TV Funhouse and the late, great Dana Carvey Show. Bill as also made notable appearances on Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia, Invader Zim, Third Rock From The Sun and Monk.

For more information, please visit www.theimprovtrick.com, or email info@theimrpovtrick.com.