CSz Theater Chicago Sets 28th Anniversary Season Lineup

CSz Theater Chicago announces upcoming 2016 programming in its 28th anniversary season.

Special events!

· CSz Theater Chicago Happy Hours kick off with a Jack Daniel's Tasting on Friday, January 8, 2016, 7-8 p.m. (the ComedySportz match starts at 8 p.m.; tickets are $25). Free samples of Jack Daniel's Honey and Fire flavors will be given to those aged 21 and over, and special JD shots and cocktails, including a Jack's root beer float and a Jack Frost Martini, will be sold as well. Drink prices will range from $6-$12.

· Prohibition Fortnight. On January 16, 1919, the Eighteenth Amendment leading to alcohol prohibition was signed into law, ushering in an era of gangsters, bootleggers, and scoundrels that still influences the national character, and especially the city of Chicago. Join ComedySportz over the weekends of January 14-16, and 21-23, 2016, as CSz Theater Chicago is transformed into a 1920s speakeasy with hooch tastings and special events as the home team, the Downtown Chicago Bosses, fights to maintain control of their turf. Period costumes are encouraged, and ticket prices run $23-25. Slated events include:

o Thursday, January 14, 8 p.m., the Suffragist Show, featuring an all-female cast.

o Saturday, January 16, the Chi-Town Hotshots will play jazz before, during

halftime, and after the 6, 8 and 10 p.m. shows.

o Thursday, January 21, 8 p.m., is a regular public match plus our hospitality professional/concierge guest night, as well as East Side Eddie, our resident con man magician, will entertain with three card monte and other gambling swindles.

o Saturday, January 23 will feature a US Poker Series craps table for mock gambling throughout the evenings' three performances.

· ComedySportz will perform for one night only on Friday, January 22, 2016, 7 p.m., at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, IL. Tickets are $25-$30, and are available at 847-577-2121.

· NO SHOWS on Sunday, February 7 - enjoy the Super Bowl!

· Valentine's Weekend. The regular ComedySportz matches on Thursday, February 11, 8 p.m.; Friday, February 12, 8 p.m.; and Saturday, February 13 at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. will feature candy, Valentine-themed games, guitar and violin serenades, and a Kiss Cam! Champagne libation specials will be offered at $12 a drink, and entire bottles are only $18. Regular ticket prices are $23-25 - make reservations early at these shows tend to sell out!

· Improv Madness! Just like other madness in March, but with a comedy bracket throughout the month. The competition breaks the ensemble into divisions, determined by alma maters or hometowns, which compete over four weeks, culminating in a championship match.

· CPS Spring Break Show. ComedySportz will add a show during the Chicago Public Schools Spring Break Week, on Tuesday, April 19, at SEVEN (7, not 8) p.m. Tickets are $23.

Signature shows return in January! Cheap dates and fun formats!

· The Craig, an improv comedy show of mini-musicals based on Craigslist ads selected by the audience. The 90-minute show will run on Wednesdays at 8 p.m., from January 6-February 24, 2016, and is directed by David Dritsas and features roster members Liz Anderson and Allie Murphy, and Zephyr House Team member Adam Schwartz, plus special guest openers. Tickets are only $8, or $4 for college students with ID.

· Get On Up, the FREE improv jam based on audience participation, returns to Fridays at 11:30 p.m. on January 8, 2016, and celebrates its one year anniversary on January 22!

· House Party returns to Sundays at 7 p.m. starting on January 10, 2016, for an open run - come see up-and-coming improvisors! Tickets are $5, or $3 for college students with ID.

· The Salmagundi is a weekly House Team challenge, returning on January 14, 2016, running on Thursdays at 10 p.m. through March 31, tickets are $5. Two resident house teams, rotating each week, unite to accept a changing weekly challenge consisting of musical improv, genre nights or a whole show of entirely new games.

Comedy events!

· Windy City Regionals.

o January 30, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Chicago Open Regional (for teams not from Chicago) - regular tickets $10/$5 for student with ID. Teams include Full Frontal Comedy from Indiana University, Left Right Tim from University of Colorado, Midnight Book Club from University of Michigan, Some Assembly Required from University of Northern Iowa, Stepford from Savannah College of Art & Design.

o February 20, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., College Improv Tournament Windy City Regional Preliminaries (teams from Chicago area) - regular tickets $10/$5 for student with ID. Teams slated to perform include 45 Kings from Loyola University, The Cosby Sweaters from DePaul University, Droppin' $cience from Columbia College Chicago, Latchkey Kids from Loyola University, Noises From the Basement from Dominican University, Occam's Razor from the University of Chicago, Off-Off Campus from the University of Chicago, Red Light School District from University of Illinois-Chicago, and the Titanic Players from Northwestern University.

o February 21, 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Windy City Regional Finals - regular tickets are $15/$10 for college students with ID.

· Chicago Improv Festival. ComedySportz will participate on May 3, 2016, with the "1 World, 1 Stage" event.

On January 1, 2016, ComedySportz welcomes new Artistic Director Padraic Connelly to take over for Nathan Jansen, who will remain an ensemble member. Pad, a native of Daytona Beach, FL, has been performing and teaching improvisation in Chicago since 2001. He currently teaches at the iO Theater Training Center and the CSz Chicago School of Professional Improvisation, and, in addition to ComedySportz, regularly performs with the long-running Chicago staple Baby Wants Candy: The Improvised Musical. He is an original cast member of the Jason R. Chin hit show Whirled News Tonight as well, which has been playing to sold out houses since 2003. He also may be heard as Father Connelly on the Our Father podcast, and as Clovis the Bridge Troll as a guest on Hello, From the Magic Tavern.

CSz Theater Chicago is located at 929 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, IL 60657. Transportation options include Belmont El stop (Red, Brown, Purple lines); self-park paid lot at 3130 N. Sheffield, paid street parking; Divvy bike station on Belmont and Wilton; SpotHero.com (enter code "Comedy10" to receive $10 off). Handicapped accessible.

CSz Theater Chicago is part of the Belmont Theater District and offers a full service bar with snacks and no drink minimum. Tickets and info at 773-549-8080, www.CSzChicago.com ComedySportz is comedy for everyone.

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