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UP Comedy Club Announces Fall Lineup: Adam Ferrara, Tommy Davidson and More

By: Aug. 20, 2012
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Tickets are currently on sale for UP Comedy Club's Fall roster of headlining talent and holiday shows, including Adam Ferrara, Tommy Davidson, Bobcat Goldthwait, Charlie Murphy, Maria Bamford, Jim Breuer, Jo Koy, Lyndsay Hailey, The Bicycle Men, Robert Klein, Kyle Kinane and "The Second City's Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue." Tickets can be purchased by calling 312-662-4562 or visiting UPComedyclub.com. UP Comedy Club is located at 230 W. North Ave, 3rd Floor of Piper's Alley in Chicago.

August 30th – September 2nd
Adam Ferrara
From "Rescue Me" and "Top Gear"

Adam Ferrara, Actor and Comedian, dubbed "hilarious" by Entertainment Weekly, has proudly played Chief Needles Nelson on the Emmy®-nominated FX series "Rescue Me" and is currently starring in History's BBC hit import "Top Gear." Some of Ferrara's screen credits include Universal Pictures' "Definitely Maybe" starring opposite Ryan Reynolds and Isla Fisher and Sony's "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" with Kevin James. Starting his career on NBC's "Caroline In The City," Ferrara has also appeared as a series regular in ABC's "The Job," guest starred on NBC's "Law & Order" and reprised roles in CBS's "The King Of Queens" and ABC's "Ugly Betty." Ferrara also is a regular on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "The Late Show with David Letterman," "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" and "Rachael Ray." Adam's third special for Comedy Central entitled "Funny as Hell" brings the stage to life with his honest, clever and fearless perspective on family, relationships and himself.

Showtimes: Thurs. 8:00 p.m./ Fri. and Sat. 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. / Sun. 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $22-$25

September 13th – 16th
Tommy Davidson
From "MADtv"

Tommy Davidson" width="215" height="156" align="left" />Tommy Davidson has been doing stand-up since the mid-80s, and though he has branched out considerably since then, he still tours his acclaimed act across the country extensively. Davidson's film credits include a debut with Halle Berry in "Strictly Business," "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls," "Juwanna Man," and most recently "Black Dynamite," as Cream Corn. Davidson has also has had a prodigious TV career, with recurring roles on both In "Living Color" and "MADTv", and also provided the voice for Oscar Proud on Disney's "The Proud Family." Davidson has had three lauded standup specials: "On Strength of New York," "Illin' in Philly," and "Takin' it to DC." In addition to his standup achievements, he is perhaps most famous for his wide variety of impersonations of celebrities from Samuel Jackson to Cher to John Madden.

Showtimes: Thurs. 8:00 p.m. / Fri. and Sat. 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. / Sun. 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20.00

September 20th – 23rd
Bobcat Goldthwait
From "Police Academy"

The legendarily dark comedy of Bobcat Goldthwait comes to UP Comedy Club for six hysterical shows. Since first gaining recognition for his stand-up specials ("An Evening with Bobcat Goldthwait," "Share the Warmth and Bobcat Goldthwait" and "Is He Like That All the Time?") Goldthwait has built a truly impressive acting and directing resume. As a voice actor, he has leant his distinctive tone to "Hercules: The Animated Series," "Lilo & Stitch: The Series" and "A Halfway House Christmas." His live action credits include the Police Academy film series and the Bill Murray film "Scrooged," and he has directed feature films "God Bless America" and "World's Greatest Dad," as well as "Jimmy Kimmel Live."

Showtimes: Thurs. 8:00 p.m. / Fri. and Sat. 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. / Sun. 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20.00 - $25.00


September 27th – 30th
Charlie Murphy
From Comedy Central, "Lopez Tonight," "Lottery Ticket" and "Our Family Wedding"

The older brother of legendary funnyman Eddie Murphy, Charlie Murphy has forged his own path in the comedy world with his aggressively hysterical persona. Charlie became a household name while working as an actor/writer on Chappelle's Show, starring in the infamous "Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories" sketches. Since then, he has lent his talents to voiceovers for "The Boondocks," "GTA: San Andreas," and roles in feature films "Night at the Museum," "Norbit," and "Tower Heist." He launched his own sketch-comedy show in 2009, Charlie Murphy's Crash Comedy in 2009, and debuted his standup special "Charlie Murphy: I Will Not Apologize" in 2010.

Showtimes: Thurs. 8:00 p.m. / Fri. and Sat. 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. / Sun. 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30.00


ONE NIGHT ONLY – October 4th
Maria Bamford
From "The Sarah Silverman Program" and "Louie"

Which comedian did Judd Apatow tell the L.A. Times he thinks is hysterically funny? What entertainer starred in Target's Black Friday ad campaign two years in a row? Whose cult hit web series is being displayed at the Museum of Art and Design in New York? Which comic's CD was named one of the best comedy albums of the year by Amazon.com and one of the best comedy albums of the decade by The AV Club? Maria Bamford! That's Who! Maria's writing has been featured in The Onion, The Melbourne Age, and LA Weekly. (You can read archived versions on her site, www.mariabamford.com.) Her CD, Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome, is available on Comedy Central Records and features a bonus DVD of her web series The Maria Bamford Show.

Showtimes: Thurs. 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00


October 5th – 7th
Jim Breuer
From "Half-Baked"

Jim Breuer got his start doing stand-up in Harlem, and never stopped moving from there. Breuer is best-known for his role in stoner comedy film Half-Baked alongside Dave Chappelle, as well as being an SNL cast member from 1995-98. In addition to his screen career, he has built quite a name in the radio world, acting as the stand-in comedian on the "Opie and Anthony Show" for many years, and currently hosts his own show "Fridays with Jim Breuer" Friday afternoon from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. He has had two very successful Comedy Central specials, "Hardcore" and "Let's Clear the Air."

Showtimes: Thurs. 8:00 p.m./Fri. and Sat 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m./Sun. 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00


October 11th-13th
Jo Koy
From "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"

Jo Koy has been a mainstay of the comedy world since he first performed at Catch a Rising Star in the early 90s. He has performed his stand-up act across the country for years, including an appearance on Carlos Mencia's "Punisher Tour," and earning a very rare standing ovation on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." His perennially sold-out tours have led to two Comedy Central specials: "Don't Make Him Angry" and "Jo Koy Lights Out." When not performing standup, he can be seen on "Chelsea Lately," or a variety of other comedic TV programs.

Showtimes: Thurs. 8:00 p.m./Fri. and Sat. 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m./Sun. 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $32.00 - $55.00

THREE NIGHTS ONLY - October 25th, November 1st & November 8th
The Lyndsay Hailey Variety Hour!

Are you ready for a throw-back variety hour with a fresh new comedic twist? Then check out The Lyndsay Hailey Variety Hour! Lyndsay Hailey (Second City National Tour-Co Veteran) dazzles audiences with a variety of comedic acts. Be introduced to Lyndsay's brazen one woman sketch comedy and know that it's not for the faint of heart.

Showtimes: Thurs. 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: $14.00


November 2nd – 4th
The Bicycle Men

Featuring Mark Nutter (writer Saturday Night Live, Almost Heroes), Joe Liss (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Strangers With Candy), John Rubano (Seinfeld, According To Jim), Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons, Entourage, Veronica Mars) and Dave Lewman (writer Third Rock From The Sun, Drawn Together)

The Bicycle Men is a musical comedy about an American cyclist called Steve who finds himself stranded in "a small village in France" after a bike crash. With nothing to do until the cowboys at the local bike shop fix his wheels, the hapless Yank is forced to endure, among other things, a series of dire puppet shows in the town square and a night in a youth hostel with a Dutch backpacker who can only get to sleep by singing Japanese folk songs. Loudly.

"...the single funniest little show to come anywhere near Chicago this year." - The Chicago Tribune

"Highly recommended!" - Chicago Sun-Times

"Nothing could possibly lift your spirits as quickly as The Bicycle Men!" - New York Times

Showtimes: Fri. and Sat. 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m./Sun. 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00


November 9th-11th
Robert Klein

Robert Klein" width="215" height="156" align="left" />For more than forty years, Robert Klein has entertained audiences, and he continues to have an acclaimed career in comedy, on Broadway, on television, and in film.

Born in the Bronx, he was a member of the famed "Second City" theatrical troupe in Chicago.

He was nominated twice for Grammy Awards for "Best Comedy Album of the Year" for his albums "Child of the Fifties" and "Mind Over Matter."

He received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor, and won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for his performance in the hit Neil Simon musical, "They're Playing Our Song." In 1993, Klein won an Obie and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in Wendy Wasserstein's, "The Sisters Rosensweig."

His most recent special for HBO, "Robert Klein: Unfair and Unbalanced" earned him a second Emmy nomination in 2011 for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

Showtimes: Friday, November 9 at 8pm. Saturday, November 10 at 8pm and 10:30pm and Sunday, November 11 at 8pm.
Tickets: $25-$30


November 15th-17th
Kyle Kinane
From "Funny People"

Kyle Kinane has been up and at it for almost half his life, mostly searching for what "it" might be. In 1999, Kyle realized there might be something more to it all than pulling nights at a suburban gas station. "Something more" has taken him to comedy festivals across the US, Canada, and England. He has performed in the Leicester, Vancouver, Washington DC, Portland, Just For Laughs/Chicago, and the USCAF/Aspen comedy festivals, and his nights are now occupied with performances at popular venues such as the Upright Citizens Brigade theatre in Los Angeles and the national chain of Improv Comedy Clubs. He has been on the TV via "Last Call with Carson Daly," "The Very Funny Show" on TBS, "The World Stands Up" on the BBC and the Judd Apatow production "Funny People." He was called "bleak and misanthropic" by the London Evening Standard, which he still feels may be a compliment. He is a regular opener for headliners such as Patton Oswalt and Brian Posehn. Askmen.com rated him #5 on their top 10 list of upcoming comedians.

Showtimes: Thurs. 8:00 p.m./Fri. and Sat 8:00 p.m. & 10:30 p.m./Sun. 8:00 p.m.
Tickets: $20.00

November 22nd – December 30th

"The Second City's Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue" features a seasonal blend of hilarious scenes, songs and our trademark improvisation with a sprig of holiday mischief for a night of spirited fun. Funny, bright and completely original, "The Second City's Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue" is the perfect alternative to the same old holiday shows. From uneven gift exchanges with your clueless boyfriend to couples therapy with Joseph and Mary, Second City has your ticket to all that's ridiculous about this magical season.

Showtimes: Thurs. 8:00 p.m./Fri. and Sat 8:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m./Sun. 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $25.00

Check out UP's ongoing shows & improv revues:

One Nation Under 1%
or, This Show Is Not Going to Solve Anything but Neither is the Election, So Let's Just Laugh About Both and Drink

Currently in previews, "One Nation Under 1% or This Show Is Not Going to Solve Anything but Neither is the Election, So Let's Just Laugh About Both & Drink" gleefully thumbs its nose at an America hell bent on not learning from its own history and smugly maintaining its rights to be a country full of idiots.
Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m, Saturdays and Sundays at 4:00 p.m. through November 18th. Suggested rating R.

The Second City's Improv All-Stars
See Chicago's finest improvisers under the direction of the legendary Mick Napier in an evening of unscripted and unequaled improvisational comedy. This show is highly interactive, unpredictable and thoroughly original which makes for a high energy, hilarious "edge of your seat" show.
Mondays at 8:00 p.m. Suggested rating R.

Improv Extravaganza Explosion!
"Improv Extravaganza Explosion!" is a hilarious action-packed hour of family-friendly, interactive improvisation where we pull ideas straight from the audience, and make it all up on the spot. The best part is that you never know what might happen! Great for ages 5 - 12.
Saturdays at 12 p.m. Rated G.

Tickets on sale now!
Call: 312-662-4562 or log onto: UPComedyclub.com
Specific information for each of the signature shows can be found at http://upcomedyclub.com/
To schedule an interview please contact Alysa at Carol Fox and Associates at 773-327-3830 x117.
UP Comedy Club is located at 230 W. North Ave 3rd Floor of Piper's Alley Chicago, IL 60614


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