The Improv is a comedy club franchise. Originally, it was one comedy club, founded in 1963 in New York City by Budd Friedman. A second location was opened in 1974 at 8162 Melrose Avenue in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles, California. The LA Improv was the original site for the A&E Network television series An Evening at the Improv , which ran from 1982 until 1996. Other locations have opened since then, such as in Tampa, Florida, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Atlantic City, and Louisville, Kentucky. Levity Entertainment Group is the largest shareholder of The Improv comedy clubs.
The Improv was the place to see Richard Pryor, Robert Klein, Steve Landesberg, Bette Midler, Lily Tomlin, Jay Leno, and others when they were just starting out. Dustin Hoffman played piano there. On any given night in the later 1970s, one could see Gilbert Gottfried, Joe Piscopo, Bruce Mahler, Mark Schiff, Larry David, and many others. Often famous comedians would walk in to "work out" before appearances on The Tonight Show . It was not unusual to find celebrities in the audience.
Nearly every big name in comedy has played The Improv, including Milton Berle, Drew Carey, George Carlin, Chevy Chase, Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Rodney Dangerfield, Jeff Dunham, David Letterman, Steve Martin, Freddie Prinze, Joan Rivers, and Jerry Seinfeld. Even Liza Minnelli appeared at The Improv.
New and upcoming performers such as Dante, Dane Cook and Pablo Francisco have performed there as well. Comedy Central's Dave Attell frequents Improv locations in Tampa and Hollywood. Comics Lewis Black, Mike Birbiglia, Louis CK and Jimmy Fallon have performed at the Improv in Louisville, Kentucky.
Comedian Eddie Murphy was a regular at The Comic Strip in New York City, but in California performed at the Improv when he was only 15 years old, Jeremy Ruder at 18, and Jim Carrey at 19. Actresses Karen Black and Debra Winger worked there as waitresses before getting their big breaks as movie stars.
The Improv has a bar and a restaurant named Hell's Kitchen that features Italian entrees named for comedy stars, such as Billy Crystal's Gnocchi Alla Bolognese and Tim Allen's Eggplant Parmigiana .
Locations
Improv locations, past and present, include:
- New York City, New York
- Hollywood, California
- Brea, California
- Irvine, California
- Ontario, California
- San Diego, California
- San Francisco, California
- San Jose, California
- Denver, Colorado
- Washington, DC
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Miami, Florida
- Orlando, Florida
- Palm Beach, Florida
- Tampa, Florida
- Chicago, Illinois
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Lake Tahoe, Nevada
- Las Vegas, Nevada
- Reno, Nevada
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Addison, Texas (Dallas area)
- Arlington, Texas
- Houston, Texas
- Tempe, Arizona
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Louisville, Kentucky
- London, England
External links
- Official website
- Improv in Louisville, Kentucky
- Interview with Chris Albrecht
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Improv history
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Official website
- ^ a b c Charleston, Rita. "Budd Friedman knows success", Northeast Times , 30 October 2003.
- ^ "Levity Entertainment Offers Groundbreaking Marketing Services for Comedy Clients". Stage Time . July 15, 2009 . http://stagetimemag.com/standup/?p=2943 . Retrieved August 12, 2009 .
IRVINE IMPROV! on MySpace Comedy - Comic Clips, Funny Videos & Jokes
MySpace Comedian profile for IRVINE IMPROV!. Watch comedy shows & funny video clips from IRVINE IMPROV! on MySpace, including standup comedy, funny jokes & pictures.
Symfonee
Irvine Improv (949) 854-5455
Shows Schedule
Sun: Mon: Tue: Wed: Thu: Fri: Sat
IMPROV Comedy Clubs
Irvine Improv In Irvine, California - NBC Los Angeles
Visit NBC Los Angeles for reviews, directions, photos and other information about Irvine Improv in Irvine, CA.
Improv Comedy Nite Club - Irvine, CA
Category: Comedy Clubs [Edit] 71 Fortune Dr Ste 841 Irvine, CA 92618 (949) 854-5455
Improv Concert Tickets, Schedule, Information |Official Live Nation ...
Buy Improv tickets and find concert schedules, venue information, and seating charts for Improv. Search for concert tickets, tour dates and venues in your area on LiveNation.com.
Improv Comedy Club, Irvine, CA - Improv Comedy Club, bar - Improv ...
Improv Comedy Club, Irvine, CA - Check out LikeMe.Net for more great bar recommendations like this one. Discover stuff you'll like, from people like you - so you can spend less ...
The Irvine Improv, Irvine, CA : Reviews and maps - Yahoo! Local
The Irvine Improv, Irvine, CA : Reviews and maps - Yahoo! Local, 949.854.5455. Get Ratings, Reviews, Photos and more on Yahoo! Local.
Calendar: Irvine Improv - Irvine CVB: Irvine, CA Destination ...
The Irvine CVB is your source for travel, vacation and meeting planning information for Irvine California and the Orange County area.