September 22, 2000

Chicago City Limits Brings Comedy And Improvisational Theater To The Stage At Ramapo College

(Mahwah) -- Chicago City Limits, which has produced New York's longest-running comedy revue, will perform its unique style of comedy and improvisational theater at Ramapo College of New Jersey Friday, October 27 at 8 p.m. in the Berrie Center's Sharp Theater.

Hailed as "hysterical and unpredictable" by the New York Times, the troupe has appeared at Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian Institution, the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon and the Super Bowl, among many others. Director Paul Zuckerman defines improvisation as "comedy without a net." They create a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience by taking suggestions from audience members and crafting scenes – everything from mini-musicals to game shows – on the spot. The result is an evening of hilarious, sidesplitting humor. No two Chicago City Limits productions are ever alike; as the Washington Post noted, "Chicago City Limits is uproarious and amazing!"

The list of guest artists who have improvised with Chicago City Limits over the years include international stars such as Paul Reiser, Robin Williams, Brett Butler and Bill Irwin. The comedy ensemble has made dozens of TV appearances, including segments on The Today Show, McLaughlin, The Joan Rivers Show, The Jackie Mason Show, Comedy Central and Good Day New York. They have also appeared on HBO, CNN and CNBC. They were featured on their own TV news comedy series, Reel News, on the USA network.

Chicago City Limits was founded in Chicago by George Todisco and actors participating in the workshop program at The Second City. In 1979, the troupe moved east to New York and began performing regularly at some of New York's premiere comedy venues including Catch a Rising Star, The Improv, and The Comic Strip, among others. The ensemble established its own theater in the summer of 1980 and began a continuous run now numbering over 7,500 performances.

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