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Posts in category "Del Close"

Happy Mother's Day, From HITLER

From the Del Close archives: Years ago, Del said he wanted to have a line of greeting cards for when you were obliged to give a card but secretly hated the person you were giving the card to. He wanted have to lovely watercolor paintings of landscapes, flowers and houses on the front, with the... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
May 8, 2011 at 1:21 pm
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My Friend Martin

Here are some random, out-of-date, and seemingly incongruous news items. The Second City Mainstage opened up a new show this week called “Southside of Heaven” to great reviews. The Trib’s Chris Jones called it a “ groundbreaking, richly textured and deliciously dark new revue.”  Pretty nice. Nice work, guys. And, I think (and this is completely unresearched) this may... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
April 13, 2011 at 2:20 pm
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Happy 77th, Del Close!

March 9, 2011 would have been Del Close’s 77th birthday. There’s a lot of talk about Del and his work in high terms and glowing praise, but some people have had different experiences with him. I took his class almost non-stop for a year and, without hyperbole, I can say that it changed my life... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
March 8, 2011 at 2:43 pm
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The Other Guys talk about Improv and Chicago

Adam McKay, director of The Other Guys, talks about improv and his time in Chicago.  When he was here in Chicago, Adam was a co-founder of the Upright Citizens Brigade and helped created the pivotal Second City show, Pinata Full of Bees. He was also a member of the trendsetting improv group, The Family, at... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
August 5, 2010 at 9:58 pm
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42 Things I Haven't Done Yet and 42 Things I Have

This week is my birthday week. Like most people around their birthday I frequently become contemplative, especially for the past few years.  It’s my 42nd birthday and at first I thought it had some importance. I mean, isn’t 42 the answer to the Universe according to the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Universe? Shouldn’t this anniversary... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
June 21, 2010 at 10:46 am
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iO S.O.L.

iO S.O.L.
The proposed development at Clark and Addison has moved forward yet another step.  (most, if not all, of these buildings are scheduled for demolition) The Chicago Planning Commission had a meeting today and the resolution for this “residential business planned development” (what the developers are calling “Addison Park on Clark“) was the eighth on the... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
June 17, 2010 at 6:20 pm
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The Biggest Comedian You've Never Heard Of

Like some sort of Zelig or Forrest Gump, Del Close has influenced, touched, and taught just about every comedian for the past four decades. He directed at Second City for years, created the Harold out in San Francisco in the 60s, was “House Metaphysician” for Saturday Night Live, wrote comic books, and, of course, taught... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
March 3, 2010 at 12:09 pm
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To Texas n Back

Texas is now the home to TWO brand-new spanking theaters devoted to long-form improvisation. Dallas Comedy House and The New Movement Theater. Here’s some photos from my trip to the Lone Star Stage, uh, State... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
February 8, 2010 at 2:42 pm
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The Stars At Night / Are Big 'N' Bright...

One of the best things about my “job” / what I do for a living, is visiting other places and seeing their improv world, maybe play in a show, or teach a class or two. Last year, I was lucky enough to visit Australia for a month to extend the reach of Good Lady Improv... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
February 2, 2010 at 10:49 am
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Tina Fey Mentions Del Close, Martin DeMaat & Don Depollo

Tina Fey, First Lady of Comedy, won Outstanding Performance by a Female in a Comedy Series at last nights Screen Actors Guild awards. That she won should come as no surprise; she won the same award for the past three years, has received seven Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and four Writers Guild of... Read more »
By Jason Chin,
January 24, 2010 at 2:05 am
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