Comedy-Club Glut: What’s So Funny?
Chicago’s comedy-club business appears headed for a shakeout. Too many clubs, too few loyal customers, and too little drinking seem to be the key problems. Two years ago the city and suburbs saw a rapid proliferation of comedy clubs, including the Funny Firm, Catch a Rising Star, and the Chicago Improv. Sources say that since that tidal wave of openings, club managers have increasingly been forced to turn to free passes (“papering”) to fill their many seats, while counting on drink tabs to cover operating costs. “Pretty soon I predict every Chicagoan will receive a free pass to a comedy club,” cracks Bert Haas, manager of Zanies, one of the city’s first comedy clubs. Though Haas concedes he has been forced to resort to passes to keep up with the competition, he refuses–unlike some clubs–to resort to papering on Saturday nights. “That night is sacrosanct to us,” he says.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
The freebies may fill seats, say observers, but they don’t ensure that customers will run up hefty bar tabs. In fact, food-industry trade papers are filled these days with articles about a general decline in drinking. Clearly the clubs are trying to respond to mounting pressures. The Funny Firm has hired sports and media consultant Gehrig Peterson to look at their situation. “We’re going to be evaluating operations at the club and making some marketing suggestions,” says Peterson. And Catch a Rising Star has a new manager, Bob Hillman, a former television sports anchor and stand-up comedian. Catch also is experimenting with talent lineups that go beyond the traditional stand-up routine.
Residents in Residence
Maybe rock will get a better reception at the Royal-George when the Residents perform their Cube E–the History of American Music in 3 E-Z Pieces. The show, which reportedly examines the roots of American ethnic, white, and black music, is scheduled for February 14-18. Perkins Productions staffers were having a tough time early this week figuring out whether to call it a rock concert or performance art. Meanwhile, Perkins Productions is moving ahead with plans to present the off-Broadway hit Other People’s Money in late March.
