A whole book could be written on what happened in the Chicago comedy scene in 2015. And it wouldn’t be a short book—it’d be, like, the seventh Harry Potter book. Alas, the Reader has only so many pages.
Goodrich Gevaart
The trio known as Gnar Gnar Shredtown—Zach Bartz, Kevin Gerrity, and musical director Dan Wilcop—have turned the rules of improv on their head. Forget the three-beat structure that informs Chicago long-form improv—these guys take a suggestion and run with it until they’ve squeezed it dry, then move on. And who says sound effects aren’t important? While Second City-trained comics Bartz and Gerrity take control onstage, Wilcop contributes dramatic music, sound effects, and even just single tones to change the direction of a scene. The result is something completely original that brings a different energy to live comedy.
Bell Hop
