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    CIC Theater

    4.1 (75 reviews)
    Closed Closed

    CIC Theater Photos

    CIC THEATER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Classy
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - CIC Theater

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    Reviews With Photos

    Alexis H.

    First and foremost, FREE STREET PARKING. Secondly, when you enter - no worries, you're in the right place. Yes, it's super "intimate" and has a maximum capacity of like 50. I came here on a Friday night, per the suggestion of a friend, to watch a Pimprov show. The opening act was a little awkward (mostly due to the audience), but when the pimps came out.. let me tell you, they are HILARIOUS. Please do not come here if you're the clutch your pearls type. Yes, they say some socially inappropriate things but if you drop your judgments and just enjoy the ride, you'll truly have a great time. At the end of the show, they also take donations for different domestic violence shelters and you can pick up a little Pimprov pin. I look forward to returning because no two shows are the same... it's improv! :)

    Nick M.

    5 star review for Frankenstein in Love!!! What a talented bunch of men and women, such passion. Every single actor was so committed to the role, they even reacted when they didn't have lines. I was in aw, one of the best performances I have seen, it's the kind that leaves you with goosebumps during and after. What a great way to kick off October. The theater itself is tiny, like two car garage tiny. For this performance they had chairs set up all over and some in the middle of the room. The actors performed all around you, sometimes even bumping into you. At first it feels awkward but then you realize you get drawn in. I watched the crowds reactions, it was almost the same as the actors. I can't say enough or put into words how impressed I was with this play. Go see it!!!

    This past weekend, my boyfriend and I decided to check out an improv show at a nearby theater that he had stumbled into once before. We showed up to CIC Theater about 10 minutes before their scheduled start time, purchased our tickets for $10 each at the box office, ordered some drinks, and easily found seats together in the small room with time to spare (they started about 15 minutes after the posted time). At the bar, the bartender was very friendly and apologetic when he explained they didn't have lemonade for my drink of choice, but offered sweet and sour as an alternative. I liked it even more than my vodka lemonade! Otherwise, their drink special on Saturday night was a PBR Tall Boy for $3.50. Not bad. In the theater itself, the chairs were comfy and easy to see the stage from any angle (except when I had a particularly tall person sit in front of me in the last performance). There were 3 different acting groups that performed for about 20-30 minutes each, with a brief intermission after the 2nd performance. It felt like a very intimate venue with how small it was, and how so many audience members seemed to know some of the actors, yet as an outsider, I still felt very comfortable and welcome.

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    5 years ago

    I have been here a bunch and always have a good time ! The shows are really funny ! I definitely recommend checking it out .

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    Angela F.

    Thank you so much, Full Bar opens June 10 and we end BYOB

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - CIC Theater

    Do you have to be 21 to get in this comedy club?

    No! We recommend 16 and over.

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    Review Highlights - CIC Theater

    I can't say I remember any of the opening acts - because I don't, but Pimprov is absolutely hilarious.

    Mentioned in 13 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Trickery - More magic

    Trickery

    5.0(210 reviews)
    1.0 miLakeview
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    We attended Trickery on Saturday 04/18/26. Aaron was adept at working with a diverse audience to…read moreinclude them and maintain control of his performance in a very intimate setting. Because it's BYOB you'll get the 20-somethings that feel they have to get loaded beforehand and then act the fool while attending (do you hear that "Neil"? No one wants the focus on you acting like it was your first experience with alcohol) but Aaron was skilled at bypassing them without causing tension or escalating bad behavior. Aaron's attitude is one of someone who has worked hard to make this little venture work, and he deserves respect and recognition for his obvious commitment and work ethic. His act included variations of tricks performed by other magicians, with his own twists. He is an expert at sleight of hand and distraction, which is considerably more difficult in a room about the size of an average residential living-room. He had an appropriate sense of humor aligned with an audience coming to Boystown, an overtly gay neighborhood in Chicago (if you're not familiar). However he wasn't garish, flaming, flamboyant, or offensive; he managed a perfect balance of innuendo humor and audience engagement without being cheap or ingenuine. The snarky one-liners will likely go over your young kids' heads (although bring them to an early show, your 9 year old doesn't belong in Boystown at 10 pm on a weekend), and he carries himself with class avoiding the use of profanity or graphic terms. Again, I can't overstate that his tricks were amazing, impressive, and captivating - as magic should be. You leave the show shaking your head and wondering how it's done - which truly makes it "magic". You would be hard-pressed to spend $36.36/person for an hour of live entertainment that can match Aaron's performance. Pro-tip: If you're driving there you will need to use an app to reserve parking, as there aren't garages like downtown Chicago and every street is filled with so many signs there's no way you will return and find your car not-towed or not-ticketed. Chicago does this on purpose to generate revenue; you'll see "street cleaning" on Tuesday from xx hour to xx hour, no parking when snow is over 2 inches OR any time from Dec 1 through April 1, loading zone, 15 minute stopping/standing with flashers, no parking, residential permit zone only, bike lanes, bus stop restrictions, etc. If you find street parking and think you've beaten the system, think again. Nobel Prize Laureates, Rhodes Scholars, Ivy League PhDs, Mensa members - you can meet them all at Chicago Central Auto Pound retrieving their vehicles. Stephen Hawking couldn't drive, but if he could and he parked in that neighborhood all the quantum mechanics in the world wouldn't make his towed car reappear from the Chicago Parking space-time continuum. The nice thing is if you do reserve parking and give yourself enough time you can walk to many, many restaurants and bars in the area that are open even after the 10 pm show ends. Thank you Aaron for a wonderful experience, you made my wife's birthday memorable for both of us.

    I've attended this show twice now and really enjoyed it both times. It's always a great experience…read more He takes time to thank everyone for coming and even asks how you heard about the show, which makes it feel very personal and welcoming. He's genuinely nice and engaging. I plan to come at least once a year. I also love having a local, neighborhood option instead of having to go downtown to see similar acts.

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    Puppetry of the Penis

    Puppetry of the Penis

    1.0(1 review)
    1.5 miLakeview

    OK, I was somewhat intrigued at the prospect of full on, frontal male nudity. Heck, we women don't…read moreget to see much of that on the stage or in movies. Somehow, though, I expected more creativity, more clever humor, more ahem---substance, more everything. I saw the Dec. 5, 2009 show. To write this review I had to choose categories. Hmmm, Arts & Entertainment....I would definitely NOT call this art. Too much spare time on (in) someone's hands, perhaps. Entertainment (?) a loosely used term, "Performing ARTS" (?)...oh please. I'll readily admit to morbid curiosity on my part. The free tickets and an intense desire to be in the city for a change were motivating factors for braving this spectacle. As open minded as I'm known to be, I seriously walked out after 15 minutes. I MEAN...15 minutes was definitely giving them the benefit of the doubt. Seriously though, how long can you stare at a train wreck? How ridiculous it was, the whole affair! It failed to live up to the hype. After seeing Puppetry of the Penis, I won't EVER, EVER harshly judge my creativity again. To think grown men are touring the world and getting paid alot of cash for stretching and molding their genitalia on stage in front hundreds of people, that fact is amazing. Oh and don't let me neglect to mention that "close up" views are provided of the 'dick tricks' via rear screen projection. Attending this scene taught me once and for all, if you have PASSION for your ideas, you can find a way to market and sell them! Hey, I saw it with my own eyes, the PROOF is in the penis. P.S., the BEST part of the evening was a Chicago-based comedienne by the name of Beth Stelling. FUNNY, funny, funny woman! Relaxed and comfortable in her own skin. Self deprecating humor from the Rodney Dangerfield school of comedy. I see big things ahead for her. She's got a FaceBook fan club.

    Just Dickin' Around Comedy

    Just Dickin' Around Comedy

    5.0(5 reviews)
    1.0 miLakeview

    These ladies get nothing buy love from me! JDA runs a great room! If you are a lady,of the funny…read morepersuasion,come check out this show! You will not be sorry! The room is super supportive and perfect for tweaking new material! The showcase is top notch,too! This is the best of both worlds,open mic and showcase. If you want to see a fun show,drop in,check it out! Just go!

    I have never been so proud of something I have been a part of. This show, this team, this group of…read moreperformers, the venues, everything is stellar! Don't just take my word for it. Come see for yourself. This show has such a positive energy and a high level of enthusiasm. It makes you feel good just to be in the room. Plus it is entertaining as hell! 1st and 3rd Thurs of every month at Hydrate, the all ladies open mics have been highly praised and loved by all of the women who do them. If you are a woman wanting to try an open mic, but are scared of the open mic scene, this is the perfect place to spread your wings. It is a supportive room with graceful and tactful honesty. All of the girls have walked away feeling so confident and supported. The featured showcase directly after that is always top-notch hilarity. Our 2nd Thurs of every month is a mixed-sex showcase at Parlour. These are fantastic because it is an intimate space, with amazing comics, and insane drink specials. Laughter is the best medicine. Three times a month come out and laugh your faces off!

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    Just Dickin' Around Comedy
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    The Vic Theatre

    The Vic Theatre

    3.2(343 reviews)
    1.2 miLakeview

    Came to see Daniel Seavey and Sombr in April and it was AMAZING. After the concert I went outside…read moreof the venue and hugged Sombr and met some of his band members. Nice view from any seat. Also I can now confirm that sombr is 6'7

    I visited The Vic for the first time in years to see comedian Janelle James. For whatever reason,…read moreshe chose to film her Netflix special there instead of a nicer venue. We arrived 30 minutes before the doors opened and found a line wrapped around the block. We had tickets for the second show, so we had to wait for the first show to let out. It was a little chilly so standing outside sucked. But the line moved quickly and finding a seat was painless. I found the venue and seating underwhelming. The seats are cheap folding chairs. They're packed tightly so good luck if you get stuck next to someone that's on the heavy side. During the show, a patron fell out of his seat twice and Janelle James ended up mentioning it in her act. He fell because the chairs were terrible!! Poorly constructed doesn't even begin to cover it. The acoustics were good though. I had no problem hearing Janelle James. I could barely see her though. The seating isn't elevated or sloped, so if you're short and surrounded by taller people, then you'll be staring at the back of their heads all night. That sucked, but what can you do? I caught glimpses of her sporadically, which ended up being fine. I didn't buy any food or alcohol, so i have no opinion on that. We exited the venue as quickly as we entered, which was a plus. I think it helped that we were seated towards the back. We got to the brown line in no time and were home soon after. The show was entertaining and I had a good time. Overall, the experience was satisfactory, but, I doubt I'd visit this venue again anytime soon.

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    The Vic Theatre - The disco ball lighting up the upper lodge area

    The disco ball lighting up the upper lodge area

    The Vic Theatre

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    CIC Theater - comedyclubs - Updated May 2026

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