Pimprov is one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Let's put it this way: what do you get when you have 4 pimps doing improv? One of the funniest adult comedy shows that exists. Watching one ask what it said on his belt and them having him thrust in this girl's face asking what it said was great. BYOB theatre makes it seriously kick ass. This is a must go. read more

I recently became a member of Groupon.com, and in February, they offered a deal on tickets to Chemically Imbalanced Comedy. Knowing I had friends visiting from out of town, I bought 8 tickets, thinking to put a large group together. Plans fell through, and only one friend went with me on the opening night of their most recent show, "Ring around the Guillotine". But the smaller group didn't stop me from laughing longer and harder than I've laughed in a LONG time. If you like improv and you want to laugh, this is a must-see group. The space is tiny, and you have to BYOB, but it doesn't detract from the performance at all. The troupe is funny, and the intimate setting draws you into the performance even more. Run, don't walk, to the phone or your computer and buy tickets to Chemically Imbalanced Comedy! read more

What was most shocking about this place was that the only people who were laughing in the audience were the friends of the cast. The show was absolutely terrible - so much that I signed up to yelp and became a reviewer just to make sure that the others don't get subjected to the same torture. There were a total of three jokes that were laughable.. in the entire one hour. It was like sitting and watching a bunch of guys just talking nonsense - no jokes, no humor.. just total nonsense. There were a total of 6 real guests.. two of us and a group of four women.. Within just ten minutes of the show, we kept looking at each other trying to figure out just what the hell is going on. Getting to this place via public transport was a monumental feat in itself, and the show was just a total let-down. What's even surprising is the number of "positive" reviews this place has. I cannot imagine how this group could put up a half-decent show. And so I am guessing that the rest of the reviewers here are just fictitious accounts created by this troupe. That's just disgusting, Adi read more

A lot of fun for $10 a ticket. We saw three improv groups and all got us chuckling a bit. I have to say it was definitely a work in progress, but made all the more fun because it is BYOB. There was some definite creativity in the show and the theatre itself is a very intimate casual atmosphere. Beware of potentially awkward stand-up/warm up guy in the beginning and having to cross the performance area to use the restorom. read more

Chemically Imbalanced Comedy is definitely comedy off kilter. The Friday Night comedy showcase was a fun barrel of laughs where I'll never think of Johnsonville bratwursts and my fingers the same way again. The showcase displays the talents of three comedy improv talents for $10 (our tickets were comp'ed thanks to Angela M. a Yelper and Director of Chemically Imbalanced Comedy). It's a great bargain for a chance to see a number of different comedy troupes with different styles. The theater is small and intimate which makes the show experience more personal. The staff was great and completely laid back and cool when talking to the audience and giving the particulars about BYOB and the bathrooms. The BYOB makes it even more fun when you see people coming in with six packs and wine bottles with plastic cups. That's my kind of beverage service. I liked the comedy showcase and the theater alot. They also had other show offerings that looked funny and worth a look. I'll definitely be back to see Book of Liz and Bad Review. read more

obviously they get an automatic 3 stars for the byob part BUT...for an improve theater..there wasn't a whole lot of improv?! I went to Pimprov last Friday and saw both Pimprov and another group I can't remember the name of. The opening act had NO audience participation, acted out their prepared skits and I felt like I was in a bad, way bad high school performance. I was pretty confused about when I was supposed to laugh cuz none of it was funny. Pimprov was a little better but besides the 10 minute intro of their pimp personalities...their pimpdom had nothing to do with the skits! They asked at the very beginning for a location from the audience and that was it! I'm pretty sure I understand why they have to be BYOB cuz if everyone weren't so busy drinking, they would've been walking out. Also I only went cuz I had groupons but does anyone ACTUALLY pay $15/person for this?!?! read more

I will start this review by saying this is just for the show Pimprov, I haven't seen anything else here so maybe there are better shows they offer. We knew it was a bad sign when it was 10:30, time for the show to start, and there were literally 12 people in the theater including myself and my fiance. I don't know if all the positive reviews I've seen about this show are old or fake or what, but this was terrible. It seemed as if a few of the actors had just stepped out of improv class. The show wasn't funny at all and I would never recommend it to anyone. read more

BYOB!!!! I went in to see PIMPROV! I enjoyed it, for $15.00- it was a great way to do something different than a bar/club scene on a friday night... I laughed throughout the whole night! It was very cute! It is an intimate setting, so please be on time! If you're late- you're taking a chance of being called out... read more

This is fun, cheap, off-beat entertainment! I love the BYOB too. Thanks for being here...I am a repeat customer.

Yo, check out this place. It's improv not stand up but it's funny man. They got a bar so it isn't BYOB anymore, which cuts down on my errands before I watch comedy. read more

I really like this Theater, and its even better now that they have a bar! Bar and lobby are nice and I appreciate that a door separates it from the theater so you can still hang out and drink/talk while shows are happening. You can't go wrong with the Friday and Saturday 10:30 pm shows. I haven't yet checked out the Wednesday Open Mic but hope to do that soon. read more

They DONT have BYOB anymore, but the drinks prices are very low compared to other bars. Great shows!

Went to see the Book of Liz at Chemically Imbalanced Comedy last night. It was fantastic! I think my experience was summed up best by another audience member whom I overheard say "That was really funny and I wasn't even drunk!" read more

This place consistently puts on the best long-form improv in Chicago. Also great for plays, experimental theater, etc. The only shows I've never seen are the Open Mic Night and Pimprov; everything I've ever seen has been, at minimum, good, and most shows are great to fantastic. read more

Pimps and improv, when you put them together you get a pretty damn good show. I've seen a few other comedy shows, but this is the best I've ever seen. Go here read more

Did standup here, super cool/fun stage space out front. And cool bar. Great place!

I've been here quite a few times and really like this theatre (I live about 3 blocks from it) and the shows. Let me start by saying if you're looking for a huge theatre with an elaborate stage set up, this isn't for you. However, since I prefer smaller theatres this was right up my alley. I don't know what the theatre capacity is, but I would guess it holds around 50 people (give or take). Furthermore, it's BYOB which makes the comedy that much funnier. There are four rows of seats and even the furthest row back isn't more than (maybe) 15 feet from the performers. The building seems a bit older, yet has a certain cozy charm about it. I've seen Pimprov twice and I've been to the Saturday Night Showcase on several occasions. The tickets are pretty cheap Pimprov is about $15 and The Showcase is $10. However, if you check Goldstar you can get them discounted ( Like $10 or $12 for Pimprov & $7.50 for the comedy showcase). Pimprov was hilarious both times I went. The pimps did a great job interacting with the crowd and the scenes flowed very well. I was laughing the majority of the time during both Pimprov shows. They do a rip on the crowd a bit, but it's all in good fun and not in the least bit mean spirited. The Improv Showcase (on Saturday & Sunday) is usually pretty good also. As you might expect some groups are better than others. While the 3rd act of the three (The main event I suppose) tends to be the best act (most of the times I've gone), the other 2 groups are usually good for a chuckle or two also. I've taken people to the comedy showcases before and had mixed reviews ( but Pimprov is a cant miss). For $7.50 to $15 and the ability to drink your own six pack and/or bottle of wine you will hard pressed to find a better value in entertainment. So go check it out. read more

I came back to Chemically Imbalanced last Saturday and laughed my ass off. The opening act (Computer) was beyond hilarious. The featured group (under the bleachers) was just ok but the the headliner (rainbow deli) was awesome. You really can't beat the cheap tickets and BYOB factor - what a great way to spend a Saturday night on the cheap. read more

This theater is a great place to see local acts for a great price!!! Every time I have gone to a show at Chemically Imbalanced, I have been filled with laughter. What even better is the place is BYOB and I hear they plan on expanding and having an on sit bar soon for those that forget to BYOB. My favorite show to date has been Pimprov (men that play pimps that improvise), but they have so many talented acts to choose from you should not be disappointed. read more

We wanted to go a comedy show and picked CIC mostly because it was close to the restaurant we went to for dinner. The show we saw was the comedy showcase (3 different improv groups). Now I realize this is hit or miss depending on who is playing that night (they switch each week), and the show got progressively better as the night went on. The first group was full of pauses and "ums" but the latter two groups were pretty funny. I'm not sure I'd come back here, as I've laughed a lot more each time I've been to the IO, but it was s good show for the price and probably the cheapest improv you can find in the area. read more

This place has the feel of a young Annoyance Theater. They just added a bar and the bartender is very nice and attentive. I've only been for their Wednesday open mike, but it draws a good crowd, and the performers are alos nice. I recommend it for open mikers and improv-ers. Wednesdays are free. read more

I now understand why they ran a Groupon deal. It may have been worth the $2 per person ticket price, if you don't count the hour+ wasted. Not improv, not a monologue, very stilted. Saw much better in Phoenix/Tempe. That's saying something. Might have been the groups playing at the time (10:30 show); New CIC Team, Boyfriend Girlfriend and Counter Productive Lover . Although they say they are 13 year old and over friendly, don't bring your kids. Even the 16 year olds were not amused. Free parking and BYOB eased the pain. read more

Went this weekend, while we were at a convention in the area, to see Desperately Seeking. Small intimate theater, nice area with plentiful free street parking. Maybe we were just there on a bad night? They did Susan (improv group) and the Desperately Seeking. Neither group used the stage to good effect - most of the talking was done to the back of the stage and we missed a number of the jokes. Although they did read a personal ad, they didn't use the ad as a jump off for the show. And to top it all off, it's not BYOB anymore - they have a full bar. read more

I was blessed enough to catch pimpprov last night (Fri Night) and it was pretty awesome. I read a few bad reviews and I can see if there was an audience that wasn't into it as a group it wouldn't be as fun at all. This wasn't my experience, thank God. They have a few intro acts and I enjoyed it. I giggled and lol'ed a few times. Then the Pimps came out! They start with a pimp roll call which is fun because you get an idea of the different personalities. Their first skit was a little boring but whats funny is one of the pimps not in that skit called it out. He said "This is sooooo boooring!" It seriously took off after that. I chuckled so hard my face hurt after the show. Ya! that good. Since I went with somewhat of a regular I hear it really id something different every time and I would go back with a different crowd just to show off this jewel of a improve show I found in Chicago. Bravo Pimps.. Bravo. read more

My first show was in 2006, I joined a newsletter and would occasionally catch shows over the years. The performances get better and better and the talent is amazing. I now follow some of their regular actors and would like to shout out Brian Kash, this guy is incredible, sharp quick comedy, hysterical music parodies and a dramatic range for serious portrayals as well. There are def some stars on this stage!! read more

Saw "The Book of Liz" recently and was very impressed with both the venue and the play. Acting was great, theater was small and inimate which made it fun and cozy...BYOB was great. Great place to relax and see a great show read more

FANTASTIC first experience last night for their GI JOE hip hop musical. ENORMOUSLY recommended. Everything about my experience was stress-free and top shelf fun. The GI JOE musical was inspired and the performers and writer etc post-show were very grateful and receptive and warm and cuddly etc et'al and then some. Definitely going to have to check out some of the other stuff that goes on between those walls. Big up the Chemically Imbalanced experience! I didn't roll my eyes once! read more

The CiC Theater is an amazing place to see the best comedy in Chicago, and as a performer, CIC is an amazing theater in the way they support the art of comedy. Their Wednesday night open mic is my favorite in the city. CIC is great! read more

saw the Bad Review tonight lampooning the review of Soldiers: The Desert Stand which apparently is a nihlistic rant on the Iraq war with stock character to paraphrase Bill Williams from the Chicago Reader. it was hilarious. it's great that this troupe had the balls, timing and energy to pull it all together. i really enjoyed myself. read more

I was looking forward to attending this event. However, I was unable to do so because as I stood waiting in line with my GoldStar tickets they were SELLING our seats to someone else. I was told it was too late eventhough they had just sold our seats in front of my eyes!! The lady did not apologize and simply told me to look at the website. She said we could come back and talk to the manager. We were just on time due to parking issues, the fact there isn't any available and our night was ruined. I assume when you buy something in advance you have a guarantee, the opening announcements had not even been made. They just wanted to make their final dollars. I will never use Goldstar again and I will absolutely not be attending any productions at the Chemically Imbalanced Theater. The fact she sold my pre-paid tickets right in front of my eyes without any apology is unacceptable. read more

ok, seeing as how my review focused more on the show I saw than on the theater itself, I'll update to 4 stars because it's a neat little space, not a bad seat in the house. read more

First time here, and we had a nice evening. We came for Monster Mash. Improv is a very difficult thing to pull off, and for the most part it was entertaining. My boyfriend and I loved the Frankenstein character! There were some awkward bits and a lot of the jokes were lame puns which we didn't much care for. Anyway it's improv and some nights it's hot and some nights it's not. Tonight was luke warm, but we had a good time and always appreciate a performance with dedication and effort. Thanks guys, hope to check you out again soon. read more

Great place, very funny show! The show got off to a slow start because the opening act was too funny. He played a guitar and sang over some mashups. Once he started singing his original songs it got much funnier. All the other acts were great! I was there on NYE with a few friends and we had an awesome time. The theater has an intimate feel to it as well which I thought improved the experience! Check it out! read more

We saw " The Book of Liz" here, and enjoyed it tremendously. The actors were all tremendously talented and funny. The theatre was cozy and felt friendly. I guess my only complaint is that I didn't realize you could BYOB, and I was a little jealous of others who were drinking theirs. It wasn't a big deal though, and the play was so entertaining that I didn't really miss out on anything. read more

This is a great place to check new and creative comedy talent. There is always something new happening and the lobby/bar space is comfortable and affordable. read more