Zanies Comedy Club
Zanies Comedy Club (also known simply as Zanies) is a comedy club chain founded by Rick Uchwat in November 1978.[1] Its first location was in Chicago, Illinois and it is the third longest continually operating comedy club in the United States.[1]
Rick Uchwat
Uchwat was born in Austria in 1947. His father was imprisoned by the Nazis during World War II and was held in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp for a time.[1] His family moved to the United States when he was four years old. He attended DePaul University and eventually joined the Marines during which time he served in Vietnam and was badly injured during the Tet Offensive.[2] After a battle with lung cancer Uchwat died on May 12, 2011 at the age of 64.[2]
Zanies history
Zanies' original club is located in Chicago's Old Town, where it was opened in a former strip club. The 100-seat club has become Chicago's oldest operating stand-up comedy venue.[2] Bert Haas serves as the executive vice president.[1]
Notable performers
One of the first performers at Zanies was comedian Larry Reeb.[2] Zanies has played an influential part in the careers of many artists, including Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Tim Allen, Roseanne Barr and Patti Vasquez.[1] Additional talent includes: Craig Ferguson, Chelsea Handler, Gilbert Gottfried and Greg Proops.[3][4]
Locations
Zanies has four locations, three of which are located in Illinois. The clubs are open every night of the week and have a minimum age requirement for attendance of 21 years with the exception of the Nashville club where the minimum age is 18 years.[5][6]
- Chicago, Illinois, opened in 1978
- St. Charles, Illinois, opened in 1989 and seats 250[3]
- Rosemont, Illinois, opened in 2012 and seats 250[7]
- Nashville, Tennessee, opened 1983 and seats around 300[8]
Zanies Nashville is a 2013 Comedy Central Certified Club.[9]
Former locations
- Vernon Hills, Illinois, closed in 2011[10]
References
- ^ a b c d e Kogan, Rick (May 12, 2011). "Founder of Zanies nurtured generations of comics". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Hoekstra, Dave (May 12, 2011). "Zanies comedy club founder dies at 64". Lake County News-Sun. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ a b "Laugh out Loud Comedy Shows in St Charles IL". Pheasant Run Resort. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ "Guest List: Greg Proops". ABC Local/WLS-TV. April 19, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ "Zanies Comedy Club". Zanies. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ "General Information". Zanies Nashville. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ Khaimskiy, Danealle (July 5, 2012). "Zanies comedy club reborn in Rosemont". Daily Herald. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ Conzett, Lance (May 30, 2013). "You better open that door before Nashville's burgeoning comedy scene beats it down". Nashville Scene. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ "Certified Clubs". Comedy Central. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
- ^ Pang, Kevin (June 1, 2011). "Lease issue closes Zanies in Vernon Hills". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 10, 2013.