Boom Chicago
Encyclopedia
Boom Chicago is a creative group, based in Amsterdam
, the Netherlands
, that writes and performs sketch and improvisational comedy at the Leidseplein Theater. They were the creative forces behind Comedy Central News (CCN), a news show on the Dutch Comedy Central
which was canceled after two seasons, but continued to make videos for mobile devices and their website.
The group was founded in 1993 by Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld and Ken Schaefle, who named it after their hometown. In the beginning, the show was aimed mostly at tourists, but today the show has become a part of Amsterdam's locals' scene.
Over the years, Boom Chicago has addressed issues like privacy, the role of Europe
, the dangers of emerging extreme right, xenophobia
, Pim Fortuyn
, 9/11 and the role of technology. Mixing political and social issues with traditional cabaret elements has been popular with audiences and critics alike.
The group is currently owned by Moskos, Rosenfeld and Saskia Maas.
1994: Moves to Studio 100 (now Sugar Factory) on Lijnbaansgracht 238, 180 seats.
1997: Moves into the 270 seat Leidseplein Theater, the theater where Dutch legends Wim Kan, Wim Sonneveld
and Toon Hermans
began in the 1930s. Boom Chicago renovates the theater, adds a kitchen, bar, and rock show sound and lighting.
2000: Hires first video director, Jamie Wright, and introduces multimedia to the shows. Cameras are fitted in the theater (and the Leidseplein outside). Soon green screen studios and live internet, make Boom Chicago an early pioneer with technology in a comedy show.
2004: Boom Chicago Video Productions launches after the worldwide success of the Florida Voting Machine Video, where an American citizen tries to vote for Kerry
, but the rigged machine only allows him to vote for George Bush.
2006: Me, MySpace and iPod opens to best reviews to date. Merijn Henfling, Het Parool: "Genius... We are once again grateful that [Boom Chicago] decided to make Amsterdam their home." Peter de Bie and Francisco van Jole, TROS radio: "People are saying this is the best Boom Chicago show ever, and we would agree." Henk van Gelder, NRC Handelsblad: "Sharp and interactive. They have created an entirely new form of theater; call it digital comedy."
First internet and mobile shows Full Frontal News (Greg Shapiro and Becky Nelson) and Slacker Fantasy Football (Michael Orton-Toliver, Brian Jack, Matt Chapman). The Unlikely Fan (Brendan Hunt, Matt Chapman), a daily World Cup
video series was featured on MSN.
2007: Comedy Central News, begins as a daily show on Comedy Central Netherlands and runs for 75 episodes. Highly Dubious News is nominated for a mobile content award at MIPCOM, the television conference in Cannes. The Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands asked Boom Chicago to remove their viral video "SpongeBob SquarePants in China", which goes on to receive more than 22 million views on YouTube
, making it the number one most viewed film and animation video on the video site worldwide (as of April, 2009). By 2011, the video has been viewed more than 75 million times.
2008: 15 year anniversary, April 24. CCN returns as a weekly show in April on Comedy Central (NL). Bye-Bye Bush celebrates the end of an era.
2009: Yankee Come Back opens the City of Amsterdam's 400 Year celebration of the Dutch settlement of New York. In the autumn, to coincide with New York's celebration the group performs Holland Globetrotters at the New Island Festival, a coproduction of de Parade, Oerol and the Netherlands Theater Institute.
2010: Longtime fan of Boom Chicago, Maurice de Hond, makes his on stage comedy debut in Political Party. With Jon Pep Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro and director Andrew Moskos they create a show that combines politics, political discussion and A-list politicians who also perform in comedy scenes.
2011: The Leidseplein Theater becomes the Chicago Social Club. Together with club innovater Casper Reinders (Jimmy Woo) and Pieter de Koning and Joris Bakker (Bitterzoet), the venue undergoes a thorough upgrade and increases its club programming and improves its bar and food offerings. 9/11 Forever is the only political comedy show in the world to address the ten year anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
(Saturday Night Live) was a member of Boom Chicago in the late 1990s and starred in production in Amsterdam, Chicago and Edinburgh. Other famous alumni include Jason Sudeikis
(Horrible Bosses, Hall Pass), Jordan Peele
(Comedy Central
), Ike Barinholtz
(Eastbound and Down), Dan Oster
(MAD-TV), Liz Cackowski & Heather Anne Campbell
(SNL), Allison Silverman
& Pete Grosz (Colbert Report), Kay Cannon
& Tami Sagher
(30 Rock
), Joe Kelly (How I Met Your Mother
), and Matt Jones (Breaking Bad
) Greg Shapiro was Boom Chicago's anchorman on CCN, Comedy Central News (Netherlands).
On Broadway, Nicole Parker
starred with Martin Short
in Fame Becomes Me in 2009 and in Wicked (musical)
in 2010. Josh Meyers
starred with Paul Rubens in Pee Wees Playhouse in 2010-11 and in the accompanying HBO special. Spencer Kayden co-created and starred in Urinetown in the 90s.
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Neil McNamara, Lindley Curry, Miriam Tolan, Pam Gutteridge, Doreen Calderon + Ken Schaefle
1994 Boom / Chicago
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Pam Gutteridge,
Emilie Beck, Josie O'Reilly, Greg Shore (Shapiro) + Ken Schaefle
1995 Great Moments in Creation/Culture Shock Therapy
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Pam Gutteridge, Greg Shore (Shapiro), Lillian Frances (née Hubscher), Tami Sagher
, Scott Jones, Lesley Bevan, Sue Gillan (née Gillan) + Ken Schaefle
1996 Boom Chicago's Laatste Nieuws / Best of Boom
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shore (Shapiro), Rob AndristPlourde, Jason Meyer, Karin McKie, Lesley Bevan, Sue Gillan, Jeremy Hornik, Spencer Kayden
, + Ken Schaefle + Shane Oman, + Gary Shepard, + Michael Diederich
1997 boomchicago.nl: the internet and other modern frustrations
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shore (Shapiro), Rob AndristPlourde, Pete Grosz, Seth Meyers
, Phill Arensberg, Allison Silverman
, Gwendolyn Druyor, Lisa Jolley, Kristy Entwistle Nolen + Ken Schaefle
1998 Think Quick
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro-Shore,
Rob AndristPlourde, Seth Meyers
, Jill Benjamin,
Holly Walker, John Stoops, Jethro Nolen, Sue Peale, Josh Meyers
, Kristy Entwistle Nolen, Josie O'Reilly, + John Schickendans + Steven Svymbersky
1999 Pick-ups & Hiccups
Seth Meyers
, Jill Benjamin
1999 Everything's Going to Be All Right—and other lies
Andrew Moskos, Greg Shore-Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Holly Walker, Josh Meyers
, Brendan Hunt, Ike Barinholtz
, Joe Canale, Juliet Curry, Jethro Nolen, Kristy Entwistle Nolen, Dave Asher, Liz Cackowski, + Ron West, + Josie O'Reilly, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
1999 Two Thousand Years Down the Drain: From Jesus Christ to Jerry Springer
Andrew Moskos, Greg Shore-Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Holly Walker, Josh Meyers
, Brendan Hunt, Ike Barinholtz
, Joe Canale, Juliet Curry, Jethro Nolen, Kristy Entwistle Nolen, Dave Asher, Liz Cackowski, + Ron West, + Josie O'Reilly, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2000 Live at the Leidseplein: Your Privacy is Our Business (Boom Chicago is Watching Edinburgh Production)
Andrew Moskos, Greg Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Dave Asher, Holly Walker, Josh Meyers
, Brendan Hunt, Ike Barinholtz
, Liz Cackowski, Jason Sudeikis
, Kay Cannon
,
Bumper Caroll, Jennifer Bills, David Buckman, + Dave Razowsky + Jamie Wright, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2001 Europe: We've Created a Monster
Greg Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Rachel Miller, Holly Walker, Josh Meyers
, Brendan Hunt, Dave Asher,
Lauren Dowden, Nicole Parker
, Jordan Peele
, Becky Drysdale, Joe Kelly, + Ron West, + Andrew Moskos, + Dave Buckman, + Jamie Wright, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2001 Ironic Yanks
Seth Meyers
, Brendan Hunt, + Andrew Moskos
2001 Nieuwjaarsconference
Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2002 Rock Stars
Greg Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Rachel Miller, Randall Harr, Kristi Casey, Joe Kelly, Dani Sher, Colton Dunn, Brendan Hunt, Melody Nife, Lauren Dowden, Nicole Parker
, Jordan Peele
, + Dave Razowsky + Jon Rosenfeld, + Andrew Moskos, + Jamie Wright, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2002 Here Comes the Neighborhood (Edinburgh Production)
Brendan Hunt, Jordan Peele
, + Joe Kelly, + Andrew Moskos
2002 Yankee Go Home:
Americans and Why You Love to Hate Us
Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, + Andrew Moskos, + Gerbrand van Kolck
2003 Boom Chicago Saves the World (Sorry about the Mess)
Greg Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Brendan Hunt, Jordan Peele
, Colton Dunn, Dani Sher, Rachel Miller, Suzi Barrett, Heather Campbell, Jim Woods, + Jon Rosenfeld, + Andrew Moskos, + Jamie Wright, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2003 Going Down: A Comedy Show About Pessimism Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, + Andrew Moskos, + Jamie Wright, + David Schmoll
2004 Why Aren't You Happy Yet?
Greg Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Rachel Miller, Suzi Barrett, Heather Campbell, Jim Woods, Tim Sniffen, Ryan Archibald, Tarik Davis, Amber Ruffin, + Jon Rosenfeld, + Andrew Moskos, + Jamie Wright, + David Schmoll, + Steven Svymbersky
2004 Mr. America Contest:
A Comedy Show about the U.S. Presidential Race
Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, Andrew Moskos, Jamie Wright, David Schmoll
2005 Bite the Bullet!
Suzi Barrett, Heather Campbell, Tarik Davis, Matt Jones
, Amber Ruffin, Tim Sniffen, Jim Woods, + Andrew Moskos, + Jon Rosenfeld, + Greg Shapiro, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Rachel Miller, + Amber Ruffin, + Jamie Wright, + David Schmoll, + Steven Svymbersky
2005 Best of Boom 2005
Ryan Archibald, Suzi Barrett, Heather Campbell, Tarik Davis, Matt Jones
, Tim Sniffen, Jim Woods, + Andrew Moskos, + Jon Rosenfeld, + Greg Shapiro, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Rachel Miller, + Amber Ruffin, + Jamie Wright, + David Schmoll, + Steven Svymbersky
2006 Best of Boom 2006
Rob AndristPlourde, Hilary Bauman, Tarik Davis, Lauren Flans, Ryan Gowland, Brian Jack, Matt Jones
, Dan Oster
, Greg Shapiro, + Andrew Moskos, + Jon Rosenfeld, + Laurel Coppock, + David Schmoll, + Vladimir Berkhemer + Steven Svymbersky
2006 Kick This: A World Cup Comedy with Balls Jon Rosenfeld, Brendan Hunt, Andrew Moskos, Jamie Wright, David Schmoll
2006 Me MySpace and iPod
Hilary Bauman, Lauren Flans, Brian Jack, Matt Jones
, Dan Oster
+ Andrew Moskos + Jon Rosenfeld + Mike Orton-Toliver, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Jennifer Burton, + Michael Diederich, + Gregory Shapiro, + Steven Svymbersky + Dave Schmoll, + Vladimir Berkhemer, + Matt Chapman, + Becky Nelson
2007 Boom Chicago's Wild West Comedy and Gun Show—Featuring One Real Indian
Jennifer Burton, Lauren Flans, Mike Orton-Toliver, Jim Woods, Joe Kelly + Jon Rosenfeld + Andrew Moskos + Rob AndristPlourde, + Suzi Barrett, + Hilary Bauman, + Michael Diederich, + Dan Oster
+ Gregory Shapiro, + Steven Svymbersky + Dave Schmoll, + Vladimir Berkhemer, + Matt Chapman, + Becky Nelson
2007 Five Years in Amsterdam (Edinburgh Production) Brendan Hunt + Andrew Moskos
2008 Last One to Leave the Planet, Turn Out the Lights
Ryan Archibald, Hilary Bauman, Lauren Flans, James Kirkland, Mike Orton-Toliver, Jon Rosenfeld, David Schmoll, Steven Svymbersky, Ash Lim + Andrew Moskos, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Lolu Ajayi, + Michael Diederich, + Hans Holsen, + Gregory Shapiro, + Andel Sudik, + Julie Nichols, + Neil Towsey, + Brendan Hunt, + Matt Chapman, + Becky Nelson
2008 Screw the Planet; Save the Oil (Best of Boom 2009)
Lolu Ajayi, Ryan Archibald, Liz Bolton, Amber Ruffin, Dave Schmoll, Steven Svymbersky, Jon Rosenfeld, Shane Oman, + Andrew Moskos, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Michael Diederich, +Hans Holsen, + James Kirkland, + Mike Orton-Toliver, + Andel Sudick, + Julie Nichols, + Brian Tjon Ajong, + Neil Townsey, + Matt Chapman, + Becky Nelson
2008 Bye-Bye Bush
Jon Rosenfeld, Gregory Shapiro, Mike Orton-Toliver, Andrew Moskos, Steven Svymbersky, Julie Nichols + Matt Chapman, + Becky Nelson
2009 Yankee Come Back
Hans Holsen, Liz Bolton, Amber Ruffin, James Kirkland, Mike Orton-Toliver, Julie Nichols, Brian Tjon Ajong, Neil Townsey, Jon Rosenfeld, Shane Oman, + Andrew Moskos + Lolu Ajayi, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Michael Diederich, + Andel Sudick, + Dave Schmoll, + Steven Svymbersky, + Matt Chapman
2009 Holland Globetrotters (New York Production)
Liz Bolton, James Kirkland, Amber Ruffin, Jordan Peele, Julie Nichols, Jon Rosenfeld, Andrew Moskos, Steven Svymbersky
2009 Upgrade or Die!
Rob AndristPlourde, Liz Bolton, Amber Ruffin, James Kirkland, Brian Tjon Ajong, Neil Townsey, Dave Schmoll, Jon Rosenfeld, Shane Oman, + Andrew Moskos + Lolu Ajayi, + Michael Diederich, + Matt Chapman, + Jessica Lowe, + Steven Svymbersky
2010 Political Party
Maurice de Hond, Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro + Andrew Moskos + Brian Tjon Ajong
2010 Your Worst Fears
Lolu Ajayi, Amber Ruffin, Jon Rosenfeld, Dave Schmoll + Rob AndristPlourde, Michael Diederich + Jessica Lowe + Matt Chapman + Brian Tjon Ajong, + Shane Oman, + Andrew Moskos + Steven Svymbersky
2010 There's No Such Thing as Sinterklaas
Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, Andrew Moskos + Brian Tjon Ajong + James Winder + Steven Svymbersky + Dave Schmoll
2011 Social Media Circus
Lolu Ajayi, Amber Ruffin, Jessica Lowe, Matt Chapman, Jim Woods, Jon Rosenfeld, Andrew Moskos, Dave Schmoll + Rob AndristPlourde, + Haley Mancini + Mike Orton-Toliver + Michael Diederich + Brian Tjon Ajong, + Shane Oman, + Steven Svymbersky
2011 9/11 Forever
Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, Mike Orton-Toliver, Andrew Moskos + Brian Tjon Ajong + James Winder + Dave Schmoll
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
, the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, that writes and performs sketch and improvisational comedy at the Leidseplein Theater. They were the creative forces behind Comedy Central News (CCN), a news show on the Dutch Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
which was canceled after two seasons, but continued to make videos for mobile devices and their website.
The group was founded in 1993 by Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld and Ken Schaefle, who named it after their hometown. In the beginning, the show was aimed mostly at tourists, but today the show has become a part of Amsterdam's locals' scene.
Over the years, Boom Chicago has addressed issues like privacy, the role of Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the dangers of emerging extreme right, xenophobia
Xenophobia
Xenophobia is defined as "an unreasonable fear of foreigners or strangers or of that which is foreign or strange". It comes from the Greek words ξένος , meaning "stranger," "foreigner" and φόβος , meaning "fear."...
, Pim Fortuyn
Pim Fortuyn
Wilhelmus Simon Petrus Fortuijn, known as Pim Fortuyn was a Dutch politician, civil servant, sociologist, author and professor who formed his own party, Pim Fortuyn List ....
, 9/11 and the role of technology. Mixing political and social issues with traditional cabaret elements has been popular with audiences and critics alike.
The group is currently owned by Moskos, Rosenfeld and Saskia Maas.
History
1993: Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld and Ken Schaefle open Boom Chicago at the Iboya, Korte Leidsedwarsstraat 41, 85 seats.1994: Moves to Studio 100 (now Sugar Factory) on Lijnbaansgracht 238, 180 seats.
1997: Moves into the 270 seat Leidseplein Theater, the theater where Dutch legends Wim Kan, Wim Sonneveld
Wim Sonneveld
Willem 'Wim' Sonneveld was a Dutch cabaret artist and singer. Together with Toon Hermans and Wim Kan, he is considered to be one of the 'Great Three' of Dutch cabaret. Sonneveld is generally viewed as a Dutch cultural icon for his work and legacy in theatre, musicals and music...
and Toon Hermans
Toon Hermans
Antoine G. T. "Toon" Hermans was a noted Dutch comedian, singer and writer. He was born in Sittard, now part of the municipality of Sittard-Geleen....
began in the 1930s. Boom Chicago renovates the theater, adds a kitchen, bar, and rock show sound and lighting.
2000: Hires first video director, Jamie Wright, and introduces multimedia to the shows. Cameras are fitted in the theater (and the Leidseplein outside). Soon green screen studios and live internet, make Boom Chicago an early pioneer with technology in a comedy show.
2004: Boom Chicago Video Productions launches after the worldwide success of the Florida Voting Machine Video, where an American citizen tries to vote for Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
, but the rigged machine only allows him to vote for George Bush.
2006: Me, MySpace and iPod opens to best reviews to date. Merijn Henfling, Het Parool: "Genius... We are once again grateful that [Boom Chicago] decided to make Amsterdam their home." Peter de Bie and Francisco van Jole, TROS radio: "People are saying this is the best Boom Chicago show ever, and we would agree." Henk van Gelder, NRC Handelsblad: "Sharp and interactive. They have created an entirely new form of theater; call it digital comedy."
First internet and mobile shows Full Frontal News (Greg Shapiro and Becky Nelson) and Slacker Fantasy Football (Michael Orton-Toliver, Brian Jack, Matt Chapman). The Unlikely Fan (Brendan Hunt, Matt Chapman), a daily World Cup
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
video series was featured on MSN.
2007: Comedy Central News, begins as a daily show on Comedy Central Netherlands and runs for 75 episodes. Highly Dubious News is nominated for a mobile content award at MIPCOM, the television conference in Cannes. The Chinese Ambassador to the Netherlands asked Boom Chicago to remove their viral video "SpongeBob SquarePants in China", which goes on to receive more than 22 million views on YouTube
YouTube
YouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
, making it the number one most viewed film and animation video on the video site worldwide (as of April, 2009). By 2011, the video has been viewed more than 75 million times.
2008: 15 year anniversary, April 24. CCN returns as a weekly show in April on Comedy Central (NL). Bye-Bye Bush celebrates the end of an era.
2009: Yankee Come Back opens the City of Amsterdam's 400 Year celebration of the Dutch settlement of New York. In the autumn, to coincide with New York's celebration the group performs Holland Globetrotters at the New Island Festival, a coproduction of de Parade, Oerol and the Netherlands Theater Institute.
2010: Longtime fan of Boom Chicago, Maurice de Hond, makes his on stage comedy debut in Political Party. With Jon Pep Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro and director Andrew Moskos they create a show that combines politics, political discussion and A-list politicians who also perform in comedy scenes.
2011: The Leidseplein Theater becomes the Chicago Social Club. Together with club innovater Casper Reinders (Jimmy Woo) and Pieter de Koning and Joris Bakker (Bitterzoet), the venue undergoes a thorough upgrade and increases its club programming and improves its bar and food offerings. 9/11 Forever is the only political comedy show in the world to address the ten year anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
Notable alumni
Seth MeyersSeth Meyers
Seth Adam Meyers is an American actor and comedian. He currently serves as head writer for Saturday Night Live and hosts its news parody segment Weekend Update.-Early life:...
(Saturday Night Live) was a member of Boom Chicago in the late 1990s and starred in production in Amsterdam, Chicago and Edinburgh. Other famous alumni include Jason Sudeikis
Jason Sudeikis
Daniel Jason Sudeikis is an American actor and comedian currently starring as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.-Early life:Sudeikis was born Daniel Jason Sudeikis in Fairfax, Virginia, the son of Kathryn , a travel agent who was president of the American Society of Travel Agents, and Dan...
(Horrible Bosses, Hall Pass), Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele is an American actor and comedian known as a cast member on MADtv from 2003–2008 and currently for his recurring role as Dr. Brian on the Adult Swim series Childrens Hospital...
(Comedy Central
Comedy Central
Comedy Central is an American cable television and satellite television channel that carries comedy programming, both original and syndicated....
), Ike Barinholtz
Ike Barinholtz
Isaac "Ike" Barinholtz is an American actor, comedian and screenwriter. Barinholtz is most notable for his membership in the recurring cast of comedians on sketch comedy series MADtv from 2002-2007.-Early life:...
(Eastbound and Down), Dan Oster
Dan Oster
Daniel "Dan" Oster is an American comedic actor and improv artist. He is most famous for being a member of Boom Chicago and a member of the MADtv cast.-Early years:...
(MAD-TV), Liz Cackowski & Heather Anne Campbell
Heather Anne Campbell
Heather Anne Campbell is an American comedian and writer.Campbell was editor of Dave Halverson's Play Magazine as well as Jeff Bond's Geek Monthly until their closure in 2010. She remains a contributing writer for Action Button...
(SNL), Allison Silverman
Allison Silverman
Allison Silverman is an American comedy writer from Gainesville, Florida. She was the head writer and executive producer for The Colbert Report until 2009.-Life and awards:...
& Pete Grosz (Colbert Report), Kay Cannon
Kay Cannon
Kay Cannon is an American television writer and actress who is best known for her work as an Emmy nominated writer and producer for the NBC series 30 Rock.-Biography:...
& Tami Sagher
Tami Sagher
Tami Sagher is an American television producer and writer and actress. Some of her most notable work includes: 30 Rock, Psych and Madtv. She has recently become a staff writer on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother....
(30 Rock
30 Rock
30 Rock is an American television comedy series created by Tina Fey that airs on NBC. The series is loosely based on Fey's experiences as head writer for Saturday Night Live...
), Joe Kelly (How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is an American sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 19, 2005, created by Craig Thomas and Carter Bays.As a framing device, the main character, Ted Mosby with narration by Bob Saget, in the year 2030 recounts to his son and daughter the events that led to his meeting...
), and Matt Jones (Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad
Breaking Bad is an American television drama series created and produced by Vince Gilligan. Set and produced in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Breaking Bad is the story of Walter White , a struggling high school chemistry teacher who is diagnosed with advanced lung cancer at the beginning of the series...
) Greg Shapiro was Boom Chicago's anchorman on CCN, Comedy Central News (Netherlands).
On Broadway, Nicole Parker
Nicole Parker
Nicole Frances Parker is an Emmy Award-winning actress and singer best known for her work on Fox's sketch comedy show MADtv. In July 2009, she concluded her run as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked...
starred with Martin Short
Martin Short
Martin Hayter Short, CM is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer, singer and producer. He is best-known for his comedy work, particularly on the TV programs SCTV and Saturday Night Live...
in Fame Becomes Me in 2009 and in Wicked (musical)
Wicked (musical)
Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is based on the Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West , a parallel novel of the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and L. Frank Baum's classic story The Wonderful Wizard...
in 2010. Josh Meyers
Josh Meyers
Joshua Dylan "Josh" Meyers is an American actor, known for being a cast member of the sketch comedy MADtv and playing Randy Pearson in the eighth and final season of That '70s Show...
starred with Paul Rubens in Pee Wees Playhouse in 2010-11 and in the accompanying HBO special. Spencer Kayden co-created and starred in Urinetown in the 90s.
Current Ensemble
- Lolu Ajayi
- Rob AndristPlourde
- Matt Chapman
- Michael Diederich
- Jessica Lowe
- Haley Mancini
- Michael Orton-Toliver
- Greg Shapiro
- Jim Woods
- Dave Schmoll (musical director)
- Steven Svymbersky (technical director)
- Matt Chapman (video director/ensemble)
- Brian Tjon Ajong (technician)
- James Winder (technician)
- Andrew Moskos (executive producer/co-owner)
- Jon "Pep" Rosenfeld (artistic director/co-owner)
- Saskia Maas (co-owner)
Past Productions
1993Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Neil McNamara, Lindley Curry, Miriam Tolan, Pam Gutteridge, Doreen Calderon + Ken Schaefle
1994 Boom / Chicago
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Pam Gutteridge,
Emilie Beck, Josie O'Reilly, Greg Shore (Shapiro) + Ken Schaefle
1995 Great Moments in Creation/Culture Shock Therapy
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Pam Gutteridge, Greg Shore (Shapiro), Lillian Frances (née Hubscher), Tami Sagher
Tami Sagher
Tami Sagher is an American television producer and writer and actress. Some of her most notable work includes: 30 Rock, Psych and Madtv. She has recently become a staff writer on the CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother....
, Scott Jones, Lesley Bevan, Sue Gillan (née Gillan) + Ken Schaefle
1996 Boom Chicago's Laatste Nieuws / Best of Boom
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shore (Shapiro), Rob AndristPlourde, Jason Meyer, Karin McKie, Lesley Bevan, Sue Gillan, Jeremy Hornik, Spencer Kayden
Spencer Kayden
Spencer Kayden is an American actress and writer. Kayden is most notable for playing Little Sally in the popular Broadway musical Urinetown and for her membership in the recurring cast of comedians on sketch comedy series MADtv.-Biography:...
, + Ken Schaefle + Shane Oman, + Gary Shepard, + Michael Diederich
1997 boomchicago.nl: the internet and other modern frustrations
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shore (Shapiro), Rob AndristPlourde, Pete Grosz, Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers
Seth Adam Meyers is an American actor and comedian. He currently serves as head writer for Saturday Night Live and hosts its news parody segment Weekend Update.-Early life:...
, Phill Arensberg, Allison Silverman
Allison Silverman
Allison Silverman is an American comedy writer from Gainesville, Florida. She was the head writer and executive producer for The Colbert Report until 2009.-Life and awards:...
, Gwendolyn Druyor, Lisa Jolley, Kristy Entwistle Nolen + Ken Schaefle
1998 Think Quick
Andrew Moskos, Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro-Shore,
Rob AndristPlourde, Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers
Seth Adam Meyers is an American actor and comedian. He currently serves as head writer for Saturday Night Live and hosts its news parody segment Weekend Update.-Early life:...
, Jill Benjamin,
Holly Walker, John Stoops, Jethro Nolen, Sue Peale, Josh Meyers
Josh Meyers
Joshua Dylan "Josh" Meyers is an American actor, known for being a cast member of the sketch comedy MADtv and playing Randy Pearson in the eighth and final season of That '70s Show...
, Kristy Entwistle Nolen, Josie O'Reilly, + John Schickendans + Steven Svymbersky
1999 Pick-ups & Hiccups
Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers
Seth Adam Meyers is an American actor and comedian. He currently serves as head writer for Saturday Night Live and hosts its news parody segment Weekend Update.-Early life:...
, Jill Benjamin
1999 Everything's Going to Be All Right—and other lies
Andrew Moskos, Greg Shore-Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Holly Walker, Josh Meyers
Josh Meyers
Joshua Dylan "Josh" Meyers is an American actor, known for being a cast member of the sketch comedy MADtv and playing Randy Pearson in the eighth and final season of That '70s Show...
, Brendan Hunt, Ike Barinholtz
Ike Barinholtz
Isaac "Ike" Barinholtz is an American actor, comedian and screenwriter. Barinholtz is most notable for his membership in the recurring cast of comedians on sketch comedy series MADtv from 2002-2007.-Early life:...
, Joe Canale, Juliet Curry, Jethro Nolen, Kristy Entwistle Nolen, Dave Asher, Liz Cackowski, + Ron West, + Josie O'Reilly, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
1999 Two Thousand Years Down the Drain: From Jesus Christ to Jerry Springer
Andrew Moskos, Greg Shore-Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Holly Walker, Josh Meyers
Josh Meyers
Joshua Dylan "Josh" Meyers is an American actor, known for being a cast member of the sketch comedy MADtv and playing Randy Pearson in the eighth and final season of That '70s Show...
, Brendan Hunt, Ike Barinholtz
Ike Barinholtz
Isaac "Ike" Barinholtz is an American actor, comedian and screenwriter. Barinholtz is most notable for his membership in the recurring cast of comedians on sketch comedy series MADtv from 2002-2007.-Early life:...
, Joe Canale, Juliet Curry, Jethro Nolen, Kristy Entwistle Nolen, Dave Asher, Liz Cackowski, + Ron West, + Josie O'Reilly, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2000 Live at the Leidseplein: Your Privacy is Our Business (Boom Chicago is Watching Edinburgh Production)
Andrew Moskos, Greg Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Dave Asher, Holly Walker, Josh Meyers
Josh Meyers
Joshua Dylan "Josh" Meyers is an American actor, known for being a cast member of the sketch comedy MADtv and playing Randy Pearson in the eighth and final season of That '70s Show...
, Brendan Hunt, Ike Barinholtz
Ike Barinholtz
Isaac "Ike" Barinholtz is an American actor, comedian and screenwriter. Barinholtz is most notable for his membership in the recurring cast of comedians on sketch comedy series MADtv from 2002-2007.-Early life:...
, Liz Cackowski, Jason Sudeikis
Jason Sudeikis
Daniel Jason Sudeikis is an American actor and comedian currently starring as a cast member on Saturday Night Live.-Early life:Sudeikis was born Daniel Jason Sudeikis in Fairfax, Virginia, the son of Kathryn , a travel agent who was president of the American Society of Travel Agents, and Dan...
, Kay Cannon
Kay Cannon
Kay Cannon is an American television writer and actress who is best known for her work as an Emmy nominated writer and producer for the NBC series 30 Rock.-Biography:...
,
Bumper Caroll, Jennifer Bills, David Buckman, + Dave Razowsky + Jamie Wright, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2001 Europe: We've Created a Monster
Greg Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Rachel Miller, Holly Walker, Josh Meyers
Josh Meyers
Joshua Dylan "Josh" Meyers is an American actor, known for being a cast member of the sketch comedy MADtv and playing Randy Pearson in the eighth and final season of That '70s Show...
, Brendan Hunt, Dave Asher,
Lauren Dowden, Nicole Parker
Nicole Parker
Nicole Frances Parker is an Emmy Award-winning actress and singer best known for her work on Fox's sketch comedy show MADtv. In July 2009, she concluded her run as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked...
, Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele is an American actor and comedian known as a cast member on MADtv from 2003–2008 and currently for his recurring role as Dr. Brian on the Adult Swim series Childrens Hospital...
, Becky Drysdale, Joe Kelly, + Ron West, + Andrew Moskos, + Dave Buckman, + Jamie Wright, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2001 Ironic Yanks
Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers
Seth Adam Meyers is an American actor and comedian. He currently serves as head writer for Saturday Night Live and hosts its news parody segment Weekend Update.-Early life:...
, Brendan Hunt, + Andrew Moskos
2001 Nieuwjaarsconference
Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2002 Rock Stars
Greg Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Rachel Miller, Randall Harr, Kristi Casey, Joe Kelly, Dani Sher, Colton Dunn, Brendan Hunt, Melody Nife, Lauren Dowden, Nicole Parker
Nicole Parker
Nicole Frances Parker is an Emmy Award-winning actress and singer best known for her work on Fox's sketch comedy show MADtv. In July 2009, she concluded her run as Elphaba in the Broadway production of Wicked...
, Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele is an American actor and comedian known as a cast member on MADtv from 2003–2008 and currently for his recurring role as Dr. Brian on the Adult Swim series Childrens Hospital...
, + Dave Razowsky + Jon Rosenfeld, + Andrew Moskos, + Jamie Wright, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2002 Here Comes the Neighborhood (Edinburgh Production)
Brendan Hunt, Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele is an American actor and comedian known as a cast member on MADtv from 2003–2008 and currently for his recurring role as Dr. Brian on the Adult Swim series Childrens Hospital...
, + Joe Kelly, + Andrew Moskos
2002 Yankee Go Home:
Americans and Why You Love to Hate Us
Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, + Andrew Moskos, + Gerbrand van Kolck
2003 Boom Chicago Saves the World (Sorry about the Mess)
Greg Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Brendan Hunt, Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele
Jordan Peele is an American actor and comedian known as a cast member on MADtv from 2003–2008 and currently for his recurring role as Dr. Brian on the Adult Swim series Childrens Hospital...
, Colton Dunn, Dani Sher, Rachel Miller, Suzi Barrett, Heather Campbell, Jim Woods, + Jon Rosenfeld, + Andrew Moskos, + Jamie Wright, + Gerbrand van Kolck + Steven Svymbersky
2003 Going Down: A Comedy Show About Pessimism Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, + Andrew Moskos, + Jamie Wright, + David Schmoll
2004 Why Aren't You Happy Yet?
Greg Shapiro, Rob AndristPlourde, Rachel Miller, Suzi Barrett, Heather Campbell, Jim Woods, Tim Sniffen, Ryan Archibald, Tarik Davis, Amber Ruffin, + Jon Rosenfeld, + Andrew Moskos, + Jamie Wright, + David Schmoll, + Steven Svymbersky
2004 Mr. America Contest:
A Comedy Show about the U.S. Presidential Race
Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, Andrew Moskos, Jamie Wright, David Schmoll
2005 Bite the Bullet!
Suzi Barrett, Heather Campbell, Tarik Davis, Matt Jones
Matt L. Jones
Matthew L. "Matt" Jones is an American actor and comedian best known for his recurring role as Badger on Breaking Bad and for voicing Gunther on the animated series Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil.-Life and career:...
, Amber Ruffin, Tim Sniffen, Jim Woods, + Andrew Moskos, + Jon Rosenfeld, + Greg Shapiro, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Rachel Miller, + Amber Ruffin, + Jamie Wright, + David Schmoll, + Steven Svymbersky
2005 Best of Boom 2005
Ryan Archibald, Suzi Barrett, Heather Campbell, Tarik Davis, Matt Jones
Matt L. Jones
Matthew L. "Matt" Jones is an American actor and comedian best known for his recurring role as Badger on Breaking Bad and for voicing Gunther on the animated series Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil.-Life and career:...
, Tim Sniffen, Jim Woods, + Andrew Moskos, + Jon Rosenfeld, + Greg Shapiro, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Rachel Miller, + Amber Ruffin, + Jamie Wright, + David Schmoll, + Steven Svymbersky
2006 Best of Boom 2006
Rob AndristPlourde, Hilary Bauman, Tarik Davis, Lauren Flans, Ryan Gowland, Brian Jack, Matt Jones
Matt L. Jones
Matthew L. "Matt" Jones is an American actor and comedian best known for his recurring role as Badger on Breaking Bad and for voicing Gunther on the animated series Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil.-Life and career:...
, Dan Oster
Dan Oster
Daniel "Dan" Oster is an American comedic actor and improv artist. He is most famous for being a member of Boom Chicago and a member of the MADtv cast.-Early years:...
, Greg Shapiro, + Andrew Moskos, + Jon Rosenfeld, + Laurel Coppock, + David Schmoll, + Vladimir Berkhemer + Steven Svymbersky
2006 Kick This: A World Cup Comedy with Balls Jon Rosenfeld, Brendan Hunt, Andrew Moskos, Jamie Wright, David Schmoll
2006 Me MySpace and iPod
Hilary Bauman, Lauren Flans, Brian Jack, Matt Jones
Matt L. Jones
Matthew L. "Matt" Jones is an American actor and comedian best known for his recurring role as Badger on Breaking Bad and for voicing Gunther on the animated series Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil.-Life and career:...
, Dan Oster
Dan Oster
Daniel "Dan" Oster is an American comedic actor and improv artist. He is most famous for being a member of Boom Chicago and a member of the MADtv cast.-Early years:...
+ Andrew Moskos + Jon Rosenfeld + Mike Orton-Toliver, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Jennifer Burton, + Michael Diederich, + Gregory Shapiro, + Steven Svymbersky + Dave Schmoll, + Vladimir Berkhemer, + Matt Chapman, + Becky Nelson
2007 Boom Chicago's Wild West Comedy and Gun Show—Featuring One Real Indian
Jennifer Burton, Lauren Flans, Mike Orton-Toliver, Jim Woods, Joe Kelly + Jon Rosenfeld + Andrew Moskos + Rob AndristPlourde, + Suzi Barrett, + Hilary Bauman, + Michael Diederich, + Dan Oster
Dan Oster
Daniel "Dan" Oster is an American comedic actor and improv artist. He is most famous for being a member of Boom Chicago and a member of the MADtv cast.-Early years:...
+ Gregory Shapiro, + Steven Svymbersky + Dave Schmoll, + Vladimir Berkhemer, + Matt Chapman, + Becky Nelson
2007 Five Years in Amsterdam (Edinburgh Production) Brendan Hunt + Andrew Moskos
2008 Last One to Leave the Planet, Turn Out the Lights
Ryan Archibald, Hilary Bauman, Lauren Flans, James Kirkland, Mike Orton-Toliver, Jon Rosenfeld, David Schmoll, Steven Svymbersky, Ash Lim + Andrew Moskos, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Lolu Ajayi, + Michael Diederich, + Hans Holsen, + Gregory Shapiro, + Andel Sudik, + Julie Nichols, + Neil Towsey, + Brendan Hunt, + Matt Chapman, + Becky Nelson
2008 Screw the Planet; Save the Oil (Best of Boom 2009)
Lolu Ajayi, Ryan Archibald, Liz Bolton, Amber Ruffin, Dave Schmoll, Steven Svymbersky, Jon Rosenfeld, Shane Oman, + Andrew Moskos, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Michael Diederich, +Hans Holsen, + James Kirkland, + Mike Orton-Toliver, + Andel Sudick, + Julie Nichols, + Brian Tjon Ajong, + Neil Townsey, + Matt Chapman, + Becky Nelson
2008 Bye-Bye Bush
Jon Rosenfeld, Gregory Shapiro, Mike Orton-Toliver, Andrew Moskos, Steven Svymbersky, Julie Nichols + Matt Chapman, + Becky Nelson
2009 Yankee Come Back
Hans Holsen, Liz Bolton, Amber Ruffin, James Kirkland, Mike Orton-Toliver, Julie Nichols, Brian Tjon Ajong, Neil Townsey, Jon Rosenfeld, Shane Oman, + Andrew Moskos + Lolu Ajayi, + Rob AndristPlourde, + Michael Diederich, + Andel Sudick, + Dave Schmoll, + Steven Svymbersky, + Matt Chapman
2009 Holland Globetrotters (New York Production)
Liz Bolton, James Kirkland, Amber Ruffin, Jordan Peele, Julie Nichols, Jon Rosenfeld, Andrew Moskos, Steven Svymbersky
2009 Upgrade or Die!
Rob AndristPlourde, Liz Bolton, Amber Ruffin, James Kirkland, Brian Tjon Ajong, Neil Townsey, Dave Schmoll, Jon Rosenfeld, Shane Oman, + Andrew Moskos + Lolu Ajayi, + Michael Diederich, + Matt Chapman, + Jessica Lowe, + Steven Svymbersky
2010 Political Party
Maurice de Hond, Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro + Andrew Moskos + Brian Tjon Ajong
2010 Your Worst Fears
Lolu Ajayi, Amber Ruffin, Jon Rosenfeld, Dave Schmoll + Rob AndristPlourde, Michael Diederich + Jessica Lowe + Matt Chapman + Brian Tjon Ajong, + Shane Oman, + Andrew Moskos + Steven Svymbersky
2010 There's No Such Thing as Sinterklaas
Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, Andrew Moskos + Brian Tjon Ajong + James Winder + Steven Svymbersky + Dave Schmoll
2011 Social Media Circus
Lolu Ajayi, Amber Ruffin, Jessica Lowe, Matt Chapman, Jim Woods, Jon Rosenfeld, Andrew Moskos, Dave Schmoll + Rob AndristPlourde, + Haley Mancini + Mike Orton-Toliver + Michael Diederich + Brian Tjon Ajong, + Shane Oman, + Steven Svymbersky
2011 9/11 Forever
Jon Rosenfeld, Greg Shapiro, Mike Orton-Toliver, Andrew Moskos + Brian Tjon Ajong + James Winder + Dave Schmoll
See also
- Improvisational comedy
- List of improvisational theatre companies
- ComedyComedyComedy , as a popular meaning, is any humorous discourse or work generally intended to amuse by creating laughter, especially in television, film, and stand-up comedy. This must be carefully distinguished from its academic definition, namely the comic theatre, whose Western origins are found in...