The Upright Citizens Brigade Visits the District Improv Troupe to Perform this Weekend

The Daily Show has been employing their alumni for years. So has Saturday Night Live. No, it’s not a university – it’s the improv comedy troupe known as The Upright Citizens Brigade.

The troupe will be performing four shows over two days at the Harman Center for the Arts this Friday and Saturday.

The “Brigade” formed in 1990 by a group of comedians from Chicago including SNL’s Matt Besser and Horatio Sanz. After nearly ten years in Chicago, the group moved to New York City where they performed and gave lessons on improvisational comedy.

Their stage show became so popular that they opened their own improv studio in New York. And in 1998, the troupe earned its own show on Comedy Central. The self-titled show featured the troupe’s most famous cast, including Besser, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh and Amy Poehler. Despite rave reviews from critics, the show ended after three seasons.

Although the cast has since changed, the troupe tours the country, performing its edgy and hilarious comedy for eager audiences all over the world.

Audiences and critics alike have praised them for their work, including late night host Conan O’Brien who said, “They are doing the type of manic, original, inventive stuff I’m always interested in.”

For tickets, visit http://red-swingline.com/ucb. Shows take place Friday, Jan. 29 and Saturday, Jan. 30 at 7:30 and 9:45 both nights.