Improv Group Plans To Move Into Upright Citizens Brigade Space

CHELSEA, NY — A Boston-based improv group is looking to open its first Manhattan outpost in the Chelsea theater previously occupied by Upright Citizens Brigade.

The storied stand-up comedy company, known as UCB, moved from its longtime Chelsea headquarters to a new space in Hell's Kitchen in October. The company had operated out of the Chelsea basement since 2003 but moved last year in order to work in a theater compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Now, a Boston-based improv group is seeking to take over UCB's old space. Improv Asylum has applied for a liquor license at the theater, located at 307 W. 26th St., according to a liquor license application filed with the local community bard.

Improv Asylum, which was founded in Boston in 1997, says its shows feature a mix of improv and sketch comedy, what it describes as "Whose Line is it Anyway?" meets "Saturday Night Live," according to its website.

The comedy group applied for a liquor license at UCB's underground theater, which seats 160 people and has two small stand-up bars. Representatives of the Improv Asylum said in their application that they were seeking a license to sell liquor, wine, beer and cider.

At its Boston location, Improv Asylum performs shows and also offers classes and corporate trainings.

A manager for the company's new Manhattan location said Improv Asylum was still finalizing the details for its New York City plans.

In January, Improv Asylum's co-owner and co-founder Chet Harding stepped down from day-to-day operations of the company after an "inappropriate comment was made," co-owner Norm Laviolette told the Boston Globe in January. The company did not provide details about the comment to the Globe.

"We’re reassessing the structure of the company," Laviolette told the newspaper at the time. We’re looking at everything."

Image credit: Ciara McCarthy / Patch