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Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (New York)

1999-2020 (original) / 2024-present (reopened) · New York, NY

Also known as UCB NY, UCB Chelsea, UCB Hell's Kitchen, UCB East

Founding UCB — Besser, Poehler, Roberts, Walsh — opened in 1999, built the ASSSSCAT/Harold pipeline for a generation of NY comedy, shut both NY venues in April 2020, and reopened on 14th Street in September 2024.

Known for

Founded by the UCB four (Besser, Poehler, Roberts, Walsh) who migrated from Chicago; first official theater opened February 4, 1999 at 161 W. 22nd St. (former Harmony Burlesque).
Chelsea closed after 2002 fire code violations; UCB Theatre reopened April 1, 2003 at 307 W. 26th St. UCB East opened September 2011 at 153 E. 3rd St.; East closed February 9, 2019. Chelsea relocated to 555 W. 42nd St. in Hell's Kitchen in 2017.
Both NY locations shuttered in April 2020 due to COVID. UCB was acquired in March 2022 by Mike McAvoy (ex-Onion CEO) and Jimmy Miller (Mosaic) with Elysian Park Ventures backing.
New UCB NY opened September 2024 at 242 E. 14th St.
Alumni span SNL, 30 Rock, Parks and Rec, Broad City, Key & Peele, Human Giant.

Connected to

People

Matt Besser Amy Poehler Ian Roberts Matt Walsh

Schools & Theaters

Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (Los Angeles)iO Theater (Chicago)

Forms

The Harold ASSSSCAT

Sources

Referenced by

Schools & Theaters

Asylum NYC iO Theater (Chicago)The Free Association The People's Improv Theater (The PIT)The Squirrel Comedy Theatre UCB East UCB Theatre Chelsea (original)Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (Los Angeles)