The Union

The Union's New Website

2010-02-22T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody -

Just a quick update. The Union has a new website. Please update your bookmarks and web browsers. Point your stuff over here:

The Union

Go there to find out all things regarding The Union. There's links to photos, videos, a blog, other info, etc.

While we're talking about The Union, you might note that our date with Messing With A Friend has been updated to March 25th at 10:30pm at The Annoyance Theater. We'll also be performing in April as the opener for the improv supergroup The Reckoning at iO. Check out the Upcoming Shows page on the new site for all the info.

Messing with Our Marriage - POSTPONED!

2010-01-25T18:12:00.001-08:00

*** UPDATE***

This show has been postponed. Unfortunately, Susan hit a patch of ice, fell, and broke her ankle. The sweet woman that she is, called to apologize to us. Like it was her fault. Hilarious. Obviously, we just want Susan to get healthy and we'll find another time to play. She's been gracious enough to give us priority when she gets back to the stage, so we'll let you know when our show gets rescheduled, posting it here the moment we find out. Thanks everyone for your understanding.

- The Union

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This Thursday, The Union will have the privilege of playing with improv guru Susan Messing in her weekly show "Messing with a Friend." That's right, Messing with The Union! Thursday 1/28 at 10:30pm at The Annoyance Theater.

Susan was one of our first improv teachers in Chicago and years later, we were thrilled to be invited to get on stage with her. She is a crazy, smart, dirty mouthed performer and we can't wait to have a blast with her.

The Chicago Tribune writes that Messing with a Friend is "...the hottest improv show in town and costs a mere five bucks. Assertive, vulnerable, eloquent, acerbic and ---most important---complicated, Messing is a colossal talent."

Hope you can make it!

- The Union

The Union Goes To Vegas

2010-01-10T22:44:00.000-08:00

Come see The Union at Chicago SketchFest on Sunday, January 17th at 2:30pm. The show is at the Theater Building,1225 W. Belmont. Call 773.327.5252 for tickets. For more info, click here.

2009-12-29T22:55:00.001-08:00

The Union is a top pick for Chicago Sketchfest! Check it out - Cheeky

If you missed us on this last run, come check us out in our 'Best of' showcase. Sunday, January 17th at 2:30pm in the north theater at the Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont.

Pass the word along!

The Union hits the ground running in 2010!

2009-12-09T21:05:00.000-08:00

Hey friends - There will be two great chances to see The Union right off the bat in 2010.

First, we are very excited that we were selected to appear at the world famous Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. Our show is on Sunday, January 17th at 2:30pm and all shows take place at the Chicago Theater Building. We'll be performing a "Best Of' show comprised of some of our favorite sketches from the past year or so.

Next we'll be improvising with the wonderful, hilarious, and filthy Susan Messing in her signature show at The Annoyance Theater called "Messing With A Friend". Each Thursday night at 10:30pm, Susan welcomes a guest or two to join her on stage for an unscripted romp and we're thrilled to be one of her first guests of the new year, on January 28th.

Hope to see you at one or both of these shows!

- The Union

The Union will be performing in KC!

2009-11-03T10:21:00.000-08:00

Did you miss out on seeing The Union - A Very Civil War at Donny's Skybox because you "don't live in Chicago"? I know we may have said to some of you, "Oh well, sucks to be you" but now it turns out you actually have another chance to catch the fun.

The Union will be performing a one-night only show in Kansas City on Friday November 27th at 8pm at the Westport Coffeehouse. Tickets are available NOW! Make reservations by calling 816-678-8886. This show is very likely to sell out, so if you wait too long, and don't get tickets, don't blame us! We told you about it.

As a special bonus (as if one was needed) check out all the ridiculous fun that will be had that night:

- improv by Loaded Dice (with special guest Corey Rittmaster)
- improv by Spite (with special guests Monique Madrid and Gillian Bellinger)
- sketch comedy by us, The Union

All this for the stupid low price of $8, $5 for students. If you live in Kansas City and will be around for Thanksgiving and you don't come see this show, you're an idiot.

Love,
The Union

One more show left! Plus "The Pinata"

2009-10-06T20:03:00.000-07:00

Last summer we wrote a short movie, and along with the help of some wonderful friends we filmed it. Though it took a while to finally finish, we're proud to present "The Pinata." Please check it out and if you like it, pass it along!

Also, don't forget: our last show of the run "A Very Civil War" is this Thursday 10/8 at 10:30pm at Second City's Donny's Skybox.

See you there!
Monique and Corey (The Union)

Only two shows left!

2009-10-01T13:02:00.000-07:00

We only have two shows left in our run. Tonight and next Thursday, 10:30pm at Donny's Skybox

I know it'll be tough to contain your excitement, so to pass the time between now and tonight, check out our newest video. Make sure to watch it to the end!

Marriage Counseling part 2

2009-09-16T12:06:00.000-07:00

Opening night went really well! We're excited to continue our run and hope you can make it. Thursdays 10:30pm at Donny's Skybox.

Check out the new video...

The Union - A Very Civil War

2009-09-01T23:32:00.000-07:00

The Union - A Very Civil War
Written and performed by Corey Rittmaster and Monique Madrid
Directed by Amanda Blake Davis
Thursdays at 10:30pm
September 10 - October 8, 2009
Donny's Skybox Theater at Second City - 1608 N. Wells - Piper's Alley 4th Floor
For tickets call 312-337-3992 or go to www.secondcity.com
$10 General Admission, $8 Students, $5 Training Center

Performing as part of a double bill with FORTE!

Hope you can make it!

- The Union

The Union gets Cheeky

2009-08-25T08:58:00.000-07:00

The Union was interviewed by Cheeky Chicago and you can read all about it here!

In addition, we've been hard at work on some new video shorts. Keep checking back here, as we will post them as soon as they're done!

- The Union

Dual Duel Semifinals

2009-08-19T22:51:00.000-07:00

The Dual Duel is a 2-person, long-form improv competition going on over at the ComedySportz theater. Each show has 5 duos performing for exactly 10 minutes, not a second more, and the audience votes the winners on to the next round. The Union entered, and we won our first round matchup a few weeks ago. So we'll be improvising at the Dual Duel semi-finals this Sunday, August 23rd at 9pm. The competition is stiff, so we'd love your support. Tickets are just $5. Hope you can make it!

- Corey

Milwaukee, here we come!

2009-08-06T21:18:00.000-07:00

We're heading back to the the Milwaukee Comedy Festival Friday August 7th! We had a blast last year and can't wait to go back.

We'll be performing completely new material from last year, so come check us out!

- Corey and Monique
The Union

The after party was a blast. This year has a lot to live up to!

This is us backstage at the 2008 Milwaukee Comedy Festival!

The Union's summer

2009-06-29T23:05:00.000-07:00

Got a lot coming up this summer for The Union, so keep an eye out for more details, briefly...

First off, Snubfest was a blast and we were very happy with our set. We met some new friends and have been invited to open up for some of the local groups around here and possibly a group in New York sometime later this year.
Then we'll be improvising together in the ComedySportz contest "Dual Duel" on July 19th at 9pm.
Next, one of our short videos has been accepted into the Chicago Short Comedy Video & Film Festival and we'll be judged against some very talented comedians on July 24th!
Also, we'll be heading back to the Milwaukee Comedy Festival on August 7th!
Lastly, we have a run coming up at Second City's Donny Skybox in September/October!

Keep checking in with us to see new announcements, show details and more fun videos!

- The Union

Snubbed

2009-06-22T21:25:00.000-07:00

You snub us and we will come back to haunt you!

The Union will be performing not once, but twice at Chicago's SnubFest this week!

First, check us out on Saturday 6/27 at 10pm for "The Last Snob Standing" contest. Your laughter can help us win the prize of getting into other festivals.

Then we're up again for a longer set on Sunday 6/28 at 8pm for our showcase.

The shows take place at the Chemically Imbalanced Comedy Theater, 1420 W. Irving Park and tickets are only $10 so there's no excuse to miss it!

- The Union

Two Chances To See The Union This Week

2009-05-09T21:38:00.000-07:00

Two chances to see The Union coming up this week:

1. Monday 5/11 - 10pm at The Playground Theater. The Union will join forces with our good friends Chrissy Swinko and Louie Saunders to perform as "Tall Guy Short Girl", an improvised opening act for Williams and Martinez.

2. Friday 5/15 - 10pm at The Playground Theater. The Union is one of three groups performing at Grafitti, Chicago's premiere sketch comedy showcase.

Hope you can make it!

- The Union

The Union at The Playground 4/24/09

2009-04-24T13:46:00.000-07:00

The Union will be performing some all new sketches at "Grafitti" at The Playground Theater on Friday, April 24th at 10:00pm.

Tickets are $10, and it's BYOB. The Playground is located on Halsted at Belmont and the doors open at 9:30.

Also performing: Teenager Of The Year and Sayjal Joshi.

Hope to see you there!

- The Union

Marriage Bed

2008-12-23T09:17:00.000-08:00

A Winter's Night

2008-12-10T23:13:00.001-08:00

The Kiss

2008-11-29T23:32:00.000-08:00

The Date

2008-11-09T19:40:00.000-08:00

The Union at The Annoyance Theater

2008-10-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Union presents

"Ward & June Are Dead"

a sketch comedy show

Sundays at 7pm at The Annoyance Theater

November 16 through December 28

Tickets $10, $5 for students