Upright Citizens Brigade (Original Four)
1990-present (as UCB Four); founding touring act · Chicago, IL (1990-96); New York, NY (1996-); Los Angeles, CA (2005-)
Also known as UCB Four, UCB
The Del Close-mentored quartet — Besser, Poehler, Roberts, Walsh — who took the Chicago Harold aesthetic to NY and founded the UCB Theatre.
Known for
- Chicago origin, 1990-91 — originally eight performers (the 'UCB Touring Company'), winnowed to the Four: Matt Besser, Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh.
- All Del Close students; came out of The Family and iO's training system.
- First show 'Virtual Reality' at Kill the Poet (Chicago), 1991.
- Moved to NYC 1996 with the explicit goal of getting their own TV show. Opened ASSSSCAT at KGB Bar, moved to Solo Arts.
- Got 3-season UCB TV series on Comedy Central (1998-2000).
- Opened first UCB Theatre at 161 W. 22nd Street, NYC, February 4, 1999.
- UCB LA opened 2005; East Village 'UCB East' opened 2011.
Connected to
Schools & Theaters
Troupes
Forms
Notes
Distinct from schools/ucb (the theater/training center). This record is the four-person performing ensemble. The theater outlasted the ensemble as a performing act, but they continue to appear together on ASSSSCAT and special events.
Sources
Referenced by
Troupes