The New York Times reports that after 8,500 performances, the improvisational comedy troupe will end its 23-year run. Paul Zuckerman, the troupe's current artistic director, told the Times, "We were five months behind on rent, and Con Ed was threatening to discontinue service. The hole just got bigger and bigger." The company's current show, America Idles, opened in June. The troupe was formed in Chicago in 1977 by George Todisco and other performers in workshop at Chicago's legendary Second City. Todisco, who died in 1981, served as artistic director and producer for the troupe during its early years. After moving to Manhattan a year later, the group began appearing in nightspots and comedy clubs, eventually moving Off- Broadway (1980) to the Jan Hus Playhouse and, currently, their own theatre (on First Ave. and 61st St. in New York). For over 15 years the troupe has also been offering workshops in improvisational theatre for both beginners and seasoned performers.

Previous Chicago City Limits titles have included CCL With Clam Sauce; He She and It; X The Roman Numeral; Scandals of '89; Saddam You're Rockin' the Boat; The Official Comedy Team of the 1992 Olympics; Lame Duck Soup, Let Loose the Dogs of Improv and @ChicagoCityLimits.comedy.

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