Mister Kelly's, a Chicago institution

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on August 22nd, 2005

For nice slice of comedy history, in this case, Chicago-style, take in the article in Sunday’s Chicago Sun-Times by Mike Thomas.

With its comedy-friendly blend of tight space and smart crowds, Kelly’s proved ideal for the brainy stylings of such rising talents as Mort Sahl and Lenny Bruce, Shelley Berman and Bob Newhart, Joan Rivers and Phyllis Diller. In 1964, Woody Allen paid a repeat visit to make his first comedy record.

Lots of fun to read, complete with reminiscences from a bunch of the comics who played the room at its peak. Our fascination with Mr. Kelly’s stems from the fact that its mentioned in the liner notes on Berman’s albums and both he and Dick Cavett mentioned Mr. Kelly’s in their SHECKYmagazine.com interviews!) Clubs like it are rare.

In addition to optimal atmosphere, the tight-knit staff at Kelly’s made performers feel welcome and above all respected. Elsewhere, that wasn’t always the case. “I made some good friends there,” Sahl recalls. “It was a wonderful place. You never missed home when you were there. I was having a good time, and people were awfully good to me.”

Likewise, lots of show folks who stalked Kelly’s stage still have a soft spot for the night spot that gave them a shot when shots were rare, that paid well when pay was poor, that honed skills and bolstered confidence. Here, their memories of those thrilling and formative days.

Click the above link and wallow!

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