Features
Levity Entertainment Acquires The Improv Comedy Brand
Public Domain – The Improv in Irvine, Calif.
Levity Entertainment Group has acquired The Improv, the 54-year-old iconic comedy brand owned by Budd Friedman and Mark Lonow.
Friedman is credited with creating the concept for the modern comedy club when he opened The Improv in New York City in 1963. Since then the brand has grown to 20 venues nationwide, with clubs in Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Washington, D.C., and Hollywood, Calif. The Brand also maintains a library of classic comedy assets.
“There are few comedy brands with such an authentic and rich history,” Levity founder Robert Hartmann said in a statement. “We are excited to build on its legacy and evolve the live experience for new audiences.”
Some of the most influential talent in comedy have performed on The Improv stage, including
“We are honored to have been part of launching so many incredible comedy careers over the years. We have had such fun doing it,” Freidman and Lonow said in the statement.
The Improv venues will receive upgrades and offer a “vastly improved consumer experience,” with new features including improved seating, premium food and beverages options and state-of-the-art technology, according to the statement.
Levity Entertainment Group is a joint venture between Azoff MSG Entertainment and its founders. Irving Azoff is affiliated with Oak View Group, Pollstar’s parent company.