Think of it as Second City meets Saturday Night Live. Upright Citizens Brigade mixes long- and short-form improv with SNL-flavored sketch comedy. Not surprising, since the company originated in Chicago and has launched the likes of Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Rob Riggle and Horatio Sanz. Spurred by their own Comedy Central show in the late ’90s, UCB has spawned comedy theaters in New York and L.A., a training program and a several touring ensembles. One of those troupes visits UMass for two shows this weekend, including a late show in keeping with the comedy-club tradition.
Feb. 8 at 8 and 10 p.m., Bowker Auditorium, Fine Arts Center, UMass-Amherst, $10-$20, (413) 545-2511, (800) 999-UMAS or fac.umass.edu/online.
