Boom Chicago - American Improv Comedy in Amsterdam
Visitors to Amsterdam don't have to learn Dutch to experience some of Amsterdam's finest sketch and improv comedy; that's because one of the city's top comedy troupes hails from the American Midwest. Since 1993, Boom Chicago has entertained audiences with its own brand of social and political satire, which takes its inspiration from current social issues and events on both sides of the pond, and attracts a mixed Dutch and non-Dutch audience in the process.
One recent production, for example, entitled Delete Zwarte Piet Niet ("Don't Delete Black Pete"), took on the hot-button issue of the Dutch holiday tradition of Zwarte Piet, Sinterklaas's blackface-clad helpers, and the vast chasm between American (who tend to consider it inexcusably racist) and Dutch (who see it as an innocent tradition) opinion of the practice. Indeed, a recurrent theme of the company's productions is the apparent absurdity of one culture to the other, particularly from the eyes of American expats in the Netherlands, who can view both sets of cultural phenomena from within and without - and find the most potent spots to poke fun at each.
The Location: Het Rosentheater in the Jordaan
The troupe's phenomenal success over the past 20 years has seen it relocate to ever more capacious venues; after a 16-year run at the revered Leidseplein Theater, where some of the Netherlands' most renowned cabaret artists had their start, in 2013 the company moved to the Rozentheater in the lively Jordaan - a historic theater that served as the country's first permanent cinema.
Audience members can enjoy drinks (not to mention a few rounds of pinball) at the theater's amply stocked bar in the foyer, Bar 117 - from wines supplied by the excellent Grape District on Haarlemmerstraat, to beers by the bucket (an emmertje bier - i.e., an ice bucket full of bottled Heinekens). Small tables punctuate the rows of seats in the auditorium and lend the space an intimate vibe. While no food is served at the theater (save for special events), two nearby restaurants offer 6pm pre-theater menus (reservations required): Mazzo for Italian cuisine, and Nomads for Middle Eastern mezzes. Or, just stroll the nearby streets and take your pick: there's no lack of excellent and diverse food in the Jordaan - just be sure to be seated before curtain-up. (Doors open 45 minutes before showtime, and close 15 minutes before showtime.)
For More Information
See the Boom Chicago web site for the latest schedule of performances. Tickets are available online at the web site, by phone at 0900 BOOM CHICAGO or at the Rozentheater box office (see web site for the latest phone hotline and box office hours). Students (with ID) can enjoy 3-for-1 tickets to Wednesday performances.
Venue Location
Rozentheater
Rozengracht 117
1016LV Amsterdam
Directions: Take tram 13, 14 or 17 to Marnixstraat, then backtrack eastward on Rozengracht to the theater, on the south side of the street.
One recent production, for example, entitled Delete Zwarte Piet Niet ("Don't Delete Black Pete"), took on the hot-button issue of the Dutch holiday tradition of Zwarte Piet, Sinterklaas's blackface-clad helpers, and the vast chasm between American (who tend to consider it inexcusably racist) and Dutch (who see it as an innocent tradition) opinion of the practice. Indeed, a recurrent theme of the company's productions is the apparent absurdity of one culture to the other, particularly from the eyes of American expats in the Netherlands, who can view both sets of cultural phenomena from within and without - and find the most potent spots to poke fun at each.
The Location: Het Rosentheater in the Jordaan
The troupe's phenomenal success over the past 20 years has seen it relocate to ever more capacious venues; after a 16-year run at the revered Leidseplein Theater, where some of the Netherlands' most renowned cabaret artists had their start, in 2013 the company moved to the Rozentheater in the lively Jordaan - a historic theater that served as the country's first permanent cinema.
Audience members can enjoy drinks (not to mention a few rounds of pinball) at the theater's amply stocked bar in the foyer, Bar 117 - from wines supplied by the excellent Grape District on Haarlemmerstraat, to beers by the bucket (an emmertje bier - i.e., an ice bucket full of bottled Heinekens). Small tables punctuate the rows of seats in the auditorium and lend the space an intimate vibe. While no food is served at the theater (save for special events), two nearby restaurants offer 6pm pre-theater menus (reservations required): Mazzo for Italian cuisine, and Nomads for Middle Eastern mezzes. Or, just stroll the nearby streets and take your pick: there's no lack of excellent and diverse food in the Jordaan - just be sure to be seated before curtain-up. (Doors open 45 minutes before showtime, and close 15 minutes before showtime.)
For More Information
See the Boom Chicago web site for the latest schedule of performances. Tickets are available online at the web site, by phone at 0900 BOOM CHICAGO or at the Rozentheater box office (see web site for the latest phone hotline and box office hours). Students (with ID) can enjoy 3-for-1 tickets to Wednesday performances.
Venue Location
Rozentheater
Rozengracht 117
1016LV Amsterdam
Directions: Take tram 13, 14 or 17 to Marnixstraat, then backtrack eastward on Rozengracht to the theater, on the south side of the street.
