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Bolingbrook stage home to new CG'S Comedy Club
![[Glen Martino opened CG's Comedy Club in Bolingbrook.]
BOLINGBROOK – The brand new CG's Comedy Club is drawing nationally touring talent to its home inside The Promenade Bolingbrook.
It was launched this summer by owner and operator Glen Martino of Naperville, a veteran comedian in his own right, who knew exactly what type of showroom fellow comics would appreciate.
"I started doing stand-up comedy myself in 2002 in Austin, Texas," Martino said, noting he's taken a hiatus from the stage to launch the club. I used to perform at Zanies, The Improv in Schaumburg and nationally all over the United States."
He describes his own style of comedy as observational, touching on topics everyone can relate to.
"Being around comedy, I always wanted to open my own [club]," he said, adding that the Bolingbrook area didn't have comedy offerings nearby.
By putting CG's there, he said patrons wouldn't have to drive as far to catch good quality entertainment.](ec3ba4f7-f3a0-4e21-b6eb-1974e2607422/image-pv_web.jpg)
[Glen Martino opened CG's Comedy Club in Bolingbrook.]
BOLINGBROOK – The brand new CG's Comedy Club is drawing nationally touring talent to its home inside The Promenade Bolingbrook.
It was launched this summer by owner and operator Glen Martino of Naperville, a veteran comedian in his own right, who knew exactly what type of showroom fellow comics would appreciate.
"I started doing stand-up comedy myself in 2002 in Austin, Texas," Martino said, noting he's taken a hiatus from the stage to launch the club. I used to perform at Zanies, The Improv in Schaumburg and nationally all over the United States."
He describes his own style of comedy as observational, touching on topics everyone can relate to.
"Being around comedy, I always wanted to open my own [club]," he said, adding that the Bolingbrook area didn't have comedy offerings nearby.
By putting CG's there, he said patrons wouldn't have to drive as far to catch good quality entertainment.
[Mike Stanley will appear Nov. 15 and 16.]
The showroom seats 100 people at two-person tables.
"I made sure that every every seat is facing the stage with no obstruction," he said.
He accommodates groups by seating people at tables that are close to one another, maintaining the mandated gap to allow accessibility.
The show format is standard to comedy clubs, beginning the night with an emcee or host opening for about 12 to 15 minutes, followed by a feature comedian doing about 25 to 30 minutes of material. It's capped by the headliner performing between 45 minutes and an hour.
"They're people I know are heavy hitters and bring the laughs all the time," Martino said of his bookings. "I always tell people you may not know the comedian you're coming to see, [but you'll] definitely be bringing people back. I'm bringing the best comics you've never heard of."
Martino coined a catch phrase for his club – "It's time to laugh."
[Comedian Chelsea Hood will perform Nov. 22 and 23.]
"With everything going on, I wanted everybody to remember it's time to laugh," he said. "Come out and have a good time and check your stress at the door."
Reservations are recommended, and patrons must be age 21 or older at CG's, which stands for Comedy Guru's.
The club has a bar offering beer, wine and specialty cocktails. There's a two-drink minimum, which can include soft drinks, juices or alcohol. Martino said the drink prices are reasonable, ranging from $4 to $9.
While CG's does not serve food, Martino said it's located in the mall next to H&M on the main floor, and near a variety of good restaurants making it easy to round out the evening with dinner and a show.
On Thursdays, Nov. 14 and 21, the club features free open mic nights, offering people a chance to hone their act or give stand-up a try. The two-drink minimum applies.
Up to 34 people will have five minutes on stage. No reservations are needed for audience members. Open mic performers can arrive at 7 p.m. to sign up to appear, and the fun begins at 7:30 p.m.
"Comedians are very supportive of the room," he said, noting they are traveling from Chicago, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet and beyond. They like to see … a comedian's room – a room that's [designed] by a comic for comics."
Martino said a lot of the talent in the club has been featured on television, ranging from NBC to Comedy Central.
One may sign up for the newsletter on the club website and check out the upcoming acts. It's taken a lot of hard work to open the club doors, and Martino credits the assistance of his wife, Angelina, in making the dream a reality.
Keeping other comedians' families in mind, Martino said he focused on booking talent from the local region for the holidays, so the artists won't have to be on the road and away from home.
He's cooked up something special for Thanksgiving weekend, booking Chicago all-stars shows – "the best of the best that Chicago has to offer," he said.
[Joe Bronzi will appear Dec. 6 and 7.]
For those shows on Nov. 29 and 30, the all-headliner lineup will feature three comics on Friday and a different set of three on Saturday.
With CG's, Martino said he relishes "being able to spend time with his wife and not being on the road so much and still being part of the comedy scene."
Other perks for him?
"Seeing the faces of the people who are there and how much fun they're having in the audience."
If you go
WHAT: CG's Comedy Club's next headliner is Mike Stanley
WHERE: The Promenade Bolingbrook, 619 E. Boughton Road, suite 125
WHEN: 8 and 10:30 p.m. Nov. 15 and 16
COST: $18
INFO: cgscomedyclub.com, 630-410-8906