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Comedy to chew on
John Pinette brings his food humor to Centro Ybor's new Improv Comedy Theater and Restaurant.
By SHANNON E. BREEN
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 11, 2001
TAMPA -- The Improv Comedy Theater and Restaurant in Centro Ybor opens today with a performance by big man John Pinette.
Pinette played the victim being robbed while Jerry and his friends watched and made fun on the final episode of Seinfeld. He also has appeared in a number of movies, other TV shows and on A&E's Evening at the Improv and he has a comedy CD, Show Me the Buffet.
Tickets for Pinette's performances are $17 tonight and Sunday and $20 Friday and Saturday.
The Centro Ybor location is the 10th club in the Improv family, founded by Bud Friedman in New York City about 35 years ago.
The Improv eventually expanded to Los Angeles and, with the Comedy Store (its bitter rival), helped launch the careers of countless now-famous comedians, such as Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams and Roseanne.
Marquee names already signed on to appear in Centro Ybor this year include Jackie Mason, Rita Rudner and Tommy Davidson.
Although it is called Improv Comedy Theatre, the chain primarily has been a standup comedy club with occasional improv comedy troupe appearances.
It is not uncommon for comics who perform at these venues to try out new material before going on The Tonight Show and The Late Show.
This location is the only part of Centro Ybor that occupies a historic site, the 1912 Centro Espanol building. With mezzanine and balcony levels and more than 450 seats, this is the largest venue in the chain.
A full-service restaurant and bar offer a menu ranging from cheese sticks and chicken wings to prime rib. Patrons can order food before, during or after the show and experience stage-side seating as well as outdoor cafe seating on the first- and second-floor terraces overlooking Centro Ybor plaza.
Even though builders were still racing around last week, managing partner Todd Leinenbach assured that everything would be in place by tonight.
ON THE TOWN
The Improv Comedy Theater and Restaurant, 1600 E Eighth Ave. (Centro Ybor), Ybor City. Regular engagements, Tues., Wed., Sun., $8; Thur. $10; Fri. and Sat. $12-$14. Special engagements $15-$30. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Sun. and weeknights; 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Fri.; 7 p.m., 9:30 p.m., and midnight Sat. (813) 864-4000.
Also
Some other Tampa Bay area comedy clubs:
Coconuts Comedy Clubs: Howard Johnson's, 6100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, (727) 360-5653; Cinema Cafe, 24095 U.S. 19 N (Sunset Point Road and U.S. 19), Clearwater, (727) 797-5653.
Giggles Comedy Clubs: The Rare Olive Restaurant and Nightclub, 300 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, (727) 822-7273; Sidelines, 250 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach, (813) 641-1217; Poseidon, 2035 U.S. 19, Crystal River, (352) 563-1184.
Side Splitters Comedy Club: Cascades Plaza, 12938 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, (813) 960-1197.
Wacky Weaver's Brandon Comedy Club: 779 W Lumsden Road, Brandon, (813) 661-5527.
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