New Variety

The New Variety is an American cabaret created and produced by Thom Goodman and Richard O'Donnell in the 1990s. It was a fast-paced, ever-changing volley of acts that included award-winning jugglers, fire-eaters, stand-up comics, singers, musicians, and sketch comedy troupes.

History

In February 1992, producers Thom Goodman (co-founder with J.P. Mayer, CrossCurrents Cabaret Theater, 1978) and R. O’Donnell (founder, New Age Vaudeville) teamed up to present the New Variety, located at 400 N. Clark, downtown Chicago. Modeled after the vaudeville variety shows of the ‘20s and '30s, the New Variety presented an evening’s worth of acts that included jugglers, fire-eaters, comics, singers, musicians, and sketch comedy troupes.

Venues

New Variety Cabaret

The original location of the New Variety was the upstairs of the Italian restaurant Bellagio. Built specifically for the show, the cabaret was an elegant and intimate 100-seat theater, revealing a sophisticated art deco-style decor. The audience sat at round black tables with green and black chairs around a small black-and-white checkered stage, slightly raised.