Lovitz
HOLLYWOOD -- Universal Studios is getting into the comedy club biz, partnering with Jon Lovitz to open a venue at its CityWalk entertainment complex in Los Angeles.
The former "Saturday Night Live" cast member will perform regularly at the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club, which opens May 28 and replaces the three-story B.B. King Blues Club previously housed in the space.
Venue features a large single stage and roughly 400 seats in a Hawaiian-themed setting designed by production designer Bruce Ryan.
Lovitz is splitting ownership of the club with business partner Frank Kelly, who managed the Improv in Irvine, Calif.
Club is Lovitz's first foray into nightclub ownership after having performed on the standup circuit around the country over the past five years.
He and Kelly had wanted to open their own comedy club and had looked at existing locations before settling on CityWalk, which boasts millions in annual traffic venturing through the complex.
Leasing out the former blues club to Lovitz is also the latest attempt by Universal to boost attendance at CityWalk through upgrades and additions.
It completed renovations of its AMC Universal CityWalk Cinemas last year, adding stadium seating and other amenities.
Contact Marc Graser at
marc.graser@variety.com