Second City
Published On: Oct 26, 2006
Second City Chicago is improve at its best. The original Second City, the one that started it all, is more than just a comedy club. It is inspiration to many up and coming funny men and women and a huge benefit to comedy connoisseurs the world over. The entertainment at this night club is splendid.
Located in Old Town Chicago, Second City was formed by members of the Compass Players, who were undergraduates of the University of Chicago in the 1950s who wanted to present a cabaret-style revue. The name Second City comes from an article in The New Yorker by A.J. Leibling in 1952. Leibling wasn't kind to the city so the troupe adopted his clever disdain for it as a point of self deprecation. The first Second City show premiered in 1959.
While the Second City format has remained the same through the years, its style of comedy has undergone several updates. The comedy routines include scripted scenes as well as audience suggested improvised material and some mixed-genre skits to boot. As an innovation, Second City includes live improvisational music in acts. Many Saturday Night Live regulars got their start at Second City, particularly in the 1970s. Many of the elements of comedy developed at Second City and pioneered there were taken on SCL and included in other improve groups around the nation. Not too long after that, SCTV premiered in Toronto in honor of Second City.
Among the famous comedians who have stood on Second City's stage were John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, and Mike Myers. The theatre consists of two stages: The Second City Mainstage and The Second City e.t.c. The former seats up to 290 and the latter 180. A resident troupe on each stage writes and performs the original revue. A third theater, Donny's Skybox, in Piper's Alley presents a host of student productions an alternative shows for an eclectic audience. In addition, the Second City Training Center teaches improvisational techniques, acting and writing to budding talent. A corporate communications aspect of the business also services the business world.
Second City also takes its shows on the road with a world tour. The Second City Touring Company is a treat to audiences on several continents and includes a variety of shows that act as a "best of" comedy skits from modern and classic acts. The cast and crew of the touring shows are just as talented and funny as the crew from the Second City revue you'll see when you visit the Windy City.
The troupe doesn't let technology get in the way either. Second City has been involved in television and film production as well. Some of the projects Second City actors, writers and directors have been a part of include The Best of John Candy video; The Second City's 25th Anniversary, an HBO and CBC special starring Ed Asner, John Candy, Martin Short, Shelly Berman, and many others; Street Talk U.S.A.; The Comedy Network's The Gavin Crawford Show; Whitecoats, a feature film directed by Dave Thomas; and First Family of Comedy 2005. This is the short list.
The Second City Training Center has turned out some of the best talent in the entertainment industry. Alumni include Tina Fey, Mike Myers, Halle Berry, Chris Farley, Bonnie Hunt, and Stephen Colbert. Many of the students go into entertainment but many others come from business or other backgrounds and use the training to improve upon their presentation skills. Faculty of the training center also teach one day workshops and other events all over the world.
Second City is open year round with original comedy and entertainment. Special features and regular shows keep audiences coming back for more time and time again. The main stage is open Tuesdays through Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and 11 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 312-337-3992 or online at www.secondcity.com.
Second City
1616 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60614
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Second City Chicago is improve at its best. The original Second City, the one that started it all, is more than just a comedy club. It is inspiration to many up and coming funny men and women and a huge benefit to comedy connoisseurs the world over. The entertainment at this night club is splendid.
Located in Old Town Chicago, Second City was formed by members of the Compass Players, who were undergraduates of the University of Chicago in the 1950s who wanted to present a cabaret-style revue. The name Second City comes from an article in The New Yorker by A.J. Leibling in 1952. Leibling wasn't kind to the city so the troupe adopted his clever disdain for it as a point of self deprecation. The first Second City show premiered in 1959.
While the Second City format has remained the same through the years, its style of comedy has undergone several updates. The comedy routines include scripted scenes as well as audience suggested improvised material and some mixed-genre skits to boot. As an innovation, Second City includes live improvisational music in acts. Many Saturday Night Live regulars got their start at Second City, particularly in the 1970s. Many of the elements of comedy developed at Second City and pioneered there were taken on SCL and included in other improve groups around the nation. Not too long after that, SCTV premiered in Toronto in honor of Second City.
Among the famous comedians who have stood on Second City's stage were John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, and Mike Myers. The theatre consists of two stages: The Second City Mainstage and The Second City e.t.c. The former seats up to 290 and the latter 180. A resident troupe on each stage writes and performs the original revue. A third theater, Donny's Skybox, in Piper's Alley presents a host of student productions an alternative shows for an eclectic audience. In addition, the Second City Training Center teaches improvisational techniques, acting and writing to budding talent. A corporate communications aspect of the business also services the business world.
Second City also takes its shows on the road with a world tour. The Second City Touring Company is a treat to audiences on several continents and includes a variety of shows that act as a "best of" comedy skits from modern and classic acts. The cast and crew of the touring shows are just as talented and funny as the crew from the Second City revue you'll see when you visit the Windy City.
The troupe doesn't let technology get in the way either. Second City has been involved in television and film production as well. Some of the projects Second City actors, writers and directors have been a part of include The Best of John Candy video; The Second City's 25th Anniversary, an HBO and CBC special starring Ed Asner, John Candy, Martin Short, Shelly Berman, and many others; Street Talk U.S.A.; The Comedy Network's The Gavin Crawford Show; Whitecoats, a feature film directed by Dave Thomas; and First Family of Comedy 2005. This is the short list.
The Second City Training Center has turned out some of the best talent in the entertainment industry. Alumni include Tina Fey, Mike Myers, Halle Berry, Chris Farley, Bonnie Hunt, and Stephen Colbert. Many of the students go into entertainment but many others come from business or other backgrounds and use the training to improve upon their presentation skills. Faculty of the training center also teach one day workshops and other events all over the world.
Second City is open year round with original comedy and entertainment. Special features and regular shows keep audiences coming back for more time and time again. The main stage is open Tuesdays through Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and 11 p.m., and Sundays at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 312-337-3992 or online at www.secondcity.com.
Second City
1616 N. Wells St.
Chicago, IL 60614
Print This Page
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