Every year around this time I take my parents to The Second City. Dad loves the irreverent and topical comedy, but cringes when they break the fourth wall for a surprise audience interaction. His greatest fear is being onstage and, for the past 10 years, he’s survived the improv bullet. Mom loves raunchy comedy. The dirtier… Read More Six Tips for Surviving The Second City
>> Second City is getting ready for the grand opening of its new venue, UP Comedy Club, a “new hybrid performance venue with an eclectic blend of comedy.” The 300 seat space occupies the area where Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding played for several years. I’m planning to attend the fancy opening night celebration next Friday… Read More This and that
Improv folk don’t joke around when it comes to marathons. Got this press release in my box, and had to share. Looks insane and totally like something only some Chicago group would/could do. I wish I could go, but my dance card is already full, alas. Eight actors. Thirty hours. No script. No sleep. No… Read More Local troupe offers 30-hour improv marathon for charity
Mary Sohn and Tim Baltz in Second City’s “Sky’s the Limit (Weather Permitting)” It’s been a long time (months, really) since I’ve actually teared up in the theatre. Who’d have thought it would happen during a Second City revue? I’m not talking tears of laughter — I’m talking genuine, misty-eyed tears triggered by tender, true… Read More Second City’s excellent ‘Sky’s the Limit (Weather Permitting)’ reminds us we can have it all … if we just reassess our expectations
When my dad comes to visit, he expects three things: good coffee, some Chicago blues and a trip to Second City. And last weekend he got the coffee, we made two trips to Grant Park for the Chicago Blues Fest and I got tickets to the well-reviewed Second City revue, South Side of Heaven. I… Read More Some thoughts on Second City’s ‘South Side of Heaven’
The original cast of “Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies.” Tuesday night, following a long day of meetings, I went with a group to see the Second City revue Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies. This show has been running nearly six months, and it shows. Oh, the show’s entertaining, with some dull moments (including an interactive sketch involving… Read More ‘Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies’ at Second City: where’s the director?
Chicago Theatre Addict 