The Fourth Walsh

The Second City presents the 2026 Black Excellence Revue in BLACK AND HIGHLY FLAVORED.

For the fourth year, the annual Black Excellence Revue is back onstage at The Second City in celebration of Black History Month. The mash-up of sketch, improv, and audience interaction is a joyful tribute to black artistry and community spirit. Under the masterful direction of Julia Morales, the show is all gas, no brakes. The comedy is amped up and the fun is nonstop!

 This rock solid ensemble come ready to play! Tyler Vanduvall, Jillian Ebanks, E.J. Cameron, Jason Tolliver, Lauren Walker, and Kimberly Michelle Vaughn are infectiously enthusiastic. They want to entertain the audience… and each other. Especially in improvised moments of spontaneous zingers, the troupe seem to take true pleasure in cracking each other up. In one skit, Cameron leads a classroom learning about white history. With suggestions from the audience of famous white people, the students showcase their knowledge of the white person. At my show, Reese Witherspoon gets the wacky wikipedia treatment with references to peanut butter, forks and “Sweet Home Alabama.” The camaraderie is apparent as the cast giggle and nod approval to their cast mate for a witty remark.

In an ongoing sketch, the group is trying to avoid Vaughn and her dead tooth. Meanwhile, an aged Walker is serving up dinner accompanied by her big cat (played by Vanduvall). It’s hysterical! We honestly start to believe Vaughn has nasty breath, Walker is a senior and Vanduvall – who stares down an audience member- is a feline. And speaking of p…. cats, a taco truck number has a fast-talking Ebanks changing up menu verbiage to attract more customers. Ebanks sexual innuendos are nonstop keeping Walker, Vaughn and the audience in she-said-what disbelief. LOL!

In two separate spoofs, a trio have a complete conversation with just one word. For the gents, it’s the N-word. For the ladies, it’s the b-word. The subtle nuance mixed in with punctuated utterances makes for comedy gold. The terrific cast is having F-U-N and genuinely want to share their heartfelt humor with the audience .

The show’s theme is JOY and it definitely delivers all kinds of Joy-to-the-World vibes. It’s an uplifting romp from start to finish.             

Running Time: Two hours and ten minutes includes an intermission

At Second City 230 W. North Avenue, Up Comedy Club

Performed by Tyler Vanduvall, Jillian Ebanks, E.J. Cameron, Jason Tolliver, Lauren Walker, Kimberly Michelle Vaughn

Director Julia Morales

Music Direction by Cesar Romero

Performances are:

Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm

Thru March 20

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Nolis Anderson

For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago