Theatre with a side of life
The Second City presents its 108th Mainstage Revue, DO YOU BELIEVE IN MADNESS? I do believe in madness. And I know we’ve been living in it for the last few years. A daily sh#tshow is originating from the White House. The constant ferocity is hitting Americans like a never-ending, category 6 hurricane. I preface the political ...
The Second City presents its 107th Mainstage Revue, ALGORITHM NATION Or STATIC QUO. The new mainstage show goes aggressive and dark. The opening bit has Jeffrey Murdoch in a hostage situation. He’s in his underwear with his nipples taped. He’s being threatened and tortured. The vibe isn’t playful. It’s tense. Then, the entire troupe is onstage ...
© Todd Rosenberg 2017 The Second City presents its 106th Mainstage revue, DREAM FREAKS FALL FROM SPACE. Although the clunky title may not roll off the tongue like a signature Second City pun, these dream freaks fall nicely together in this space. This is one solid ensemble. Under the skillful direction of Ryan Bernier, Kelsey Kinney, Ryan ...
© Todd Rosenberg Photography 2017 Reviewed by Tom Lawler Who should this see this: Anyone who wants to tap into the zeitgeist in a particularly uneasy time as interpreted by one our city’s preeminent cultural institutions. Anyone curious to check in again on Second City E.T.C. after its previous revue, A Red Line Runs Through It, ...
The Second City presents the 105th Mainstage Revue THE WINNER... OF OUR DISCONTENT. The name of this show made me LOL... a few times. Shantira Jackson, Paul Jurewicz, Kelsey Kinney, Martin Morrow, Rashawn Nadine Scott, Jamison Webb (writers and performers) kick off their Trump tribute with a Chicago reflection. They contrast the emotional roller coaster of ...
© Todd Rosenberg Photography 2016 The Lyric Opera and The Second City present LONGER! LOUDER! WAGNER!. I love these mash-ups between The Second City and a Chicago theatre icon. This time, it's a comedy-opera duet. This show follows-up the very successful “The Second City’s Guide to the Opera”. The roasting tribute to Richard Wagner is a hoot. ...
Reviewed Tom Lawler Set the scene: While technically, the Second City e.t.c is the little brother to the Second City Maintstage ensemble that often benefits from spillover from the perennially sold-out shows shows upstairs, both ensembles (constantly churning with up-and-comers) consistently produce some of the finest sketch comedy you’ll find on a Chicago stage. In fact, ...