Results tagged “secondcity”

Tickets might be going for $1800 on Craigslist for Second City, but you can still hear and see some funny (and cultural) things on the cheap at the Chicago Humanities Festival. From the dance lecture “Foot is a Funny Word” to the panel “Laughter and the First Amendment” and, a personal favorite, “Laughter Bollywood Style,” the final weekend seems to be full of reasons to chuckle. So what if Tony Kushner was a round last weekend and we missed it?

Next month, Second City alumni will converge on Chicago to help celebrate the comedy theater's 50th anniversary.

Frankly, we’re sick of hearing about the economy. And when the new show at Second City e.t.c. opened singing, “The economy blows,” we settled in ready to tally the number of times the actors poked fun at the economic down turn. Thankfully, we didn’t get very far.

Hey, remember Margaret Hicks, our once intrepid literature writer and reality-TV lover? There's an article on her in today's Chicago Tribune! They feature the tour she gives through Old Town that centers on the history of Second City and the surrounding area. Chicagoist ... we discover tomorrow's superstars!

If you didn’t get tickets for the midnight showing of Harry Potter, there’s other ways to tickle your film fancy than seeing Daniel Radcliffe fight Voldemort for the sixth time. The Chicago Outdoor Film Festival opens tonight, and each following Tuesday, Grant Park will become Chicago’s very own drive-in, minus the cars and backseat make-out sessions.

In all his free time between appearing on talk shows and sending his wife to Costa Rica, Blago has been brushing up on his Shakespeare. And he’ll show off his newest skill set at Navy Pier this Saturday in the Second City musical under his name. Although he will not star as himself in Rod Blagojevich Superstar, he will participate in an improv set fueled by audience suggestions for his wife’s escape from the jungle. (And you thought his appearance on Letterman was bad.) He’ll also announce the show’s extension at Chicago Shakes.

Script is not the first word that comes to mind when you think about improv, but Second City’s training center likes to try new things. Hence the brand-new scripted musical, The Timeless Tale of New Portsmouth. Set in 1876, the show explores the life of New Englanders who are stuck in their ways and refuse to move into the future. (Maybe they should take up blogging…) While we don’t know much about the music other than there’s a sea shanty and an angry love song, we’re certain it won't be like Jersey Boys or Wicked, unless it's a parody.

If you’ve never heard of the tim & micah project, you’re not alone. We’d never heard of them and neither have all these people. However, it’s the middle of the week and we’re looking for a laugh anywhere we can find one. And even though we missed the first installment, we're excited for sketch comedians Tim Soszko and Micah Philbrook's latest project: tim & micah project: SEQUEL.The show is presented in revue with The Second City Musical Improv House Ensemble, Infinite Sundaes, and if you can’t wait until Sunday to laugh, you can watch some of their hilarious sketches on YouTube.

At least we don't have to worry about Chicago being under-represented at this year's Democratic National Convention. The convention, happening in Denver August 25 through 28, will apparently be quite a spectacle with some guy making a really big speech. But beneath all the hubbub, one of Chicago's finest (if not the finest) theatre troupes, Second City, will be performing at the convention.

Our weekend comedy show round-up!

On the heels of last week's passing of Harvey Korman comes even more bad news for Chicago entertainment legends. First, Paul Sills, Second City co-creator and director of other troupes such as Playwrights and Compass Players, passed away yesterday at the age of 80. As a student at the University of Chicago, Sills joined forces with Ed Asner, Elaine May, and Mike Nichols to found the school's first student-lead theater group, "Tonight at 8:30." Later, in 1959, he founded The Second City with partners Bernard Sahlins and Howard Alk. These were but a few of Sills many accomplishments; he's also considered a pioneer of the improv scene, directing for the aforementioned Compass Players troupe, the first improv theater in the United States and a forbearer of The Second City.

As if you needed reminding, it's Tax Day, one of the more stressful times of the year, especially with the economy in the toilet. But maybe you're lucky enough to get a half-decent refund from the Federal Government this year and feel like treating yourself to something nice.

Second City Cop

More fascinated by Kelis' milkshake than Daniel Plainview's? Is the only Oscar you'll watch living in a garbage can? Then this Sunday probably means nothing to you. You're burnt out on the "glitz" and "glamor" of the night, not to mention the drama surrounding that writers strike.

The Tinley Park murderer is still on the loose; pastors today called for him to turn himself in. [Trib]

Here are some things to do this evening to consider bringing your voter receipt.

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We've looked all day and still can't top hedgehogs in bandages (they were bandaged at, no lie, Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital). That's the clear winner of awesomeness today. But there were other good contenders... Good luck getting this catchy pork song out of your head. Have 24 hours to burn? The annual 24-hour The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters to Santa Benefit kicks off tonight at 7pm at Second City. This year's performers also...

Train update: "Fire Commissioner Ray Orozco said five people were in serious to critical condition and at least 30 people suffered less serious injuries. That number could rise to 50, he said." The NTSB is investigating. Storm watch this weekend. Cold, icy, rainy, blerg. RIP, Evel Knievel. America's Legendary Daredevil was 69. Check it out: local steampunk wedding. Congrats! Here's our favorite part of this Freakonomics interview with Sin in the Second City author Karen...

Don't forget to baste that turducken. Buy-backs at Goldstar Rory Lake's Karaoke Dreams The after-show mainstage improv sets at Second City -- Margaret Christmas morning shots at Inner Town Atomix Coffee Free Monday shows at the Empty Bottle -- Sarah Swanksalot helps us celebrate swanksgiving by turning the world on its ear....

So we were poking around Second City's website and noticed they're having a fundraiser to buy presents for needy kids on December 5 on The Second City e.t.c. stage. It's called The Second City That Never Sleeps: Letters To Santa. Apparently it's a 24-hour event that will feature lots of improv and a few bands. Musical acts confirmed so far include Sally Timms and Jon Langford, Jeff Tweedy, Will Oldham, Robbie Fulks, Steve Albini, and...

Once a Second City performer, always a Second City performer...right? Rachel Dratch and Tim Meadows, both mainstage alumns, will be at the Chicago History Museum tonight for a panel about improv. Kevin Dorff, another Second City performer and now an on-strike writer for Conan O'Brien, moderates, and there will be real live sketch and improv to boot. Tickets are $12 ($10 for members) and the show starts at 6:30. We can't believe we missed last...

pH Productions hit our radar when they started pHlooding the Hottix page with their uniquely titled late-night shows, like pHamily and pHrenzy pHucked. Then came their emails, replete with creative pHonetics: “Hi pHans… pHrenz-o-ween is coming!”

What a hilarious week to be a Missed Connection. Just when we think things are starting to grow tamer on Craigslist, we're struck with a Desperate Housewives-style fantasy about Juan the door-repair guy. Behold (the parts we don't feel dirty repeating): I know we've only met a couple of times briefly but I just have to be honest. ... On the bed, on the couch, in the shower, on the floor ... I just can't...

Yup, it's Halloween night. And, assuming you're not completely incapacitated from celebrating this holiday for the last week, you're probably blinded by the flurry of options on how to spend tonight. Allow us to make a few suggestions. We talked to Jesse Thorn a couple days ago about his The Sound Of Young America show. Well tonight is the live 8 p.m. taping at Second City's e.t.c. stage. Thorn will be interviewing engineer and Shellac-man...

Jerome Finnigan, the allegedly corrupt cop at the center of the SOS debacle, is cooperating with authorities by apparently dishing on his higher-ups. Finnigan faces a series of kidnapping, home invasion and robbery accusations, plus he's been indicted on murder-for-hire charges.

Jesse Thorn, Host of The Sound of Young America

Chicagoist just got off the phone with Gregory P. Longhini, assistant secretary of the Chicago Transit Board, who wanted to give us the CTA's version of the rumor about CTA board member Rev. Charles E. Robinson's visit to Miranda Smith, the CTA employee accused of identity theft.