Message from Second City
Since 1959, The Second City has established itself as a Chicago landmark and a national treasure. The theatre that launched the careers of such comic greats as John Belushi, Mike Myers, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, and more offers nightly comedy shows, as well as a variety of other programs and services. The theatre has two resident stages: The Second City Mainstage, which seats 290 and The Second City e.t.c., which seats 180. Each theatre has a resident troupe that writes and performs an original comedy revue. The shows are smart, funny, and highly original. The Second City Training Center operates a third theatre in the Piper's Alley complex on Wells Street called Donny's Skybox Studio Theatre. Donny's Skybox features an eclectic mix of student productions as well as other alternative shows
Editorial by Citysearch
OverviewThe intimate, modest theater seats 300 people around tables of two and four, half on the main floor and half on three gently rising tiers in the back. The low semicircular stage extends out into the audience. Servers roam unobtrusively during the show. The menu features pizza, focaccia, snacks, drinks and desserts.
The Scene
The first half is typically made up of sketches scripted by the performers. After intermission, members usually do an improvised bit with ideas from the audience. After the show formally ends, cast members announce whether they will return for a late-night improv set.
Key Points
- Original Comedy Revues
- Group sales
- Classes Available
The Inside Scoop
- Save Money - Second City has paired with several restaurants in the area to offer deals where the cost of the ticket and dinner is split.
- Know Before You Go - Tickets for the Monday night performance of the National Touring Company's "The Best of Second City" are $12.
Insider Pages Reviews for Second City
Second City is one of the best comedy places in the country! They're witty, current, and extremely quick thinkers. It's amazing when they do the improves, these are truly talented individuals, you will not get disappointed!
Posted 04/21/09 | Report Abuse
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There are plenty of places in chicago you can go to to see average stand-up. But Second City is one of the few that offers consistently funny shows by professionals. There's always a couple shows running, and they are very impressive. Well written, well acted, just funny. Some sketches are hit-or-miss, but that's comedy. They usually do some improv after the show, giving you a free second show.
Food and drinks are kind of expensive, but no more so than any other bar. The shows are about $17 each, which is quite reasonable considering the quality. Great place to take a friend visiting the city, or just to go with friends.
The seating is kind of cramped, because they squeeze a lot of people into a fairly small room, but that also means everyone is pretty close to the stage, which is a nice effect.
PROS: inspired comedy
CONS:
Posted 11/10/05 | Report Abuse
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Okay, you have to understand you WILL be offended and you will laugh so hard you'll about pee your pants. That disclamer noted, this was a fun night out. I went a few years ago and just laughed until I could stand it no more. Pretty easy location to get to in Chicago, expect a lot of smoke and to be tired when leaving (its a late night). But quite funny!
Posted 11/03/05 | Report Abuse
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I went to second city a few weeks ago for a nice comedic night out... I was not particularly impressed! While the audience involvment in some skits was decent, overall the quality of the comedy paled in comparison to the stand-up comics I have seen. The good news was, the more the waitress came around, the more drinks I was served, and the funnier that the skits became!
Posted 11/02/05 | Report Abuse
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So it costs a bit more than a movie but it is worth every penny. I've been going for over 15 years and have watched lots of famous people start here! Lots of Saturday Night Live alum began here so you are bound to see an up and coming stars. The late performance (11 pm) usually has an improv section afterwards. Its a great experience although it can get vulgar. My sister in law found it distasteful while I found it hilarious. It can be raunchy but its hilarious!
PROS: unique and fun experience
CONS: don't take the prude to this!
Posted 09/24/05 | Report Abuse
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Second City is an improv troupe that a ton of famous actors have started in. A lot of the SNL alumns started at Second City. If you like improv comedy, this is the place for you! I've been here several times and the comediens are always really funny. The best show I've seen by Second City was a holiday show in Arlington Heights. My whole family went and we all had a great time. I highly recommend this!
Posted 09/20/05 | Report Abuse
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This is an alright place to go, but it is quite overpriced and just way overhyped. While there are funny shows, some play off just like the unfunny Saturday Night Live of late. Now most really good comedians go through training from both IO and Second City, so it is becoming a secondary rather than a primary location for comedy in the city.
Posted 09/16/05 | Report Abuse
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Everyone who goes to Chicago and likes to be entertained should try to catch a show at Second City. The comedy club boasts a number of graduates who have gone on to achieve great fame on tv or in the movies. You never know which alum will be stopping back for a special appearance, and you never know which current SC person will go on to the big time.
Posted 07/16/05 | Report Abuse
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Second City is Chicago's premier comedy club, and it is renowned for good reason. The show we went to was laugh-out-loud funny for it's full 2 hours or so. The performers were wonderful, and the script was original and smart. A show at Second City mainstage or at its smaller stage Chicago etc. is well worth the price and time.
Posted 07/12/05 | Report Abuse
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Unlike Saturday Night Live, every skit is funny and edgy. Bring your guests from out-of-town and they will definitely have stories to tell. I still recount a skit I saw with Rachel Dratch 10 years ago!
Posted 06/17/05 | Report Abuse
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the theaters are well maintained and are clean. They play movies that I like to watch. If they can reduce their prices for regular customers I would really go their every weekend...
PROS: Clean theaters and excellent movie screens
CONS: Costs a bit more
Posted 04/17/05 | Report Abuse
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so fun, been to many shows and it's always a good time! Both regular stage and etc are equally fun, drinks are good too!
Posted 04/06/05 | Report Abuse
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The Second City improve troup originated out of the University of Chicago, and has gone on to produce so many wonderful commedians, including John Candy, Tim Meadows, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, Stephen Colbert, and so many more that I can't list them.
The shows run every night and include some scripted items and some improv. It is always so funny that you go home sore from laughing so much.
The theater serves drinks and light snacks, but no real food, so make sure you get something to eat before you go.
If you live in Chicago or are visiting for one day, you shouldn't miss second city.
Posted 03/10/05 | Report Abuse
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Latest reviews from Citysearch.
Second City
by GroupTix
The Second City is a Chicago classic. Always hilarious, consistently entertaining, and moderately priced, this cabaret style venue is an essential weekend destination. Check it out and get your laugh and drink on!
Posted 05/11/09
It's a risk but...
by NightRipper
....when it's a good show, you leave feeling as if it was some sort of therapy for you.
Second City's also right by a large-sized Starbucks and although I never go there, it's nice to
flop down on a couch and eat cake before a show.
My suggestions are:
- The shows that are around 7 are more family appropriate and the humor
may be a bit dry, in contrast to later shows.
- Don't pick a show just because you like the poster/name for it. Most of them have absolutely NO connection to the show itself, so...it's a bit of a waste. Sometimes even the descriptions doesn't to it justice.
- Get there early. The sitting itself is already crammed so at least you can pick it. And heaven forbid if you're the absolut last, you'll get to sit on these bar stools on the side.
- Talk to people if they have recommendations, it's a slow torturing feeling it you wind up going to a
bad show. And if you saw one you adored, spread it .
Disposable Nation and Side Effects May Include ( still playing till April 11th ) are my best so far.
PROS -
It's a really nice laidback atmosphere, when you get there you're ready to be amused,
I even start giggling before the show starts. Good clean bathrooms/shows.
CONS-
All I say is sometimes when you go to a show you dont know really what you're getting.
That can be fun for some people...
Also the seating on the side barstools is awful in the upper theater and shouldn't be there.
Posted 04/02/08
great evening out full of laughs!!
by lmelching
We went to see "Between Barack and a Hard Place" on a wednesday night. the show was almost sold out but i totally know why. the show was so funny and i was laughing all night long. I would definitely recommend it to friends, and I have. Catch a bite to eat before the show and then head over to Second City. The show was clever, insightful and extremely funny. The cast is extremely talented especially being able to adapt to the audience's suggestions, which is part of the specialness of this type of comedy.
Pros: talented cast, guaranteed laughter
Cons: 2 drink min
Posted 12/20/07
Must see "Between Barack and a Hard place"
by matthewross
I may have small bias since I work for Citysearch. Last night I saw "Between Barack and a Hard Place" at Second City. It was an incredible performance. It was very clever and hillarious.
Pros: Performers are remarkable
Posted 12/15/07
Great satiric comedy
by doccat7
After viewing "War: Now in Its Fourth Smash Year," I understand all the hype surrounding Second City and its wonderful history. The show was amazingly entertaining and at times hilarious. The only drawback is the open seating plan, which requires that you arrive early to get a good seat; and the seats are sometimes very close together. Overall, it was a great experience to which we would like to return.
Pros: Comedy and level of professionalism
Cons: Seating arrangement
Posted 08/12/06
Chicago's best comedy
by aces4321
Second City is great for a date or to go with friends for some laughs. The comedy is first rate (just take a look at their alumni!) and their theater is full of history. Walking through the building, looking at the pictures of past comedy legends that have performed there gets you excited about the show and they always seem to put on a creative, entertaining performance. If you want to experience a Chicago landmark, Second City is for you.
Posted 04/06/05