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The Second City  

World-Famous Comedy Troupe

Taking its name from the title of A. J. Liebling's derisive profile of Chicago in "The New Yorker," The Second City opened on December 16,1959. Success was instantaneous. The Second City has been touring the world with its trademark satire and wit for over thirty years. The Second City currently operates resident theatres in Chicago, Toronto and Detroit, as well as three touring troupes out of its Chicago theatre.

Though still far short of being venerable, The Second City has become a North American theatrical institution and has been the starting point for many of the comedic actors, writers and directors working today in American film, television and theatre. Training Centers have been established in both Chicago and Toronto. Its reputation has so far outgrown its humble beginnings that many first-time visitors are surprised at the theatre's still modest and informal atmosphere. Second City's alumni list reads like a Who's Who of American comedy, as it includes: Alan Arkin, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Robert Klein, Gilda Radner, Joan Rivers, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Farley, Tim Meadows, Martin Short, George Wendt, Shelley Long, John Candy, Harold Ramis, and a host of others.

Featuring a blend of classic scenes, songs and improvisations performed by a six-member ensamble - augmented by a musical accompanist and sound and light director - an evening with The Second City's National Touring Company combines the best material from Second City's storied history with the brightest comic performers of the future. A typical two-act performance by The Second City features a wide variety of material on a wide variety of topics. The Second City's National Touring Company is always original, intelligent, daring and hilarious.

The Second City has taken its act on the road performing at colleges, performing arts centers, clubs, theatres, fundraisers, festivals, conventions and more. Second City's National Touring Company has appeared at the US Comedy Arts Festival in Aspen, Colorado, The English Speaking Theatre in Vienna, Austria, The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Mayfest in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as countless Universities and Performing Arts Centers across the globe.

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Customized Corporate Comedy

Improv Keynote.

Audiences loathe the flat, cookie-cutter monologues posing as "keynote speeches." Our improve keynotes are interactive, funny experiences that encourage your audience to "think outside the box" and become more innovative in their careers. We start with a focus on innovation, the very element that has allowed The Second City to create award-winning productions on stage and television--then we combine presentation, demonstration, audience participation and entertainment elements in a perfect blend. Each keynote contains sharp, funny, hosting supported hilarious videos to reinforce the learning points.

BizQuiz: The Game Show About Your Company.

Our customized game show, complete with an over-the-top host and competitive contestants, is a great way to convey some interesting facts and insights about your company, new products, or internal process changes. This customizable show has an open format and the Second City can even use your executives or guests to show off their knowledge on the unique details of the industry, such as "name that acronym" and "buzzword bingo."

Interactive Talk Show.

Our talk show helps organizations transform what could be a series of podium speeches into an opportunity for your executives to connect with an audience. You get to pick the guests, and our host will tee-up their talking points with light questions and a little fun--will also include "commercial breaks" as live scenes throughout the show. These "commercials" are custom-written sketches that tee-up the topics of the day, generating hearty laughs and a great transition into discussions between our host, the guests on stage, and the audience who we involve via roving microphone (Thanks, Donahue!).

Funny Business: The Live Customized Comedy Show.

The Second City's most popular offering, custom shows are clean, one-act revues prepared and customized specifically for your company. A third of the show is made up of original scenes crafted by our writers and based on the day-to-day life of your company and business. Additionally the revue includes equal parts "best of" Second City sketches and improvisation--all carefully chosen to fit your audience. You approve all content and we work hard to make it suitable to your organization.

Second City's Barack Stars.

The Second City takes a bite out of the beltway in Second City's Barack Stars, an evening of political comedy straight from the land of Lincoln, Obama, and Blagojevich--well, two out of three isn?t bad. Featuring sketches and songs, Second City's Barack Stars provides bi-partisan hilarity ripped from the day's headlines. From the endlessly enigmatic commander in chief to his terrifyingly tiny chief of staff--political gaffes, power plays, and an insatiable media all make for the targets in Second City's Barack Stars.

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Corporate Comedy "An Evening with The Second City"

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