The Second City is celebrating 65 years of legendary laughs on Tuesday, April 1 at Walton Arts Center! Showcasing some of their audience’s favorite songs, sketches and characters created on their stages by their illustrious alumni. With material handpicked from the iconic comedy archive and brought to life by an all-star ensemble, see for yourself why The Second City continues to be the world’s most influential name in comedy.
The Second City opened its doors on a snowy December night in Chicago in 1959, and a comedy revolution began. The small cabaret theater has become the most influential and prolific comedy empire in the world, developing an entirely unique way of creating art and fostering generation after generation of superstars.
Founded by Viola Spolin, Paul Sills, Howard Alk and Bernie Sahlins, the group was experimental and unconventional in its approach to both theater and comedy. In 1976, Second City launched “SCTV” which has been hailed as one of the greatest sketch comedy series of all time. The two-time Emmy winning series featured an all-star cast with Martin Short, Andrea Martin, Catherine O’Hara, John Candy, Eugene Levy, Dave Thomas, Joe Flaherty and Rick Moranis.
Today, The Second City is home to a world-class entertainment company with three locations in Chicago, Toronto and Hollywood. Some of the notable alumni include Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Amy Sedaris and Chris Farley.
Tickets are $25 - $51 and can be purchased by visiting waltonartscenter.org, by calling 479.443.5600 weekdays 10 am until 5 pm or in-person at the Walton Arts Center Box Office weekdays 10 am until 2 pm.