The Second City’s Walking Tour Is Back for the Summer

The Second City’s Neighborhood Tour returns for the summer starting this week! Written by Margaret Hicks, an experienced Chicago tour guide and author of Chicago Comedy: A Fairly Serious History, The Second City’s Neighborhood Tour both entertains and informs while highlighting the architecture, history and development of Old Town as well as various Second City alumni haunts and the stories that go with them.

Tours can have up to fifteen guests and advanced reservations are recommended. The tours are every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 4:00pm and last from one hour and 30 minutes to two hours. The walking pace is suitable for all ages. For more information, or to make reservations, call The Second City Box Office at 312-337-3992 or reserve online at www.SecondCity.com.

The Second City Celebrates Playwrights Theatre Club’s 60th Anniversary

The Second City is pleased to host a free event celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Playwrights Theatre Club on Sunday, June 23, 2013 in UP Comedy Club (230 W. North Ave, 2nd Floor of Piper's Alley) at 3:00 p.m. This special event will reunite the original members of The Playwrights Theatre Club, which was the precursor to The Compass and The Second City.

During this special reunion event, Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones will moderate a panel of Playwrights Theatre Club original members including: Ed Asner, Helen Axelrood, Rolf Forsberg, George Goritz, Zohra Lampert, Sheldon Patinkin, Bernie Sahlins, and David Shepherd, along with Joyce Piven, Carol Sills and Joann Shapiro.

The Playwrights Theatre Club was started in Chicago in the early 1950s by a group of young theater pioneers. Founded by David Shepherd, Paul Sills and Eugene Troobnick, Playwrights Theatre Club appeared on the scene in June 1953 with a production of Bertolt Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle. In two years, the company presented nearly thirty productions, with the company members, several of whom lived in the theatre, making all sets and costumes themselves. In addition to show rehearsals, company members regularly played Theater Games (now considered the basis of improvisational theater) created by Sills' mother, Viola Spolin. This training prepared the group for their rechristening as The Compass Players in 1955. The Compass Players opened their doors in a new, larger and air-conditioned space on July 5, 1955, presenting regular improvisational theater shows, the predecessor to the legendary form The Second City is known for today. Roger Bowen, Elaine May and Barbara Harris are among the many notable performers in the original Compass Players.

Tickets for the event are free. For reservations, call The Second City Box Office at 312-337-3992 or reserve online at www.SecondCity.com.

Second City Featured on NBC's Today Show

The Today Show stopped by Chicago today for on the Great American Road Trip. While they were in town, they featured Second City including interviews with Andrew Alexander, Anne Libera and Second City Touring Company alum and current SNL cast member Cecily Strong. Watch it below:

Jeff Garlin Joins ABC Fall Line-Up with "The Goldberg's"

Jeff Garlin joins the ABC Fall line-up with a new family sitcom, "The Goldbergs." Set in the '80's, "The Goldbergs" also features Wendy McClendon-Covey. Click here to check out the trailer.

Peter Grosz to Star Off Broadway in "A Kid Like Jake" with Carla Gugino

Second City alumni Peter Grosz has been cast to star in the world premiere of Daniel Pearle's new play, "A Kid Like Jake," at the Claire Tow Theater as part of Lincoln Center Theater's LCT3 initiative devoted to emerging artists. Performances begin June 2 with the official opening set for June 17. Click here for more information.

Congratulations to Drama Desk Award Winners Andrea Martin and Richard Kind!

This year's Drama Desk Award Winners including Second City alumni Andrea Martin for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical ("Pippin") and Richard Kind for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play ("The Big Knife"). Click here for a complete list of winners.

Second City Alums Join "The Big Live Comedy Show" This Weekend on YouTube

Keegan-Michael Key of Key & Peele and Jack McBrayer join the line-up on YouTube's "The Big Live Comedy Show" on Sunday, May 19 at 7 pm Central. Click here for more info.

Jane Lynch Stars in "Annie" on Broadway

Alumni of The Second City Touring Company Jane Lynch began performances as orphanage matron Miss Hannigan in Broadway's "Annie" on May 14. Click here for more information about the production and ticket information.

Martin Short Joins the Cast of Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice"

Second City and SCTV alum Martin Short is set to star in Paul Thomas Anderson's new movie "Inherent Vice," an adaptation of the 2009 Thomas Pynchon novel of the same name. Click here to read the full story from Splitsider.

Nancy Fast Interviews Super-Intern Miguel Lepe On His Last Day

Nancy snagged Miguel from his post on his last day of interning to talk about what’s next in his life! Find out all about Miguel’s Production Company Digital Cake, his upcoming one-man show, his wonderful fiancé Ruby Vega and more!

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