Holly Laurent, current member of the Second City Mainstage Cast, just got picked up by Rolling Stone for her amazing video, "Lana Del Ray's Hunger Games." Rolling Stone writes, "Laurent's video is as ethereal as the Lana Del Rey original with grainy footage from the film, but the combination of Hunger Games and Lana Del Rey is the perfect pop culture sweet spot." Check out the video and read more at RollingStone.com.
Second City alum Nate Herman will be performing live at Space in Evanston on February 22.
His voice has been called "beautiful", his guitar playing "great", his songs "brilliant" and "hilarious" and his wardrobe selection "eclectic bordering on dubious".
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) announced today The Second City will receive the Spirit of Broadcasting Award during the 2012 NAB Show. The Second City's Co-Chairman, CEO and Executive Producer Andrew Alexander will accept the award at the NAB Show Television Luncheon, sponsored by WideOrbit, on April 16 in Las Vegas.
"For over 50 years, The Second City has been a leader in innovative comedy and theater, and a training ground for some of America's finest comedic performers and writers," said NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. "Every day, millions of broadcast TV viewers bear witness to the influence it has had on both comedy and drama. NAB is proud to honor The Second City with this special award for all its contributions to the entertainment industry."
The Spirit of Broadcasting Award recognizes general excellence and leadership and is given to individuals or organizations that have made lasting contributions to over-the-air broadcasting. Previous recipients include Hubbard Broadcasting founder Stanley E. Hubbard, telecommunications reporter Dawson "Tack" Nail, American Women in Radio and Television, "60 Minutes" creator and executive producer Don Hewitt, and Hispanic broadcasting pioneers Emilio Nicolas Sr. and Raoul A. Cortez.
About NAB Show
NAB Show, held April 14-19 in Las Vegas, is the world's largest electronic media show covering filmed entertainment and the development, management and delivery of content across all mediums. With more than 90,000 attendees from 151 countries and 1,500+ exhibitors, NAB Show is the ultimate marketplace for digital media and entertainment. From creation to consumption, across multiple platforms and countless nationalities, the NAB Show is home to the solutions that transcend traditional broadcasting and embrace content delivery to new screens in new ways. Complete details are available at www.nabshow.com.
News media registration is now available for NAB Show.
Maria's Space took a look at The Second City's BuzzKill, which comes out on DVD this Valentine's Day, and had this to say:
"The movie is funny, witty, smart and well acted." - Maria writes in her article
The Second City's BuzzKill is the story of Ray Wyatt, a failed screenwriter who is about to end his own life, when he gets a call from a Hollywood Producer who is interested in his script.
It's is a film about a dream, a twist of fate and an unexpected happy ending.
Read the full review at Maria's Space.
Read more about BuzzKill here
UP Comedy Club is proud to announce a full schedule of Grand Opening events in February celebrating their brand new theater at Piper's Alley (230 W. North Ave, 3rd Floor of Piper's Alley). Featuring new and familiar faces, UP Comedy Club celebrates the eclectic comedy landscape of Chicago with stand-up, improvisation, new theatrical productions and family programming. This hybrid club will feature an eclectic assortment of comedy 7 days a week with over 14 performances a week featuring headliner and alternative stand-up comedians on the weekends, with improvised and scripted comedies offered as matinees and midweek performances.
UP Comedy Club is located at the corner of North & Wells on the third floor of Piper's Alley which also houses The Second City e.t.c. Theatre and The Second City Training Center campus. Designed by Ryan Nestor of Barker & Nestor, the premier 285 seat space is a classic cabaret-style theatre featuring leather upholstered seats, cocktail service and full menu. UP Comedy Club is a fresh new addition to the Chicago comedy scene and boasts a warm and intimate space to enjoy comedy 7 days a week and features a delicious lunch and dinner menu with Windy City culinary favorites like Lou Malnati's Pizza, Vienna Beef sandwiches, and Eli's Cheesecake along with full service bar and no drink minimums.
"We see this space as a great opportunity to showcase and incubate new theatrical works as well as feature some of Chicago's and the country's funniest stand-up comedians," said Andrew Alexander, CEO & Executive Producer of The Second City and UP Comedy Club. "This eclectic approach to programming is unique to Chicago and we look forward to continuing our philosophy of nurturing young talent."
Listed below is a complete schedule of Grand Opening Events in February 2012 for UP Comedy Club:
Up Comedy Club Presents
Grand Opening - Friday, February 17 at 8:00pm
Cash Cab's Emmy Award-winning host Ben Bailey headlines the Grand Opening of Up Comedy Club Presents... with a host of Special Guests including Second City alum Colin Mochrie (Whose Line Is It Anyway?), Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics) and The Second City's Improv All-Stars cast directed by Mick Napier.
Sex, Love & The Second City
Press Opening - Wednesday, February 8 at 7:30pm
Join us for the Chicago Premier of Sex, Love and The Second City! The Second City delivers a new romp about the search for love in the digital age. Relationships. The Internet. Two of the funniest subjects in the history of the universe. Whether you've been poked, winked or tweeted - or even found love (gasp) the old-fashioned way - you'll LOL at this hilarious look at the technology that was supposed to make our love lives so much easier, but only made it that much more complicated. This new comedy also features some unpredictable and hilarious audience-fueled improv scenes and audience interaction that is guaranteed to make you :-) and a virtual appearance by Fred Willard! This is the perfect date night show or Girls Night Out! Its way funnier than anything you'll find on TV, but if you miss this, you won't find it on Hulu later. Weekend, midweek and matinee performances available.
The Second City's History of Chicago
Press Opening - Sunday, February 19 at 1:00pm
For over 50 years The Second City has been making fun of all things Chicago. From Ditka to Daley, Blago to the Bean - we have a civic history that is filled with characters and comedy. Featuring a mix of archival and original material as well as classic Chicago video moments, The Second City's History of Chicago gives audiences a hilarious and unorthodox history lesson of the Windy City. The Second City's History of Chicago is not just for tourists - Chicagoans will love the inside perspective on some of our favorite Chicagoisms. Weekend, midweek and matinee performances available.
The Second City's Improv All-Stars
Press Opening - Monday, February 13 at 8:30pm
See Chicago's finest improvisers under the direction of the legendary Mick Napier in an evening of unscripted and unequaled improvisational comedy. This show is highly interactive, unpredictable and thoroughly original which makes for a high energy, hilarious "edge of your seat" show.
Improv Extravaganza Explosion!
Press Opening - Saturday, February 11 at 11:00am
Improv Extravaganza Explosion! is a hilarious action-packed hour of family-friendly, interactive improvisation where we pull ideas straight from the audience, and make it all up on the spot. The best part is that you never know what might happen! Second City is thrilled to now offer school groups and youth groups the chance to see creativity and imagination celebrated at its best with matinee performances perfect for school and youth groups. Great for ages 8 - 80.
Tickets are now on sale for all events at UPComedyClub.com.
UP Comedy Club is featured in this week's issue of Time Out Chicago which focuses on the Chicago comedy scene. Click here to check out article by Jason Heidemann.
Check out this New York Times feature on Second City mainstage alum Mike O'Brien as he talks about his hilarious web series, 7 Minutes in Heaven. Click here to read the full article.
Congrats to a host of Second City folks who were named to New City’s Top 50 Players in Chicago Theatre list. The list includes current mainstage director Billy Bungeroth, Second City Training Center teacher Jet Eveleth and alums Mick Napier, Dexter Bullard, TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi.
We are sad to report that Mike Enriquez lost his battle to cancer last night. Mike was a treasured former employee of The Second City and a long- time fixture at ComedySportz and iO Theater, where he performed, taught and coached generations of young improvisers with deep care and respect. Our condolences go out to Mike's family and friends. We will post service information as soon as it is announced.
In a recent interview regarding her quest to meet 52 potential friends in a year, Rachel Bertsche found that taking classes with The Second City was a great way to do so because, "[T]here is a consistency there." To read more about her recently published book, MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search For A New Best Friend and The Second City Training Center, see the full article here.
Book one of Second City’s touring shows at your theatre, or have us create a completely customized show for your city.
more info
