Second City’s e.t.c.’s 48th revue “Best Kept Secret: Tell Everyone”.

*** Is it possible that Second City has been around for over 60 years?  Yes, that is a fact. In fact I recall when one of my school buddies, Avery Schrieber teamed up with Jack Burns and joined Second City before they struck out on their own. Avery and I attended the Goodman School of Theater at The Art Institute back in the early 1960’s. The magic of what they do ( and why it  has grown to several venues) is that they bring current events to the floor and spoof them. Their creativity is wonderful, and while each snippet they do may not appeal to everyone in the audience, there is enough for all to  have an enjoyable experience.

Tonight, they opened their 48th revue in the ETC theater. It is called ” Best Kept Secret: Tell Everyone”, a delightful two hours ( with a 10 minute intermission) that takes us on several levels of comedy. The initial contact with the cast is that each audience member will find a slip of paper and a small pencil at their seat. It says “TELL US A SECRET”

At our seat there was a sheet and a pencil. We are asked to write a secret and place it in the bucket onstage. I saw several people do so, but still am unsure  if the secrets used were theirs or preplanned. While much of what we see is “improv”, the six performers in this show are also the writers and as they work with each other and audiences, I am sure adjustments to each skit are made. They do get audience members involved, but unlike many others shows where they ask audience members to shout out words so they can create comedy situations, in this one, they bring several members onstage.

They had a great audience for the opening and one thing I have witnessed over the years is that the more alcohol consumed the louder the audience becomes. I was very impressed with the cast, in particular Tim Metzler, who was wonderful as a ventriloquist’s dummy. He worked an audience member with this bit and they were amazing together. It almost seemed as if the audience member knew what was happening.

Javid Iqbal is a wiry comic that can dance with the best of them. His scene with a teen disc jockey or perhaps just listening to music was adorable, albeit too long. Claudia Martinez is a hoot, Terrence Carey a scream, Jenelle Cheyne adorable and Meghan Babbe a powerhouse. They are quite creative in bringing us immersive comedy, but I need to tell you there is a lot of “adult only” humor in this one and language might be a problem for younger family members.

Directed by Carisa Barreca with music by John Love, this is a quick show as most are. One skit after another so that you are into the next one while other audience members are still roaring over the last. Since there is always music playing under the performance and the performers are not wearing body mike’s, there may be times you miss a key line (better known as a punch line), so you might miss a joke here and there. Never worry, there are many more to follow.

In the days to come, many of us will be in need of something to laugh about. Something to take our minds off this year’s election and this can do just that. It is not a typical political revue, but instead a fun-filled escape from the world we live in today. I think you will have fun! We did!

As is the norm, “Best Kept Secret: Tell Everyone” will continue on an open run with performances as follows:

Thursdays    8 p.m.

Fridays and Saturdays  7 p.m. and  10 p.m.

Sundays at   7 P.M.

They are in the e.t.c. Theater located in Piper’s Alley, 230 West North Avenue ( at Well Street) on the 2nd floor.

To order tickets, call 312-337-3992 or visit www.secondcity.com

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Best Kept Secret: Tell Everyone”.