Recommended *** Rating a Second City production is one of the hardest tasks I face. I go to Old Town to forget about the day and get laughs. Over the years, this has been the case. The cast of players, mostly comics, many of whom have been trained at Second City, are also the writers of the material. This particular show may have hit some major snags because of the year we have just had. The first female would-be-President following the first African-American President, was what America anticipated. No one could have foreseen that Donald Trump would seek the office as a publicity stunt and WIN! This makes it hard for a comedian to compete. What reality did was funnier than anything they could have cleverly put on paper.
This being said, most everyone knows that Second City is a fun place to visit, whether you live in the area or are here on a visit/holiday/business trip. They are now doing their 105th Revue, That is a lot of comedy for one venue. They do have others in the area and do road companies all over, but this number, 105 , is only for the Mainstage, the one where it truly became a shining part of the theater community of Chicago. The actual Grand Opening of the redecorated theater is scheduled for December 15th at 8 p.m.
The new show is titled, “The Winner…Of Our Discontent” and it poses the question, “if it’s broken, should we fix it ” ? Second City’s premier sketch comedy group goes to work and through their workshopping, they have written some sketch comedy that will either make you sorry you voted the way you did, or wish you had gone another way. Again, with the year and situations we just went through, this one may not be as much a laugh-a-minute, have you in stitches show, but you will have many laughs in the two-hour (with a 15 minute intermission) visit.
Directed by Anthony LeBlanc with music and sound by Vinnie Pillarella and a stage-managed by Craig Taylor, the six performers (who also created and wrote the script), Shantira Jackson, Paul Jurewicz, Kelsey Kinney, Martin Morrow, Rashawn Nadine Scott and Jamison Webb all show high energy and great audience contact. Jurewicz will remind you a great deal of Second City alumni John Belushi. His “batboy” sequence is amazing (also featured in this sketch, Kelsey Kinney and Martin Morrow), Jamison Webb is another reminder of Dan Aykroyd, so perhaps these two should be paired off as a new team. The country could benefit greatly. Webb does a bit of fast talking in the second half that is absolutely amazing with a capital A!
If you are a regular at Second City, you will find that even though this show is not up to the usual standards (they have truly set a very high bar), you will have fun. I think that two or more drinks will mak it even more fun and the show even funnier. The Mainstage is located at 1616 N. Wells Street, second floor, and this show will continue on what is called an open schedule. As long as people come, they will continue with performances as follows:
Tuesday 8 p.m.
Wednesday 8 p.m.
Thursday 8 p.m.
Fridays 8 and 11 p.m.
Saturday 8 and 11 p.m.
Sunday 7 p.m.
Ticket start at $19 and can be purchased by calling 312-664-4032 or online at
They do have a limited menu with mostly what is called “bar-food”. The grilled cheese sandwich is wonderful and as a snack, the pretzel bites will satisfy most hunger pangs.
Parking is a bit of a problem, but available. Public transportation works well. For those of you who have been attending the theater for years, DO NOT park at Treasure Island Food on Wells. They used to allow patrons to do so at around $10 BUT no longer. Protect you car and save the towing bill- trust me!
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Winner…Of Our Discontent”
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