Description
Book Synopsis“Chicago's temple of improvisational comedy.” —New York Times Since opening in 1959, The Second City has transformed the state of comedy as we know it, creating a wickedly funny culture of improvisation and training thousands of artists—who now dominate popular entertainment—in the art of improv-based theater. This newly revised and expanded edition of The Second City tells the story of the legendary comedy institution and the Emmy-winning sketch comedy classic SCTV, folding new material and commentary in with tales of The Second City’s storied past. The giants who got their start at The Second City in its earlier years—including Alan Arkin, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, John Candy, Chris Farley, Eugene Levy, Tim Meadows, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Catherine O’Hara, Gilda Radner, Joan Rivers, Martin Short, and Fred Willard—are joined in these pages by more recent alumni like Aidy Bryant, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Keegan-Michael Key, Jack McBrayer, Bob Odenkirk, and Jason Sudeikis. The real stories of The Second City and its performers will make you see the comedy juggernaut in a whole new light. Did you know John Belushi got his start lifting jokes from The Second City? Or that many cast members—including Stephen Colbert and Nia Vardalos—sold tickets or waited tables at the theater before they made it to the stage? The Second City takes you behind the scenes of the world’s leading improv theater. Now spanning six decades, the story of The Second City is both funnier and more poignant than anyone could have imagined.
Trade Review"I'm loving my fresh copy of the updated edition, which celebrates our 60th anniversary." —Catherine O'Hara in Entertainment Weekly “The entire recent tradition of American theatrical satire can be summed up in three words: The Second City.” —New York Times
Table of ContentsForeword Introduction Chapter 1: The Second City Origin Story: Before the Beginning Chapter 2: 1959: A Comedy Revolution Begins Chapter 3: The 1960s: Coming Out Swinging Chapter 4: The 1970s: New Blood, New Horizons Chapter 5: SCTV, 1976–1984: Welcome to Melonville Chapter 6: The 1980s: Triumph & Tragedy Chapter 7: The 1990s: Changing the Format Chapter 8: The 2000s: Expanding by Land & by Sea Chapter 9: The 2010s: Second City on Fire Afterword Complete Alumni List
