A tale of Second City

The stage at Chicago’s Second City has been a training ground for the soon-to-be greats of comedy for half a century — a fact not lost on those who stand on it today. “I’m kind of an improv geek, so walking into this building still thrills me,” says Abby McEnany, a member of the legendary troupe’s touring company, from Second City’s Windy City headquarters. “That sounds really kiss-ass-y, but I swear it’s true.”

McEnany, a San Francisco native who moved to Chicago to study history before catching the comedy bug, is one member of the six-person cast who will celebrate Second City’s 50th anniversary with a two-week run at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. The show is a concise history of the company, featuring sketches written by alumni like Alan Arkin, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey.

“Whenever you do a Second City show, it’s always awesome and the material is there,” McEnany says.

“We’re known for political satire, but we look a lot at relationships — familial relationships, couple relationships, workplace relationships — so everyone can identify with some part of the show.”

If you go

Second City

Through July 25

Suzanne Roberts Theatre

Broad and Lombard streets

$20-$41, 215-985-0420

www.philadelphiatheatre company.org

Metro Philadelphia

Recent Posts

Ranger Suarez Pitches His Way Into Phillies History With Win Over San Diego

SAN DIEGO - After a rough 2023 campaign that saw him post a 4.18 ERA…

12 hours ago

Phillies’ First West Coast Trip Starts Hot; Third Sweep in Four Series

The Phillies left Cincinnati with a series split and headed to the West Coast to…

12 hours ago

Report: Eagles to sign former Jets OT Mehki Becton

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles are signing OT Mehki Becton to…

13 hours ago

Preliminary report sheds light on Office of Homeless Services deficit

Philadelphia’s inspector general has found that the city’s homeless services office “knowingly” overspent in the…

15 hours ago

New charges announced against 4 youths arrested in gunfire at event to mark end of Ramadan

Authorities have announced new charges against four juveniles arrested following an exchange of gunfire earlier…

15 hours ago

Weekend violence leaves 4 injured across Philadelphia

Four people were wounded in separate shootings and stabbings Saturday across Philadelphia. On Saturday night,…

15 hours ago

This website uses cookies.