Second City, The, is an entertainment company based in Chicago, Illinois, that has greatly influenced modern comedy. Second City became famous for its experimental and unconventional approach to comedy and the success of company members in motion pictures and on the stage. Second City bases much of its comedy on improvisation—that is, material developed during the performance rather than performed from a written script. Its shows are especially noted for satirical explorations of social attitudes, current events, and politics. Satire is the use of wit to attack human conduct or institutions.
Since 1959, when the company was founded, many Second City performers have become important comedians, actors, and directors. They include Alan Arkin, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, John Candy, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Keegan-Michael Key, Robert Klein, Shelley Long, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, Joan Rivers, Amy Sedaris, Martin Short, David Steinberg, and George Wendt.
A typical Second City show consists of short scenes, sketches, and songs. Some of a show’s material may be taken from suggestions the performers solicit (ask for) from the live audience. The performers then quickly weave the suggestions into a sketch (short play) or song they present as part of the show.
Second City presents its productions in two neighboring theaters in Chicago, the Second City Mainstage and Second City e.t.c. The organization also sponsors national touring companies and operates Second City theaters in New York City and in Toronto, Canada. Toronto Second City created a popular comedy series called “SCTV” that ran from 1976 to 1981 on Canadian television and from 1981 to 1984 on American television. Second City has also established training centers to teach elements of comedy and improvisation. Training centers are in Chicago, New York City, and Toronto.
Second City opened in December 1959 in Chicago. The company was inspired by the success of the Compass Players at the University of Chicago, an improvisational group that starred the team of Mike Nichols and Elaine May. The Second City company was founded by director Paul Sills, writer-director Bernie Sahlins, and act or Howard Alk. The troupe chose the name “The Second City” from the title of a series of articles about Chicago by journalist A. J. Liebling that appeared in The New Yorker magazine in 1952.
