Second City Receives Spirit of Innovation Award

Last night, we were honored to receive the Spirit of Innovation Award at the 10th annual Chicago Innovation Awards presented at The Harris Theater in downtown Chicago. Owner/Executive Producer Andrew Alexander accepted the award. Additionally, the Chicago Innovation Awards recognized the 10 most innovative products and services introduced in the Chicago region in the past year.

"The Chicago Innovation Awards shine a bright light on the creative spirit of the Chicago region," said Thomas D. Kuczmarski, the awards' co-founder (with local journalist Dan Miller) and senior partner and president of the innovation firm Kuczmarski & Associates. "The recognition of and support for innovation in the Chicago region is growing fast and living up to its promise as the most powerful economic engine of the new economy."

The event drew more than 1400 attendees. Click for more information about the Chicago Innovation Awards.

Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting) Wins Big at Jeff Awards

Congratulations to the cast and crew of The Second City e.t.c.'s Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting)! Last night, they won multiple honors at the 43rd annual Jeff Awards including Best New Work, Best Production – Revue and Best Actor in a Revue for Tim Baltz.

The Jeff Awards fosters the artistic growth of area theatres and theatre artists and promotes educational opportunities, audience appreciation, and civic pride in the achievements of the theatre community. Congratulations to all of the winners from last night's show!

Click here to reserve tickets for Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting).

Celebrities Performing at Second City Hollywood this November and December

The Second City Studio Stage in Hollywood welcomes many favorite celebrities in the coming weeks! Jim Belushi continues his run of performances wih Rob Belushi and John Barinholtz in "Sheldon" at 8pm Nov 14. Paul F. Tompkins will guest in "Late Night with Howie Kremer" Dec 9. Fred Willard's "MoHos" continue their monthly run at Second City Hollywood with an appearance in the "Twice as Nice" charity show Dec 10. Bob Odenkirk will also be appearing Dec 10 in the show "Second City This Week." And Molly Ringwald is the special guest host for "Second City This Week's" last show of the year on Dec 17!

Tickets for all shows are aavailable here.

Holland Taylor Speaks with Second City Students

Holland Taylor stopped by The Second City Training Center on Friday afternoon for a Q & A with our students, including students from The Second City Comedy Studies program. During their discussion, she talked at length about the creative process, Stella Adler and the business of acting - auditioning, memorizing lines and preparation.

In addition to being a featured cast member of "Two & a Half Men" on CBS, Ms. Taylor is currently in Chicago performing in "Ann," a play she also wrote. Click here to learn more about the play and reserve tickets. "Ann" runs through December 4 at the Bank of America Theater.

The Second City Connection – JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound

Not only are JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound one of the hottest bands in Chicago – they are also our friends! Check out all of the Second City connections in their latest video.

• Band member Billy Bungeroth is also a Second City Director. He most recently directed South Side of Heaven on Second City's Mainstage.
• Mainstage alum Tim Robinson is featured.
• Nate DuFort, an Associate Producer for Second City Theatricals, directed the video.

Click here for their tour schedule.

Q & A with Holland Taylor

This Friday at 3pm Donny's Skybox

Holland Virginia Taylor is an actress of film, stage and television. Her notable television roles include Ruth Dunbar in 'Bosom Buddies,' senator's wife Margaret Powers on Norman Lear's 'The Powers That Be,' Judge Roberta Kittles in 'The Practice' and Evelyn Harper in 'Two And A Half Men.'

Admission is free for current Training Center students who can also reserve a ticket for one guest. Anyone who is not a student can reserve tickets but will be required to pay the one-time $15 student membership. Space will be limited so reservations will be required.

Reservations will be available online only now through November 3rd, 2011, after which reservations can be obtained directly from the Training Center as well.

If event registration is full, some seats may be available on the day of the event on a first come first served basis only.

Visit the TC office or website or call 312.664.3959 for tickets!

Chicago Live! This Week

Have you made your cocktail hour plans for Thursday, November 2? Hopefully, they include Chicago Live! at 6:30p. This week you'll see:

• Chicago Tribune editorial cartoonist Scott Stantis
• Chicago Human Rhythm Project Co-Founder and Director Lane Alexander
• Attorney and author of "John Wayne Gacy: Defending a Monster" Sam Amirante
• Lyric Opera soprano Amber Wagner (performance and John Von Rhein interview)
• Beatbox performer Yuri Lane
• Chicago Live! Almanac
• Comedy from The Second City

Hang around after the show for a thirty minute cocktail reception with the guests. Chicago Live! is recorded in front of a live studio audience at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Chicago Theatre's Downstairs Stage. After each show, the audience is invited to a 30-minute reception with the cast, crew and guests.
Tickets for the show are $20.
- Purchase online through Ticketmaster.com.
- Purchase on the phone through Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
- Purchase in person at the Chicago Theatre box office:
The Chicago Theatre (map)
175 N State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60601