Mainstage & e.t.c. Shows Receive Jeff Nominations!

Congratulations to the cast and crew of South Side of Heaven and Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting) on their 6 Jeff Award nominations!

Nominations include:

Best Revue – Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting)

Ensemble – Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting)

Best New Work – South Side of Heaven, Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting)

Best Actor in a Revue – Tim Baltz for Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting), Sam Richardson for South Side of Heaven

The Jeff Awards honor excellence in professional theatre produced within the immediate Chicago area. The 43rd Annual Jeff Awards will be presented on Monday, November 7, at Drury Lane Oakbrook. Click here for more information.

New Second City Toronto Show Opens to Rave Reviews

Second City Toronto's new revue, Dreams Really Do Come True! (and other lies) opened Tuesday and rave reviews are already rolling in. Check out this one from The Toronto Star:

"You're not even a minute into the latest Second City show, Dreams Really Do Come True! (and other lies), when the belly laughs start coming, as they did at the final preview I attended on Saturday night."

and

"The bottom line is that this is a smart, sharp, snappy show with a bite that's even better than its hilarious bark.

You'll laugh your head off while it's on and then you might stay up all night thinking about what you've just seen. That's what Second City comedy at its best can do and that's what Dreams Really Do Come True! (and other lies) accomplishes time and time again."

Read the full review

Final Chicago Live! for the Season – Its all Sports!

Chicago Live! celebrates their final installment of the season on Thursday with an all-sports themed show.  Guests this week include:

Northwestern University football head coach Pat Fitzgerald (interview with Teddy Greenstein)
• Chicago Blackhawks president John McDonough (interview with David Haugh)
• Chicago Bears veteran tight end Desmond Clark
  
    Former Chicago White Sox player Ron Kittle (interview with David Haugh)
  
    Members of the Chicago Women's Golf Club celebrate the club's 75th anniversary (interview with Teddy Greenstein)
• Chicago rock band Tributosaurus | Read more >>
• Chicago Live! Almanac
• Comedy from The Second City

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

Wheelchair seats, companion seats, aisle seats and Assistive Listening Devices are available.
For more information, call 312-462-6301.

UP Next: Chris Jones of the Tribune Talks About New Theater

In today's Chicago Tribune, Chris Jones talks to Diana Martinez about our new venue in Piper's Alley – UP Comedy Club – scheduled to open on December 1. He writes, "Intended as a riff on stand-up comedy and the upstairs locale, the two-letter name will signify a new 300-seat theater carved from the space that used to house the long-running production of 'Tony n' Tina's Wedding.' But the ambience, said Second City president Diana Martinez, will be very different from that former pasta-and-comedy attraction."

Click here to check out the full article.

Cougar Lesbians Wins Worldwide Short Film Festival in Toronto

The Second City Network's original short, Cougar Lesbians featuring Megan Grano, Molly Erdman & Celeste Pechous and directed by Joshua Funk, has won the SHORTSNONSTOP festival is presented by TELUS and is an exciting initiative of the Canadian Film Centre's WORLDWIDE SHORT FILM FESTIVAL. Click here for more information and to check out the other winning videos.

Chicago Live's Rick Kogan Featured on Fear No Art

While waiting behind the scenes at Chicago Live! for an interview with Director and Producer, Steve James, and Producer, Alex Kotlowicz, of the ground-breaking film, The Interrupters (below), Fear No Art snuck in a little interview with Chicago Live! host, Rick Kogan (above). Click here to check out the interview.

This week is the last episode of Chicago Live! for the season and features guests from Chicago's sports scene. Click here for show information and to book tickets.

30 Rock's John Lutz Returns to Second City to Teach Workshops – August 23rd – 26th

John Lutz, star of 30 Rock and Emmy-nominated writer for Saturday Night Live, will be returning to Second City to teach workshops in improv and writing to current and former students! With a range of workshops open to students with various levels of experience, Lutz will be able to offer something for everyone.

ADVANCED IMPROV WORKSHOP $150
August 23rd from Noon-6

Sometimes as improvisers, we complicate things. We start to try too hard to be funny and interesting, rather than just relax, take in information and react. This workshop is about letting go of trying to be funny and going back to focusing on being a good improviser. Listen and react. Look for patterns. Commit to the reality you’ve created. All of these simple things will create complex and amazing improv.

IMPROV BASICS: $75
August 25th noon-3

The foundation of all good improv is a solid scene. John Lutz will watch your scenework and give you constructive notes on how to improve your skills as an improviser.

Registration is open for these classes and a limited number of spots are available. Click here for more information.

IF YOU CAN IMPROVISE, YOU CAN WRITE: $150
August 26th from Noon-6

Just because you are sitting in front of a computer, doesn't mean you can't improvise as you write. In this class, you will learn how to take ideas from improvisation, write them up, and use the same skills of improv to help shape and rewrite your scenes.

Toni Preckwinkle Joins Chicago Live! on Thursday

Chicago Live! is back with an all star line-up of guests including Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and WGN Radio's Mr. Fix-It, Lou Manfredini. Here's a complete line-up of this week's guests:

• WGN Radio's Mr. Fix-It Lou Manfredini (interview with Jenniffer Weigel)
• Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle(interview with Rick Pearson)
• Chicago Air and Water Show announcer Herb Hunter
• Chinese Fine Arts Society President Julie Tiao Ma
• Chicago rock supergroup Candy Golde
• Andy Lawfer and James Zoccoli of The Game Show Show...and Stuff
• Chicago Live! Almanac
• Comedy from The Second City

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

Check out this month's 'Student In The Spotlight', Jaclyn Sorci!

Jaclyn is a current Level D student, a huge fan of Harry Potter and well-loved by her peers!

Click the following play button to hear her interview with Nancy Fast

Student Spotlight - Jaclyn Sorci

August 16th, 2011 - Student - Jaclyn Sorci
Jaclyn is a current Level D student, a huge fan of Harry Potter and well-loved by her peers!

Second City Named One of Best at Sea by Frommer's

Frommer's, one of the bestselling travel guides in America, has named Second City one of the 7 Best Entertainment Acts at Sea. We're currently traveling on seven Norwegian Cruise Line ships including the Norwegian Dawn, Pearl, Gem, Spirit, Star and Epic. Click here for more info.

You Don’t Need an Excuse, But This is a Pretty Good One

The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association and MasterCard are sponsoring inFashion: The Magnificent Mile Shopping Festival August 26 – September 8. This is a great opportunity for back to school shopping, early holiday shopping or just a great excuse to hang out downtown and take advantage of some great deals. Click here for special hotel, dining, retail, spa, and culture & entertainment offers including tickets to Second City.

Rave Reviews for "Sex & The Second City" at Metropolis

Sex & The Second City: A Romantic Dot Comedy opened at The Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights. Check out what the Niles Herald-Spectator had to say about the show:

"The satirical show, directed by BJ Jones, offers nonstop uproarious fun with a decided adults-only slant."

"A superb no-holds-barred ensemble — Shad Kunkle, Jimmy Carlson, Amanda Blake Davis and Carisa Barreca — tackles the subject with gusto as Second City alumnus and consummate funnyman Fred Willard, through a series of video appearances, shares questionable folk wisdom and introduces audiences to a dubious new Internet dating service, iLove."

Tickets are available at www.MetropolisArts.com.

Read the full review at the Niles Herald-Spectator

Cocktails and Conversation at Chicago Live! this Thursday

Join us for another great night of cocktails and conversation at Chicago Live! this Thursday.  Guests this week include:

• Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard (Noreen Ahmed-Ullah interview)
• Steve James and Alex Kotlowitz, filmmakers behind The Interrupters
• Bluegrass music with a comedic twist from The Famous Brothers
• Chicago writer Gillian Flynn, author of "Sharp Objects" and "Dark Places"
• Paul W. Hamann, president of The Night Ministry (Manya Brachear interview) | Learn more >>
• Chicago Live! Almanac
• Comedy from The Second City

Chicago Live! is recorded in front of a live studio audience at 6:30 p.m. 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

The Second City Outreach & Diversity is pleased to announce their 2nd year partnership with sportlifestyle brand PUMA.

The partnership will award 10 full year scholarships in late 2011 -2012 to talent that apply. (Click here to learn more).

Deadline is August 26, 2011 with two designated application drop offs at Chicago PUMA stores:
Thursday, August 25 – 6-8PM Chicago PUMA store – 1051 North Rush Street
Friday, August 26 – 6-8PM Chicago PUMA store – 108 N. State Street

No Phone calls. E-mail inquiries only to outreach@secondcity.com

Applicants are required to submit a completed application along with a DVD of a 30 second "PUMA Comedy bit" similar to creating an original and a 1-2 minute original comedic monologue or stand up routine. You-tube links and USB sticks can also be provided in leui of a DVD.

Visit PUMA store on designated application "drop off nights" for special in-store incentives, meet former PUMA/Second City scholars , receive Second City Outreach & Diversity show passes to new fall show and more....

"PUMA has an obligation, as a fun, creative, global brand, to support and cultivate talent. It is an honor us to offer these scholarships to young people, giving them a chance to unleash their talents and potentially help launch a new rising star." Jay Piccola, President and General Manager of PUMA North America

"This is an incredible opportunity for new talent to train and hone their comedic chops at the world’s premiere comedy theatre. A scholarship to young, up and coming talent is one of the best introductions into our world of sketch comedy and improv." Dionna Griffin-Irons, Director of Outreach & Diversity, The Second City

Sex & The Second City Begins Tonight!

Stop checking your texts and updating your Facebook status! Sex & The Second City: A Romantic Dot Comedy begins tonight at Metropolis Performing Arts Center in Arlington Heights. Tickets are on sale at www.metropoliarts.com or by phone at 847-577-2121. Featuring Carisa Barreca, Jim Carlson, Amanda Blake Davis and Shad Kunkle and a special video appearance by alum Fred Willard, Sex & The Second City: A Romantic Dot Comedy is all about the technologies that are supposed to make our lives easier, but really make us pull out our hair.

To read more about the show and cast, check out these articles from Morton Grove Champion and The Daily Herald. Sex & The Second City: A Romantic Dot Comedy runs through September 17.

Foodie Alert – Graham Elliot Joins Chicago Live! This Thursday

Chef Graham Elliot joins an all-star line-up of Chicago Live! this Thursday. Guests include:

• A performance by The Andreas Kapsalis & Goran Ivanovic Guitar Duo
• A preview of Lollapalooza with Tribune rock critic Greg Kot
• Chicago chef and Lollapalooza culinary director Graham Elliot (Mark Caro interview)
• 14-year-old singer/songwriter and Kidsapalooza performer Kate Diaz
• Chicago Artists' Coalition executive director Carolina Jayaram and artist Tim Anderson preview the upcoming Starving Artist event (Lauren Viera interview)
• RedEye/Metromix's Ernest Wilkins sits down for "A Beer With" Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno (1st)"
• Chicago Live! Almanac
• Comedy from The Second City

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