The History of the Second City
The Second City opened its doors on a snowy Chicago night in December of 1959, and has since grown to become the world’s premier comedy club, theatre and school of improvisation—with live shows every night in Chicago, Toronto and Hollywood.
Bernard Sahlins, Howard Alk and Paul Sills, son of teacher Viola Spolin, founded the theater as a place where scenes and story were created improvisationally, using techniques that grew out of the innovative techniques Spolin developed and taught. The Second City chose its self-mocking name from the title of an article about Chicago by A. J. Liebling that appeared in The New Yorker in 1952.
Andrew Alexander and his recently deceased partner Len Stuart acquired The Second City in 1987. Andrew Alexander has helmed the Second City for 42 years and has produced television programs in both the United States and Canada including “SCTV,” “Second City Presents” and “Next Comedy Legend.” Since its debut, The Second City has been a launching pad for comedians, actors, directors and others working in show business. Notable alumni include Alan Arkin, Dan Aykroyd, James Belushi, John Belushi, John Candy, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Rachel Dratch, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Jeff Garlin, Ian Gomez, Bonnie Hunt, Richard Kind, Eugene Levy, Jane Lynch, Andrea Martin, Jack McBrayer, Tim Meadows, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Catherine O’Hara, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, Joan Rivers, Amy Sedaris, Martin Short, George Wendt and Fred Willard, among many others.
Here is a run-down of the history of the great comedy theatre!
1960’s
- First Workshops Begin in Chicago
- Del Close Joins The Second City - In 1961, not only did Del Close join The Second City but the theater also sent a cast to Broadway with the musical revue, From the Second City, directed by Paul Sills, which earned a Tony nomination for ensemble member Severn Darden. The Second City also released its first comedy album in 1961.
- The Second City hits the road for their first national tour.
1970’s
- John Belushi makes his Second City debut
- "Godspell" opens in Toronto - The production features future The Second City alums Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Andrea Martin and Eugene Levy.
- Second City Toronto Opens
- As if the 60’s didn’t provide enough excitement for the growing enterprise, in 1973 producers - Bernard Sahlins and Joyce Sloane headed north and opened the doors to a permanent space in downtown Toronto. Del Close returns to The Second City to become Resident Director
- SNL Debuts - Saturday Night Live debuts with The Second City alums John Belushi, GIlda Radner and Dan Aykroyd
1980’s
- "Stripes" opens in theaters - The movie features Second City alums Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, John Candy and others.
- SCTV wins series Emmy - SEPTEMBER 1982 - The Second City e.t.c. Theater opens the same year that SCTV wins the Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program.
- Mike Myers joins The Second City Chicago Mainstage
1990’s
- Chris Farley joins the SNL cast - The Second City Mainstage actor is hired as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live."
- Second City opens in Detroit
- Mick Napier directs "Citizen Gates" - The production features the first gender equal cast on the Chicago Mainstage.
2000’s
- SC partners with Chicago Shakespeare Theater - Second City Theatricals debuts "Hamlet! The Musical" in partnership with Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
- Theater Opens in Las Vegas - The Second City opens at The Flamingo Las Vegas Hotel & Casino featuring Jason Sudeikis, Kay Cannon and directed by Mick Napier.
- "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" opens - The movie, based on the wedding of Second City alums Nia Vardalos and Ian Gomez, becomes the highest grossing independent film of all time.
- "The Second City's Romeo and Juliet Musical" opens - Keegan-Michael Key and Nicole Parker Redford lead "The Second City's Romeo and Juliet Musical" at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
- Barack Obama Visits The Second City - When the revue "Between Barack and a Hard Place" opened, reviews were through the roof. Soon, Obama staffers were descending upon the show in droves. And on one special night, the future President paid us a very special visit. In the same year, The Second City Toronto also moves to new home
- The Second City is presented with the Artistic Leadership Award by the League of Chicago Theaters.
- The Second City Celebrates 50 years
2010’s
- Andrew Alexander presented with Lifetime Achievement Award at Just for Laughs Festival
- Second City partners with Lyric Opera
- In addition to partnering with Columbia College to create the first Comedy Writing and Performance major, The Second City also partners with Lyric Opera for "The Second City's Guide to the Opera." The Second City also conducts a series of intensive workshops in Tokyo.
Don’t miss the hilarious performance of We’re All in This Room Together by The Second City at The American Theatre on Saturday, January 28 at 8pm!