34 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY APRIL 10-16, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com ON STAGE Without The Second City, Saturday Night Live might never have existed. At the very least, it would be a different show. Originally based in Chicago, Second City pioneered sketch comedy and improv. From the first show in 1959, the company has grown, adding locations in Toronto and New York. The touring crew out of Chicago visits Carmel this weekend with a production featuring handpicked songs, sketches and characters penned by the likes of Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Bill Murray, Eugene Levy and many more of Second City’s star-studded alumni, all brought to life by some of today’s most gifted young comedy performers. The writing of the show’s founders seems as fresh and funny now as in days gone by. “The Second City is known for great satire, exceptional improv comedy and, of course, great talent,” says Rob Wilson, associate artistic director of Second City. “The current traveling show delivers all three of those things—in spades. And due to its highly improvised nature, it’s highly likely that if you see the show twice, you’ll see two very different performances.” Second City’s impressive track record as a launch pad for success is not lost on Wilson. Its alumni counts Dan Akyroyd, John Belushi, Gilda Radner and John Candy, all the way to more current comedy icons like Amy Poehler. Many went on to help create SNL—and keep it going. But fewer people know about a similar program, one even more unique than SNL. The Toronto troupe launched SCTV in the 1970s, featuring the likes of Candy and Levy, with memorable characters and skits. Raucous, rowdy and irreverent for its time, it captured a niche audience. SCTV debuted on American television in 1981, after SNL was established. Again, however, it was Second City alumni who made the show a hit. “The thing that is difficult to pinpoint specifically is who will be the next person to reach superstardom,” Wilson says. “Anybody on our main stages right now could very well be the next.” Are you ready to have your sides hurt from laughing? “We can’t predict what might happen during the improvisation sections, other than that it will be hilarious,” Wilson says. The Second City 65th Anniversary Tour. 7:30pm Sunday, April 13. Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $45-$65. 620-2042, sunsetcenter.org. MIKKI SCHAFFNER Deuces Wild The improv sketch comedy troupe Second City celebrates 65 years with some of its classics. By Paul Fried The Second City’s 65th anniversary touring cast at an appearance in Cleveland. The troupe’s alumni are a who’s who of American comedy. SEASIDE’S FINEST THIN CRUST PIZZA SOURDOUGH PIZZA SALADS & CALZONES DINE IN OR TAKE OUT Tues – Sat 11am – 9pm Sunday 11am – 8pm 720 BROADWAY AVE. SEASIDE Phone 831-899-1762 DELIVERY AVAILABLE FRESH. LOCAL. TASTY. Fisherman’s Wharf FRESHEST SEAFOOD with PANORAMIC VIEWS Open Daily at 11:30am • At the end of Fisherman’s Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375
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