Ep.2> The Second City

The Second City > 1616 N. Wells St. Chicago, IL 60614

‘THE ABSOLUTE BEST FRIGGIN’ TIME OF YOUR LIFE’

Still on day one, I managed to get down to The Second City to catch the evening performance of ‘The Absolute Best Friggin’ Time Of Your Life’

I went in knowing that great performers had already performed there. Icons of the past like, John Belushi right up to new icons of the present like, Steve Carell. The list of super star comedians that started out right here is endless. Mike Myers, John Candy, Bill Murray, Tina Fey & Colin Montgomery, even Pee-Wee Herman. So knowing these performers had graced this stage, gave me a two-sided expectation. Either these guys were going to be a let down due to the success of their predecessors? or these guys were going to fantastic? Thankfully it was the latter!

The venue itself was small and dark. Very cool and very comfortable. The waitresses here are of the happiest and friendliest I have come across. But really how good was the show? Did it make me laugh? Well…

I was physically crying with laughter! I laughed so hard my eyes were hurting. These guys are impeccable.

The three guys and three gals were perfect together. Their relationship on stage gave them the power to pull off a performance beyond worthy of a Saturday Night Live performance.

Tom Flanigan, Tim Baltz, Beth Melewski, Brendan Jennings, Christina Anthony and Mary Sohn weren’t just funny though. These guys have skills. They could dance, they could ACT (there were some serious pieces of acting toward the end by Christina that were moving. Despite the fact it was a sketch) and wow could they sing? They had some power vocals amongst them.

All this could not have been so cleverly done if it wasnt for the Musical Director, Jesse Case who’s timing and talent was flawless.

I highly recommend you all to catch this show, you never know it might just be ‘the absolute best friggin’ time of your life!’

Matthew

(All photographs taken by Matthew Comer unless otherwise stated. Cast photograph courtesy of Bob Knuth. Portraits courtesy of Leah Mitchell)

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Ep.1> Day 1> Welcome to Chicago / Mercadito