The Windy City’s favorite comedy group blew in this weekend for an almost-sold-out crowd of students and parents in the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni
Memorial Auditorium.
Second City kept the laughs coming throughout the evening, blending improvisation with pre-rehearsed sketches pulled from 50 years worth of material.
Utilizing five chairs as the only props, the five-person cast transported the audience through kitchens, dorm rooms, movie theaters and family dinners.
“Some parts are fully improvised, and those are the moments we’re asking the audience to shout suggestions,” said Chelsea Devantez, a current cast member in the company. “But then even the scenes within the show that are structured, there’s improv within it. Because that’s the real magical part: the improv.”
Improvisation helps the cast members cover forgotten lines or slipups, Devantez said.
“When I was starting, (getting stuck on stage) would happen a lot. It happened every moment,” she said. “But it doesn’t happen anymore, because at a certain point, it’s improv. You can do whatever you want to, as long as something is happening onstage. I love it.”
Although the troupe is constantly touring, it made sure to cater to an Ohio University audience by emphasizing topics relevant to college students, including awkward roommates, job interviews and student-government debates.
After two acts, the company left the stage, but then returned for a surprise shortened third act comprised entirely of improvisation. The act was similar to the Whose Line Is It Anyway? game “Tag,” where cast members tag in whenever they feel inspired to do so.
Mem Aud was close to sold out for the show, with 1,487 tickets sold. Sales more than covered the $9,000 fee to bring the troupe to Athens, said Andrew Holzaepfel, associate director of the Campus Involvement Center.
“I really enjoyed Second City’s performance,” he said. “It wrapped up a very busy and successful weekend. I expect to book them again for next year.”
nb360409@ohiou.edu
