The Second City

The launching pad for talent like John Belushi, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Bill Murray, Jason Sudeikis, Chris Farley, Amy Poehler, Dan Akroyd, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Carell, and so many more! The Second City Touring Company is bringing the magic of improv and sketch comedy straight to the Opera House stage on Friday, March 12th, at 7:30 pm. Doors open at 6:30. Advance tickets are $40 for the balcony, $50 for the floor, and $65 for the first two rows and boxes, plus taxes and fees. Ticket prices will increase by $5 on the day of the show. Friends of the MPOH can purchase tickets on July 1 at 8:00 am; the general public can purchase tickets on July 15 at 8:00 am. It all started with children’s games. Rooted in the groundbreaking improvisational games of Viola Spolin, The Second City opened its doors on a snowy Chicago night in December of 1959, and a comedy revolution began. Co-founded by Bernie Sahlins, Howard Alk, and Spolin’s son Paul Sills, the small cabaret theater grew to become the most influential and prolific comedy empire in the world, developing an entirely unique way of creating art and fostering generation after generation of superstars. Since then, The Second City Touring Company has been delivering laughs, surprises, and a little bit of chaos wherever they go. These shows mix razor-sharp satire, original sketches, musical numbers, and off-the-cuff improv that keep audiences on their toes. No two performances are ever the same — audience suggestions often shape the action, making every night a one-of-a-kind experience. The touring company carries the electric energy of Chicago’s legendary comedy institution to theaters across the U.S., proving that comedy is alive, unpredictable, and absolutely unforgettable.