From some of the most creative minds Chicago has to offer comes Second City, an improv group who came to Laramie to share in the fun.
On Wednesday one of the world’s premier comedy companies and improvisation schools, Second City, dazzled students and the Laramie community alike. Second City is based in Chicago and consists of six world-class actors/writers: Liz Reuss, Asher Perlman, Sarah Shook, Adam Peacock, Scott Morehead and Marlena Rodriquez. Most of them studied theatre in college and have been acting for at least 10 years. However, getting into the company is not easy. The talented actors discussed how they had to go through several rigorous auditions to be a part of the company. Peacock said “It wasn’t easy to get in; I didn’t even make it in the first time I auditioned.”
The show was improv, a form of theater where most or all of the acting is created or made up on the spot. Randomness is key. They also did short scenes and songs ranging anywhere from 20 seconds to 15 minutes.
The actors described the format of their show as a “two act revue, which is primarily scripted.” However, the improvisational part done with the help of the audience was not scripted. The improv part is also considered the third act of the show.
The cast writes the show over an eight to ten week period. The material is used or discarded on a trial and error basis whereby the cast performs improvisational sets; the audience often times contributes several suggestions as to what should be performed. The stronger pieces are then refined and used as skits for the next show. Six to ten months later they do it all over again.
Most interesting was the way in which the themes developed throughout the show. The actors went in and out of a skit without losing the audience. When they returned to a skit they may have left earlier in the show there was no confusion. The short skits made the show more entertaining because there was not enough time to get bored as is common during a regular stage show.
Their show is reminisce of Saturday Night Live, minus the luxury of having a plethora of props like the actors on the TV show, though that did not seem to make much of a difference.
They built on themes such as emotionless involved father and needy son, father and daughter, unintelligent husband and perfect wife, insecure girlfriend and shady boyfriend, exploiting family, dating, culture and much more.
The audience was hysterical throughout the entire show and the cast extremely humble and friendly. When asked what they think about Wyoming, they said that “they love it and have been several times, but to other cities in the state.” However, they did not forget to ask “What the hell is the Buck?” Which was hilarious. Coming from the windy city of Chicago, they are “used to the brutal temperatures.” And they “really enjoyed being at the University and would love to come again.”
