Good news to those in the suburbs, you needn’t fight the traffic and crowds downtown in order to catch some of Second City’s comedy this season.
You can head to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights (hey, free parking too!) and see Second City’s “Holidays In the Heights.”
The show is a compilation of classic sketches from the famed comedy theater’s 50-year history. The theme of holiday is loosely explored, with many of the pieces relating more specifically to family than the actual season. The cast is comprised of a freshman batch of Second City actors, who have largely cut their teeth for revue-style sketch shows in touring companies and on cruise ships. Still, it is a solid cast with standout resident-company worthy performances by Pat Reidy and Adam Peacock.
Although the material is archival, the pieces selected certainly stand the test of time, such as the classic scene showing Mary and Joseph in couples therapy, where a suspicious Joseph tells the shrink, “If you think you’ve heard it all, you haven’t heard this one.” Or the famed “Pictionary,” originally performed by Steve Carell, in which two sisters drive their husbands to fits as they make fools of them at the well-known party game.
This particular revue does not include any musical offerings, but they do have fun with the audience with a variety of improvised games and scenes.
The Metropolis’ comedy offerings won’t end with the season though, this is one of two Second City revues they feature, the other traditionally opens at the end of summer and they also bring a variety of shows that have become Chicago staples over the years. A special show from the creators of “Late Night Catechism” has “nun” Mary Margaret challenging the audience to a night of “Christmas Bingo” on December 17 and for Saint Patrick’s Day you will find the popular, audience-interactive “Flanagan’s Wake” at the Metropolis.
Second City’s “Holidays In The Heights” runs Thursdays through Sundays until Friday, Jan. 4 at Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights. Tickets range from $29.50 to $34.50 and can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 847-577-2121.
