Improv group Second City bound for Visalia Fox
Second City is coming to Visalia, and they have Central California area smack in their comedic sights.
The legendary sketch and improv comedy theater group from Chicago will bring The Second City 55th Anniversary Tour show Feb. 4 to the Visalia Fox Theatre and nothing — local political figures, news of the day and area landmarks — will be safe from their merry mocking.
In addition to finding laughs from the information writers and performers find on the Internet, which includes material ripped from the headlines of the Times-Delta/Advance-Register and snippets of local history, the group will also entertain the audience with classic comedy and improv sketches, something Second City performers have been doing for more than five decades.
Comedy legends such as Fred Willard, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Steve Carell and Tina Fey have cut their comedic teeth on the Second City stage.
Hoping to follow in these formidable — and hilarious — foot steps are Andrew Knox, Alan Linic, Maria Randazzo, Liz Reuss, Marlena Rodriguez and John Thibodeaux, who are members of the Second City Blue Co. and will be performing in the Visalia show.
“You’ll definitely laugh and have a great time,” Randazzo said. “The material about local news and personalities always gets a lot of laughs and audiences seem to love the material.”
Randazzo, who was recently promoted from an understudy to a full-fledged member of a comedy team, has performed since her days in middle school. While studying journalism in college in Chicago, she attended Second City performances and got hooked with the idea of performing.
“I had so much fun watching the performances, I was convinced it was something I really wanted to do,” she said.
So is performing on the same stages as such comic legends as Belushi, Radner, Candy and Fey intimidating?
“I wouldn’t say intimidating,” she said. “It’s more of an honor to continue the tradition of such comic legends.”
In addition to the local references, the performance also includes sketches from the comedy group’s arsenal, with a selection of favorite scenes from Second City’s massive archives, as well as some original material and improv, Randazzo said.
And as much as audiences have proven that they can laugh at themselves, Randazzo said there is plenty of opportunity for them to laugh at tried-and-true skits.
“Knowing that Belushi did the same skit or might of even written it, that’s so satisfying and challenging,” Randazzo said.
Improv is a unique and challenging skill to develop, Randazzo said. You have to be quick on your feet, but also be responsive to the other performers.
“It’s about listening and reacting to what everyone is doing,” Randazzo said. “And that’s something that takes a lot of time and work.”
In other words, improv is a combination of stand-up comedy, performance art and acting — the theatrical equivalent of a high-wire act without a rope.
“It’s a whole lot of fun,” she said. “Audiences are going to have a blast.”
If you go
What: The Second City 55th Anniversary Tour
When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4
Where: Visalia Fox Theatre
Tickets: $22-$32. The show is also a parts of a lively arts series at the Fox. Series tickets are $109-$169 for four shows, the Count Basie Orchestra, and $89-$129 for four shows.
Information: 625-1369 or www.foxvisalia.org
Workshops
Here’s a treat for aspiring local performers: The The Second City company visiting Visalia will hold acting and comedy workshops for students at the College of the Sequoias and one or more high school, promoters say. Complete details are being worked out now.