Woolly ❤ The Second City
Here in DC, we love The Second City — and we all have very different (awesome) experiences with this legendary company. We thought we’d ask our staff, friends and family to share some of those experiences with you. Check it out!
I first saw Second City as a wide-eyed Freshman during my first year of college in Chicago. Their satire of Chicago culture, sports, and politics was one of my first introductions to the Windy City! — Abby Zan, Connectivity Associate
“In the late 1980s, when I was a student at Northwestern, I used to love to go to Second City. I distinctly remember being super-excited to get a front-row seat for one particular show when the cast included, among others, Chris Farley. Part-way through the show, the cast did this skit (later reprised on SNL, I think) in which Farley played a “whale boy.” He said absolutely nothing the whole time — because, of course, whales don’t talk — while his parents tried not to get him too upset, lest he “blow.” And when he did finally spout the saliva-thickened water he’d been holding in his mouth the whole time, where did he spout it? RIGHT. AT. ME. All smug in my front-row seat. Sigh…” — Gwydion Suilebhan, Director of Brand and Marketing
“I think the most memorable experience I had with The Second City was in March of 1996, when they saved my dog’s life. I had a small pomeranian named Trixie that got unleashed, and ran out onto LaSalle Street. Fortunately, a number of Second City cast members were there, and they saw the whole thing. Two of them stopped traffic while one of them grabbed Trixie and brought her to safety. I’ll sure never forget The Second City now!” — Earl Camembert, Vice President of Operations
“There was an away series at Wrigley last year, in August I think. I was at bat and caught a piece of a tricky breaking ball that shot right up, pop fly, right under the Cubs left fielder. Real can of corn…I was sure he would catch it. But members of the Second City were there at the game, just doing a sketch right there in the 100 section left field side. I can’t remember what it was about, Vladimir Putin or something, but it was so funny that the guy in left field started cracking up and lost track of the ball, and it dropped. I made it to first, got brought home by a blast from Jayson Werth on the next at-bat, and we won the game. Thanks, Second City.” — Bryce Harper, Board Member
“My time training with The Second City has been invaluable. How do you think I learned how to craft my best zingers? Do you think I’d be bringing the house down every year at the Correspondent’s Dinner if it weren’t for the Second City? They’re the ones who gave me the tools I needed to sling sick burns at all my speaking engagements and totally roast dudes like Boehner, and McConnell, and all those guys. The whole thing has paid major dividends, and it’ll keep paying off even after I leave the White House. I’ll be rhetorically eviscerating my haters in commencement addresses and trade association convention keynotes for years to come, and it’s all because of The Second City. You guys are the best!” — Barack Obama, President
Well, there you have it folks! You may be wondering — how can I have a life-changing experience with The Second City? By grabbing tickets now to see them at Woolly Mammoth, of course! Visit our website for more:
