'Everybody Dies' in Second City show
Elizabeth Schuetz
Issue date: 7/23/10 Section: Entertainment
No surprises here, it's true. Everybody dies.
Yes, this may not be the most uplifting of themes to base a comedy show around but the cast at Second City had no trouble lightening the mood at July 14th's opening night of their newest venue, "Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies."
The Mainstage's 98th revue opened to a packed house and constant laughs as they playfully mocked the reality of death and misfortune with two acts and a killer ensemble. The talent among the six cast members was beautifully flaunted with Director Matt Hovde's relatable yet hysterical material.
Hilarious sketches, including a solo Sam Richardson clutching a bag of cheese puffs and advising a nephew never to move from his parents home, are plentiful and more than make up for the few uncomfortable kinks and moments that will most likely be perfected in time .
One example would be the unfortunate piece that seemed to painfully drag throughout the end of the second half, involving help from four selected audience members in an awkward play titled, 'The Millionaires Club,' written by cast member, Tim Robinson. However, these few situations were minor and forgettable, allowing to crowd to feverishly consume the successful wit of the team's spot on delivery and incision.
Shelly Gossman, Emily Wilson and Timothy Edward Mason shine in a skit set at a family's home after a daughter's dance performance. Parents, Mason and Gossman, are perfect as the obnoxious suburbanites driving past the '7-Eleven' and nagging their daughter, played by Wilson, about her crush. Imitating familiar situations like this are scenes in which the cast excels.
Acting on recent news stories like the longest reported tennis match in history and the overwhelming broadcast of reality television shows are also well-received by the audience and are played out appropriately. While both acts had their highs and lows, the skit earning the most laughs was Sam Richardson and Allison Bills as Taste of Chicago food vendors cleaning up their tents after a day of work.
Bills plays a Polish woman selling perogis next to Richardson's Kenyan restaurant booth stand. Ranting over the KFC "Double-Down" sandwich and the Taste's ubiquitous chicken leg, the pair amusingly portray a neighborly conversation after a long day of serving some of Chicago's most obnoxious crowds.
Throw in some more improv, some "America's Funniest Home Videos," and hungry squirrels, and two hours seem to fly by. Next thing you know, everybody's dead and the show is over.
Yes, this may not be the most uplifting of themes to base a comedy show around but the cast at Second City had no trouble lightening the mood at July 14th's opening night of their newest venue, "Spoiler Alert: Everybody Dies."
The Mainstage's 98th revue opened to a packed house and constant laughs as they playfully mocked the reality of death and misfortune with two acts and a killer ensemble. The talent among the six cast members was beautifully flaunted with Director Matt Hovde's relatable yet hysterical material.
Hilarious sketches, including a solo Sam Richardson clutching a bag of cheese puffs and advising a nephew never to move from his parents home, are plentiful and more than make up for the few uncomfortable kinks and moments that will most likely be perfected in time .
One example would be the unfortunate piece that seemed to painfully drag throughout the end of the second half, involving help from four selected audience members in an awkward play titled, 'The Millionaires Club,' written by cast member, Tim Robinson. However, these few situations were minor and forgettable, allowing to crowd to feverishly consume the successful wit of the team's spot on delivery and incision.
Shelly Gossman, Emily Wilson and Timothy Edward Mason shine in a skit set at a family's home after a daughter's dance performance. Parents, Mason and Gossman, are perfect as the obnoxious suburbanites driving past the '7-Eleven' and nagging their daughter, played by Wilson, about her crush. Imitating familiar situations like this are scenes in which the cast excels.
Acting on recent news stories like the longest reported tennis match in history and the overwhelming broadcast of reality television shows are also well-received by the audience and are played out appropriately. While both acts had their highs and lows, the skit earning the most laughs was Sam Richardson and Allison Bills as Taste of Chicago food vendors cleaning up their tents after a day of work.
Bills plays a Polish woman selling perogis next to Richardson's Kenyan restaurant booth stand. Ranting over the KFC "Double-Down" sandwich and the Taste's ubiquitous chicken leg, the pair amusingly portray a neighborly conversation after a long day of serving some of Chicago's most obnoxious crowds.
Throw in some more improv, some "America's Funniest Home Videos," and hungry squirrels, and two hours seem to fly by. Next thing you know, everybody's dead and the show is over.
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