PTC Presents Second City Improv Comedy Troupe 7/8-8/2

Philadelphia Theatre Company shines a hot spotlight on comedy by offering some cool entertainment this summer. PTC collaborates with the legendary Second City comedy theatre to create a world premiere revue running July 8 through August 2, 2009. The improv troupe's lauded wit, irreverence and audience interaction will be showcased in a hilarious spoof of all things "Philadelphia".

Performances are Wednesdays at 7:00 PM, Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 PM, Saturdays at 8:00 PM and 10:00 PM, and Sundays at 3:00 PM. Opening night is Saturday, July 11 at 8:00 PM.

Tickets at $39 each, $34 for subscribers are available by calling the PTC Box Office at 215-985-0420 or visiting PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org.

Second City's chief export is comedy that is at once hilarious and thought provoking, smart and silly, sophisticated and wild. Birthplace of comedy superstars Steve Carell, Bill Murray, Mike Myers and Tina Fey, the Chicago-based masters of sketch and improv comedy will partner with Philadelphia's funniest actors in a show reflecting Philadelphia in all its diversity, complexity and hilarity. The revue will feature Philadelphia-centric sketch comedy, songs, and improvisation.

Philadelphia homegrown comedy star and 1812 Productions' Artistic Director Jen Childs will assist with script development, and work with PTC and Second City to identify all that is funny and noteworthy about Philadelphia. From Mummers to Nutter, Betsy Ross to Andy Reid, the Liberty Bell to libations at the Bishop's Collar - nothing is too sacred in this one-of-a-kind comedy revue.

"We are very excited to be turning a satirical eye on the city's best and juiciest topics while offering local actors a chance to flex their comedic muscles with the Second City writing team," said PTC's Producing Artistic Director Sara Garonzik. "We are thrilled that Second City reached out to PTC to work with our local improv community in creating a piece that will spotlight what makes Philadelphia, well .... Philadelphia."

Second City has produced some of the most accomplished comedians and writers in contemporary America. Started fifty years ago in a converted Chinese laundry on Chicago's north side, the company has since established itself as the premier comedy institution in the world, with a solid reputation for outrageous, homegrown sketch comedy. Their partnerships with regional theater companies in Denver, Pittsburgh and Atlanta have garnered enthusiastic critical and audience response as each city has been roasted Second City-style.

Philadelphia Theatre Company is Philadelphia's only non-profit professional theater dedicated exclusively to producing world and regional premieres of works by contemporary American playwrights. Sara Garonzik has been the company's Producing Artistic Director since 1982, and in October 2007, Diane Claussen became its Managing Director. Philadelphia Theatre Company continues to experience ever-increasing national impact, having produced 34 world premieres of new American plays and musicals in its 32 seasons. Recent world premiere productions include: Unusual Acts of Devotion by Terrence McNally (to be produced this spring at La Jolla Playhouse); The Happiness Lecture by Bill Irwin; Nerds://A Musical Software Satire by Jordan Allen-Dutton, Erik Weiner, and Hal Goldberg; Some Men by Terrence McNally (later produced at the Second Stage); Adrift in Macao, a musical by Christopher Durang and Peter Melnick (produced at Primary Stages); Bruce Graham's According to Goldman; Jeffrey Hatcher's A Picasso (later produced at Manhattan Theatre Club); Daniel Stern's comedy Barbra's Wedding (moved to the Westside Arts Theatre in 2003); John Henry Redwood's No Niggers, No Jews, No Dogs (later produced at Primary Stages); J.T. Rogers' White People; David Ives' Lives of the Saints; three-time Tony Award-winning Master Class by Terrence McNally, starring Zoe Caldwell; Bunny Bunny by Alan Zweibel (Lucille Lortel Award, 1997); and the American premiere of Birdy by Naomi Wallace, among others.

Philadelphia Theatre Company has received numerous "Best Theater Company" citations from media sources such as the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Magazine, Philadelphia Weekly, Philadelphia Style Magazine, and Philadelphia City Paper. Since 1995, Philadelphia Theatre Company has received 134 nominations and 36 awards from Philadelphia's Barrymore Awards.

For further information on Philadelphia Theatre Company, call 215-985-0420 or visit PhiladelphiaTheatreCompany.org.

 

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