**** Recommended **** It felt so normal to walk into the Mainstage at Second City, even kind of surreal. Everything looked the same, felt the same, and yet…There’s a parallel to our lives, everyone went through the last eighteen months together, yet completely apart. So of course Together at Last, the 109th Mainstage Revue, reflected the last eighteen months and the changes a pandemic has made in all our lives. We’ve been serious long enough, we need some laughter and Together at Last definitely fills that need. 4 Spotlights
The cast of six, Sarah Dell’Amico, Mary Catherine Curran, Asia Martin, Evan Mills, Jordan Savusa and Adam Schreck, wrote as well as performed all the silly sketches, improv, tongue-in-cheek commentary, satire and slapstick comedy. Although there were six chairs but only five performers (Curran was absent) the night I was there, I didn’t notice any gaps in the performance.
My favorite parts of Together at Last:
- In the midst of the lead-off one-liners, a blue muppet-like type puppet announced that this show was brought to you by the letter Q
A father (Schreck) who’s working from home is trying to make sure his son still likes him. - The survivors of a plane crash are huddled on a raft when one found a letter to the passengers informing them that they were all connected in some way through Walt’s House of Roast Beef
- There’s a stalker, but the stalkee turns around and says Hi Mom!
- In a battle for custody, a man and a woman go back and forth, “you take them” “no, you take them” then lip sync for custody
- Ad agency improv – product popped up on screen - a corkscrew – a
cast member pointed to a woman in the audience, asked her name, where she’s from and a word describing a corkscrew – the product, Claire’s Virginia twisty Corkscrew – then they came up with a slogan and a jingle - The sound effect brothers – the Holy Foley brothers
- Teaching the Uncanny Keytar Theory in schools
- A divorce skit – couple sing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning, we’re getting divorced today
- And more …
Note: Guests must show proof of vaccination before entering the theater. Guests are required to wear masks while inside the building.
The Second City’s 109th Mainstage Revue, Together at Last, is in an open run, The Second City Mainstage Theatre, 1616 N. Wells Street, Chicago. Bar-food and drinks are available throughout the performance. By the way, your program is also your menu! Parking in the adjacent garage is readily available but pricey.
Running time is just about two hours, with an intermission. Performances are Wednesdays and Sundays at 7:00, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 and 10:00 pm. Tickets range from $29-$79. FYI (312) 337-3992 or www.secondcity.com.