Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Chuckling the Night Away at a Comedy Club
Tips
If you've got a sitter, or if your kids are in their teens, you might want
to explore Chicago's comic side. From the storied Second City company
to scrappier, up-and-coming troupes, Chicago is a training ground for
the nation's best comedians. If you are going to bring your teenagers
to a club, it's advisable to call ahead to check out the show's content.
The box office personnel should be able to warn you if the show will
be too racy for your kids.
The Second City, 1616 N. Wells St. at North Avenue, Lincoln Park
( & 312/337-3992; www.secondcity.com), packs a comic punch line—
with a pedigree. Dan Ackroyd, Alan Alda, Alan Arkin, Ed Asner, John
Belushi, John Candy, Don Castellaneta (also known as “Homer Simp-
son”), Chris Farley, Shelley Long, Elaine May, Tim Meadows, Bill Murray,
Brian Doyle-Murray, Mike Nichols, Gilda Radner, Joan Rivers, Martin
Short, George Wendt . . . whew! The list goes on and on, but you get the
point: The alumni of Second City—Chicago's comic breeding ground—
read like a laundry list of great American comedic talent. Some of the
alums hail from the Toronto branch, but they're all part of this improv
factory, one of the most prolific training grounds in American theater
history. You rarely see a bad show here. Tickets are easy to get, and
shows change frequently—and no doubt you'll be seeing at least one
rising star. You can choose between two sketch comedy productions on
the main stage and ETC (et cetera), a smaller venue. The cover charge
runs $8 to $16.
A block away at Zanies Comedy Club, 1548 N. Wells St. between
North Avenue and Schiller Street ( & 312-337-4027 ), high-caliber come-
dians treat sold-out houses to the best in standup. The cover charge is
$18 to $20, with a two-drink minimum.
Improv Olympics, 3541 N. Clark St. at Addison Street, Wrigleyville
( & 773-880-0199 ), engages the audience as the talented cast solicits
suggestions and creates original performances. The show is free on
Wednesday; otherwise you pay a $5 to $14 cover charge.
quite an experience (even if you leave at intermission!). The handsome, 3,563-
seat Art Deco Civic Opera House is the second-largest opera house in the coun-
try, built in 1929. Add to that the magnificence of the Lyric Opera Orchestra
and chorus, the amazing sets and costumes, and the beautiful voices, and it's an
experience your kids won't soon forget. Kids are encouraged to dress up for the
occasion, and proper etiquette is expected. Ticket prices are $5 for the upper bal-
cony, $10 for the first balcony, $13 for the second section of the main floor, and
$16 for box seats and the front section of the main floor.
If you can't snag tickets or if you visit during the opera's off-season in February
and March, you can still check out the theater by taking a tour ( & 312/827-5685).
Civic Opera House, at Madison St. and Wacker Dr. & 312/332-2244. Fax 312/332-8120. www.lyric
opera.org. Tickets $29-$139. Subway/El: Brown Line to Washington.
Old Town School of Folk Music All ages. Country, folk, bluegrass, Latin,
Celtic—the Old Town School of Folk Music covers a spectrum of indigenous
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