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After years of languishing primarily as a training center, it seems that the west coast outpost of the immensely popular Chicago comedy hotspot The Second City is finally revving up their push for a slice of the LA comedy scene. Now, the same ol’ space at 6560 Hollywood Blvd. has been completely revamped and is ready to party. Not to be outdone by the live venue, the burgeoning online presence of the SecondCityNetwork.com (please tell me you’ve seen Sassy Gay Friend) is now being run from the Hollywood location, making The Second City Hollywood a new viable alternative for live shows and video shorts alike.
To help celebrate the re-launch, The Second City Hollywood will officially be serving up snacks and comedy (not in that order) from 2pm - 11pm on Saturday. The early afternoon shows will have a decidedly family-friendly bent, including the aforementioned refreshments and a tattoo station for kids, while The Really Awesome Improv Show provides the laughs. Then, at the stroke of 5:01pm, the comedy dance party starts hard. For those parents still holding onto their kids from the previous festivities, it is recommended you find the nearest broom closet or questionable babysitter.
After that, Brian Gallivan (AKA Sassy Gay Friend) hits the stage, followed by Kevin and John Farley (brothers of SC alum Chris Farley) who will take up their radio hour with guests Horatio Sanz and David Zucker. Then, at 8:30, Off the Wall and The 313 will hit the improv with a vengeance, and have pulled in their own heavy hitters - Fred Willard, Tim Meadows, Jim Belushi, and Joel Murray, among others. With a BYOB policy, a slate of great shows running all night, and all proceeds going to benefit the Chris Farley House residential treatment facility, Second City is certainly making a push for you to change your Saturday night plans.
While it’s not immediately clear what affect these new changes will have on the future of The Second City Hollywood, it’s hard to argue against them being much needed. As big as Second City is in Chicago, and as fundamental as it has been to our current comedy landscape, there is no denying that LA stalwarts UCB, iO West, and Groundlings have all outpaced the proud theatre company. LAist has loved their shows in the past, and hopes to continue to do so, only this time surrounded fresh new audience faces and a commitment to opening comedy to the masses.
The Second City Hollywood
6560 Hollywood Blvd
(323) 464-8542
Tickets for Saturday’s shows can be purchased here.
