Second City Expanding in Piper's Alley

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Feb 21, 2011 6:48PM

Comedy is apparently a booming market again in Chicago. Last week came the news that The Lakeshore Theatre was being turned into a traditional comedy club by legendary Los Angeles comedy club, the Laugh Factory. Today comes news that the Second City has plans to renovate the space formerly occupied by Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding into a 280-seat theater for comedy-cabarets and stand-up performances.

Second City chief executive Andrew Alexander told the Tribune's Chris Jones that plans are to give the theater a retro feel bringing back memories of classic Chicago venues like the Gaslight Club. Second City will be aprtnering with Levity Entertainment, which owns the Improv chain of comedy clubs, in the venture. In addition to cabarets and stand-up performances, Second City also plans on hosting improv shows and theater pieces developed by its theatrical wing, Second City Theatricals.