Second to None

And you think comedy is fun? Well, maybe so--but it sure isn't easy. Since 1959, Chicago's famous Second City Theater and its legendary predecessor, the Compass Players, have produced some of the great comedic stars of our time, from Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara to Dan Ackroyd and Gilda Radner. Hosted by Second City alum Jim Belushi--unnervingly serious here--this informative documentary is neither a retrospective of Second City's greatest hits nor its greatest stars. Instead, this energetic film offers a behind-the-scenes look at the grueling art of improvisation, highlighting the work of one six-member Second City Main Stage company as they pull together a revue over the course of several months in the late 1990s. In addition to interviews with director Mike Napier about the technique of pitching improvisational ideas and limning potential characters from the resulting routines, we also get to watch the development of six talented actors--several of whom have since moved on to write, act or produce in film, television and other performance venues--as they hone their craft in a frenetic and relentless environment. Fans of the popular television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” will be familiar with the basics of the Second City improvisation format and its breathless mix of energy and raw talent. A good addition to all performance collections, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (A. Cantu)