The Second City is a sketch and improv comedy theater with its Mainstage at 1616 N. Wells St., in the Old Town Triangle corner of Lincoln Park near North Avenue. Its Chicago complex also includes the e.t.c. Theater and UP Comedy Club in the adjoining Piper’s Alley building at 230 W. North Ave., plus a Training Center.
What it’s known for
The Second City opened on Dec. 16, 1959, at 1842 N. Wells St., founded by Bernie Sahlins, Howard Alk and Paul Sills, son of improvisation teacher Viola Spolin, whose theater games shaped its style. It moved to 1616 N. Wells in August 1967, and the e.t.c. stage opened in September 1982. Alumni named by Time Out include John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Catherine O’Hara, Mike Myers, Chris Farley and Stephen Colbert. The Mainstage entrance uses stone arches with faces salvaged from Adler and Sullivan’s Garrick Theater.
The Mainstage seats about 290 and in fall 2026 runs its 114th revue, Pandemonium, Please Hold, plus the family holiday show Rudolph Runs Wild. The Training Center offers improv, writing and acting classes, drop-ins and teen camps.
Good to know
- Hours: Showtimes vary by production and are listed on each show page, per the official site, October 2026.
- Ages: Children under 13 are not admitted unless a show says otherwise; ages 13 to 17 need an adult.
- Tickets: Online at secondcity.com or (312) 337-3992; food and drinks are served in both main theaters.
- CTA: The Sedgwick Brown Line station is two blocks west.
- Parking tip: Piper’s Alley Self Park is at 230 W. North Ave., but parking is not validated.
See UP Comedy Club and the Lincoln Park theater and live music guide.
Sources: secondcity.com/locations/chicago, secondcity.com/shows/chicago, secondcity.com/about, timeout.com/chicago/comedy/a-brief-history-of-the-second-city, openhousechicago.org/sites/site/the-second-city
