Second City Defines Comedy
by Olivia Oran
In the wake of recent tragedies, such as Columbine and Santana High School shootings, our society must turn to relieve itself of life’s daily horrors. "Laughter has become more important than ever," declares Alexander. One of Alexander’s primary goals at Second City is to use its influence as a leading comedic company positively, to create awareness about issues afflicting our society, such as the absurdity of religious morals, domestic problems, violence, sex, and drugs as depicted in the media, and our declining family and ethical values. Comedy is such a wonderful medium to address these vital issues because it appeals to so many types of people. "Your art forms – whether it be film, television, books – have a tendency to reflect our culture," remarks Alexander. The great thing about laughter is that it cannot be hidden, unlike drama. Besides rapidly reducing tension, comedy allows the audience to freely express their emotions. According to Alexander, Second City is probably the purest form of comedy we have today, because the producers do not intervene and they do not have the kind of censorship that is so prevalent in Hollywood.
Laughter can break barriers. While women comedians were almost non-existent when Second City first began, this social hierarchy seems to have collapsed; females now make up 50% of cast members and students at the theater. Jim Carey gave teens their first to take on the physical humor that set up the revolution of now ubiquitous "gross-out" movies (think of Tom Greene, Andy Dick, MTV’s <I>Jack-Ass</I>). "Many of the topics tackled in today’s society would have been taboo even ten years ago," says Alexander. Never has that fact more truly applied to any place than Second City. At Second City, you learn not to trust society. Everything is non-traditional. Nothing is off-limits. The Second City has opened its doors to so many and taught them not only about comedy but also about hard work and discipline. What started out as Playwrights, a tiny theater company with, almost solely, college students, has turned Second City into the most prominent comedy theater in the country, generating some of the most celebrated names in Hollywood. Says Alexander, "I have no doubt in my mind that The Second City will be around for the next forty years to come."
Andrew Alexander with Olivia Oran
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