Improv Supernova at Second City etc Stage
Under the direction of Anne Libera, a respected figure in Chicago's comedy community, Improv Supernova features an ensemble of seasoned performers including Kennedy Baldwin, Anna Bortnick, Chas Lilly, Annie Sullivan, Max Thomas, and Riley Woollen, with musical direction by John Love and stage management by Abby Beggs. The show represents a deliberate evolution in how Second City presents improv, moving beyond the traditional mix of sketches and improvised scenes to offer something entirely created in the moment.What makes Improv Supernova distinctive is its complete commitment to spontaneity. Every performance is built from audience suggestions and shaped by the performers' responses to current events and the energy in the room. Nothing is scripted, nothing is rehearsed in the traditional sense, and nothing is ever repeated. This approach demands tremendous skill from the cast, who must create compelling narratives, develop characters, and land jokes all without preparation. The result is a high-wire act where anything can happen and each show becomes a unique theatrical event.
Libera emphasizes that this production honors Chicago's legacy as the birthplace of modern improvisation while pushing the art form forward. By dedicating the entire e.t.c. stage to unscripted performance, Second City is making a statement about the value and viability of pure improv as a standalone theatrical experience rather than a supplement to sketch comedy. The show draws on the deep tradition of improvisation that Chicago pioneered, from Viola Spolin's theater games to the long-form narrative structures developed at theaters across the city.
The production schedule offers multiple opportunities to catch the show throughout the week, with Thursday performances at 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday shows at both 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., and Sunday evening performances at 7 p.m. In a nod to Second City's history, Thursday tickets are priced at $19.59, honoring the company's 1959 founding. The venue is located at 230 West North Avenue in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood, where Second City has been a cultural anchor for decades.
For a comedy institution known for launching the careers of countless performers and writers who went on to shape American comedy, this move to fully improvised programming represents both a return to roots and a leap into uncharted territory. While Second City has always included improv in its shows and training, dedicating an entire stage to performances created entirely in the moment signals confidence in both the art form and the audience's appetite for comedy that takes risks. Improv Supernova invites audiences to witness the creative process itself, where the journey from suggestion to fully realized scene happens right before their eyes.
Tickets for Improv Supernova are available through The Second City box office, by calling 312-337-3992, or online at secondcity.com.