Best bet: The Second City

Laugh tracks

By Diana Nollen

For 50 years, The Second City's improv artists have been trading yucks for bucks. And many have used the venerable Chicago talent incubator to hatch illustrious careers.

Second City alums include Alan Alda, Jane Alexander, Ed Asner, Dan Aykroyd, Jim and John Belushi, Peter Boyle, John Candy, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Andy Dick, Rachel Dratch, Chris Farley, Tina Fey, Mary Gross, Valerie Harper, Bonnie Hunt, Richard Kind, Linda Lavin, Eugene Levy, Tim Meadows, Anne Meara, Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Gilda Radner, Harold Ramis, Joan Rivers, Horatio Sanz, Amy Sedaris, Martin Short, Jerry Stiller, Nia Vardalos, George Wendt, to name a few.

Some of their best efforts will be showcased in the 50th Anniversary Tour show, coming to Iowa City this weekend.

This new production blends the best of the past sketch comedy bits with present issues left in the hilarious hands of future stars. According to Second City's Web site: “It's our job to laugh at what scares us; to make the unfunny funny; and to provide audiences with a chance to let go for a couple hours and just laugh.”

See for yourself at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 5 and 6, at the Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St. Tickets are $27 for adults and $22 for students, children and seniors, through the Englert Box Office, (319) 688-2653, or

www.iowatix.com