#FIRSTLOOK: CAST & CREW OF THE SECOND CITY TORONTO’S 90TH MAINSTAGE REVUE UNVEILED

The world’s most influential name in live comedy, The Second City is thrilled to announce the cast and crew of The Second City Toronto’s 90th Mainstage Revue. Celebrated TV writer and Second City Alum Brandon Hackett directs returning ensemble members Tiyawnda, Conor Bradbury, Coko Galore, Devon Henderson, Christian Smith, and Scott Yamamura. Matt Keevins returns as stage manager and lighting designer, and Elise Wattman joins as music director.

Live Sketch Comedy! In the time-honoured tradition of The Second City, YOU are invited to become part of our creative process. For a few wild weeks, while the cast creates and hones a brand-new show, audiences have the chance to influence songs, sketches, and characters being developed in real time! Your reactions, ideas, and energy will directly impact the material in our milestone 90th revue. This limited time is a fun and exclusive glimpse into the artistry and improvisation that has defined The Second City’s legacy worldwide for 65 years.

The producing team includes Jen Ellison (VP Head of Creative), Etan Muskat (Artistic Director, Toronto), Susan Waycik (Producer), Elizabeth Howard (Executive Producer), Parisa Jalili (COO/CRO), and Ed Wells (CEO).

The Second City Mainstage Revue runs Tuesday through Thursday at 8pm, Friday and Sunday at 7pm and Saturdays at 7pm and 10pm. Performances take place at The Second City Comedy Theatre located at ONE YORK STREET. Tickets start at $39 and can be purchased at The Second City Box Office, by phone at 416-343-0011, or online at www.secondcity.com.

About the Artists

TIYAWNDA (Ensemble) [she/her]
Tiyawnda is a Toronto-based writer and performer whose main focuses include playwriting; creative nonfiction; and performing sketch, stand-up, improv, and musical comedy. Tia is excited to be a member of Second City’s Mainstage, after being part of Second City’s Tourco, and being one of the 2019 Bob Curry Fellows.

CONOR BRADBURY (Ensemble) [he/him]
Conor Bradbury is an actor and comedian who has been performing in Toronto for almost two decades. He is a founding member of multi-award-winning comedy troupe Sex T-Rex (Just For Laughs Best Comedy, Toronto Sketchfest: Best of Fest, Toronto Fringe: Best Comedy). He is a regular performer with Bad Dog Theatre (Hookup, D&D Live, Theatresports) and has recently appeared in The Howland Company’s Entrances and Exits. His film and TV credits include What We Do in the Shadows (FX), Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu) and Homeschooled (CBC). He was also once on an episode of Cash Cab. Instagram: @conorbury

NADINE DJOURY (Assistant Director) [she/her]
Nadine is beyond thrilled to be back at The Second City! Nadine is an alumna of the Mainstage where she wrote and performed in three critically acclaimed revues. She currently writes for CBC’s The Great Canadian Baking Show and co-created, wrote and starred in ABC.com/CBC Comedy’s web series, Newborn Moms, earning a CSA nomination for Best Performance. Recent television credits include What We Do in the Shadows (FX), Ghosts (CBS), Transplant (NBC) and Kim’s Convenience (CBC). Instagram: @nadined

COKO GALORE (Ensemble) [she/they]
Coko Galore is an actor, producer, host, comedian who performs across disciplines including live comedy shows, podcasts, panels, events, TV, and film. Her performance credits include The Accused (FOX), TallBoyz (CBC), Pretty Hard Cases (CBC) and Untitled Black Sketch Project. When she’s not performing, Coko Galore drinks lots of water, minds her business, and takes naps! Instagram: @cokogalore

BRANDON HACKETT (Director) [he/him]
Brandon Hackett is a Toronto-based television writer and comedian. His TV writing credits include Run the Burbs, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Tallboyz and Shelved. Brandon is an alumnus of Toronto’s Second City Mainstage, where he co-wrote and performed in four revues, including the Canadian Comedy Award-nominated Party Today (Panic Tomorrow) and The Best is Yet to Come Undone. He is one half of the duo Hackett & Langdon (NNNNN, Now Magazine).

DEVON HENDERSON (Ensemble) [she/her]
Devon Henderson has been performing with The Second City since 2018, when she was a cast member of Improv Showdown. She has also performed with Second City’s Tourco and in the Patch Company shows The Second City Totally Likes You and Take Me Out to the Improv: Spooky Edition. She is also an instructor and performer at Bad Dog Theatre, where she was a member of the 2018 Featured Players. Her Bad Dog credits include Theatresports, Super Hot Date Night, The Rat King, and Toronto, I Love You. Her comedy duo, TwoSon, wrote and performed the critically acclaimed An Evening with Devon & Jackie at the 2022 Toronto Fringe. Select festival credits: Sketchfest Seattle, Toronto Sketchfest, Vancouver Sketchfest, Improvaganza, Montreal Sketchfest, The Detroit Improv Festival, District Improv, and the Del Close Marathon. Instagram: @devonhenderson

MATT KEEVINS (Stage Manager & Lighting Designer) [he/him]
Matt Keevins is a stage manager, who specializes in improv and sketch comedy. Select credits include The Weight of it All (Toronto Fringe), An Evening with Devon and Jackie (Toronto Fringe), Something Small, Something Sweet (Hamilton Fringe), Come Here Often? (Buddies in Bad Times). He’s worked as a theatre tech at Comedy Bar, in The Second City Training Center and has understudied Mainstage and Tourco. He’s often shocked that he has made a whole career out of pushing buttons with great comedic timing!

CHRISTIAN SMITH (Ensemble) [he/him]
Christian Smith is an actor, writer, director and improviser from Toronto. Co-Creator of the CBC Digital Comedy; Soul Decision Comedy and writer for new television series Made for TV. He is one half of YouTube darlings Christian & Nat and was co-founder of popular channel Pulp Comedy alongside notable Second City alumni. Christian is also a part of award-winning sketch comedy troupe Soul Decision whose performed all around North America and Europe including JFL, JFL42, Zoofest and more! Catch him on screen in the new series Abroad, or on Run The Burbs, Workin’ Moms or You’re My Hero. Christian is also a Dad. He saved it for last because it’s the coolest and best thing he’s ever done.

ELISE WATTMAN (Music Director) [she/her]
Elise Wattman is a grammy-nominated composer and pianist who specializes in audio design for visual media. As Audio Lead for Jackbox Games, Elise created the music & sound for Let Me Finish, TimeJinx, Junktopia and Weapons Drawn. Elise has toured internationally on keyboards and her favourite venue is Preservation Hall in New Orleans. Elise served as Music Director for Second City Chicago e.t.c’s 44th revue, She the People San Diego, Deck the Hallmark Chicago, America It’s Complicated at the Kennedy Center, DC. For her work accompanying modern dance performance, Elise designed a patented digital module for live scoring. Follow her @soupysounds for kayaking and hockey fun.

SCOTT YAMAMURA (Ensemble) [he/him]
Scott Yamamura has been performing on comedy stages for over 2 decades. His screen performance credits include Transplant, Orphan Black: Echoes, and Deep Six. He has also performed in various Second City ensembles including Tourco, The Education Company, as Mainstage Understudy and now as a Mainstage cast member. Despite all of this, Scott still can’t dunk a basketball and at this point everyone agrees, it’s highly unlikely.

About The Second City
The Second City first brought its iconic improv and sketch comedy to Toronto in 1963 for a week of performances at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. After a decade of sold out shows at the 1200-seat theatre, The Second City established a permanent home in the city with the opening of “The Old Firehall” on Lombard Street. In 1976, The Second City Toronto further solidified its place in comedy history by creating the groundbreaking television show SCTV.

In December 2022, The Second City began an exciting new chapter by relocating to its state-of-the-art facility at One York Street. This move introduced three distinct theatres: The Mainstage, Theatre ’73, and The John Candy Box Theatre, each offering nightly performances that continue The Second City’s tradition of bringing laughter to audiences.

Since making a home in Toronto over 50 years ago The Second City has grown to become the most influential name in comedy launching the careers of countless Canadian comedy legends. Our illustrious alumni list includes names such as Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, Bob Martin, Jerry Minor, Gavin Crawford, Kevin Vidal, Darryl Hinds, Chris Wilson, Lauren Ash, Ann Pornel, Alan Shane Lewis and so many more.

For more information on The Second City, visit www.secondcity.com and follow The Second City on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

#FIRSTLOOK: THE SECOND CITY ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM

The world’s most influential name in live comedy, The Second City, proudly celebrates its 51st year in Toronto with the announcement of a new leadership team. Newly appointed General Manager Reem Farag, Stages Artistic Director Etan Muskat, and Training Centre Artistic Director PHATT al join Vice President of the Training Centre, Julie Dumais Osborne and Director of Marketing – Toronto, Mike Farinaccio.

Building on a rich legacy, this dynamic team is primed to usher in a new era of creativity and innovation. For over five decades, The Second City Toronto has been the cornerstone of Canadian comedy, leading the way in live entertainment and comedy studies.

The Second City Toronto’s brand new, critically acclaimed show All Messed Up & Nowhere To Go is onstage now! Tickets are available here: All Messed Up & Nowhere To Go Tickets

Connect with us on socials to see our hilarious performers in action and keep updated on special shows and events: The Second City Toronto on Instagram

The Second City Toronto is located at ONE YORK STREET overlooking Love Park in Toronto’s beautiful Waterfront District.

#FIRSTLOOK: THE SECOND CITY ANNOUNCE CAST FOR 89TH MAINSTAGR REVUE

The world’s most influential name in live comedy, The Second City is thrilled to announce the cast and crew of The Second City Toronto’s 89th Mainstage Revue. Digital comedy pioneer and Picnicface member, Kyle Dooley directs returning ensemble members Coko Galore, and Devon Henderson with Matt Keevins as Stage Manager and Shane O’Regan as Music Director. Joining the cast are Touring Company alumni Conor Bradbury, Christian Smith, Tiyawnda, and Scott Yamamura. In the time-honoured tradition of The Second City, for a select few weeks, audiences are invited to the exciting and unique experience of watching and participating in the creative process. During this time, while the cast is creating and honing new material, the audience has the unique opportunity to witness new sketches and songs being developed and even plays a part in determining the ultimate title of the 89th revue. This rare opportunity allows ticket holders a special glimpse into the artistry and improvisation that has defined The Second City’s legacy worldwide for 65 years.

The producing team includes Elizabeth Howard (VP of Production), Jen Ellison (Artistic Director, Chicago), Susan Waycik (Producer), and Ed Wells (CEO). The Second City Mainstage Revue plays Tuesday – Thursday 8pm, Friday – Sunday 7pm and Saturdays 10pm. Located at ONE YORK STREET. Tickets, starting at $39, are available at The Second City Box Office, by phone at 416-343-0011, or online at www.secondcity.com. An official press opening will be announced at a later date.

#FIRSTLOOK: THE SECOND CITY CHAOS MENU: DISORDER UP!

Canada’s comedy institution, The Second City, proudly announces its 88th Mainstage Revue, Chaos Menu: Disorder Up! Glimmering with the country’s best comedic performers, including PHATT al, Andy Assaf, Ron Pederson, Coko Galore, Liz Johnston and Devon Henderson. Second City Alum and cast member of the legendary Royal Canadian Air Farce Darryl Hinds directs his first resident stage revue with Shane O’Regan joining as Music Director and Matt Keevins as Stage Manager. Kyle Dooley serves as Assistant Director, and Tricia Black collaborates as Creative Consultant.

Chaos Menu: Disorder Up serves hilarity! Making light of the absurdity of the world around us, the show promises to deliver the music, mischief, and mayhem that The Second City is known for. Audiences can anticipate an unforgettable production that will entertain and leave you laughing for weeks afterward.

The Second City’s signature restaurant The Bentwood, operated by Canadian restaurant legends Oliver and Bonacini, is open for dinner and celebrates Happy Hour from 5pm to 7pm daily, featuring $5 mixed drinks, $6 beers, $7 glasses of wine, and specially priced snacks. A three-course prix fixe is also available for $45 (excluding tax and gratuity). Guests booking a dinner-and-a-show package ahead of time can access the prix fixe for a reduced price of $40.

The Second City producing team includes Ed Wells (CEO), Parisa Jalili (COO), Carly Heffernan (Artistic Consultant), Elizabeth Howard (VP of Production), and Susan Waycik (Producer). Tickets start at $30 and are available by phone at 416-343-0011 or online at secondcity.com. The show schedule begins November 9, 2023: Tuesday – Thursday at 8pm; Friday – Saturday at 7pm & 10pm; and Sundays at 7pm.

The Second City Toronto is a fully accessible facility.

#FIRSTLOOK: SECOND CITY TORONTO 50th ANNIVERSARY

The Second City Toronto is thrilled to announce a grand celebration of its golden anniversary commemorating 50 years of laughter and entertainment from August 10 – 13, 2023.

Having first graced Toronto with its unique and unforgettable sketch and improv comedy at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1963, The Second City officially made a home in Toronto a decade later opening “The Old Firehall” on Adelaide Street in 1973. In 1976 The Second City Toronto created the seminal television show SCTV.

Since putting roots in Toronto 50 years ago The Second City has grown to become the most influential name in comedy launching the careers of countless Canadian comedy legends. Our illustrious alumni list includes names such as Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levey, Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Dan Akroyd, John Candy, Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, Bob Martin, Jerry Minor, Gavin Crawford, Lauren Ash, Ann Pornel, Alan Shane Lewis and so many more.

The four-day celebration will include The Alumni Show on August 11 and 12 at 10pm. A wild and unforgettable two-act sketch show celebrating the past, present, and future of Canadian comedy. Featuring members of The Second City’s illustrious alumni returning to perform their favourite archive scenes and hosted by the best and brightest stars from our current casts. You never know who might show up for this rare comedy extravaganza!

The celebration will continue on Sunday August 13 with a special presentation of the hit show Improv Brunch, with an all star line-up of alumni cast members.

But that’s not all! The Second City Toronto will also host a series of panels and workshops, providing an opportunity for comedy enthusiasts to soak up knowledge and wisdom from some of the most renowned comedic minds in the industry.

…and for those who are curious about comedy and want to dip their toes in, The Second City Training Centre is offering FREE drop-in classes all through August!

Toronto, join us as we celebrate 50 years of laughter, creativity, and unforgettable memories. Here’s to the next 50!

#FIRSTLOOK: THE SECOND CITY COMING TO ONE YORK STREET

The Second City is thrilled to announce that its new home at One York Street will officially open November 30, 2022, with the first public performances to begin December 1. The new flagship home will be The Second City’s largest, most state-of- the-art venue since the world class comedy company first opened its doors in Canada in 1973. Featuring three theatres, nine Training Centre studios for student classes and partner workshops, and a full service restaurant and bar with food by Canadian hospitality leaders Oliver & Bonacini, the new location is a one stop shop for all things entertainment.

First announced in 2019, construction of the new, instantly iconic Second City location has been a true labour of love. In addition to the Mainstage Theatre, with a seating capacity of 244, and Theatre ’73, seating 170, the John Candy Box Theatre will feature a portion of the original stage from The Second City’s home circa 1974, The Old Firehall which held legends such as John Candy, Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Gilda Radner, Colin Mochrie and Mike Myers.

“Comedy is coming home to Toronto! It is fitting that The Second City Toronto celebrates its upcoming 50th anniversary in 2023 with a brand-new, custom built entertainment and educational complex. We are ecstatic to share this amazing new space and a new show featuring our award-nominated cast with our audiences, students, talent, and community,” said The Second City Creative Director, Carly Heffernan.

The new 28,700-square-foot space is located on the third floor of One York, a 35-floor mixed-use Class AAA building located at York and Harbour in Toronto’s vibrant South Core Business District. Built in 2016, One York offers direct PATH access to TTC, GO Transit, VIA Rail, and the Union-Pearson Express as well as close proximity to some of the city’s landmark entertainment venues, such as Scotiabank Arena, the Rogers Centre, Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada and the CN Tower. Tickets to shows at the One York Street location are now on sale at secondcity.com.