Days and Nights at The Second City - by Bernard Sahlins (Paperback)

About the Book

A founder and longtime director and producer of The Second City offers a fascinating history of how this remarkable institution came to be, plus a detailed text on every aspect of staging a comic review. 18 photos.

Book Synopsis

On December 1, 1959, in Chicago, a small band of classically trained actors, directors, and musicians came together to create what became-and remains-a legendary home of comedy: The Second City. Very quickly it achieved an international reputation as a center for comedic performance. It served as the training ground for hundreds of important writers, actors, and directors: Bill Murray, John Belushi, Alan Arkin, Mike Nichols and Elaine May, John Candy, Martin Short, Harold Ramis, George Wendt, Mike Myers, Gilda Radner-the list goes on and on. Now Bernard Sahlins, a founder and the longtime director and producer of The Second City, has set down his experiences and his methods in Days and Nights at The Second City. A fascinating history of how this remarkable institution came to be, plus a detailed text on every aspect of staging a comic review, and absorbing conversation on the art of the hilarious. Not only actors and directors but anyone interested in theatre and comedy will find engaging and useful insights on every page. "The entire recent tradition of American satire can be summed up in three words: The Second City."-New York Times. "A must for anyone interested in the period."-Alan Arkin.

Review Quotes

A fun and interesting memoir of his time at the theater...a must-read for anyone interested in directing or performing improvisation-based sketch comedy.

A warmhearted account of an indispensable troupe.

Bernie was there from the beginning and he knows Second City inside out. He also has a broad view of the culture and context in which Second City grew...a must.

If The Second City is a temple of American humor, Bernie Sahlins is its principle architect.

The entire recent tradition of American satire can be summed up in three words: The Second City.

This is the essential book that had to be written about The Second City, the loving, richly felt memoir of the wise and eloquent man who was there from the start...fascinating.

About the Author

Bernard Sahlins, in addition to his work at The Second City, founded and produced the International Theatre Festival of Chicago and is a co-editor of the Plays for Performance series published by Ivan R. Dee. He lives and writes in Chicago.