Six Young Stars Shine in Surprising New Style Comedy

by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz

Over decades, the famed comedy club and theater, “Second City” (Chicago) has been the seedbed for Saturday Night Live’s New York stars. From John Belushi to Gilda Radner to Keegan-Michael Key, each generation carves its updated world view.

At Berkeley Rep, “The Best of The Second City” unveils a new kind of vulnerable comedy, based on the shocks that define U.S. life. Six talented comic actors examine free-floating identities and our shock when those identities are challenged.

The six actors are consummate physical and mental gymnasts, inhabiting bodies made of rubber, as they glide, bend, and slide across the vast stage at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theater. They work the audience like symphony conductors, sharing their perils and joys.

But is it silliness, or is it a mirror of the way we live now? They seem to reflect the lack of solid ground beneath our feet. Quick turns of fate and surprise endings in a waterfall of scenes make us laugh and squirm. “Second City” keeps us alert because we know a cyclone can blow in, without warning.

Each of the six actors in “The Best of the Second City” (Chicago, of course) is superbly talented and trained. Each embellishes scenes with a unique flair, adding to the hilarity. George Elrod’s butt wiggling volleyball player, Phylicia McLeod’s crab-walking gay lover, or Cat Savage’s saccharine smile mean something’s gotta change!

Chas Lilly’s hyper-amped tech guru, Annie Sullivan’s straight man, Max Thomas’ bustin’ a move—each shows us that the next moment is up for grabs. They share a glimpse into their world with a style that is quick, witty, and skeptical. They let us ­­know ­­­­­that basic survival is tough these days.

A well written sketch about an airline passenger stranded in North Dakota brilliantly sucks us in with solid acting and storytelling. Many sketches end in surprising reveals or one-liners.

What appears to be a car salesman and a customer takes a quick and hilarious turn. A few scripted sketches wander, but one word in the wine tasting sketch, “Somalians,” leaves us hysterical. When Annie Sullivan begins typing out a noir detective story, she takes an innocent audience member in wacky, unpredictable directions.

After intermission, Chas Lilly energizes the audience with his over-the-top exuberant Tech guru. First, Lilly barrels forward confidently—a faux Steve Jobs; then his world takes a sharp turn. What begins as a high energy skit with the audience eating out of his hand, ends with a few chuckles.

From improv exercises where one cast member explains the rules and takes suggestions from the audience to quick snippets and longer sketches, the 90-minute show moves quickly.

Here’s a show that reads between the lines, freeing us from daily trivia. They are looking at our lives under a microscope, using laughter to decipher the Big Picture. These brilliant new stars are honing a new, satirical comedy that exposes our secret fears and dreams.

 

“The Best of the Second City” –written & performed by The Second City, from Chicago, directed by Jeff Griggs, music director Michael Oldham, stage manager Rebecca Gilman, at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Info: berkeleyrep.org – to July 28, 2024.

Cast: George Elrod, Chas Lilly, Phylicia McLeod, Cat Savage, Annie Sullivan, and Max Thomas.

Banner photo: Chas Lilly, Cat Savage, Phylicia McLeod, Annie Sullivan, Max Thomas, and George Elrod. Photos: Timothy M. Schmidt