A Clown Car Named Desire
Written and performed by
Carisa Barreca
Brooke Breit
Mike Kosinski
Michael Lehrer
Punam Patel
Chris Witaske
Directed by Ryan Bernier
At the Second City e.t.c., Chicago
Second City’s 37th Revue is a funny, well-oiled comedy machine
Second City co-founder Bernie Sahlins died recently at age 90. He would be proud of the 37th Second City revue now opened at the famed Wells Street stage. It is a tribute to Sahkins, Howard Alk and Paul Sills that the stage craft of sketch comedy and improv has been maintained at the top quality entertainment that has endured for 50 years. It has been years since I was at the intimate e.t.c. second stage to see a sketch comedy show . I very much believe that the smaller stage renders the comedy with more power due to the proximity of the players to the audience. Looking right into the eyes of the troupe-and they looking right into the eyes of the audience produces a connection that enhances the comic dynamic.
Add a polished and slick paced series of sketch comedy by a most talent troupe that includes Carisa Barreca, Brooks Breit, Mike Kosinski, Michael Lehrer, Punam Patel, and Chris Witaske. To quote the press release:
“Join the limber and handsome cast of A Clown Car Named Desire for a spectacular night of illusion featuring brave, multitasking mothers expressing themselves; hyper hipsters competing for the ultimate in cool; and long term monogamous couples desperately trying to remember how they got that way. It’s a night to remember and the perfect antidote to that mundane and troublesome state called reality.”
That is an apt description of the terrifically funny and smartly performed show i saw. Lead by the quirky, nerd-like Mike Kosinski, A Clown Car Named Desire is much more than a riff on Tennessee Williams. It is a couple hours of non-stop laughs. The stage chemistry and wonderful comic timing along with the instant smart ad-libs produced a tightly spun revue. This show is an entertaining show that is a most popular venue that features splendid food and drinks deftly served by a fine serving staff making The Second City a landmark spot for fun. Come to The Second City to enjoy a fun evening of comedy.
Highly Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: June 21, 2013
For more info checkout the A Clown Car Named Desire page at theatreinchicago.com
At The Second City e.t.c., 1616 N. Wells, Chicago, IL, call 312-337-3992, www.secondcity.com, tickets $23 – 428, Tuesdays thru Saturdays at 8 pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 11 pm, Sundays at 7pm, running time is 2 hours, 10 minutes with intermission, on an open run.