Panic On Cloud 9 –
Second City’s 103rd Revue
Written and performed by
Chelsea Devantez
John Hartman
Paul Jurewicz
Daniel Strauss
Christine Tawfik
Emily Walker
Directed by Ryan Nernier
At Second City, Chicago
Laughs keep coming after 50 years in Second City’s 103rd Revue -Panic On Cloud 9
Featuring Jeff Award winner John Hartman (who is destined to become a Saturday Night Live star) and a cast of major talents from various Second City tours and productions, the cast of Panic On Cloud 9 deftly delivers a smart, contemporary comedy revue that will be relief from all the sweet holiday cheer that may make you barf! True to the proven formula that has made Second City a major Chicago comedy institution for 50 years,this new revue features 23 comic routines that are both rollicking and insightful. We laugh and we relate to the personalities and situations that the brave crew of comics deliver.
From the opening skit with the cast of misfits riding on a Greyhound bus, to the barber shop routine, to the Russian girl blachelorette party, to the little girl slumber party, this revue has each of the six comics grinding out laughs at a manic pace. The physical gestures and timing of these talented performers make a night out at Second City a fun event. Being written and performed by the cast allows each to set up their special contribution to the seamless evening of comedy.
Most of the routines work well with the exception that a few go on a tad too long and the audience participation bit during the barber shop routine bombed because the guy plucked from the audience had nothing clever to say thus making it difficult for cast members to exude humor. However, the evening produced enough laughs and smart bits that the audience was totally entertained. Chelsea Devantez, Paul Jurewicz, Daniel Strauss, Christine Tawfik, Emily Walker and John Hartman each made Panic On Cloud 9 a wonderful night of comedy. If you have never been to Second City in Old Town or not for sometime, get their with a group and have a blast. Remember, this revue is adult entertainment. Have some holiday relief, take the in laws out for drinks and laughs at this comedy institution.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: December 4, 2014
For more info checkout the Panic On Cloud 9 page at theatreinchicago.com
At Second City Main stage, 1616 N. Wells, Chicago, IL, call 312-337-3992, www.secondcity.com, Tuesday-Thursday at 8 pm, Friday – Saturday at 8 & 11 pm, Sunday at 7pm, running time is 2 hours, 10 minutes with intermission, tickets begin at $23, open run