GRAD REVUE-Colbert Class & Long Form 1 Class Show Tickets

Grad Revue, the annual comedy show performed by graduates of the Second City Training Center in Chicago, brings together emerging comedic talent from around the globe to showcase their skills to a wide audience. This year, the Colbert Class and Long Form 1 Class took center stage at the mainstage theater in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood, serving up an evening of hilarious sketches and improvisation that had the audience roaring with laughter.

The Colbert Class, named after its infamous alumnus Stephen Colbert, is known for producing some of the most intellectually-driven comedy performers of any class at Second City. True to form, this year's Colbert Class show was intelligent and witty, poking fun at current events and societal norms with razor-sharp satirical humor.

One standout sketch featured two performers discussing the merits of different types of intelligence, such as emotional intelligence versus book smarts. They were interrupted by a third performer who argued that "street smarts" were just as important, leading to a hilarious exchange about how his street-smart background had helped him navigate the city's treacherous streets and avoid all kinds of trouble.

Another sketch tackled the topic of toxic masculinity, with one performer portraying a man who was unable to communicate his emotions or vulnerability without resorting to violent outbursts. The sketch ended with a powerful message about the importance of seeking help when struggling with mental health issues, using comedy as a means of addressing serious social issues in a way that is both entertaining and enlightening.

Meanwhile, the Long Form 1 Class show was equally impressive in its ability to create compelling characters and narratives on the fly. The long form style of improv creates cohesive storylines across multiple scenes, with each scene building on the previous one to create a full-fledged story that leaves the audience hanging on every word.

One particularly memorable moment came from a game called "Whose Line Is It Anyone," where each performer added a line to a story that was told one word at a time. The story followed a group of zoo animals who were attempting to break out of their cages, leading to some absurd and hilarious dialogue that had the audience in stitches.

Overall, Grad Revue continues to be a showcase for some of the most talented comedic performers around. Both the Colbert Class and Long Form 1 Class shows demonstrated a mastery of different styles of comedy, from witty satire to improvised storytelling, proving that there is no limit to the comedic potential when it comes to Second City graduates.