John Belushi, Chris Farley, Dan Aykroyd, Tina Fey and even Stephen Colbert.
These names are only a few of the reasons why current Second City comedian Seth Weitberg, Trinity '03, said the sketch comedy troupe has been the industry's "mecca" for the past 30 years.
A Duke University Union event, Second City will perform a two-act comedy review, pulling scenes from the archives of some of Second City's most memorable skits, followed up by a third act of newer material and improv. "Sometimes [the comedy] can sound heavy, but it's really not. It's a breeding ground for skits for SNL," Weitberg said. "People hear social and political satire and think it sounds pedantic, but it deals with people and the world." He added that behind the humor each skit holds the beginning of a conversation.
Union president Katelyn Donnelly said that Second City was chosen to perform because it is a premier, high-profile comedy company.
Second City's comedic range spans from foreign policy to the amount of time people talk on their cell phones. "I love the idea that we have a platform to go on stage and talk to people in a comfortable way," Weitberg said.
Weitberg, an English major and former Duke University Improv member, said Duke offered him the opportunity to explore his passion for theatre and comedic writing.
"It shows that any sort of undergraduate experience, including improv comedy, can be translated into the professional world," said David Distenfeld, a current DUI member and sophomore.
"I invite everyone to take the opportunity to do things outside of the classroom," Weitberg said. "The last thing you want is to leave feeling like you are pursuing a career out of obligation instead of inspiration. Those too things are genuinely inversely proportional."
DUU shares this sentiment. "We are bringing acts like Second City to help open students to other opportunities," Donnelly, a senior, said. "You can turn a passion into a career."
Second City's goal, along with Duke University Union's, is that the show will not only entertain, but also educate.
"By making people laugh we give them the opportunity to think for themselves," Weitberg said.
Second City performs Friday in Reynolds Theater, tickets are $5 for students, $10 for employees, and $15 for reserved seating. Before the Friday night performance, Seth Weitberg will be holding a discussion panel in Brody Theater on East Campus at 12:50 p.m. as a part of the Theater Department's new Lunchbox program.
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