Chicago

For Immediate Release January 26, 2011

Contact: Becki Gervin, 408.961.5814 [email protected]

Chicago’s The Second City Brings Comedy Stars in the Making to Montalvo Arts Center Famed for producing many SNL alums, The Second City presents Fair & Unbalanced at the Carriage House Theatre February 23 SARATOGA, Calif. – What do Bill Murray, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Tina Fey have in common? They all got their start at Chicago based The Second City, the premier training ground for the comedy world’s best and brightest. On February 23, The Second City brings its Fair & Unbalanced tour to Montalvo Arts Center’s Carriage House Theatre. Tickets are on sale now through the Montalvo Box Office and Ticketmaster.com. Called “A comedy empire,” by The New York Times, an evening with The Second City provides audiences with the chance to see up-and-coming comedy stars, a night of cutting edge comedy, and an unforgettable experience. Fair & Unbalanced includes materials from The Second City’s vast resource of archives, presented in a two-act review of its celebrated brand of topical sketch comedy, hilarious songs, and on-the-spot improvisation that changes with every performance. Just a few short years after The Second City launched in Chicago in 1959, the theatre formed Touring Companies that began performing all over North America at theatres, clubs, colleges, and performing arts centers. This became the model for developing the comedic talent that would grace the

Chicago and Toronto resident stages of The Second City and often onto movies and television shows like Saturday Night Live. Fair & Unbalanced takes unbridled comic pleasure in the foibles of politicians, celebrities and even significant others. No institution escapes the satiric eye of The Second City – from the blowhards of the Beltway to the Hollywood elite. Ripped from the stages of Second City's legendary theatres in Chicago and Toronto, The Second City's Fair & Unbalanced is a hilarious ride through present day America. The Second City Touring Company is always original, daring, and hilarious. Some of The Second City’s alumni include: Alan Arkin, Harold Ramis, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Candy, Martin Short, Eugene Levy, Chris Farley, Jane Lynch, Jack McBrayer, and Jason Sudekis among many others. The Second City on Tour: Fair & Unbalanced Wednesday, February 23, 7:30 p.m. $45/$40; Montalvo Members: $40/$36 Tickets are available through the Box Office, open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and through Ticketmaster.com About Montalvo Arts Center Montalvo Arts Center is an oasis of culture and nature that fulfills its mission by creating and presenting arts of all types; by nurturing artists; and by using its historic Villa, buildings and grounds in innovative ways that engage people in the creative process. Montalvo embraces Silicon Valley’s leadership in innovation by being an inspirational catalyst that connects artists, community and visitors so they can experience and celebrate the creative process. Montalvo’s programming includes: an annual theme-based arts program; music and performance; education and public programs; new media and visual arts; and the Sally and Don Lucas Artists Residency Program. Located in the Saratoga foothills in the midst of Silicon Valley, Montalvo occupies a Mediterranean-style villa on 175 stunning acres, which Senator James Phelan left to the people of California for the encouragement of promising students in the areas of art, music, literature and architecture. Montalvo celebrates its centennial in 2012. For more information about Montalvo Arts Center, call 408.961.5800 or visit www.montalvoarts.org.

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