The group, which started in a converted Chinese laundry on Chicago's north side in 1959, features an alumni that includes Alan Arkin, Joan Rivers, Robert Klein, Peter Boyle, Harold Ramis, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Candy, Martin Short, George Wendt, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Chris Farley, Ryan Stiles, Mike Myers, Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, and more.

The Second City touring company creates an on-the-spot, topical and unique brand of improv-based sketch comedy that changes with every performance. It has been described as comedy that is both hilarious and thought provoking; smart and silly; sophisticated and wild. The concept is simple: six actors augmented by a musical accompanist and a sound and lighting director perform a two-act revue featuring sketch comedy, songs, and improvisation.