Pitt-Bradford left in stitches after The Second City makes a visit

For those that missed The Second City' production at Pitt-Bradford's Bromeley Theater Friday night, you really missed it. The Chicago-based comedy troupe delivered a great performance.

From the start of the show to the final curtain call, the traveling cast of this comedy institution had the audience in stitches. The long tradition of sketch and improvisational humor has now laid its indelible mark on Bradford.

Not only did the show leave the audience roaring in, at times, uncontrollable laughter, but the audience became part of the show through improv comedy scenes and the occasional audience participation sketch. For instance, one of the best skits of the night went as follows:

The lights came up to an “old woman” teaching a school chorus, and singing America, the Beautiful. As the song was completed, the cast member started to randomly pick section leaders to get the audience into singing the patriotic anthem. Full participation of the nearly packed auditorium made for an ever better time.

The scene lead to the one quote that will now live with me for my remaining days!

“Jesus, help me to change the things I cannot accept.”

To finish off the show, as a special treat for the group, members of Pitt-Bradford's improvisational comedy group, The Impovers, were invited onto the stage to show their skills with the Chicago natives.

The local troupe proved to be up to the calibre of performance to visit The Second City.

It is obvious why people like Harold Ramis, Martin Short, John Candy, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Stephen Colbert, and a list of great comedians as long as my arm, have been part of this performance troupe. This is THE comedy act to be a part of, if you're really funny.

The performance was part of the Prism Series on the campus of Pitt-Bradford. According to the school's web site, “Prism is a professional production series featuring touring companies and artists representing all genres of performing arts.”

Prism will continue their series with the Russian National Ballet's performance of Romeo and Juliet, on March 15.

As for comedy in the area, The Improvers will be performing “I'm Getting Murdered in the Morning” at the St. Bernard Educational and Social Hall, in downtown Bradford, Feb. 25, 26 and 27.