The Second City (Chicago)

Known for

• Opened December 16, 1959 at 1842 N. Wells St. in a converted Chinese laundry in Old Town; first revue was Excelsior & Other Outcries.
• Mainstage pipeline produced Alan Arkin, Joan Rivers, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Keegan-Michael Key.
• Training Center established 1985 — now the world's largest school of improvisation and sketch comedy.
• Del Close served as resident director 1972-1983, writing revues and training the next generation before leaving for iO.