SHARELive from Chicago —it’s The Second City.The iconic comedy hub, shuttered for a year, said Thursday it will reopen its doors on May 7 to in-person performances at the Piper’s Alley location. Tickets go on sale March 25 for new hourlong shows, Thursdays through Sundays, at both the Mainstage and e.t.c. theaters, according to reports. Seating limits, per COVID-19 protocols, will be adhered to.In addition, in-person classes at The Second City Training Center are scheduled to return May 3, also with limited capacity.“We realize that most people have binge-watched every TV show ever made at...…SHARELive from Chicago —it’s The Second City.The iconic comedy hub, shuttered for a year, said Thursday it will reopen its doors on May 7 to in-person performances at the Piper’s Alley location. Tickets go on sale March 25 for new hourlong shows, Thursdays through Sundays, at both the Mainstage and e.t.c. theaters, according to reports. Seating limits, per COVID-19 protocols, will be adhered to.In addition, in-person classes at The Second City Training Center are scheduled to return May 3, also with limited capacity.“We realize that most people have binge-watched every TV show ever made at...WW…

Filed under:The sale is only the second one in the company’s 60-year history.The Second City, the Chicago improv comedy hub that launched the careers of a host of comedians, is for sale.The sale, announced Tuesday, is only the second one in the company’s 60-year history. It said it has hired the investment bank Houlihan Lokey to provide advice in the sale.“While all our lives have been affected by the pandemic, The Second City has found green shoots that have further highlighted our growth potential,” Steve Johnston, president, said in a statement. “The company’s growth plan leverages...…Filed under:The sale is only the second one in the company’s 60-year history.The Second City, the Chicago improv comedy hub that launched the careers of a host of comedians, is for sale.The sale, announced Tuesday, is only the second one in the company’s 60-year history. It said it has hired the investment bank Houlihan Lokey to provide advice in the sale.“While all our lives have been affected by the pandemic, The Second City has found green shoots that have further highlighted our growth potential,” Steve Johnston, president, said in a statement. “The company’s growth plan leverages...WW…

SHARELyric Opera of Chicago canceled its 2020 mainstage season due to COVID-19 mandated shutdowns of large public gatherings. But there’s much ado on the horizon.Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s president, general director and CEO, on Thursday announced an alternative series of “virtual concerts, new works, master classes, an original web series and an in-person immersive experience.”The highlight of the programming is the April 2021 drive-thru experience “Twilight: Gods,” inspired by The Richard Wagner’s opera “Götterdämmerung,” conceived in partnership with Michigan Opera Theatre...…SHARELyric Opera of Chicago canceled its 2020 mainstage season due to COVID-19 mandated shutdowns of large public gatherings. But there’s much ado on the horizon.Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera of Chicago’s president, general director and CEO, on Thursday announced an alternative series of “virtual concerts, new works, master classes, an original web series and an in-person immersive experience.”The highlight of the programming is the April 2021 drive-thru experience “Twilight: Gods,” inspired by The Richard Wagner’s opera “Götterdämmerung,” conceived in partnership with Michigan Opera Theatre...WW…

SHAREThe Mercury Theater Chicago, long a fixture at its North Southport Avenue location, will be closing permanently at the end of the month, it was announced Tuesday.Executive director L. Walter Stearns and partner/business manager Eugene Dizon cited extreme loss of revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic.The theater had been closed since mid-March, following Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandate prohibiting all large gatherings due to the coronavirus. The mandate forced the early closure of the theater’s production of “Shear Madness” and halted the opening of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”“We...…SHAREThe Mercury Theater Chicago, long a fixture at its North Southport Avenue location, will be closing permanently at the end of the month, it was announced Tuesday.Executive director L. Walter Stearns and partner/business manager Eugene Dizon cited extreme loss of revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic.The theater had been closed since mid-March, following Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandate prohibiting all large gatherings due to the coronavirus. The mandate forced the early closure of the theater’s production of “Shear Madness” and halted the opening of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.”“We...WW…

SHAREChicago’s outdoor music festival season has suffered its latest casualty due to the coronavirus pandemic.The Grant Park Music Festival on Monday announced the cancellation of its 2020 season, originally set for June 10-Aug. 15 at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park and other locations across the Chicago area. More than 300,000 people attend the festival each year.The free classical music festival, featuring the Grant Park Orchestra, under the direction of artistic director and principal conductor Carlos Kalmar, and the Grant Park Chorus, under the direction of Christopher Bell,...…SHAREChicago’s outdoor music festival season has suffered its latest casualty due to the coronavirus pandemic.The Grant Park Music Festival on Monday announced the cancellation of its 2020 season, originally set for June 10-Aug. 15 at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park and other locations across the Chicago area. More than 300,000 people attend the festival each year.The free classical music festival, featuring the Grant Park Orchestra, under the direction of artistic director and principal conductor Carlos Kalmar, and the Grant Park Chorus, under the direction of Christopher Bell,...WW…