Epilogue
Well, it's about 2 weeks after the opening and I feel relieved. The show, for
the most part, was very successful. Critically, it got all good reviews except
for the Sun Times, which was mixed. The cast seems to enjoy doing it, although
I still feel it's a bit long. The most important part is that the audiences enjoy
it, and they do. I went to see it again last Friday and it was fun to see the
audiences laughing. When you're in the middle of directing a show, the audiences'
laughter is a tool to making the show great, when you can be objective after
a couple of weeks, the laughter takes on a different meaning......it's some people
laughing and it's nice. (no way that made sense)
We had a nice lunch with the cast/Andrew/Kelly/Lyn/Craig/Ruby/Joyce the other
day and it was wonderful. The cast bought me a guitar. I nearly cried. It's so
nice. I have been playing it too much since I got it.
Joyce Sloane
I don't think I've said anything about Joyce yet. I should have and I will now.
I'd bet my ass that I wouldn't be typing these very words right now if it weren't
for this woman. She was the executive producer of Second City for over thirty
years and now serves as Producer Emeritus. It's impossible for me to describe
what she has done for Second City over the years. See, Second City hasn't always
been THE Second City. There was a time when it was the second city. Long before
Saturday Night Live and long before Mick Napier, there was a little improv theatre
in Chicago that got little houses and they had to work their ass off to pay the
rent. (much like the annoyance, now). Joyce worked to book groups and start
tours and whatever to get people in the seats. If it weren't for Joyce, Second
City may have folded...and if it weren't for Second City......you do the math.(TM Archie
Nunn)
Next time you see Joyce Sloane, say thank you.
Another Review
Here's another review from a paper called New City in Chicago.
Tip of the Week (February 27, 1997)
PARADIGM LOST: When Mick Napier introduced the interconnected format of long-form improv to Second City's patented but aging formula of sketch comedy, it was like a vital wind blowing down Wells Street. In "Paradigm Lost," the remarkable Napier extends his ideas to the point that the audience almost becomes overwhelmed by the frames within frames and boxes within boxes. Is the whole show the bad dreams of a
man in a hospital? Or does Napier and his cast probe all of our pre-millennium nightmares? While "Paradigm Lost" comes close to an excess of self-reflexivity (time for something new again, Mick) this current mainstage cast is so exceptionally strong that they humanize even the most pretentious improv moment (and who needs more OJ jokes anyway?). Performers such as Rachel Dratch, whose progress has been truly spectacular, Scott Adsit and Jim Zulevic all deserve to be whisked off to a place that will make them rich and famous &emdash; their manic creations here are funny, poignant and fully realized. "Paradigm Lost" is less scripted than typical mainstage efforts, allowing the actors to really show their chops. Rumor has it that this will be the last show with this astounding cast intact; catch it before these people are lost to Chicago. "Paradigm Lost plays at The Second City Mainstage, 1616 North Wells, 312.337.3992. (Chris Jones)
Correction
While I was very happy with this review, and actually in agreement that the show
is a bit too self-referential, I have to make a correction. I did not introduce the
interconnected format of long-form improv to mainstage.....Pinata Full of Bees did,
and that was under the direction of Tom Gianas.
Long Form
Boy, some people may not like this. I don't understand the conversation of long
form when it comes to these shows. I just don't get it. When I did Citizen Gates
and this show, the thought or conversation that included the words "long form"
didn't exist. I never consider it at all. To me it's a show. Long form is an improv
expression to describe an improv experience that lasts about 30 minutes usually
based on a single suggestion. I'm having a difficult time figuring out where long
form enters in to the Second City mainstage. Is it because it is long? All shows
there are at least 90 minutes . Is it because there are leaps in time? Recurring
characters? Ever read Hamlet? Is it because there are call backs to previous
concepts? Ever see a Second City show 30 years ago? Is it because of the
theatrical convention of not blacking out a scene but transitioning it? I'm
truly confused. Long form, to me, is a wonderful improv tradition that's a lot
of fun to do and often fun to watch, but it doesn't really affect me in regards
to putting up a sketch comedy revue. For me, they are two different things.
Maintaining the Show
I won't see the mainstage show very much now, maybe once every two weeks.
I've seen it two times since opening and the cast is doing a good job keeping the
beats together.
Quite often in an original show developed through improvisation, the show expands
a bit in time. A line is added here, a pause there, and suddenly the show is 15
minutes longer. We really have to keep our eye on that with this show, because
it's already long. So far so good.
Running Order
I remember promising to put up the new running order and I didn't do it...so here it is:
(I don't have it in front of me, so I'm trying to remember it, yikes)
Act One
Song
Opener
Country
Yessand
Country
Runway
Blood
Nunsense
Teacher
Kevin
Diplomat
Kevin
Teacher
Gargoyle
Blood
Super Dratch
Act Two
NPR
Century 21
Family Photo
Teacher
YMCA
Stripper
YMCA
Blood
Montage
Driver
Wicked
Gargoyle
YMCA
Grandma's
Closer
Drink
ETC
ETC is a secondary stage at Second City. In about two weeks I will start directing
that show.
Annoyance
I'm also wanting to put up a new musical at The Annoyance. I'd like to do the same
things with those shows (a journal), if I thought I could do it without repeating
myself.
Improvisation
I am also going to create a special section on improvisation. Just writing about
it in general....stay tuned.
Thank You
Thank you so much for reading this. I have gotten such good feedback and I thank
you. It also helped me to focus and reflect on the show as I was doing it.
See you soon.
The End
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