The Real Chicago

Top Menu

  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

Main Menu

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
Sign in / Join

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account
Lost your password?

Lost Password

Back to login
  • Home
  • E-newsletter
  • Contact

logo

Header Banner

The Real Chicago

  • Home
  • The Big City Blog
  • General Features
  • Around Town
    • First Look – Reviews
    • Hidden Gems
    • Inside Scoop
  • Eat. Drink. Shop.
    • Good Eats
    • Signature Dishes
    • A Round of Drinks
    • Shop Around the Corner
  • The Local Angle
    • Chicago Insider
    • The Local Corner
    • My Chicago
  • Interviews
  • Forum
  • Chicago’s hidden gems: Kiss Kiss Cabaret, Unabridged Bookstore, Lulu Belle’s Pancake House and TNT at The Annoyance

  • New on the scene: Recapping recent restaurant and bar openings in Chicago

  • The Big City Blog: A Chicago summer bucket list

  • Outdoor drinking: A guide to some of our favorite beer gardens and rooftops in Chicago

  • A day at the museum: Exploring the iconic Field Museum in Chicago

First Look - Reviews
Home›featured-blogs›First Look - Reviews›First Look review: Second City’s “Game Night” is a hilariously off-the-cuff take on classic game shows

First Look review: Second City’s “Game Night” is a hilariously off-the-cuff take on classic game shows

By TheRealChicagoOnline
April 21, 2014
1574
0
Share:

Game Night-27 - web sizeBy Amanda Parker

Playing at: UP Comedy Club, 230 W. North Ave. www.UpComedyClub.com

When: Wednesdays at 8 p.m., currently on an open run.

Basic storyline: This isn’t your normal improv show. In Game Night, Second City cast members are contestants on their own versions of classic game shows. It’s totally unscripted, and every segment of the performance involves audience participation.

What to expect: At the beginning of the show, the audience is split up into two factions that compete against each other throughout the night. One or more audience members from each team are brought on stage for each game, and the battle for points that ultimately decides the victorious team ensues. Expect things to get competitive. If you’re not totally terrified of getting on stage, jump up and volunteer to compete for your team in a re-imagined classic game like Family Feud or $25,000 Pyramid.

The show has skits that might request you do things like bring a tampon on stage during an audience scavenger hunt or shout out names of rare diseases. Because of the emphasis on audience participation, the show changes drastically every week.

What stood out: The cast is hilarious and diverse — each member brings something different to the table. Joey Bland, the totally believable emcee, will convince you that you’re actually attending a (strangely inappropriate) game show taping. Paul Grondy, Megan Hovde, Tim Paul and Sue Salvi are all quick on their feet and alternatively wacky, deadpan and theatrical, not to mention shockingly good singers.

Final thoughts: I really recommend seeing this show. It’s silly but smart, and supercharged with off-the-cuff hilarity that the cast makes seem effortless.

TagsAmanda ParkerChicago ComedyGame NightJoey BlandMegan HovdePaul GrondySecond CitySue SalviTim PaulUp Comedy Club
Previous Article

The Big City Blog: Packing House opens, ...

Next Article

The Local Corner: Exploring the Broadway and ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0
  • 0

TheRealChicagoOnline

Related articles More from author

  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Second City’s “Unelectable You” is a rollicking, tongue-in-cheek mockery of the 2016 election

    August 8, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Chicago Insider

    Chicago Insider: Hanna Maki-Jokela on the steak at Bavette’s, lunch at the French Market and live music at Bub City

    December 25, 2013
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • Inside Scoop

    Inside Scoop: Free Millennium Park concerts and movies, Tuesdays on the Terrace at the MCA, farmers’ markets and deals

    May 31, 2016
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    First Look review: Second City’s memorable new “Fantastic Super Great Nation Numero Uno” takes accurate aim at the differences in ...

    January 25, 2017
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • First Look - Reviews

    Second City’s “#DateMe: An OKCupid Experiment” gives comedic insight into the world of online dating

    August 7, 2015
    By TheRealChicagoOnline
  • The Big City Blog

    The Big City Blog: Zanies kicks off its 40th anniversary with a celebration of comedy

    January 10, 2018
    By TheRealChicagoOnline

You might be interested

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    Sun and fun: Five must-do activities now that Chicago’s best season is upon us

  • Around TownGeneral Features

    New on the scene: Several enticing bars have opened downtown recently

  • Around Town

    Stepping out on “The Ledge” at the Willis Tower

Originally launched in 2006, The Real Chicago — as a glossy entertainment magazine, website and email newsletter — has consistently provided the very best insider information, features and reviews to help both tourists and active locals get the most out of exploring the greatest city on Earth.
© Copyright The Real Chicago. All rights reserved.