Customer Reviews

The Second City: Backstage at the World's Greatest Comedy Theater (book with 2 audio CDs)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I used to work at Second City myself and I really liked reading this book. I think Sheldon Patinkin did a very good job of covering the history of the place and his examination of the various changes in style and attitude is very interesting and informative. I wish there were more random memories from alumni and staffers, though. I think the quotes give you more a feel for the place on a personal level and besides that, they're very fun to read. I would also highly recommend the book, "Something Wonderful Right Away", a book that got me and many of my friends interested in the place long before we worked there.

I received this book from Amazon as an early Xmas present from my brother. I was a bit skeptical at first, since I've never been to Second City. It turns out I do know, though, about its people. I was surprised at how many people had come through this group at some point, and the book makes it easy to skim through and read about them. This isn't necessarily a book you'll sit and read from cover to cover. The real cool part is the CD's that come with the book. The book is worth having if only for the John Belushi routine on the first disk and it's interesting to hear the comedy get more edgy over the years. I listen to them in them in the car on the way to work. In all, this made me laugh, and what more could you ask?

It is important to understand what this package (ie book and two audio CDs) is not. It is not a definitive history of the group, nor does it provide detailed biographical information about the group's most prominent members, nor is it a probling analysis of the broader and deeper context in which the group was established and then evolved. Yes, the reader is "taken backstage at the world's greatest comedy theater" but the experience (albeit enjoyable) very much resembles what a family member or friend would probably encounter when literally allowed backstage. After having read the book, I understood more about the group's development and the interaction (onstage) between and among the principals.

Perhaps you have seen the Olivier film based on Henry V in which, during the first 12-15 minutes, the viewer is transported back to the Elizabethan Age, to the London theatre world, and to the stage on which Shakespeare's play was performed. Brief scenes backstage are included. When reading this book, I had the same sense of being allowed limited access. Only when the two audio CDs are heard are the unique talents of the various performers brought to life. I view the book as being supplementary to the CDs. Together, they provide exceptional entertainment to those who enjoy comedic improvisation.

This is an extraordinary chronicle of the most important theater movement in a hundred years. Following "The Compass" by Janet Coleman and "Something Wonderful Right Away" by Jeffrey Sweet, this is required reading. Sheldon Patinkin has captured the story of the people and the times of The Second City in a fashion that will engage those who have not been part of the Improv movement and will give a wonderfully informed perspective the initiated. For the CDs alone, the book is worth it. For the photographs alone, the book is worth it. For the spotlights on personalities it is worth it. The narrative is crisp, and clear, and personal. As I read I felt I was listening to the story told in a kitchen with a beer in my hand. The only thing that he leaves out is mention of the story beyond The Second City of the hundreds of Improv clubs and playing teams and the thousands of players, and now millions of audience members who have never been to a Second City show yet who have been inspired by this great history.

Second City comes with two cds packed with comedy routines and skits, presenting a book which explores the comedy theater's personalities, achievements and founding fathers. Black and white photos from skits pack a lively presentation of Second City routines, personalities and history, making this an exceptional guide for any fan of comedy in general and Second City history in particular. A lovely gift idea.

If you are already a fan of Second City -- or of comedy in general -- this is a very entertaining and informative book, containing many nuggets that elucidate the overwhelming impact Second City has had on comedy in the US. But if you know nothing about them, it is not the greatest introduction. It doesn't give a real sense of the improv process. It is accompanied by two CDs of performances. The CD of the early years has pretty bad sound, and some of the performances are dated. THe second CD is great.

For those wondering how I could have mixed feelings about a book I've given a five-star rating to, let me explain. The true treasures in this book are the wealth of never-before seen photographs and the acknowledgment of many important Second City figures who never became household names (i.e., Severn Darden, Del Close, Don DePollo). Also, the CDs included are invaluable, even though there are many omissions of what are considered classic scenes like "Funeral" and "Museum Piece" (though, to be fair, there's only so much room to be had). The letdown of the book is actually the text. Though quite thorough as a chronological history, there are precious few backstage stories, profiles of personalitites, and discussion of how material was created. Donna McCroahan's now-out-of-print book, "The Second City," was much more informative on these matters, with far more interviews with alumni. You'd think that someone who was in the thick of it all for almost 40 years would bring more insight to the book, but, again, perhaps it was a matter of not having enough space for all the anecdotes. This tome is great to look at, some of the sketches on the CDs are hilarious (though the sound quality is dodgy on some cuts), and, considering the Second City vaults are closed pretty tightly most of time, anything you can find on this influential troupe is worth owning. Also, check out Jeff Sweet's book "Something Wonderful Right Away" and the audio cassettes, "The Best of the Second City," featuring Amy Sedaris, Jill Talley, Stephen Colbert, Tim Kazurinsky, Ron West, Mitch Rouse, and Paul Dinello.

Patinkin has scribed a look back at Second City that is full of self-love for all the club stood for and all the comedians who traipsed through the door. The book would have benefited from a more honest account that featured the failures as well as the successes.

The two compact discs are worth the price you'll pay for a copy on the used book club market, however. They are full of funny bits featuring many famous comedians, and will give your money's worth back in laughter.

There are far better books on the history of The Second City for those who want to know the personalities of those who created it from an objective and historical perspective.

I've never been to a Second City show and that strikes me the same way as when I think that, I could have bought IBM or Microsoft on the ground floor and been there at the very beginning. Granted, I wouldn't be a millionaire today if I had seen Robert Klein or George Wendt or Bill Murray or Mike Meyers working their gifts on stage in their prime, but it would be a great feeling to know I got to see them before they become television and comedy legends. Its something to tell the grandkids about, being able to say, "I saw Belushi on stage with Radner long before Saturday Night Live." This book sgives the reader, if nothing else, a sense of intimacy and connection to the stage and the personalities of SC.

This is a yearbook for Second City, much the same as the Saturday Night Live 20th Anniversary book was years back. It doesn't talk about the show in depth or with any significantly abrasive conflict, but as art and as an institution to be measured on the surface and by its product of great stage and screen talent.

It is a great coffee table book that covers a long history and a lot of personalities with really, really big pictures and bright colors to make it pretty. It does have a great set of CDs with original SC performances ranging from the days of Klein and Rivers to David Sedaris and others of the new generation. It is worth maybe $30 of the price of the book, which balances out the remainder of the cost for the big pictures and pretty pages.

The first half of this book is such an excellent look at the early years of the Second City, it is really such a shame the rest of the book is filled with self-serving, half-truths from the current producers. I didn't plunk down $40 dollars just to read quote after quote from the producers Andrew Alexander and Kelly Leonard. I'm sure the actors who have had to work for Mr. Leonard and Alexander would tell a very different story. Unfortunately their views are nowhere to be found. It is no wonder that the original producer Joyce Sloan has opened her own theater after being forced out by Mr. Alexander. But of course that story is nowhere to be found in the book.