Second City, founded in 1959 from its origins as Compass Players at the University of Chicago, is the for-profit comedy theater at 1616 N. Wells St. known for sketch and improv comedy and for famous alumni including John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Tim Meadows and many others. Many went on to perform on “Saturday Night Live.” Closed like all Chicago theaters by the pandemic since last March, it has also been the subject of charges of racism from former performers and students at the Second City Training Center. Alexander exited the company in June 2020.
Second City purchase by private equity firm is finalized
