Bristol Riverside Theatre (BRT) (120 Radcliffe Street, Bristol, PA) presents the next generation of comedy superstars in a brand-new revue featuring side-splitting sketch comedy, songs, and trademark improvisation. The Second City: Comedian Rhapsody features the Chicago-based ground-breaking improvisational theater troupe, The Second City, an assembly of the country’s most prolific up-and-coming comedic talents. Tickets are on sale now for the six-person ensemble cast starring Rich Alfonso, Kennedy Baldwin, Anna Bortnick, Karl Bradley, Claire Favret, and Ross Taylor. Anne Libera directs the production, with Bree Bartman (Stage Manager) and Tony Belsito (Music Director) on the BRT stage from May 14 to June 2.
The Second City players, known for their cutting-edge brand of cabaret theatre comedy, solicit impromptu audience participation during one hour and forty-five minutes of satire and social commentary with one 15-minute intermission. To bring the show to the stage, the cast constructs a two- act comedy sketch show over a 12-week rehearsal process, culminating in a comedic critique of pop culture, politics, and society. This spring, the cast of characters brings their comic relief to BRT to close the 37th season.
Founded in December 1959 by Paul Sillis, Bernie Sahlins, and Howard Alk, Chicago’s oldest continuously running improv theatre group is known for catapulting the careers of marquee comedians, directors, and award-winning actors. Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, and Jordan Peele, among several other noted performers and Saturday Night Live (NBC) alums, cut their comedic teeth as part of The Second City. The company debuted its musical revue on Broadway in 1961, growing throughout the decades to tour cities across America and Canada, including Atlanta, Boston, Denver, San Diego, and, annually, Washington, D.C. The Second City opened an additional 12,000-square-foot entertainment and training complex in Brooklyn, New York, welcoming new audiences in November 2023.
“The Second City is legendary to me as someone who grew up in the Midwest and spent my early career in Chicago, said Co-Producing Director Ken Kaissar. “They are the epitome of fearless comedy, and they end up improvising at every show, so no two performances are the same. I’m so honored to bring this national treasure to Bristol.”
BRT’s productions offer special pre- and post-show engagements, which are included with the ticket price, for guests to create a special night out. The May 16 opening night performance is followed by a reception where patrons can revel over the night’s show. BRT’s May 17 ‘Friday Festival’ features drinks
courtesy of Pat Deon Beverages and Dad’s Hat, pasta provided by Cesare’s Ristorante, and desserts. ‘Wine Down’ midweek on May 22 with complimentary wine from Chaddsford Winery Lahaska and desserts by Donna’s Delicious Delights, and enjoy ‘Thirsty Thursday’ on May 30 with beer courtesy of Broad Street Brewing and Naked Brewing Company with snacks courtesy of Dog & Bull Brew & Music House and Philly Style Soft Pretzel.
Tickets for The Second City: Comedian Rhapsody are available online and by phone at 215-785-0100 for audiences aged 13 and over. Find more information, including a season production schedule, at brtstage.org.
Cast Bios:
Rich Alfonso (Ensemble, he/him) received the 2016 NBC/Universal Bob Curry Fellowship and has worked as a cast member for The Second City’s Black History Month Show, touring aboard Norwegian Cruise Line, and as an understudy for the ETC Resident Stage. Other credits include being a featured performer in the 2019 NBC Break Out Comedy Festival and his solo show at the Annoyance, I.C.E. Box, which was featured on WBEZ Radio and NPR. He is represented by BMG Talent.
Kennedy Baldwin (Ensemble) is an improviser, writer, and actress born and raised in Chicago. She attended Western Illinois University, where she studied music business. Baldwin fell in love with improv while attending classes at The Second City at the beginning of 2016. In 2019, she completed The Second City Training Center Severn Darden Graduate Program in Chicago, IL. In 2020, she received the Bob Curry Fellowship at The Second City. She now produces the smallprov show at Logan Square Improv, also located in Chicago.
Anna Bortnick (Ensemble, she/her) is an actor and improviser originally from Boston, Massachusetts. Bortnick received her B.F.A. from Boston University and has trained at the Eugene O’Neill National Theater Institute (Waterford, CT). Anna also performs with the musical improv company Baby Wants Candy! and Shamilton (Edinburgh Fringe, The Second City) and is a current resident company member at iO Theater (Chicago, IL.).
Karl Bradley (Ensemble, he/him) is a writer and performer living in Chicago. A Georgia native, Bradley performs regularly at the Annoyance Theatre (Chicago, IL.) in the sketch group Cigarette Sandwich.
Claire Favret (Ensemble, she/her) writes and performs across Chicago. She has contributed headlines for The Onion and Clickhole, co-wrote an episodic comedy podcast/radio play called A Winkle in Time, and has co-created many sketches with the sketch comedy group Cigarette Sandwich.
Ross Taylor (Ensemble, he/him) is originally from St. James, Missouri, and studied theater at Mizzou. Taylor’s favorite Second City credits include National Touring Company, which performed at the Kennedy Center, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Ross teaches improv at The Second City and Annoyance Theater and performs weekly at the Annoyance with Missed Call and Tuesday Musical Improv.
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About Bristol Riverside Theatre: Since 1986, Bristol Riverside Theatre (BRT) has continued to bring acclaimed theatre to Bucks County. Now under the direction of Producing Directors Amy and Ken Kaissar and General Manager Megan Jones, the theatre serves as a cultural hub for the community. In addition to its mainstage productions, BRT offers the William Penn Bank Summer Music Fest, the new play development series America Rising, the summer theatre arts camp ArtRageous, and a range of education programs for local youth. For information, visit www.brtstage.org.