The Second City draws sellout crowd again for SD 230

Originally Posted:  March 3, 2013   Five performers, four chairs, three men, two women and one good time. That sums up the Feb. 16 show by The Second City Performing Troupe, which again amazed a packed Performing Arts Center at Carl Sandburg High School with their sketch comedy, “Laughing Matters.”
Performing a slightly more edgy show than in years past, this version stayed in the PG-13 rating arena but stretched the limits (within reason). The show drew a capacity crowd, and when we arrived at 6:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. show, the lines to enter the arts center were already snaking around the lobby.
Prior to the show, members of the Consolidated High School District 230 Foundation, which sponsored the show as a fundraiser, explained how the foundation seeks grants, donations and other financial support to assist the three high schools. The foundation has raised about $100,000 to support 27 projects in its five-year existence and typically awards between $20,000 and $25,000 each year to support student academic programs and scholarships.
Carla Erdey, the foundation’s secretary, said it in recent years has funded projects such as a sports medicine symposium that connected more than 300 students with professionals in the field, including hands-on demonstrations and informational sessions; a 9/11 remembrance at Stagg High School involving the highest-ranking New York Fire Department officer to survive the collapse of the Twin Towers; and robotics teams from Sandburg and Stagg that built robots for competition in collaboration with professional engineers.
The District 230 foundation also provides a $2,500 scholarship each year to a graduating senior from Sandburg, Stagg and Andrew.
As for The Second City show, this troupe included three men and two women, accompanied by a talented musician whose repertoire included piano, guitar and vocals. Only using four chairs, the five comedians transformed the simple stage to accompany their skits.
Audience recommendations that redirected sketches and various attendees being coaxed onstage added excitement to the evening. One skit, about a school music program that had lost its instruments due to budget cutbacks, used audience members to perform as musical instruments. One-third of the audience was to click their fingers, one-third was to clap and the last was to wave their hands. When put together, we all performed “We Will Rock You!” and “Twist and Shout.”
Upcoming events for the District 230 foundation include the April 12 induction at Silver Lake Country Club of 10 alumni into Legacy Hall, which recognizes graduates who have created a legacy for current and future students to follow in the halls of District 230.
The foundation will present the district’s summer show, “Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?,” at Andrew High School on June 27 to 29. Students from all three high schools will be involved in the production. Also, the foundation’s annual golf outing will be July 22 at Silver Lake Country Club.
Sportsplex duathlon
The Orland Park Sportsplex will host on March 9 the 11th annual indoor duathlon, which involves a 1.5-mile run, a 10-mile bicycle ride and a second 1.5-mile run. Trophies are given to the top male and female finisher overall. Medals are given to first and second in each age category. There also will be raffle prizes and refreshments, and goodie bags and T-shirts are given to all participants. Visit online.activenetwork.com/orlandpark/ or contact the recreation and parks department at orlandrecreation@orland-park.il.us or (708) 403-7275 or (708) 645-7529 for more information.
Caring Bunny
at Orland Square
Orland Square Mall will welcome Caring Bunny from 9 to 11 a.m. March 17. It’s designed for children and young adults with special needs and their families to have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny. For more information and to RSVP for this event, visit abilitypath.org/love-laugh-live/family-fun/malls.html