So, What's So Funny About Dallas?
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - The legendary comedy troupe Second City is spoofing Dallas at Dallas Theater Center. The run of the show, "Second City Does Dallas," has been extended to October 6.
KRLD recently spoke with Second City member Scott Morehead and Dallas actress Liz Mikel.
KRLD's Emily Trube Reports:
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Chicago-based Second City is celebrating its 50th year. It boasts alumni like Alan Arkin, John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Martin Short, Mike Myers, Stephen Colbert and Tina Fey.
"Second City Does Dallas" is a mix of skits, songs and improv. The show pokes fun at Tony Romo, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, just to name a few. There's plenty of slapstick and silliness. There's also some comedy that's a little on the serious side, like the opening skit, which is patterned on the Occupy Dallas protest. Another gives us a fly-on-the-wall view of a mock city meeting, discussing how to handle the upcoming 50th "anniversary" of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
"Our goal in satire is finding those things that are funny in the community, and then, through shining a light on it, have you think about those things," said Morehead. "I think that ultimately helps you understand the things that you care about most in your community, and hopefully that's what our show does, along with making you laugh."
"Second City Does Dallas" is a collaboration from the Chicago-based group and Dallas Theater Center. Writers Brooke Breit and Ed Furman spent some time in Dallas while putting the show together. The material continues to be shaped by the cast members.
Dallas Theater Center company member Mikel said that she has helped fill in some of the blanks about her hometown. She's also learned a lot about improv. "I've done theater for over 20 years, but always scripted," said Mikel. "Flying by the seat of my pants, yes, that's new to me. You have to make bold choices, think off the top of your head immediately, and just throw yourself in."
The Wyly Theater in the Dallas Arts District is very versatile. The space was designed to accommodate virtually any possible seating configuration imaginable. During last year's Dallas Theater Center production of "The Wiz," the seat risers moved along the Yellow Brick Road. During the recent Dallas Theater Center and Dallas Opera joint production of "The Lighthouse." a more formal audience arrangement was designed, complete with opera 'boxes.' Part of the floor dropped down in order to form an orchestra pit.
For Dallas Theater Center's presentation of "Second City Does Dallas," most of the semi-permanent seats have been taken away so that couches, armchairs and cafe tables could be set up in order to create more of a comedy club feel.
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