Second City: The Best is Yet to Come Undone

Second City – Newest Main Stage Review: The Best is Yet to Come Undone

This tight, action filled show is jam packed with laughs, slick writing and stellar performances.  The content dives into many difficult issues—–the me too movement, body image, feminism, racism and so much more.  There is a lot to chew on in this Second City production and some of it genuinely made me uncomfortable but in a good way. In my opinion, there is no better way to look at difficult social issues than to shine a light on them but also to find the humour in it all.

Carly Heffernan’s direction is spot on.  Every cast member is given moments to shine.  The pace is furious but some quieter, reflective bits are weaved in throughout.  There are also some fun musical interludes where the troupe sings and dances.

The writing in the show was strong across the board but there were definitely some sketches that were highlights.  The top of the show got off to a bang with a hilarious skit about a first date in the me too generation where every move the couple (magnificently played by Chris Wilson and Stacey McCunnigle) made with each other was preceded by a discussion about consent.  Another favorite was watching mounting family tension with a married couple (Brandon Hackett and Nadine Djoury) and their smart ass son (Sharjil Rasool) be solved by an all knowing Google Home

Exceptional physical comedy was brought to the stage by Rasool, Djoury and Wilson.  Wilson and Djoury displayed this beautifully in a Tinder sketch which had Djoury and Wilson live out their entire relationship through movement.  Stacey McGunnigle shone brightly so often, especially when she played a vamp re-enacting a particularly deadly day using audience suggestions. I also loved her take on a dense coach opposite Rasool playing a racially inappropriate mascot.

Brandon Hackett was so quick and clever in a Six Degrees of Separation game where everything led back to the musical Cats.  I honestly was baffled how he could make connections so quickly after getting audience suggestions.

Allana Reoch’s comedy strength is in her truthfulness. She’s not as brash and showy as some of the others but she 

delivered one of the strongest scenes of the night. She selected an audience member to play her deceased father and asked him questions. It was funny and moving and I love this change of pace midway through.

The computer sketch is not to be missed where members of the troupe transform themselves in a home computer and printer. Hilarious stuff.

I have seen very few Second City shows. This is production is a breath of fresh air and a great way to spend an evening.