Second City's 'Pandemonium, Please Hold' Created Through Trial and Error
Director Carisa Barreca leads the creation of Second City's new mainstage show 'Pandemonium, Please Hold' in Chicago, a process that involves performing the previous show while rehearsing new material. The cast—Zoe McKee, Preston Parker, Eddie Mujica, Cat McDonnell, and Yazmin Ramos—rehearses four hours daily before evening performances. Barreca acts as a 'comedy traffic cop,' deciding which sketches make the final cut based on audience reactions. One sketch about the Tamale Guy was pulled after two nights. The show, informed by improv, uses audience suggestions to keep content fresh. Opening night featured jokes about Erika Kirk, Governor JB Pritzker, artificial intelligence, delivery robots, and corporate America. Barreca steps away after opening night, handing the production to the cast.
Key facts
- Carisa Barreca directs the new Second City mainstage show 'Pandemonium, Please Hold'.
- The cast includes Zoe McKee, Preston Parker, Eddie Mujica, Cat McDonnell, and Yazmin Ramos.
- Rehearsals occur four hours daily, with evening performances of the previous show 'This Too Shall Slap'.
- New sketches are slowly introduced into the old show without audience awareness.
- Audience reaction determines which sketches remain in the final production.
- A sketch about the Tamale Guy was removed after two unsuccessful performances.
- The show is sketch comedy informed by improv, using real-world audience suggestions.
- Opening night covered topics including Erika Kirk, JB Pritzker, AI, delivery robots, and corporate America.
Entities
Artists
- Carisa Barreca
- Zoe McKee
- Preston Parker
- Eddie Mujica
- Cat McDonnell
- Yazmin Ramos
Institutions
- Second City
- WBEZ
Locations
- Chicago
- United States