Second City – Something Wicked Awesome This Way Comes

Reviewed by Paula Citron

Something Wicked Awesome This Way Comes is the new show at Second City. It’s the company’s usual au current take on the way of the world, with today’s emphasis on social media taking pride of place.

This show is particularly smart, not just because of the witty material, but because of the structure. Vignettes that we meet in the first act, reprise in the second act, which means clever further embellishment.

The G20 protests, the BP oil spill, the Afghan war, and Coca Cola product placement all come in for a drubbing, but there are also several scenes about the hazards of dating and family life. The whole show is instant recognition.

The very nature of the skits demand great acting skills, more so than comedy skills, and the talented cast is up to the demands. Director Chris Earle has ensured a tightly controlled show.

Something Wicked Awesome This Way Comes continues at Second City Theatre for an open run.

Something Wicked Awesome This Way Comes
Second City
Written and performed by Rob Baker, Dale Boyer, Adam Cawley, Inessa Frantowski , Caitlin Howden and Kris Siddiqi
Directed by Chris Earle
Musical direction by Matthew Reid
Second City, opened Aug. 31, 2010