The Second City: 65th Anniversary Show

This exclusive Bay Area appearance features up-and-coming actors Dani James, Cat McDonnell, Zoe McKee, Max Lazeine, Preston Parker, and Cassidy Russell.

The Second City opened its doors on a snowy Chicago night in December of 1959, and a comedy revolution began. The small cabaret theater has grown to become one of the most influential and prolific comedy empires in the world by developing an entirely unique way of creating art and fostering generation after generation of superstars. Almost immediately, alumni of The Second City, including Alan Arkin, Joan Rivers, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, launched the theater into the international spotlight. From Steve Carell to Keegan-Michael Key, Stephen Colbert to Tina Fey, Chris Farley to Mike Myers, The Second City’s imprint is all over film, television, and beyond. The Second City at the Presidio Theatre will feature up-and-coming performers destined for stardom.

CAST BIOS:

DANI JAMES (Ensemble, she/her) is so excited to be performing with The Second City’s National touring company!!  She is an actor and writer originally from Cochrane, Alberta, Canada. She got her B.A in acting from Columbia College Chicago and is a graduate of the School at Steppenwolf. In 2021 her solo show ‘You can Cry When You Get Home’ was chosen to be a part of the LookOut series at the Steppenwolf theatre. You can see her weekly at the iO theatre performing with Blast! (TGIBM) and The Armando. Or around the city as a part of the sketch group Hot Girlz Comedy. She is represented by Grossman & Jack talent. If you like her outfit, follow her on instagram @dani_james

CAT MCDONNELL (Ensemble, she/her) has performed with The Second City at sea aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines, and on land in ‘She The People,’ ‘The Best Friggin’ Songs of The Second City,’ ‘Improv Brunch,’ and ‘Late Night Date Night’ (a show she created). Cat has had the pleasure of understudying The Second City Mainstage revues ‘Don’t Quit Your Daydream’ and ‘Do The Right Thing, No Worries If Not,’ as well as The Second City’s BlueCo and HollyCo. She has also enjoyed directing The Second City’s National Touring Company, ‘Late Night Date Night,’ ‘Improv After Hours,’ e.t.c. improv show ‘Out of The House Party,’ and teaching in The Second City and iO Theater training centers. Cat is currently an ensemble member of iO’s ‘Phony Award Winning Musical’ (co-created and music directed by Laura Hall of ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’) and the proud curator of ‘Lovesome,’ an LGBTQ+ long-form improv show.

ZOE MCKEE (Ensemble, she/her) is a comedian and actor originally from Oklahoma City. As a black, queer, big, hot, funny lady, her greatest passion is making others laugh! With big dreams in her funny bone, Zoe studied at Columbia College Chicago and graduated in Comedy Writing and Performance. Before being a part of the Second City Touring company (BlueCo), she understudied for the Second City Mainstage Do the Right Thing, No Worries If Not, and Don’t Quit Your Daydream. Zoe is proudly represented by Paonessa Talent. You can find her on Instagram at @zoeisaslug.

MAX LAZERINE (Ensemble, he/him) is an actor and improviser from Minneapolis Minnesota. He received his BA from Columbia College Chicago. He can be seen performing with the legendary Holy F**k comedy hour at the annoyance and also with his writing partner and best friend Annie Sullivan.

PRESTON PARKER (Ensemble, he/him) is thrilled to work with The Second City alongside so many talented people. He hails from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, and is a graduate of The Second City Conservatory, Infinite Sundaes and Severn Darden Graduate Program. His work has been featured at the Austin Out of Bounds Festival, Chicago Sketchfest, Second City’s Beat Weekend and Laughingstock Music Festival.  Much love to Bianca, Ashley, Shelby, Dad, and Mom, always. Follow Preston on Twitter @PrestonParker.

CASSIDY RUSSELL (Ensemble, she/her) has been doing improv since middle school (cool!). She’s a member of Chicago’s longest running improv team, Deep Schwa, as well as Annoyance Theatre house team Sight Unseen. She directs plays and teaches improv around Chicago, and in the summer she gets to teach comedy classes in Alaska at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp (an actual dream!). Touring with the Second City is another actual dream, and she’s very, very happy to be doing it. Cassidy has pretended to eat chicken on camera so many times and was once in a commercial where all four of the other actors were cats. She’s appeared in multiple (multiple!) local car commercials. Follow her on Instagram @ramblingcass IF YOU WANT.

SAM SCHEIDLER (Music Director) is one of Chicago’s busiest Music Directors. He teaches and performs at The Second City, and can be found playing with Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton, and Deep Schwa. In his spare time, Sam plays board games, NYT crosswords, and takes care of his two cats.

LEO (they/them) has been in the theater game for most of their life, and is thrilled to be spending
time stage managing, producing, and directing this year. This has been especially true since starring
their own production company, Destined For Chaos Productions, which will be putting up two original
reviews this year. You will find Leo stage managing various things throughout the building, including
the long-running shows, “Baby Wants Candy” and “RIFF”. You can also see Leo performing around
town, often doing music improv, which they have enjoyed since graduating Second City’s Music
Improv Conservatory last year. Leo is happy any time they are doing something in a theater and is
thrilled to be a part of this show! Check out their productions @destined_for_chaos

FAQs