Chicago is the birthplace of the comedy world’s best and brightest - learn and laugh about comedy’s roots in the Windy City.  Join Sheldon Patinkin and Anne Libera as they discuss the history of Chicago comedy.

Sheldon Patinkin is an author, teacher, and director. He is one of the founding fathers of The Second City and currently serves as the chair of Columbia College’s Theatre Department, as well as being Artistic Consultant to The Second City and to Steppenwolf Theatre. Patinkin is the author of The Second City: Backstage at the World’s Greatest Comedy Theater, as well as a text book on the history of the American musical, No Legs, No Jokes, No Chance.

Anne Libera is an Executive Artistic Director of Chicago’s legendary Second City improvisational troupe, home to such comedy luminaries as John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Bonnie Hunt, and many more. The author of the invaluable The Second City Almanac of Improvisation, Anne has reviewed theater on WGN radio and written for the NPR news quiz show Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.

Presented in collaboration with The Second City, this event is the first of three in a Chicago and Comedy Fall series.

Recorded Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at Chicago History Museum.