The world's premier comedy troupe, The Second City, is one of the quintessential Chicago activities. The comedy troupe has launched some of the biggest names in the business, including Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Mike Myers, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and about 500 others. Since its creation in 1959, the show claimed Old Town its home when the founders wanted a theater to practice their own, Chicago-style routine of sketch and improv. The small audience is packed in front of a sparse stage with only a few chairs, and the show covers all sorts of current topics, followed by some improv using audience-suggested topics. If the main stage is sold out, don't hesitate to see Second City, etc., which is also excellent, as are shows at their adjacent Up Comedy Club.