Sweet Home Chicago


Playwright Jeffrey Sweet (center, seated) with the New York cast of his play "Bluff" (2006)
Playwright Jeffrey Sweet (center, seated) with the New York cast of his play Bluff (2006), which was directed by Sandy Shinner for Artistic New Directions in association with the Victory Gardens Theater of Chicago. The cast, in order from left, Luke MacCloskey, Michelle Best, Bill Tatum, Ean Sheehy, Sarah Yorra, and Kristine Niven. Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Sweet
Washington, DC Jeffrey Sweet wrote the book on Chicago theater. No, really, he wrote the book: Something Wonderful Right Away: An Oral History of The Second City & The Compass Players is considered the definitive book on the history of improv theater in the Windy City. The Second City troupe has influenced and inspired everyone from Steppenwolf Theatre to playwright David Mamet, as well as affecting Sweet's own playwriting. Sweet has been a fan of Chicago theater for some time, which is apparent in this excerpt from our Art Works podcast. [:46] Visit our website to hear the entire podcast. And save the date for our next Art Works podcast on December 2 with choreographer Parker Esse.

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