metropolisnews

Parent groups have a few laughs, raise a lot of dollars for school projects

Daily Herald

By Eileen O. Daday

Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Some local parents’ clubs are getting to see comedy bits written by some famous Second City alumni in this year’s rendition of the “Best of Second City,” playing at the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre in Arlington Heights.

Prospect High School’s Athletic Boosters attended the show on Saturday, while Rolling Meadows High School’s club is selling tickets for the 8 p.m. show on Friday, and South Middle School’s PTA is offering up tickets for the 8 p.m. show Jan. 19.

Their first-time effort at organizing a benefit built around the draw of Second City turns out to be a good choice. According to company member, Jordan Klepper of Chicago, audience members will see some familiar scenes, mixed in with the improvisation, songs and sketch comedy.

He points to scenes written by Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell, two of Second City’s more recent alumni.

They later collaborated on “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart after their Second City training, before Colbert went onto create the Colbert Report on Comedy Central, and Carell accepted the lead in NBC’s sitcom “The Office.”

Joan Lazarz of Arlington Heights led Prospect’s benefit, and it went so well that the group already plans on doing it again next year, she says.

“It was just nice to visit with other parents — away from the bleachers or at a game,” Lazarz says. “It was just a very nice, night out.”

Monica McCarthy of Arlington Heights, Metropolis president, says the buyouts are a win-win situation.

“They help us give back to the community, with what is a very simple fundraising vehicle,” McCarthy says, “and it gets all kinds of new blood into our facility.”

Joel Friend, the group sales director who books these buyout benefits, agrees.

“Groups hold fundraisers here all the time, but these groups are new to the idea,” Friend says. “I think they liked the fact that it’s Second City. They know it’s going to light and funny, and not a heavy drama, and it’s a name that appeals to just about everyone.”

In the case of the booster clubs, proceeds from the ticket sales will help the high schools purchase more equipment and new uniforms for their athletic teams, while South’s PTA members always look to enhance the school’s curriculum offerings.

For tickets to Friday night’s show, call Carol Martini at (847) 394-6044, or call Karen LeBuhn at (847) 394-8402 for tickets to the Jan. 19 show. Tickets also will be available at the door.

Click here for tickets and show information.

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