Geva Presents Second City's I’LL BE GENESEEING YOU 1/4-30

From January 4 to January 30, Rochester is the star in the Mainstage when Geva Theatre Center presents I'll Be Geneseeing You, The Second City Does Rochester.

Famous for their hilarious sketch comedy and their equally famous alumni, Chicago's Second City has written a show exclusively for Geva all about life in the Flour City (or was that Flower City?)! Can you imagine what might be included? Local icons, current gossip and ancient history will be filtered through the brilliant lens of the Second City Ensemble.

Founded in 1959, Second City recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. Their alumni list is a veritable "Who's Who" spawning the talents of Dan Aykroyd, John Candy, Bill Murray, Martin Short, George Wendt, Mike Myers, Bonnie Hunt, Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, John Belushi and many more.

In October two writers, Ed Furman and Jean Villepique, came to Rochester for a four-and-a-half day "Immersion Tour." During their stay they visited local eateries such as the Highland Park Diner, Rosie's, Nick Tahoe's, Virtu, Bamba Bistro, Jines, Simply Crepes, Abbot's, Juan & Maria's Empanada Stop and Dinosaur. They visited local landmarks including the George Eastman House, Susan B. Anthony House, The Strong, Mt. Hope Cemetery, Rochester Museum and Science Center, the Eastman Theatre, Wegman's, the House of Guitars, Frontier Field, the Public Market, the South Wedge, Corn Hill and High Falls Districts, Oak Hill Country Club and the canal villages of Pittsford and Fairport. They sampled some local beverages including Genesee Beer on a guided tour of the brewery, and Casa Larga wines at Monroe County's only vineyard. They met a host of local figures from the sports world, media personalities, educators, local historians, students and long-time Rochesterians. The writers then returned to their respective homes to write a show for and about Rochester.

The ensemble cast features Second City veterans Hilary Bauman, Shad Kunkle, Michael Lehrer and Ric Walker. Chicago native Tawny Newsome makes her Second City debut with I'll Be Geneseeing You.

In late October, The Second City held local auditions here at Geva to augment the Chicago-based cast. Local actress Beth Winslow will soon depart for Chicago to rehearse with the cast prior to their arrival in Rochester. Ms. Winslow is one half of popular Rochester improv comedy duo, The ManShee Chronicles, and was a founding member of Unleashed!, Rochester's premiere long-form improv troupe.

I'll Be Geneseeing You was written by the casts of The Second City; with additional material created by Jean Villepique and Ed Furman. The production is directed by Jim Carlson who has directed such Second City productions as No Country for Old White Men, Disposable Nation, Bobble Heads of State and more. Lisa McQueen is the musical director and the design team includes Derek Madonia (lighting designer) and Ian Hildreth (sound designer).

I'll Be Geneseeing You is co-produced by The Drive FM, WHAM 1180, Time Warner Cable, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP and Fidelity Investments.