Celebrities gather in Chicago for 50th anniversary of landmark Second City improv theater

more images

more images

Comedians in Chicago for Second City anniversary

CHICAGO — Actor Steve Carell and hundreds of other comedians are gathering in Chicago to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Second City.

The improv theater is the place where the star of NBC’s “The Office” and other big-name comics got their start. Other alumni include Bill Murray, John Candy, Chris Farley, Stephen Colbert, Mike Myers and Tina Fey.

Saturday afternoon’s red carpet event at the theater on the city’s North Side will be followed by special performances, panel discussions and screenings. Others in attendance included talk-show host Bonnie Hunt.

Alumni of the theater are referred to as Second Citizens. Those who have said they’ll show up to celebrate include Colbert, Shelley Long and Jim Belushi.