Local Celebs Perform with Second City

Geoff Fox, the longtime meteorologist currently on the air with Fox 61 News, knows quite a bit about the history of the Second City. He can tell you a bit about one of Second City’s founders, Del Close, an improvisational innovator. He can tell you that you are never ever supposed to decline an offering from a fellow performer.


“Wait, aren’t you supposed to be telling me these things?” Fox quipped to a member of the theatre staff.

Fox 61 News meteorologist Geoff Fox, WTNH’s host of “Good Morning Connecticut” Chris Velardi, and 960 WELI’s Vinnie Penn, will perform along with the company of The Best of the Second City during its run at Long Wharf Theatre June 15-19. Penn will perform on Wednesday, June 15, Velardi will take his turn on Thursday, June 16 and Fox will get his chance on Saturday, June 18.

For Penn, a published author, a standup comic and a long time beloved radio personality, performing with Second City is something he’s always wanted to do. “It is the realization of a lifelong dream not only to perform with this revered troupe but as a New Haven native to stand on the very stage I grew up watching so many wonderful productions on. I look forward to making an ass of myself on stage now, as opposed to simply on-air,” Penn said.

Velardi, a Branford native, is going to have to tap into his old high school theatre days from 20 years ago to get himself ready. “I’m looking forward to this. It’ll be fun to be in front of a live audience!” Velardi said.

The performance schedule is Wednesday, June 15 through Saturday, June 18 at 8 p.m., with additional performances at on Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19 at 4 p.m. The production sponsor is First Niagara.

The Second City Touring Company is a mind explosion of political and social satire cropping up in every delicious nook and cranny of this great nation. Armed from Chicago with a battery of the most hilarious sketch comedy and improvisation on any continent, they’ve loaded up the tour bus to mock the millennial generation and beyond. Belushi, Colbert, Carell, Murray, Radner, Myers, Fey, Meadows, Farley, Aykroyd all came through Second City.

Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by going to http://www.longwharf.org/.