THE SECOND CITY DOES DALLAS Kicks Off Dallas Theater Center's 2012-13 Season, 8/29

Dallas Theater Center kicks of its 2012-2013 season with the outrageous new comedy The Second City Does Dallas written specifically for Dallas by members of The Second City and directed by Matt Hovde. The worlds of Chicago and Dallas collide on DTC's stage in a satirical take on all that makes Dallas great (and not so great). It's a fully produced sketch comedy experience in a theatrical, no-holds-barred look at Big D.

The Second City Does Dallas runs at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre Wednesday, August 29 – Sunday, September 30. Single tickets to The Second City Does Dallas are on sale now online at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org and by phone at (214) 880-0202.

"The Second City is known worldwide for its sketch and improvisational comedy shows that comment on current events, social standards and elected officials," says DTC artistic director Kevin Moriarty. "Dallas Theater Center's goal is to spark a conversation within the community. The Second City Does Dallas was written about Dallas and for Dallas audiences. Amidst the hilarity and in between explosions of laughter it will spark fun conversations for our audiences about who we are and how we're perceived as a city."

Diane and Hal Brierley Acting Company member and long-time Dallas favorite Liz Mikel is joined by The Second City's Frank Caeti, Amanda Blake Davis, Martin Garcia, Scott Morehead and John Sabine. Texas roots run deep with this group – Garcia graduated from the University of Texas in Austin and Sabine is a Lake Highlands native who attended Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. The group takes on Dallas in a hilarious, two-act production of live music, song and scripted comedy on the Wyly stage with Dallas as the backdrop.

"This show is a combination of scenes from the The Second City archive and scenes written specifically to reflect Dallas issues - from culture to politics to social situations - with a loose theme of satirical self-reflection that permeates throughout," says The Second City Does Dallas director and TCU graduate Matt Hovde. "We've assembled a diverse and talented bunch to lead audiences from topic to topic. Three ensemble members are resident alums of The Second City, two are rising stars in the company's performing pool and one is Liz Mikel, whose skills and personality are a joy to work with."

Director Matt Hovde, an alumnus of The Second City, is making his DTC debut with The Second City Does Dallas. Original music and musical direction for the production are by Matthew Loren Cohen, another Second City veteran making his DTC debut. Creating a lounge seat and cabaret style setting so often found in comedy houses is scenic designer Bob Lavallee (DTC: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat; A Christmas Carol). DTC's Jennifer Ables (To Kill a Mockingbird; Henry IV); Aaron Johansen (A Christmas Carol); and Charles Parsley II (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor® Dreamcoat; The Wiz) will provide costume support, lighting design and sound support, respectively.

The Second City Does Dallas begins previews on Wednesday, August 29 at 7:30pm with a Pay-What-You-Can performance. Tickets to this performance will be available for purchase online at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org. Only unsold tickets to the PWYC performance will be available for purchase at the box office the night of the show. DTC's Stay Late program will alternate between facilitated dialogue with the audience and a member of the cast and a The Second City Third Act. Tickets for The Second City Does Dallas are on sale now. Ticket prices start at $15 and are available online at www.DallasTheaterCenter.org or by phone at (214) 880-0202.

CAST

FRANK CAETI (Ensemble) Second City credits include: Touring Company, two resident company stages (Chicago e.t.c. & Las Vegas), and Reverie, a nonverbal sketch comedy show. He was a series regular on the FOX's long running sketch show MADtv. Other credits include: Key and Peele, Reno 911, NCIS, The Jay Leno Show, numerous commercials, iO West, and UCBLA. Frank is one half of the acclaimed duo, FrankenMatt with former Saturday Night Live writer Matt Craig.

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