Displaying items by tag: BIPOC
Black and Highly Flavored Ignites Second City’s UP: A Joyride of Wit, Warmth, and Wild Energy
As a longtime comedy fan, seeing a show at Second City has been on my bucket list for years, so when the opportunity to attend Black and Highly Flavored came up, I jumped at it. That excitement, however, was paired with some hesitation: I questioned whether I was the right person to review a show rooted in experiences I do not personally share. By the end of the night, after laughing until I cried, those concerns were completely put to rest.
At a time when diversity in comedy too often comes at the expense of BIPOC performers rather than celebrating their lived experiences, Black and Highly Flavored stands out as a rare gem. Now in its fourth year as Second City’s Black Excellence Revue, the show is a sharp and joyful two-act performance that blends sketch comedy, improv, music, and dance to uplift Black artists while remaining accessible, engaging, and enjoyable – and even relatable – for everyone in the audience.
Jam-packed from start to finish, this comedy show includes upwards of 20 sketches, ranging in length from a few minutes to as short as 15 seconds. The content of the skits is just as wide-ranging, pulling from everything from 70s laugh-track sitcoms to ChatGPT, and from John Steinbeck to Janet Jackson. With such varied material, it’s inevitable that not every joke lands with every audience member; however, the lightning-fast pacing of the show means that even if a joke doesn’t land for you, the show has already moved on to its next laugh.
Not only are the scripted parts of the show hilarious, but it also features improvisation at many points throughout the night. Black and Highly Flavored is particularly smart about how and where improv is incorporated, utilizing the famously divisive style of comedy to connect with the audience through tailored, rapid-fire one-liners, maintaining the polish of the longer, scripted skits.
Under the direction of Julia Morales, the six-person cast is stellar, and each actor truly brought their own distinct charm to the show. Tyler Vanduvall delivers off-the-charts physical comedy to the stage, throwing himself – sometimes literally – into every role, human or not. Kimberly Michelle Vaughn wears her heart on her sleeve on stage, exuding talent and joy, as she sings, dances, and laughs like no one is watching. Lauren Walker’s characterization is unmatched, making every one of her (many, many) roles just as animated and memorable as the last. EJ Cameron engages with the audience like no other, skyrocketing the intimacy of the show through his charisma alone. Jillian Banks is spunky and larger-than-life, adding both laughs and layers to any scene she’s in. Last, but certainly not least, is Jason Tolliver: the improv king of the night. Tolliver is sharply funny – and he knows it – allowing his genuine self-amusement to shine through on stage, making you laugh first at the joke, and then again at his reaction to himself.
Although not technically complicated, Black and Highly Flavored’s production was incredibly well planned and curated. Every lighting cue, sound effect, prop, and costume felt perfectly curated to the skit without overwhelming the show. The use of screens on stage was balanced well to be additive, rather than taking away from the joys of real-life theatre by being overbearing. The production from start to end was incredibly well-paced, void of any painful transitions or dead moments. This is undoubtedly a team effort but could not have been accomplished without Music Director and live musical performer Cesar Romero, who both beautifully and comedically underscored the whole evening. Add to that an in-your-seat food and drink menu, and Second City’s UP Comedy Club might just have it all!
Black and Highly Flavored is running at Second City’s UP Comedy Club on Thursdays and Fridays through March 20th. Tickets are available at www.secondcity.com/shows/chicago/the-second-city-black-excellence-revue-chi.
Steppenwolf's Adirondack Chair Circle: The Joke Lands. Then What?
03 November 2026 in Theatre in ReviewI went into Adirondack Chair Circle wondering what a new play about book bans could add to a conversation whose…
Nov. 23 at the MAC: "An Evening with Gary Sinise" Author of "Graceful Warrior" to Benefit WSFDV
03 November 2026 in Theatre BuzzWest Suburban Foundation for Disabled Veterans (WSFDV) presents "An Evening with Gary Sinise," Author of "Graceful Warrior" at the McAninch Arts…
David Salsbery Fry returns to Chicago Opera Theater for fourth production with company in Chicago Premiere The Importance of Being Earnest - December 2-6
02 November 2026 in Upcoming TheatreDavid Salsbery Fry sings the role of Rev. Canon Chasuble in the Chicago Premiere of Chicago Opera Theater’s (COT) production…
Rick Bayless, Anthony Rapp, Jeff Tweedy and More Join Goodman Theatre's Holiday Season
02 November 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFrom an internationally renowned chef and the world-famous rock frontman of Wilco, to a Pulitzer Prize-nominated author and a handful…
Oil Lamp Academy Announces the Schedule of 2027 Youth and Adult Winter and Spring Class Offerings - Tickets Now On Sale
02 November 2026 in Theatre BuzzOil Lamp Theater’s Oil Lamp Academy, 1009 Waukegan Rd., announces 2027 winter and spring classes are on sale now. Offerings…
Remarkable Production Makes 'The Royale" a Knockout Show
02 November 2026 in Theatre in ReviewWriters Theatre scores a knockout production with Marco Ramirez’s 2013 play, The Royale. Under the direction of Tyrone Phillips, we…
A Call You Want To Answer: Jerker, Or The Helping Hand speaks volumes in Uptown
30 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThere are no shortage of stories to be told in Chicago. Whether you’re visiting a museum, riding the L, or…
Joffrey Ballet's The Nutcracker returns with all-new projections, Dec 4-27
30 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceThe Joffrey Ballet announces the return of two-time Tony Award®-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon's The Nutcracker this holiday season. For the…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL December 3 - 19
30 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMetropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre Announces Cast and Creative Team for The Christmas Schooner, November 24, 2026 - January 3, 2027
30 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMetropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce…
Comedian Nate Jackson brings 'Big Dog Tour' to The Auditorium December 4th
30 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Auditorium (Chicago’s landmark stage at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive) proudly presents comedian Nate Jackson as part of…
A Mystery of Mysteries : David Parr: Time Traveler Transcends Logic at Chicago Magic Lounge
30 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewIt wouldn’t be Chicago history without a few mysteries nestled amongst the ivy and six cornered paths. For every historical…
ROMEO + JULIET FILM IN CONCERT Coming to Broadway In Chicago January 30th, 2027
29 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreGEA Live, in collaboration with Disney Concerts and Baz Luhrmann , along with Broadway In Chicago, are excited to announce…
The Beloved Holiday Classic, "Ruth Page's The Nutcracker," Celebrates 60 Years at Four Chicagoland Locations This Holiday Season, December 5–20
29 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceThe Ruth Page Center for the Arts is proud to present its annual live production of "Ruth Page's The Nutcracker"…
A Masterwork Reanimated: Manual Cinema's Frankenstein Still Inspires Awe
29 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewSince premiering at Court Theatre in 2018, Manual Cinema's Frankenstein has stood as one of Chicago's most remarkable theatrical achievements.…
3Arts Celebrates the Artists Who Make Chicago Shine: 2026 Awards Celebration honors the creative voices shaping Chicago’s cultural landscape.
27 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzOn Monday, October 26, 2026, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance became a gathering place for Chicago’s artistic community…
3Arts distributes $860,000 in unrestricted grants to Chicago artists at 3Arts Awards, surpassing $10M in lifetime funding
27 October 2026 in Theatre Buzz3Arts, the Chicago-based nonprofit grantmaking organization, awarded $860,000 to Chicago artists and announced the recipients of its 3Arts Next Level…
Hell in a Handbag Presents IT’S A HORRIBLE LIFE – A GOLDEN GIRLS LOST EPISODES MUSICAL PARODY – December 3, 2026 – January 3, 2027 at Theater Wit
26 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreHell in a Handbag Productions is pleased to launch its 25th Anniversary Season with the world premiere of It's a…
Guarneri Hall announces two-day series REVOLUTIONS on the intersection between music, politics, and social change November 11-12, 2026
26 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe nonprofit Guarneri Hall, a state-of-the-art, custom-built classical music venue in the heart of downtown Chicago at 11 E. Adams…
The Front Theatre announces casting for the North American Premiere of Sap February 25 - March 27, 2027
26 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe Front Theatre announces casting for the North American premiere of Rafaella Marcus's highly acclaimed play Sap, directed by Charles Riffenburg. Sap is…
Chicago Magic Lounge's Mister Danny Reveals How It's Done in New Artist-in-Residence Show
23 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Magic Lounge welcomes back magician and high school science teacher Mister Danny as its first Artist in Residence of…
The Artistic Home 2026-27 Season to include Arthur Miller’s THE PRICE, Chekhov’s IVANOV, and the annual CUT TO THE CHASE festival of one-act plays
23 October 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe Artistic Home's 2026-27 season will include works by new writers, along with less performed works by two of the…
Hyde Park School of Dance presents annual performances of The Nutcracker December 11–13 at Mandel Hall
21 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceHyde Park School of Dance, now in its 33rd year of training, performance, and community, welcomes families and dance enthusiasts…
Holiday Hilarity! Paramount presents The Second City’s Nut-Cracking Holiday Revue at downtown Aurora’s Copley Theatre, Nov. 20-Dec. 23
21 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreNeed something better than old reruns of Hallmark Movies this holiday season? Want to see some real nut-crackers? Then dash…
Mary, A Holiday Dansical Returns for one performance only at Logan Center December 13th
21 October 2026 in Upcoming DanceBlack Girls Dance®, which centers Black and Brown girls in joyful community, presents its sixth annual production of Mary, A…
The Gift Theatre's Hayward: A Floridian-Style Shiva
20 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewThere are funerals where grief brings a family together, and then there are funerals where grief opens the door to…
Chicago Shakespeare Makes Winter’s Tale a Story Worth Telling
20 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewChicago Shakespeare Theater’s production of The Winter’s Tale delivers a compelling evening of theater, showcasing an exceptional company of actors…
Steppenwolf Theatre Presents JESSIE MUELLER WITH SETH RUDETSKY – December 18 & 19, 2026
20 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreSteppenwolf Theatre Company and Mark Cortale are pleased to announce the return of Tony Award-winning Broadway star Jessie Mueller (Beautiful:…
Remy Bumppo’s Mud Row: A Family Haunted by the Past
20 October 2026 in Theatre in ReviewRemy Bumppo opens its 30th anniversary season with Mud Row, a play by Tony Award nominee and MacArthur “Genius” Grant…
A Joe & Melanie Thing Theatre Company announces The Hanukkah Humbug at Greenhouse Theater Center - December 3-6
20 October 2026 in Upcoming TheatreThe world premiere of The Hanukkah Humbug brings ghosts, history, tradition, and a whole lot of family fun to the…
Latest Articles
-
Steppenwolf's Adirondack Chair Circle: The Joke Lands. Then What?
Written by Maddie BurroughsI went into Adirondack Chair Circle wondering what a new play about book bans could add to a conversation whose arguments most of its audience could probably already recite. A world premiere at Steppenwolf seemed worth giving the benefit of… -
Nov. 23 at the MAC: "An Evening with Gary Sinise" Author of "Graceful Warrior" to Benefit WSFDV
Written by Buzz Center StageWest Suburban Foundation for Disabled Veterans (WSFDV) presents "An Evening with Gary Sinise," Author of "Graceful Warrior" at the McAninch Arts Center (MAC) located on the campus of College of DuPage, 425 Fawell Blvd. Monday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. Sinise, an… -
Remarkable Production Makes 'The Royale" a Knockout Show
Written by Bill EslerWriters Theatre scores a knockout production with Marco Ramirez’s 2013 play, The Royale. Under the direction of Tyrone Phillips, we see this widely-produced script (it played New York’s Lincoln Center a decade ago) executed to perfection. Centered on boxing legend… -
David Salsbery Fry returns to Chicago Opera Theater for fourth production with company in Chicago Premiere The Importance of Being Earnest - December 2-6
Written by Buzz Center StageDavid Salsbery Fry sings the role of Rev. Canon Chasuble in the Chicago Premiere of Chicago Opera Theater’s (COT) production of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s humorous and final stage work – a “sparkling operatic adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s beloved play and a joyful tribute to…
Does your theatre company want to connect with Buzz Center Stage or would you like to reach out and say "hello"? Message us through facebook or shoot us an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
*This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to Buzz Center Stage. Buzz Center Stage is a non-profit, volunteer-based platform that enables, and encourages, staff members to post their own honest thoughts on a particular production.