Second City blows into Hayes Ctr. Sept. 19-20

Functional families surviving in a world of dysfunction. The Green movement meeting the Jonses.

Issues such as these are the ripest of low-hanging fruits, and who better to pick it, eat it and spit-take it than the nation’s legendary comedy theatre troupe, The Second City.

A brain trust of social and political satire, the Windy City’s giggle factory takes a look at our culture tumbling towards the inevitable in the all-new show “Pratfall of Civilization,” playing at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock on Sept. 19 & 20 at 7:30pm.

“Pratfall of Civilization,” directed by Joseph Jefferson Award nominee Marc Warzecha, marks the touring arm’s second visit to the Hayes Center following a wildly successful performance in May 2007.

This year — an election year, after all — offers more fodder for the satirical gristmill as the improv masters roast with equal vigor Republicans, Democrats and all parties in between, as well as everything from such nationwide inconveniences as never-ending construction and traffic to multiple perspectives on global warming and war. In other words, no sacred cows are left untipped.

Proudly describes the group on its website: “We are The Second City Touring Company…a mind explosion of political and social satire cropping up in every delicious nook and cranny of this great nation and beyond. Armed…with a battery of the most hilarious sketch comedy and improvisation on any continent, we’re…coming to mock the millennial generation and beyond. (John) Belushi, (Stephen) Colbert, (Steve) Carell, (Bill) Murray, (Gilda) Radner, (Mike) Myers, (Tina) Fey, (Tim) Meadows, (Chris) Farley, (Dan) Aykroyd – yeah, they all came through here. Second City is the Mecca of comedy and we’re its emissaries.”

Performances for The Second City’s Pratfall of Civilization are Sept. 19 and 20 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $35, $26 for students, and are currently available by calling the box office at 828-295-9627.

You may pay by credit card or online at www.hayescenter.org. Group and student rates are also available.

The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort Road (off HWY 321), Blowing Rock, NC, 28605.