The best improv is like a best friendship; one player anticipates the other’s next ten moves and trust between the two reaches a tipping point after which anything goes. When I first saw Holly Laurent and Katie Rich collaborate in sketches and improv sets on the Second City main stage, it was like watching two old friends riff. Forget the audience—they almost seemed to care more about making each other laugh.
And while the characters will serve as the show’s through line, Laurent and Rich can’t be confined. They are prepared to explore—at least as much as they can in 45 minutes. They’ll be accompanied on piano by Julie Nichols, the Second City musical director who was in the trenches with them during their main-stage days.
Thu 6/5, 8 PM iO Theater 3541 N. Clarkioimprov.com/chicago $12; also Fri 6/6, 10 PM Stage 773 1225 W. Belmontchicagowomensfunnyfestival.com $14
