An ex-chop suey house seems like a bizarre spot for the hottest comedy acts in the Midwest, but The Second City in Chicago has been the city’s premiere site for providing comedy lovers with laughs since 1959.

There wasn’t much strategy in the decision of choosing the chop suey house, said Mike Ross, producer for The Second City.

The Company was looking for an affordable setting with character and history surrounding it, he said. And what better place than an old abandoned chop suey house in Old Town Chicago.

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But it takes more than a historic setting to make a blistering comedy site.

Cutting-edge, scene-based comedy, expertly delivered by the best improvisationally trained actors in the world is what made and makes The Second City simply the best place to go for comedy in the Midwest, Ross said.

The Second City’s humble beginning can be traced back to a small group of students from the University of Chicago Theater Department.

In 1954, this group dubbed itself The Playwrights Theatre Club and performed 25 comedy shows before transforming into the Compass Players in 1955. From this group, The Second City was established.

The first house opened at North and Lasalle Avenues in 1959 and later moved across the street to its current location.

In addition to providing sizzling comedy, The Second City, 1616 N. Wells St., has catapulted comic geniuses from yesterday and today.

Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chris Farley, Rick Moranis, Catherine O’ Hara and Bill Murray are just a few big comedy actors, directors and writers who launched their career at The Second City.

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Once the careers of former The Second City actors are flying high, they don’t forget to pay homage to their roots.

Many alumni come back to The Second City to see shows, visit friends, or sit in and do an improv set. said Ross.

Ross said regular celebrity visitors to The Second City include Chicago natives Harold Ramis (Ghostbusters and Stripes) and Tim Kazurinsky (Saturday Night Live and Police Academy).

Both these guys are very down-to-earth and interested in sharing their expertise with the next generation of comedic talent. he said.

Ross also said The Second City continues to produce the finest improvisational comedy in the nation.

Chicago is the mecca of improvisation, he said. And The Second City is the jewel in the crown of the thriving Chicago improv community.

Factoid:Admission prices for The Second City performances vary. For information, call 312-664-4032.