Displaying items by tag: Tyler Vanduvall
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.
Guarneri Hall Launches 2026/27 Season with NEXUS Festival: Music for 8 and Two Premieres August 12-14, 2026
04 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreGuarneri Hall, an intimate state-of-the-art, custom-built classical music venue in the heart of downtown Chicago, proudly opens its 2026/27 season…
Chicago Magic Lounge Welcomes Back David Parr as Fall Artist in Residence with Time Traveler October 7 – December 16
04 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Magic Lounge welcomes back acclaimed magician David Parr as its Fall Artist in Residence with David Parr: Time Traveler, a new theatrical experience…
yo ho. Delivers Queer Pirate Chaos, Big Laughs, and Fierce Swordplay
03 August 2026 in Theatre in ReviewA quick history lesson: Anne Bonny and Mary Read are two of history’s most famous female pirates. Both women disguised…
PrideArts Announces World Premiere of WINDOWS, August 7 – 23
03 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatrePrideArts' 2026-27 season will open in August with the world premiere of Chicago-based playwright Matt Schutz's WINDOWS, a comedy of LGBT…
The Outsiders - Cadillac Palace - Through August 16th
03 August 2026 in Now PlayingThe Tony Award® winning Best Musical, THE OUTSIDERS, based on the seminal novel by S.E. Hinton and Francis Ford Coppola’s landmark motion picture, returns to Chicago…
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre to present Play On! September 11–October 18
01 August 2026 in Upcoming TheatreChicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Play On!, which opens the Theater's 40th Anniversary Season. This jazz musical tells…
Iceboy! Sets New Goodman Box Office Record
31 July 2026 in Theatre BuzzToday, Goodman Theatre achieves a new milestone in its 100th anniversary season: Walter Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive…
First National Tour of OH, MARY! Announces Chicago's Mary Todd Lincoln
30 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreKevin McCollum & Lucas McMahon and Mike Lavoie & Carlee Briglia, along with Broadway In Chicago announced today that Tony…
Citadel Theatre announces EUREKA DAY, playing September 9 – October 11
30 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreLake Forest’s Citadel Theatre has announced the full cast and crew for its season opener - the satirical comedy EUREKA…
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble presents the third World Premiere in its 30th Anniversary Season Bonnie's Last Flight
30 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreRivendell Theatre Ensemble, Chicago's only professional theater that seeks to advance women through the power of storytelling, announces the cast for…
Teen Takeover: The Light youth ensemble takes center stage at Kidzapalooza and Collaboraction’s House of Belonging in August
30 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreTwo final shows in August mark the end-of-summer culmination of Collaboraction Theatre’s The Light youth training program. Look for The…
Definition Theatre presents How We Got On by Idris Goodwin Sept 11-27
29 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreDefinition Theatre is proud to present How We Got On, a mix-tape for the stage by playwright Idris Goodwin and directed by Tyrone Phillips. How We…
3Arts Awards Celebration uplifts Illinois' artistic community, Oct 26 at Harris Theater
29 July 2026 in Theatre BuzzThe nonprofit service organization 3Arts announces the date for its annual 3Arts Awards Celebration, a festive evening of dynamic performances by Chicago artists and the…
Mike Bartlett’s ‘An Intervention’ Zings in Chicago Premiere
28 July 2026 in Theatre in ReviewA new company, Heart of Gold Theatre, is presenting the Chicago premiere of Mike Barlett’s An Intervention. Bartlett is a…
Carmela misses her papi, because papi is missing some of his papers: Carmela Full of Wishes returns Oct. 25-Nov. 15 at Chicago Children’s Theatre
28 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreCarmela misses her papi, because papi is missing some of his papers.Chicago Children’s Theatre presents Carmela Full of Wishes, a…
Promethean Theatre Ensemble to stage BLOOD OF THE LAMB at The Den, September 3 -October 3
28 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatrePromethean Theatre Ensemble announced today it will stage the Chicago premiere of BLOOD OF THE LAMB, by Arlene Hutton, a gripping two-woman,…
Metropolis’ Wizard of Oz Rekindles Pure Childhood Wonder
26 July 2026 in Theatre in ReviewMetropolis Performing Arts Centre’s new staging of The Wizard of Oz sends audiences down the yellow brick road with a…
Jackalope Theatre Company Announces Plays, Playwrights and Casts for THE 17th LIVING NEWSPAPER FESTIVAL, August 20 - 24
24 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreJackalope Theatre Company is proud to announce the schedule for the 17th Annual Living Newspaper Festival, August 20 - 24, at the Jackalope Theatre…
Cerqua Rivera Dance Theatre Announces 2026-2027 Season
24 July 2026 in Upcoming DanceCerqua Rivera Dance Theatre (CRDT), the Chicago-based dance company, is proud to announce its 2026 - 2027 season. In the coming year,…
Love Actually In Concert at Cadillac Palace Theatre Saturday, December 12th - One Night Only!
24 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreIt may be the middle of summer, but for fans of Universal’s “Love Actually,” Christmas comes early this year. GEA…
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents Ride the Cyclone September 16th through October 25th
24 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreMetropolis Performing Arts Centre, located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, 111 W. Campbell St., is proud to announce the cast…
Sharp Witty Satire "I Killed Andy Breitbart" Returns to the Apollo Studio Sept. 5-27
24 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreFollowing multiple sold-out runs, "I Killed Andy Breitbart," the acclaimed 75-minute solo show, written and performed by Pam Dickler and directed by Drew Martin, returns…
Black Ensemble Theater continues its 50th Anniversary Season with the free outdoor concert series Fridays on the Green August 14, 21 and 29, 2026
24 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreBlack Ensemble Theater continues its 50th Anniversary Season with the return of its outdoor musical celebration Fridays on the Green. The concert series is…
Refracted Theatre Company presents the Chicago Premiere of I’M GONNA MARRY YOU TOBEY MAGUIRE, Sept 18 - Oct 31
24 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreAward-winning Refracted Theatre Company is proud to announce the cast and creative team of I’m Gonna Marry You Tobey Maguire, written by Samantha Hurley and directed…
Experience experimental live shows by emerging puppet artists at the Chicago Puppet Lab Showcase, August 20-23 at Raven Theatre
23 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreEight Chicago artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines have spent the past eight months in residence at the Chicago Puppet…
& Juliet Turns Shakespeare Upside Down in a Burst of Pop Brilliance
23 July 2026 in Theatre in ReviewBroadway in Chicago’s latest offering at the Auditorium Theatre, & Juliet, bursts onto the stage with the kind of vibrant…
Writers Theatre opens 35th season with Sisters August 13th
22 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreWriters Theatre, under the leadership of Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma and Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols Artistic Director Braden Abraham, opens its 35th Season…
VAPE! The Grease Parody Opens at Chicago's Apollo Theater Aug. 20
22 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreVape! The Grease Parody, a hilariously unhinged spoof of the beloved stage and film musical Grease, will make its Chicago debut at…
Idle Muse Theatre Company Announces Cast and Creative Team for WITCH, Sept 10 - Oct 10
22 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreIdle Muse Theatre Company continues its 20th anniversary season with Witch, September 10 – October 10, written by Jen Silverman, directed by Idle Muse…
The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical will play Broadway In Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place December 8—13
22 July 2026 in Upcoming TheatreAfter a sold-out world premiere in December 2025, Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical will make its…
Latest Articles
-
CHICAGO'S TYLER MEREDITH JOINS THE GLOBAL COMPANY OF THE ATTIC: THINGS I'VE SEEN WHILE LYING ON MY BACK
Written by Buzz Center StageFrom Australia to Spain, talent from around the world—including a Chicago theater favorite—comes to The Goodman for its 2026/2027 Season opening production. Performed by Montreal's multidisciplinary creative collective, The 7 Fingers, Tony Award-nominated former trapezist Shana Carroll (Broadway's Water For Elephants) debuts her new… -
The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical will play Broadway In Chicago’s Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place December 8—13
Written by Buzz Center StageAfter a sold-out world premiere in December 2025, Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce The Unauthorized Hallmark(ish) Parody Musical will make its Chicago debut this holiday season. Tickets will go on sale tomorrow, June 26, for the limited engagement playing at the…
-
Steppenwolf Theatre Company Opens 51st Season with Revival of TOPDOG/UNDERDOG September 17 – November 1
Written by Buzz Center StageSteppenwolf Theatre Company, the nation's premier ensemble theater company, is pleased to launch its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon, who returns to Steppenwolf following his hit production of King James. Ensemble members Glenn Davis (Windfall, Purpose–Chicago/Broadway, King James) and Namir Smallwood (Windfall, The Book…
-
yo ho. Delivers Queer Pirate Chaos, Big Laughs, and Fierce Swordplay
Written by Maddie BurroughsA quick history lesson: Anne Bonny and Mary Read are two of history’s most famous female pirates. Both women disguised themselves as men and sailed under the command of Captain Calico Jack Rackham, where they became part of the same…
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.