Name: Delusions of Adequacy
Start: 2026-05-03T23:00:00Z
Location: de Maat Studio Theatre - Chicago

Chicago

Delusions of Adequacy is a character-driven sketch show about people performing authenticity in an age of algorithms. As identity becomes branding and connection becomes content, everyone insists they’re self-aware, evolved, and exceptional. The problem is, they’re usually wrong.

de Maat Studio Theatre - Chicago

These non-Second City productions are original works created and produced by guest performers and ensembles. With limited runs, these performances allow for complete creative freedom and may feature artists of any experience level.

Guest Performance

A sketch is a short, scripted comedy scene. Think Key and Peele or SNL. Some people might call it a "skit," but we never do. Chicago is the home of modern sketch comedy, and today, you can experience it at all Second City locations.

Sketch Comedy

Delusions of Adequacy

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Come see The Second City Mainstage brand new 114th Revue. This is the most exciting time to see a show on our stages. The cast is fresh, new material is worked into the show every night, and your laughter in the audience helps shape the final show!
Group of 16 or more? We’ll make it easy: <a href="https://www.secondcity.com/group-events" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us for Group Events</a>

The Second City Mainstage 114th Revue

After getting a single suggestion, the cast of six professional comedians asks the audience to choose a detective. Enjoy as they invent a tale of crime, secrets, and scandals right before your eyes. The performers will keep track of facts, follow leads, and conclude who is the murderer, all while you take in a comedy experience unlike any you’ve seen before. During the show, they’ll employ the tropes, character archetypes, and influences of Hercule Poirot, Miss Marple, Sherlock Holmes, Nick and Nora Charles, Encyclopedia Brown, and just a dash of Scooby-Doo.

Clued In

Every week, a brand-new sitcom is born — live, unscripted, and based entirely on your suggestions. Chicago’s finest improvisers bring you secret crushes, nosy neighbors, wild misunderstandings, and over-the-top schemes — all the classic sitcom chaos you love, made up on the spot. No scripts. No reruns. Just nonstop laughs!

Improvised Sitcom

Baby Wants Candy is a completely improvised, full band musical! Having performed over 3,000 improvised musicals to thousands of fans from Chicago to New York to Singapore to Scotland, this group not only performs in Chicago, New York, and LA but also tours internationally, including multiple sold-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival!
BWC cast &#038; alumni include Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live), Jack McBrayer (30 Rock), Peter Gwinn (Colbert Report), Thomas Middleditch (HBO&#8217;s Silicon Valley), Lauren Conlan Adams (Kimmy Schmidt), Jessica McKenna (Party Over Here), Nicole Parker (Elephaba in Wickedon Broadway) and many more. Hailed as &#8220;Critic&#8217;s Pick&#8221; from the New York Times and &#8220;Best Improv Ensemble&#8221; from the Chicago Magazine, this is one improv show you don&#8217;t want to miss!

Baby Wants Candy, the Completely Improvised Full-Band Musical!

Chill AF Presents the best comedians Chicago has to offer, plus special drop-ins from prominent name comedians you’ve seen on SNL, Comedy Central, and Netflix

Chill AF Presents

The Second City’s Improv Supernova blasts open e.t.c.’s 50th Revue with the art form that started it all. No two performances are ever the same – every night is different, delightfully chaotic, and always funny. Improv this good turns an ordinary night into an unforgettable one. Don&#8217;t miss out.
Group of 16 or more? We’ll make it easy: <a href="https://www.secondcity.com/group-events" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us for Group Events</a>

The Second City’s Improv Supernova: e.t.c. 50th Revue

Find out for yourself why The Second City has been the first name in laughter for over sixty years! From the stages that launched the careers of Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell and more comes the next generation of comedy superstars.
The Best of The Second City features some of the best sketch comedy and songs from our comedy vaults updated for the modern era, as well as some of our newest classics and our trademark improvisation performed by The Second City Touring Company’s best and brightest…and funniest!
Group of 16 or more? We’ll make it easy: <a href="https://www.secondcity.com/group-events" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us for Group Events</a>

Best of The Second City

Got something to complain about? This show is half stand-up comedy, half audience participation. Each comedian performs their set, then opens the floor and encourages you to yell out your complaints about anything: work, relationships, life in general, whatever’s been driving you crazy. They’ll respond in real time, roasting, riffing, and finding the funny in whatever’s bothering you.

Stand Up & Complain

Millennials take on Generation X in a battle to see which generation is funnier. The audience votes at the end of the show. Featuring some of the best comics in Chicago, Hosted by Todd Glover

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Delusions of Adequacy

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de Maat Studio Theatre - Chicago

Tickets starting at $20

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Visiting Productions

Delusions of Adequacy

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de Maat Studio Theatre - Chicago

Tickets starting at .css-722v25{font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-bold);}$20

Next Available Showtimes

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Tickets starting at $20