ASPEN ” The Second City isn’t just the theater that introduced John Belushi, Chris Farley, John Candy and several comedians who were not overweight and didn’t die early. It’s a comic empire.

Second City, as any observer of comedy knows, is based in Chicago ” and Toronto, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, with outposts in less glamorous spots like Novi, Mich. The factory, which celebrates its 50th anniversary of brand-hood this year, also has a presence on Norwegian Cruise Lines, so that sailing vacationers who tear themselves away from the buffet for a few minutes can take in some on-ship laughs and improv workshops.

And the mega-troop has multiple touring companies ” so if one squadron is booked, say, on the Notre Dame campus, fans in Lynchburg, Va., don’t have to be then deprived of their Second City fix that same night.

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One wing of the touring company visits the Wheeler Opera House on Friday, Feb. 13 ” which presumably leaves sufficient manpower to tend to other tasks like occupying Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province and (please?) resurrecting “SCTV.”

Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are $27.50, available at the Wheeler or http://www.aspenshowtickets.com.