EDGEWATER — Senn High School, the alma mater of the late Harold Ramis, will rename its studio theater in honor of the renowned comedian and will host a public showing of one of his well-known films, "Groundhog Day."
Ramis attended Senn from 1958 through 1962.
"He started here like any 14-year-old going into adolescence and trying to find himself," Senn Principal Susan Lofton said. "He has certainly made a statement forever through his body of work. We definitely want to honor his life."
Since Ramis' death in February, Lofton and her teachers and students have compiled yearbook photos and stories from when Ramis walked the halls of the Edgewater high school.
"I remember when I was younger watching SCTV late at night, up past my bed time, and thinking it was the funniest thing ever," Lofton said of the sketch-comedy show for which Ramis was a performer and writer in the '70s. "He was part of me growing up as well."
On May 17, the school, along with members of The Second City comedy troupe will pay tribute to Ramis, who was 69.
The festivities kick off at 4:30 p.m., when Senn's art theater group will perform the play "Picasso at the Lapin Agile," an absurdist comedy production. Tickets are $10.
Then, at 6:30 p.m., the school's studio theater will be renamed for Ramis and a commemorative plaque will be erected, Lofton said.
At 7 p.m., a free showing of "Groundhog Day," with special guests from Second City, will begin in Senn Hall.
All events at the school, 5900 N. Glenwood Ave., are open to the public.
"Given how famous he was — and the greatness of his work — this is something people will want to take part in," Lofton said.
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