Sure, you’d like to giggle at Mike Myers, guffaw over Andy Dick and let loose a few laughs in honor of I.O., the comedy palace formerly known as ImprovOlympic that launched those alums’ careers. Bad news, though, for procrastinators: Tickets for Saturday’s star-studded 25th Anniversary Reunion Show at the Chicago Theatre are pretty hard to come by.
But it’s not your last laugh. There’s plenty of other improv acts in town–including I.O.’s regular lineup, plus three special shows–ready to tickle your funny bone. Try these picks for a snigger or two.
MORE I.O. SPECIALS
Messing with A. Dick
9 p.m. Friday. $14. I.O., 3541 N. Clark St. 773-880-0199.
Catch performances by Andy Dick (star of MTV’s “The Andy Dick Show”) and resident comedian Susan Messing.
The Armando Diaz Experience
8:30 p.m. Mondays. $12.
Performers are often joined by guests from “Saturday Night Live,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and Second City.
Bonus: Special anniversary edition of “Armando Diaz” and “Hootenanny” with celebrity guests Amy Poehler, Rachael Dratch, Horatio Sanz, Tim Meadows, Andy Richter, Neil Flynn and others. 10 p.m. Friday. $14. I.O., 3541 N. Clark St. 773-880-9993.
Zumpf!
Midnight Friday. $15. I.O., 3541 N. Clark St. 773-880-0199.
I.O.’s Dan Bakkedahl stars in his last local improv performance before beginning a new gig as correspondent on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.”
other IMPROV
The Hot Karl
Midnight Saturdays. $10. ComedySportz Theatre, 2851 N. Halsted St. 773-549-8080.
Long-form improv comedy features uncensored adult humor.
Reader Review: “Go see this freakin’ show! If you like ‘South Park’ or ‘Chappelle’s Show,’ this show won’t disappoint.”–Amy B.
Neutrino Project:
The Instant Movie
9 p.m. Fridays through September. $12. Improv Kitchen, 3419 N. Clark St. 773-868-6423.
Improv artists and filmmakers create an edited flick in various locations outside the eatery; audience members inspire the performance by loaning random objects to the actors.
Cast on a Hot Tin Roof
7:30 p.m. Saturdays. $15. Royal George Theatre Center, 1641 N. Halsted St. 312-988-9000.
An improvised spoof of Tennessee Williams’ plays takes a humorous look at human frailty and Southern society.
Reader Review: “I almost fell out of my chair laughing.”–Dotty P.
pHrenzy
12:30 a.m. Fridays-Saturdays. $10. Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-342-3575.
Ten improv artists compete for audience votes and suffer arbitrary eliminations during a fast-paced show. BYOB.
Reader
Review: “The only tough part about this show is actually voting anyone off because, by the end, you become completely attached to the players.”–Cynthia
Dirty Water
8 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 30. $5. Town Hall Pub, 3340 N. Halsted Ave. 773-742-4405.
Audience suggestions fuel improv set in a Boston bar, where regulars dissect politics, the Red Sox and dating your best friend’s sister.
Don’t Spit the Water
10:30 p.m. Saturdays. $12. Playground Improv Theater, 3209 N. Halsted St. 773-871-3793.
Three audience contestants try to hold a mouthful of water and keep a straight face while comedians attempt to crack them up.
Paso Doble
10:30 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 16. $12. Playground Improv Theater, 3209 N. Halsted St. 773-509-6433.
Female troupe Sirens responds to an audience suggestion with simultaneous, intertwined character monologues and scenes.
Micetro
8 p.m. Wednesdays. $6-$10. Breadline Center for the Performing Arts, 1802 W. Berenice Ave. 708-434-1190.
Vote for your favorite as 16 improv candidates compete in a fast-paced elimination contest.
Improvidate
7:30 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 10. $20. Second City Skybox, 1608 N. Wells St. 312-337-3992.
An improv show about dating. Mingle with other audience members at a postshow party.
Improv in Weird Places
7 p.m. Tuesday: Days Inn rooftop, 1816 N. Clark St.; 7 p.m. Wednesday: van safari, meet in bus turnaround just north of the Playground Improv Theatre, 3209 N. Halsted St.; Thursday: Belmont Harbor (Belmont Avenue and the lake). 7 p.m. Saturday: Picasso sculpture at Daley Plaza (Dearborn and Washington Streets). 773-458-3658.
Available Cupholders’ city tour features improv artists in their “natural urban jungle.” Reservations required for van safari.
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Listings and Reader Reviews compiled from metromix.com.
metromix@tribune.com
