SketchFest

Thursday 5

The Animal Club + Boiled Wieners
9:30pm, North. See "Troupes' scoops."
Asterisks + The Embassy
8pm, South.
Commedia Della Principesse + Real Good Turbo
9:30pm, West.
Dolphins of Damnation + The Waitstaff
9:30pm, South.
Flambango + Heavy Weight
8pm, West. See "Troupes' scoops."
Train of Thought + Jester's Ink
8pm, North. Members of Seattle's Train of Thought focus in on a single word or concept (in this case, "laid off"), looking at it from all angles.

Friday 6

The Back of the Line
8pm, North. This group of energetic New Yorkers mixes video and live action for a nonstop barrage of wackiness.
Becky and Noelle
8pm, West. This New York duo ditches the usual rhythm of sketch comedy, preferring a dose of controlled chaos. It's not easy, but the two pull it off.
Big News
9pm, South. This L.A.-based troupe pokes fun at the news each week at I.O. West. The group's been doing it for a long time and is very good at it.
Brave New Workshop
9pm, North. See "Troupes' scoops."
Elephant Larry
10pm, South. See "Troupes' scoops."
Friends with Benefits
10pm, North. The TV writers in this L.A.-based troupe promise sketch with no strings attached.
Karla
11pm, North. L.A. sketch veterans Megan Kellie and Marion Austin promise a show about sex, death and fertility. We hear they're funnier than that sounds.
Last Call Cleveland
10pm, West. These Ohioans do straightforward, polished bits.
MEAT
11pm, West. See "Troupes' scoops."
Ten West
9pm, West. See "Troupes' scoops."
The Waitstaff
8pm, South.

Saturday 7

The Back of the Line
8pm, North. See Fri 6.
Becky and Noelle
7pm, West. See Fri 6.
Big News
8pm, South. See Fri 6.
Blaire
6pm, South. This all-female Chicago troupe is fresh from runs at Donny's Skybox and the Playground.
Boiled Wieners
7pm, North. This Toronto-based foursome is way more appetizing than its name suggests.
B.R.A.T. Productions
6pm, North.
Brave New Workshop
9pm, North. See Fri 6.
Competitive Awesome
7pm, South. Polished, SNL-like sketch is this duo's specialty. This is the troupe's last Chicago show before it leaves for L.A.
Elephant Larry
10pm, South. See "Troupes' scoops."
Friends with Benefits
10pm, North. See Fri 6.
Karla
11pm, North. See Fri 6.
Last Call Cleveland
10pm, West. See Fri 6.
MEAT
11pm, West. See "Troupes' scoops."
OneTwoThree Comedy
6pm, West. See "Troupes' scoops."
Shecky Kulhan
8pm, West. This one-man show pays homage to the acts of the 1950's borscht belt.
Superpunk
9pm, South. See "Troupes' scoops."
Ten West
9pm, West. See Fri 6.
Triplette
11pm, South. See "Troupes' scoops."

Sunday 8

Afro and Ohly + Self-Centered Girl
5:30pm, West.
Cathcart and Olson + The Big Show
5:30pm, South.
The Cool Table + Crying Diamonds
7pm, North. Like the queen bees and jocks in high school, members of the Cool Table are relentless in their mockery. But now they make fun of pop culture instead of you.
Improvidate + Teatro Bastardo
7pm, West.
Jazz Hands Across America + Two Tied Up Productions
4pm, South.
Jester's Ink + The USA Bagel Players
4pm, North.
Sassafrass Productions + Our Fallen Spacemen
7pm, South.
Soul Fools + The Happy Heads
4pm, West.
Train of Thought + New Batch of Genes
5:30pm, North.

All shows will take place in the theaters (West, North and South) inside the Theatre Building Chicago (1225 W Belmont Ave between Racine and Lakewood Aves, 773-327-5252). Tickets are $12 per show, but packages are available. For more details, visit www.chicagosketchfest.com.