Step away from the Netflix marathon and find your way into one of these local theaters for a belly laugh this week. Your guide to Chicago’s affordable and under-the-radar comedy scene awaits.
Thursday, April 7
Superhuman
1501 N. Kingsbury St. 312-929-2401
This all-lady improv troupe doesn’t hold back in their weekly shows in iO’s Chris Farley Cabaret. 8:30-10 p.m. $12. Tickets: ioimprov.com/chicago
#DateMe: An OKCupid Experiment
230 W. North Ave. 312-662-4562
You know when you find a profile on a dating app and you’re like, “This person cannot be real”? You might be right: #DateMe uses improv, multimedia and original music to reflect real results show creators got after they posted 38 “undateable” profiles on OKCupid. 8 p.m.; doors open at 7:15 p.m. $26-$36. Tickets: upcomedyclub.com
Friday, April 8
The Comedy Dance Collective
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1225 W. Belmont Ave. 773-327-5252
Combining dance and comedy, this Chicago SketchFest 2016 favorite opens a monthlong run that features props, puppets, group numbers, multimedia, monologues and tiny tutus. 8:15 p.m. $10-$12. Tickets: stage773.com
Saturday, April 9
Dear James Franco
956 W. Newport Ave. 773-270-3440
If you don’t recall the mortifying letters your junior-high self penned to Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Cameron Diaz or “Titanic”-era Leonardo DiCaprio, this improvised showcase of correspondence to and from celebrities will give you an embarrassing reminder. 9 p.m. $12. Tickets: undertheguntheater.com
Sunday, April 10
Stand Up, Then Sit Down
500 N. LaSalle St. 312-836-0499
Comedy Bar comedian Michael Rice hosts as stand-up acts perform sets and then join Rice for a “Between Two Ferns”-style interview. 7:30-9 p.m. $5-$10. Tickets: comedybarchicago.com
Tuesday, April 12
Is It Still Funny?: ‘National Lampoon’s Animal House’
3733 N. Southport Ave. 773-871-6604
Former baiduhai reporter Mark Caro will lead the discussion as this comedy film series kicks off aiming to determine whether the movies that made us ROTFL long ago stand the test of time. Future films include “Blazing Saddles” and “There’s Something About Mary.” 7 p.m. $10-$12. Tickets: musicboxtheatre.com
Gwendolyn Purdom is a RedEye contributor.
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