The seventh edition of this annual celebration of the art of improvisational comedy brings together performers from around the U.S. and abroad; Chicago, of course, is heavily represented. This year’s festival, the largest yet, is divided into several series–Mainstage, Showcase, Sketch, Solo, Duo, and Fringe–as well as an all-night improv session, a series of daytime “Lunchbreak” performances (presented in conjunction with the city’s cultural affairs department), forums, workshops, and numerous special events. The Chicago Improv Festival runs April 30-May 9, with events at five principal venues: the Athenaeum Theatre (main stage and second-floor studio), 2936 N. Southport; Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont; the Loop Theater, 8 E. Randolph; Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont (loft stage and studio theater); and the Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted. Auxiliary events take place at the Chicago Cultural Center (Randolph Street Cafe and Claudia Cassidy Theater), 78 E. Washington; ComedySportz, 2851 N. Halsted; and ImprovOlympic, 3541 N. Clark. Tickets to shows at the Athenaeum and Theatre Building Chicago can be purchased through Ticketmaster (312-902-1500 or www.ticketmaster.com) or at the box office; tickets to events at other venues must be purchased at the box office on the day of the show. For general festival information, call 773-935-9810 or visit www.cif.com.
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Following is the schedule through May 6; a complete schedule is available online at www.chicagoreader.com.
Amsterdam’s Boom Chicago perform shows that are faster paced and more technologically hip than any on this side of the Atlantic, and its members actually seem to know more about the world than can be learned by channel surfing. Their material is peppered with original, thought-provoking observations on politics, culture, and current events. Even though it’s essentially an American troupe, founded by Chicagoans and dominated by people trained in the Second City style, Boom Chicago never indulges in ugly-American isolationist thinking. (JHe) The ComedySportz ensemble offers short improv games, played for laughs by two teams in competition. With its emphasis on improv for entertainment’s sake, ComedySportz isn’t for everyone. Still, the formula is a winning one, and these seasoned performers play off one another’s strengths exceptionally well. (NG) Annoyance Theater is the group responsible for the long-running Chicago hit The Real Live Brady Bunch. Athenaeum Theatre main stage, 8 PM. $25.
CIF Family Day
CIF Video Night
One World on One Stage
The duo Wizard Finger–Jill Benjamin and Kara McNamara–tell personal stories; the show also features music and a guest monologuist. Theatre Building Chicago, 8 PM. $10.
