Every January since 2002, local and out-of-town comedy groups have gathered in Chicago–birthplace of the pioneering Compass and Second City companies, and mecca to the world of sketch and improv–to showcase their work at the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival. The first SketchFest featured some 30 ensembles; this year, SketchFest, presented by Lukaba Productions, presents almost 100 groups from Toronto, New York, LA, Seattle, Cleveland, Portland, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Des Moines, and elsewhere. Some well established, some new to the scene, they represent a wide range of styles and viewpoints. SketchFest runs through 1/15 at Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 W. Belmont, in the west, south, and north theaters (supplementary venues are listed below). Admission is $12 per show except where otherwise noted; $40 provides admission to all performances any single Friday or Saturday evening, all-show passes are $20 for Thursday evenings and $25 for Sundays, and an all-festival pass costs $100. For reservations, call 773-327-5252; tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at Hot Tix booths (www.hottix.org for information) or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For updated fest info, visit www.chicagosketchfest.com. Following is the schedule through 1/12; a complete schedule is available at www.chicagoreader.com.
Becky and Noelle
This New York-based group combines live performance with video. a North theater, 8 PM.
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Brave New Workshop
This five-man troupe hails from New York City. a South theater, 10 PM.
The Cupid Players
