COMEDY

BARENAKED LADS. An upbeat and hilarious show featuring five guys who get naked at most every opportunity and one funny gal who does not. Fri, 8 pm; Sat, 10 pm. $25. Open run. Bailiwick Arts Center, 1229 W. Belmont. (773) 883-1090.

BARREL OF LAUGHS COMEDY CLUB. Various comedians appearing. Fri, 8 pm, 10 pm; Sat, 7:30 pm, 10 pm. $10. Sun, Thu, 7 pm. $7. 10345 S. Central, Oaklawn. (708) 499-2969.

BETTER HALF. Some of Chicago's best improv couples perfrom. Wed, 11 pm. $5. iO Theater, 3541 N. Clark. www.iotheater.com.

BIG NEWS. A news-driven sketch comedy show. Tue, 8 pm. Open run. $5. i0 Theater, 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-0199.

CHEMICALLY IMBALANCED THEATER. Fri, 10:30 pm. $12. 1420 W. Irving Park. (800) 838-3006; www.cicomedy.com.

CHICAGO COMEDY COMPANY. Fri-Sun, 7:30 pm, 9:30 pm. $12-$18. Teen only show. Sun, 7:30 pm. Streets of Woodfield Mall, 601 N. Martingale, suite 171, Schaumburg. (847) 240-0380; www.chicagocomedyco.com.

CHICAGO IMPROV ANARCHY. "Fill in the __." Sat, 11 pm. $6-$9. Strawdog Theatre, 3829 N. Broadway. (773) 419-4606.

CHICAGO IMPROV REBELLION. Fri, midnight. $5. iO Theater, 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-0199; www.iochicago.net.

CHICAGO UNDERGROUND COMEDY. Chicago's best alternative stand-up. Tue, 9:30 pm. $5. Ongoing. Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont. www.chicagoundergroundcomedy.com.

CHRIS ROCK. Sun, 7 pm. $43-$65. Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State. (312) 559-1212.

COMEDYSPORTZ. Fri, 8 pm, 10 pm; Sat, 6 pm, 8 pm, 10 pm: World Comedy League Weekend. $19. Wed, 8 pm: Improv Night. Free. Comedysportz Theatre, 929 W. Belmont.

CRAIG SHOEMAKER. Thu, 7:30 pm. $19-$23. The IMPROV, 5 Woodfield, Schaumburg. (847) 240-2001; www.improv.com.

THE CUPID PLAYERS. Present "Cupid Has a Heart On: A Musical Guide to Relationships." Sat, 10:30 pm. $16; $5 iO students. Open run. ImprovOlympic, 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-0199; www.thecupidplayers.com.

THE DEVIL WEARS CHANKLAS. A hilarious examination of myriad issues facing the emerging 21st Century experience of America's largest minority. Thu, 9:30 pm. To July 31. $12. Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee. (773) 598-4549.

DIRTY WATER. Improvised comedy. Fri, 8 pm. $10. Town Hall Pub, 3340 N. Halsted. (773) 404-2555; www.dirtywaterimprov.com.

DONNY'S SKYBOX THEATER. Sun, 10:30 am: "The Best Church of God." Free. Open run. 1608 N. Wells, Pipers Alley, 4th floor. (312) 337-3992.

DON'T SPIT THE WATER. Presented by Blewt! Productions. Sat, 10:30 pm. $12. Open run. The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted. (866) 208-6296.

GRAFITTI. Sketch comedy showcase. Fri, 10 pm. $10. The Playground Theater, 3209 N. Halsted. (773) 871-3793.

GRANDMA JUNE'S SEWING CIRCLE. Mon, 8 pm. To Aug. 25. Apollo Theater Studio, 2540 N. Lincoln. www.apollochicago.com.

THE IMPROVISED MOVIE. Our Feature Presentation recreates a movie. Tue, Fri, 8 pm. Open run. $14. iO Theater, 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-9993.

THE IMPROV MATCH GAME. A live version of the classic 1970s game show. Mon, 10:30 pm. Free. Open run. iO Theatre, 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-0199.

IMPROVOLYMPIC. Sat, 8 pm: Whirled News Tonight. $14. Open run. Sat, midnight: "The Late Night Late Show with Mark Luge." $5. Open run. Mon, 8:30 pm: "The Armando Diaz Experience." $5. Open run. iO Theater, 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-0199.

JOKES AND NOTES COMEDY NIGHT. Fri-Sat, 8:30 pm, 10:30 pm. Sun, 8 pm, 10 pm. $10-$20. 4641 S. King. (773) 373-3390.

THE JOY OF NEWS. Presented by Aaron Freeman. Thu, Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 3 pm. $30. The Prop Theater, 3502 N. Elston. (773) 539-7838.

LES MUSICAL, THE IMPROVISED MUSICAL COMEDY. Wed, 9 pm. $10. Open run. Improv Kitchen, 3419 N. Clark. (773) 868-6423.

THE LINCOLN LODGE. Stand-up comedy and variety showcase. Thu-Fri, 9 pm. Open run. $8. 4008 N. Lincoln. (773) 296-4029; www.thelincolnlodge.com.

LIVE AT LUV'N MUSIC. Wed, 9 pm. Hosted by Chon Aztek. 5428 S. Harlem.

THE MIKE AND DUANE SHOW. A show featuring comedic songs and mini-rock operas. $10. Chemically Imbalanced Theater, 1420 W. Irving Park.

NEVIN'S LIVE. Tue, 7:30 pm: Stand-up comedy open mic with Bill Zak. Open run. 1450 W. Sherman, Evanston. (847) 869-0450.

NEWSPEAK. The Argos Agency presents a satirical look at the news through the Whirled News Tonight team. Fri-Sat, 8 pm. $12. Open run. I.O. Theater, 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-9993.

pH PRODUCTIONS. Fri, 11 pm: pHreedom pHalls. $10. Open run. Fri-Sat, 12:30 am: pHrenzy. $10. Sat, 11 pm: Wheel of pHortune. $10. Open run. Sat, 12:30 am: pHrenzy pHucked. $10. Open run. Stage Left Theatre, 3408 N. Sheffield. (773) 732-5450; www.whatisph.com.

ROB BECKER'S DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN. With Kevin Burke. Fri-Sat, 8 pm; Sun, 3 pm. $45. Open run. Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway. (773) 472-3492.

ROBERT SCHIMMEL. Fri, 8 pm, 10:15 pm; Sat, 7 pm, 9:15 pm; Sun, 7 pm. $19-$23. The IMPROV, 5 Woodfield, Schaumburg. (847) 240-2001; www.improv.com.

SASSAFRASS PRODUCTIONS. Presents "Frassavision," a multimedia event of innovative comedy. Tue, 7 pm, 9 pm; Sat, 11 pm. $10. Open run. Improv Kitchen, 3419 N. Clark. (773) 868-6423.

THE SECOND CITY. "Spit! & Shatter." Tue, 8:30 pm. $10. To July 29. "Campaign Supernova." Thu, 8 pm; Fri-Sat, 8 pm, 11 pm; Sun, 7 pm. $19-$25. Open run. Sat, 4 pm; Mon, 8 pm: "The Best of the Second City." $19. Open run. Tue-Thu, 8 pm; Fri-Sat, 8, 11 pm; Sun, 7 pm: "Between Barack and a New Show." $19-$24. Open run. Tue-Thu, 8 pm; Fri-Sat, 8 pm, 11 pm: "Between Barack and a Hard Place." $19-$24. Open run. Thu, 8 pm; Fri-Sat, 8, 11 pm; Sun, 7 pm: "Disposable Nation." $18, $24. Fri-Sat, 8 pm, 11 pm; Sun, 7 pm; Tue-Thu, 8 pm: "No Country For Old White Men." $19; $25. Open run. The Second City e.t.c., 1608 N. Wells. (312) 337-3992; www.secondcity.com.

SHOCK AND AWE REVIEW AND HOOTENANNY. Jamie Swise presents long-form improv. Thu, 9 pm. $8. iO Theater, 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-0199; www.iochicago.net.

STEVE AND JORDAN, RESPECTIVELY. Fri, 10:30 pm. $14. iO Theater, 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-0199.

STRESS RELIEF SUNDAYS. Hosted by Miles Franlin. Sun, 8 pm. $10 before 8 pm; $12 after. Amphora Restaurant, 7547 N. Clark. (773) 301-5835.

TAG. A fast-paced, character driven improv show. Wed, 8 pm. $5. Open run. iO Theatre, 3541 N. Clark. (773) 880-0199.

THREE CAT THURSDAYS. Ongoing cabaret/variety show. Thu, 8 pm. To Aug. 28. $10. Gorilla Tango Theatre, 1919 N. Milwaukee. (773) 598-4549; www.gorillatango.com.

TOO MUCH LIGHT MAKES THE BABY GO BLIND. Presented by the Neo-Futurists. Fri-Sat, 11:30 pm; Sun, 7 pm. $5, plus the roll of a die ($1-$6). Ongoing. The Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N. Ashland. (773) 275-5255.

WALTER PAYTON'S ROUNDHOUSE. Fri-Sat, 8:30 pm. $15. 205 N. Broadway, Aurora. (630) 906-2277; www.comedycomedylive.com.

THE WIZARD OF US. Cease and Desist Productions presents a dark and hilarious sketch comedy revue tackling the culture of America and its obsession with the American dream. Fri, 11 pm. $12. Open run. Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway. (773) 472-3492; www.lakeshoretheater.com.

ZANIES. Fri, 8:30 pm, 10:30 pm; Sat, 7 pm, 9 pm, 11:15 pm; Sun, 8:30 pm: Kyle Cease. $22. Mon, 8:30 pm: The Rising Star Showcase. $10. Tue-Thu: J. Scott Homan. $23. 1548 N. Wells. (312) 337-4027.

ZANIES. Fri, 8 pm; Sat, 7:30 pm: J. Scott Homan. $22. Wed-Thu, 8 pm: Patti Vasquez. $23. 4051 E. Main, St. Charles. (630) 513-1761.

ZANIES. Fri-Sat, 8:30 pm: Mike Toomey. $22. Thu, 8 pm: Larry Reeb. $23. 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills. (847) 549-6030.