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What to see at the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival

Navigate the eight-day sketch festival with these 20 must-see comedy picks

Written by
Jessica Johnson
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With 168 groups performing 188 shows over eight days, the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival is the largest sketch fest in the country, so it's understandable if looking at the the line-up makes your eyes go blurry. To help set your comedy agenda, consult this list of 20 must-see sketch groups, from locals like the Cupid Players and Oh Theodora to visiting groups like Siblings of Doctors (featuring former Chicagoan and Community star Danny Pudi) and Hot Thespian Action.

Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival picks

Charles

Charles

Performances:
Friday, January 9 at 8pm
Saturday, January 10 at 8pm

From: Seattle

This duo affectionately categorizes their brand of humor as "unibrow" (as in, a mix of highbrow and lowbrow).

Rabbit Rabbit

Rabbit Rabbit

Performances:
Friday, January 9 at 8pm

From: Chicago

This duo is celebrating their fifth year at Sketchfest by debuting a brand new show.

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The Aces
Photograph: Andy Batt

The Aces

Performances:
Friday, January 9 at 9pm
Saturday, January 10 at 9pm

From: Portland

They don't promise to be the funniest group you'll see at the festival, but they assure you that they will be the tallest.

The Cool Table

The Cool Table

Performances:
Friday, January 9 at 9pm
Saturday, January 10 at 9pm

From: Originally from Chicago, currently performing here and Los Angeles

The group is celebrating their tenth anniversary by reuniting in the city that birthed them.

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Kerpatty
Downie Photography

Kerpatty

Performances:
Friday, January 9 at 9pm
Saturday, January 10 at 9pm

From: Chicago

The ComedySportz regulars return to sketchfest for their eighth year, promising joy and silliness.

Stupid Time Machine

Stupid Time Machine

Performances:
Friday, January 9 at 9pm
Saturday, January 10 at 9pm

From: New Orleans

The co-founders of The New Movement improv theater bring their original sketch revue to Chicago.

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Baby Shoes

Baby Shoes

Performances:
Friday, January 9 at 10pm
Saturday, January 10 at 10pm

From: New York

One of the Magnet Theater's longest-running sketch teams transports they're fucked and funny sketches to the Midwest.

Cilio and Ramsey

Cilio and Ramsey

Performances:
Friday, January 9 at 10pm
Saturday, January 10 at 10pm

From: New York

This two-man team has been working together for more than eight years, bringing their theatrical brand of comedy to the stage.

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Hot Thespian Action

Hot Thespian Action

Performances:
Friday, January 9 at 10pm
Saturday, January 10 at 10pm

From: Winnipeg, Canada

This multi-talented team travels south to offer up their bag of comic tricks, including mime, music, stage combat and more.

Pop Roulette

Pop Roulette

Performances:
Friday, January 9 at 10pm
Saturday, January 10 at 10pm

From: New York

What's better than sharp satire skewering the issues of the day, satire with singing and dancing, of course.

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