Capitalizing on the success of their occasional comedy shows, three theaters get serious about funny business with a full fall lineup of stand-up, improv ensembles and sketch revues. We break down the can’t-miss acts, which celebs you might spot and where to hang out after the show.

The Lakeshore Theater
What’s happening now A few nights a week, this Lakeview theater (previously the home of the very extended run of, sigh, Defending the Caveman) puts up some of the best sketch theater and stand-up in the city.
What’s changing this fall The schedule features weekly shows farmed from the Upright Citizens Brigade theaters in New York and Los Angeles (the series opens September 11) and encore performances of past hits like the beat boxing, free-styling Reggie Watts.

Theater size 330 seats
Average ticket price $15
Show worth checking out Paul F. Tompkins (Oct 12, 13), who divulges a sarcastic internal monologue on a store oddly named “Elegant Balloons.”

Opening act: Yay or nay? Yay. Openers are solid and tend to repeat. Our favorite is the boyish, Law and Order–obsessed Rogers Park native John Mulaney.

Postshow: Hang out or get out? Stay. People are welcome to chill and score discounted tickets to later shows.

Best seats in the house Snag an aisle seat, lest you be forced to deal with the meager leg room afforded by the back-of-seat cup holders.

Celeb factor High: Comics like Patton Oswalt carry hefty names, though thankfully they’re no Carlos Mencia or Bill Engvall.