Improv Olympic   

Chicago may be the motherland of all improv in America, but you don't have to travel to the city of big shoulders to get a taste of the divine. Chicago's heralded Improv Olympic theater has its own showcase on the west coast, at Hollywood's Improv Olympic West. And a good thing, too, since so many of those great Chicago talents are now out here, and need a place to ply their trade. With a glittering alumni including the likes of Mike Myers, Andy Dick, Jon Favreau, Andy Richter and Tim Meadows (plus 'SNL' stars Rachael Dratch, Tina Fey, Adam McKay, Horatio Sanz and a host of other familiar mugs from Comedy Central, 'Mad TV' and 'Conan O'Brien), the celebrity drop-in factor at IO West is pretty high. But star-gazing aside, there's more than enough reason to spend an evening soaking up the theater's charms. With a slate of five to six shows a night, seven nights a week, IO West is a veritable improv factory. Theater sports, games, long-and short-form improvs, impromptu musicals and more comprise the diverse comedy menu, and the talented players never disappoint. The clubby accomodations are comfortable, with a full bar, and admissions range from $5 to $10 a show. -- Laura Picard