Sketchy Situation

Last January, writers Tom Flanigan and Ed Furman were dispatched to Phoenix by Second City, the venerable Chicago comedy theatre. While here, Flanigan and Furman hit up local haunts like Durant's and mingled with Valley figures in search of the city's legends, follies, and quirks. The result: The Second City Does Arizona, or Close but No Saguaro.

Second City has been cracking wise for more than 50 years with targets of its sketch comedy revues being a mix of Chicago life, national and global issues, and American society at large. The Close but No Saguaro show aims closer to our hood (we're banking on shots at Sheriff Joe and snowbirds) with adept actors Ryan Achibald, Amanda Blake Davis, Cody Dove, Lauren Dowden, Martin Garcia, and Andel Sudik working under the musical direction of Matthew Loren Cohen and Matt Hovde, director of Rod Blagojevich Superstar! and Rush Limbaugh! The Musical.

Thu., April 29, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., April 30, 8 p.m.; Sat., May 1, 8 p.m.; Sun., May 2, 1 & 7 p.m.; Wed., May 5, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., May 6, 2 & 7:30 p.m.; Fri., May 7, 8 p.m.; Sat., May 8, 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., May 9, 1 & 7 p.m.; Wed., May 12, 7:30 p.m.; Thu., May 13, 7:30 p.m.; Fri., May 14, 8 p.m.; Sat., May 15, 4 & 8 p.m.; Sun., May 16, 1 p.m., 2010