Get souped up on hooch to enjoy the antics of a Rat Pack-inspired quartet of crooners singing, joking and generally behaving badly in the new improvised musical Highballers. The hour-long improvised musical show devised by David Dritsas promises smart suits, celebrity roast-style put downs and even a bossa nova drinking song. Highballers continues at 10 p.m. Thursdays through June 18 at ComedySportz Chicago, 929 W. Belmont Ave. Tickets are $5; call 773-549-8080 or visit www.comedysportzchicago.com . Photo by Bruce Phillips
Critics' Picks
Balm in Gilead, Griffin Theatre at Den Theatre, through April 19. There are two places where a crowd of people all talking at once still makes a pleasant soundopera and Lanford Wilson plays, particularly this play, as orchestrated by Jonathan Berry for the Griffin ensemble. MSB
End Days, Windy City Playhouse, through April 26. This new Equity-affiliated company with swanky seating makes an impressive debut with a well-acted production of Deborah Zoe Laufer's deliberately quirky comedy about an Elvis Presley-loving teenager who helps a dysfunctional suburban family regain their footing to function again in life. SCM
The Jungle, Oracle Productions, through April 25. This adaptation of Upton Sinclair's novel of slaughterhouse life in early 20th-century Chicago is visually creative, visceral, passionate, moving and musical. Don't miss this remount from last year. FREE, but reservations are a must! JA
Two Trains Running, Goodman Theatre, through April 19. Chuck Smith's direction finds the ghetto harmonies in August Wilson's eloquent prose, especially when the gritty choir includes returning home-town warbler Chester Gregory displaying some formidable acting pipes as well. MSB
By Abarbanel, Barnidge and Morgan