Cost: $20 per mainstage show

Organizer: Chicago Improv Festival Productions

What to expect: Improv performers from six countries will take the 11 stages at this renowned comedy festival. This year's theme: "One World, Many Laughs."

Why to go: Joe Flaherty, of SCTV and "Freaks and Geeks" fame, will be on hand to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award (April 15 at Second City ETC) and to perform with Canadian improv ensemble Impromptu Splendor (April 18 at Second City Skybox). Other notables include Rob Riggle (performing April 14 with FACEBOOK at Lakeshore Theater) and Frangela, the comedy duo with some major screen time in "He's Just Not That Into You" (April 17 at Lakeshore Theater).

For the full schedule, visit the Chicago Improv Festival website. Other venues include the Playground Theater, Annoyance Theatre, National Museum of Mexican Art, Laugh Out Loud, Gorilla Tango Theatre and Chemically Imbalanced Theatre.