Our picks for can’t-miss shows
There is not much that doesn’t fit under San Francisco Sketchfest’s big tent, with an ever-expanding lineup of 200-plus shows on the schedule. Here are some of our picks for the best the fest has to offer. Note that some key events, such as the “Best in Show” reunion and “Schitt’s Creek: Up Close and Personal,” are sold out. All venues are in San Francisco.
TRIBUTE TO MARGARET CHO, WITH BEN FONG-TORRES >> The festival kicks off with this local favorite, tracing her career as a comedic provocateur from her sitcom “All-American Girl” to her Off-Broadway shows “I’m the One That I Want” and “The Sensuous Woman.” Details: 7:30 p.m. today; Marines’ Memorial Theatre; $25-$35.
SF SKETCHFEST AT THE SPEAKEASY >>
An immersive comedy experience featuring Janeane Garofalo with Jen Kirkman and Sabrina Jalees. One of the more innovative events at this year’s Sketchfest, this immersive live comedy experience will feature a different headliner performing an early and late set, with “chooseyour-own-adventure”-style experiences at the venue. Work on a joke with a comic, learn to hone your blackjack skills or join a comedy set performed just for you and your friends. Details: 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, Jan. 18, 19, 25 and 26; Speakeasy; $125.
SALUTE TO BILL PLYMPTON >>
Tagged as the King of Indie Animation, the Oscar-nominated Plympton is the first person to hand draw an entire animated feature film (1992’s “The Tune”). Regularly featured on MTV’s “Liquid Television” in the early ’90s, Plympton won the Cannes Palme d’Or in 1991 and has illustrated for The New York Times, National Lampoon and Screw. This tribute features film clips, live drawing and a Q&A. Details: 4 p.m. Saturday; Brava Theater Center; $25.
SF SKETCHFEST TRIBUTE — W. KAMAU BELL IN CONVERSATION WITH HARI KONDABOLU >>
Longtime Bay Area comedian Bell gained prominence for the TV show “Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell” before winning an Emmy for the CNN docuseries “United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell.” Details: 4 p.m. Sunday; Marines’ Memorial Theatre; $25-$35.
THE ROAST OF PEACHES CHRIST >>
Popular San Francisco drag diva Peaches Christ — who just hosted the San Francisco Symphony’s New Year’s Eve concert, is put on the honorary hot seat with some amazing roasters, including Mink Stole of “Pink Flamingos” fame, Cassandra Peterson (Elvira, Mistress of the Dark), Clea DuVall, Heklina, Heather Matarazzo, Jinkx Monsoon, Sister Roma and Roast Mistress Coco Peru. Details: 8 p.m. Sunday; Castro Theatre; $30-$75.
CAROL BURNETT, IN CONVERSATION WITH WENDIE MALICK >>
Though she was beloved for her work with Julie Andrews in the ’60s and as Mrs. Hannigan in “Annie” in 1982, Burnett is best known for her comedy show that from 1967-78 introduced a new generation to sketch comedy. Details: 8 p.m. Monday; Castro Theatre, $55-$75.
AN EVENING WITH BRUCE CAMPBELL AND “EVIL DEAD II” >>
This classic horror-comedy mashup by director Sam Raimi stars Campbell in the perfectly tossed salad of demonic possession, flying eyeballs, Oldsmobile Delta 88s — and a disembodied hand that doesn’t know when to quit. Details: 8 p.m. Jan. 20; Castro Theatre; $35-$45.
WHEELS OFF WITH RHETT MILLER >>
For the fifth straight year, the Old 97’s lead singer and his pals re-create a old-school variety show, complete with music, comedy, some chatter and a sketch or two. Details: 10 p.m. Jan. 20; Swedish American Hall; $35.
AUDIBLE PRESENTS — “THE POLE VAULT CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE” >>
This live reading of excerpts from a new show from Audible, Amazon’s audio content wing, features Bill Corbett, Lucy Davis, Kevin Murphy, Andy Richter, Eliza Skinner, Paul F. Tompkins, Janet Varney and “Weird Al” Yankovic telling a story centering on a scheme to stage a sham Olympics competition, which inevitably attracts extraterrestrials. Details: 1 p.m. Jan. 20; Marines’ Memorial Theatre; $25-$35.
“THE BAT — IMPROV IN THE DARK” >>
Check out Sketchfest co-founders Cole Stratton and Janet Varney along with such guest improvisers Parvesh Cheena (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), Danny Pudi (“Community”), Gary Anthony Williams (“The Boondocks”) in this original Audible comedy series set in a world crafted on the fly, based on suggestions from the audience. Details: 8 p.m. Jan. 27; Gateway Theatre; $25.