Critics' Choice: Flight of the Conchords.

Comedy listings are compiled by Ryan Hubbard from information received by Monday. Please submit events (include phone numbers) to comedy@chicagoreader.com or Comedy Listings, Chicago Reader, 11 E. Illinois, Chicago 60611.

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Wed 5/14, 7:30 PM, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, 312-902-1500, $29.50.

BARREL OF LAUGHS 10345 S. Central, Oak Lawn, 708-499-2969 or seneseswinery.com/comedy_club.htm. Open run: Thu 8 PM, Fri 8 and 10 PM, Sat 7:30 and 10 PM, Sun 7 PM. New Talent Night showcase. Open run: Wed 8 PM, $5-$10, 2 dr. min.

CHICAGO UNDERGROUND COMEDY Beat Kitchen, 2100 W. Belmont, 773-281-4444: Showcase. Open run: Tue 9:30 PM, no show 5/13. 5/20: Adam Burke, Robert Buscemi, Ricky Carmona, Prescott Tolk. $5, 21+.

CIGARS AND STRIPES 6715 W. Ogden, Berwyn, 708-484-1043 or cigarsandstripes.com: Comedy Smoke Showcase. Open run: Wed 9 PM (preceded by an open mike) and Sat 9 PM, $3.

COMEDIANS YOU SHOULD KNOW SHOW Fizz Bar & Grill, 3220 N. Lincoln, 773-348-6000: Showcase of seven comics. Open run: Wed 9 PM. See also comediansyoushouldknow.com. $8, 21+.

COMEDY COMEDY Walter Payton's Roundhouse, 205 N. Broadway, Aurora, 630-906-2277 or comedycomedylive.com. Open run: Thu-Fri 8:30 PM, Sat 8 PM, $15, 21+.

COMEDY HOUSE Timothy O'Toole's, 622 N. Fairbanks, 312-642-0700: Showcase of comics from the stand-up collective and others. Open run: second and fourth Thu of month, 10 PM, 21+.

THE EDGE COMEDY CLUB Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777 N. Green, 312-733-6000 or theedgecomedyclub.com: Showcase hosted by Dave Odd. Open run: Fri-Sat 10:30 PM, $10-$12, 2 item min. 5/9: Baseball-related comedy, being recorded for a new baseball Web site, with Joe Kilgallon, David Mascorro, Mike Wiley, Mike Lebovitz, Mark Nabong, Chad Briggs, Adam Burke, Mike Cavazos, and Brady Novak. 5/10: This show's all about moms, and comics will perform with their mothers, featuring Mike Lebovitz, Andrew Dewitt, John Barry, Michelle Thompson, Drew Michael, Kat, Andrew Hamer, and Emily Dorezas. New Faces Showcase. Open run: Thu 8:30 PM, $14. Big Fancy Open Mic. Open run: Wed 8:30 PM (sign up before 8).

FUNNY FIRST SATURDAYS Chicago Hilton, 720 S. Michigan, 312-282-6890 or funnyfirstsaturdays.com: Showcase hosted by Damon Williams. Open run: first Sat of month, 9 PM, $20 (includes admission to afterparty), 21+.

FUNNY FRIDAYS Grandma Sally's, 5225 W. Madison, 312-718-8311: Showcase featuring the Laff Last Troop; Da Wildcat hosts. Open run: first Fri of month, 9 PM, $20, $15 in advance.

GLOBE PUB 1934 W. Irving Park, 773-871-3757: Global Warming open mike. Open run: every Mon of month except first, 9 PM (sign up at 8 PM). Comedy Crave Mondays open mike. Open run: Mon 8 PM, free. Globe Gong Idol, a comedy contest a la The Gong Show and American Idol with judges and prizes, hosted by Tony Blanco. Open run: first Mon of month, 9 PM (sign up at 8 PM). 21+.

GOOD TIMES PUB Rt. 83 & North Ave., Elmhurst, 630-833-3534 or gtpub.com: Comedy Night hosted by Matt Kissane. Open run: Sun 9 PM.

THE IMPROV Woodfield Mall, Golf Rd. at Rte. 53, Schaumburg, 847-240-2001. Despite its name, this comedy club, billed as the largest in the country, features some of the biggest names in stand-up. Open run: Thu 7:30 PM, Fri 8 and 10:15 PM, Sat 7 and 9:15 PM, Sun 7 PM. 5/8-5/11: Ralphie May, $29, also 3 PM 5/11. 21+, 2 dr. min.

JAKE MELNICK'S CORNER TAP 41 E. Superior, 720-341-6632: Open mike hosted by Alex Orozco. Open run: Tue 10 PM (sign up at 9 PM).

JOKES AND NOTES 4641 S. King Dr., 773-373-3390: The south side's only weekly stand-up club, featuring a weekend showcase. Open run: Fri-Sat 8:30 and 10:30 PM (George Willborn or Lil Rel hosts), Sun 8:30 PM (Leon Rogers hosts), $10-$20. 5/9-5/11: Grady, Kevin White. Open mike, hosted by Lil Rel. Open run: Wed 8:30 PM, $5. Variety show (spoken word, music, and comedy), hosted by Tony Sculfield. Open run: Thu 8:30 PM, $5. 21+, "proper attire."

KATE THE GREAT'S BOOK EMPORIUM 5550 N. Broadway, 773-561-1932: Comedy at Kate's, all-female showcase. Open run: first Sat of month, 7 PM, $10 suggested donation.

LAKESHORE THEATER 3175 N. Broadway, 773-472-3492 or lakeshoretheater.com: A venue for stand-up, one-man/one-woman shows, burlesque, and other comedy. + Confrontational Australian comic Jim Jeffries. Through 5/9: Wed-Fri 8 PM, $15-$20. Michelle L'amour's Lipschtick features burlesque, magic, beatboxing, and more. Fri 5/9, 10:30 PM, $15. The Stand Uppity tour with Eugene Mirman, Marc Maron, and Andy Kindler. Mon 5/12, 9 PM, $15.

LAUGHING IN THE LOOP Jimmy Fig's, 160 N. Franklin, 773-406-9407: Showcase hosted by Kellye Howard. Open run: first and last Mon of month, 8:30 PM, $10.

LINCOLN LODGE Lincoln Restaurant, 4008 N. Lincoln, 773-251-1539 or thelincolnlodge.com: Stand-up and variety showcase. Open run: Thu-Fri 9 PM, $10. 5/8-5/9: Joe Killgallon, Jet Eveleth, Jordan Roberts.

MCDUNNA'S 1505 W. Fullerton, 773-929-0944: Jim Rauth's Comedy College Open Mic. Open run: Wed 9:30 PM (free stand-up class at 8 PM), 21+.

MIKEY O COMEDY PRODUCTIONS Famous Freddie's Roadhouse, 1799 S. Busse, Mt. Prospect, 847-593-2200 or mikeyocomedy.com: Fajitas, Greens & All in Betweens, showcase featuring Michael Palascak, Jim Flannigan, Ken Garr, Vince Carone, and Frank Townsend; Joey V hosts. Sat 5/10, 7 PM, $10, 21+.

PHYLLIS' MUSICAL INN 1800 W. Division, 773-486-9862: Open mike hosted by Lee Kepraios. Open run: Tue 7:30 PM (sign up at 7 PM), 21+.

PRESSURE BILLIARDS AND COMEDY CAFE 6318 N. Clark, 773-743-7665: Stand-Up Squeeze Comedy Showcase. Open run: Sat 8:30 PM, $5-$10. The Best Damn Open Mic in Chicago. Open run: Thu 8:30 PM (sign up at 7:45 PM), free.

RED PEPPER'S MASQUERADE LOUNGE 428 E. 87th, 773-873-5700: Sip and Giggle in Diane's Back Room, variety showcase hosted by Diane Corder. Open run: Tue 9 PM, 21+, 2 dr. min.

ROLLING MOJO'S COMEDY REVUE LaGrange Theater, 80 S. LaGrange, LaGrange, 312-804-4783: Showcase featuring Ryan Andrews, Mike Ostrowski, and Gary Wheaton; Dave Odd hosts. Sat 5/10, 8 PM, $10-$20.

SILVIE'S 1902 W. Irving Park, 773-871-6239: Too Soon?, a showcase of comics doing their "most topical and offensive material." Open run: Tue 9 PM, $5. Edge Comedy's Open Mic Madness, hosted by Junior Stopka. Open run: Tue 9 PM. Free. 21+.

SO YOU THINK YOU'RE FUNNY ETA Creative Arts Foundation, ETA Square, 7558 S. South Chicago, 773-752-3955: Showcase and open mike hosted by Diane Corder. Open run: third Wed of month, 7 PM, $12-$15.

TOWN HALL PUB 3340 N. Halsted, 773-472-4405: Entertaining Julia, showcase of stand-up, improv/sketch, and music acts. Open run: Sun 8 PM, free.Fourth Fridays Comedy Night stand-up showcase; Seth Thomas hosts. Open run: fourth Fri of month, 9:30 PM, $5. 21+.

VIDA LOUNGE 1248 W. George, 773-935-5700: Chi-Town Laugh Lounge showcase. Open run: second Fri of month, 8 PM, $10, 21+.

WISE FOOLS PUB 2270 N. Lincoln, 773-929-1300: Stand-up open mike. Open run: Tue 8 PM (sign up at 7:30 PM).

YOUR SUNDAY BEST Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, 773-525-2508: Showcase, followed by an open mike; Prescott Tolk hosts. Open run: Sun 9 PM, 21+.

ZANIES 1548 N. Wells, 312-337-4027: The oldest stand-up club in Chicago, Zanies features top national acts and locals. Through 5/11: Thu 9:30 PM, Fri 8:30 and 10:30 PM, Sat 7, 9, and 11:15 PM, Sun 8:30 PM, Karen Rontowski, $22. Thu 5/8, 7:30 PM, Craig Robinson (Darryl on The Office), $25. 5/13-5/18: Tue 8:30 and 10:30 PM, Wed-Thu 9:30 PM, Fri 8:30 and 10:30 PM, Sat 7, 9, and 11:15 PM, Sun 8:30 PM, Chad Daniels, $21. Wed-Thu 5/14-5/15, 7:30 PM, Bill Burr, $25. 21+, 2 dr. min.

ZANIES Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main, Saint Charles, 630-513-1761. Visit www.stcharles.zanies.com for schedule.

ZANIES 230 Hawthorn Village Commons, Vernon Hills, 847-549-6030. Visit www.zaniesvernonhills.com for schedule.

FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS Flight of the Conchords started out as a two-man band, doing its music-and-comedy act at alternative events like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Then the members, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, created Flight of the Conchords: a six-part BBC radio series about a two-man band called Flight of the Conchords, struggling to make it in London. Now the HBO TV version (two-man band, struggling in New York) has a cult following, and McKenzie and Clement have a Grammy for best comedy album. The former college roommates from New Zealand are fast becoming a new generation's Smothers Brothers, but without all the straight man/comic role-playing. At this live performance showcasing the Conchords as comic musicians -- both play guitar -- rather than characters, expect to hear songs from their just-released, self-titled album, like the "gangster-folk crossover" "Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros." "Business Time," my favorite, exemplifies their shtick of using bone-dry humor to demystify cool and celebrate ordinariness: "Girl, tonight we're gonna make love," coos Clement, channeling Barry White. "You know how I know, baby? Cuz it's Wednesday." Wed 5/14, 7:30 PM, Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State, 312-902-1500, sold out. --Ryan Hubbard .