If you want to see high energy sketch comedy in a theater that is different from the 3-4 usual Chicago sketch spots, you should probably take it upon yourself to go see Johnny's Regret's latest effort, "Lazy Susan" - now playing at The Bailiwick.

Let me sit you down and talk about the newest breakout phenomenon in Chicago - Nick Ehart. The dude gets it and nails it. His range of vocal inflections and physicality's is bigger than yours is - and that makes all his characters interesting and not stale. In a very funny and smart relationship scene involving co-workers who hooked up the night before, Nick drops what just might be the single funniest one-liner of 2007, maybe ever. And Nick's scene with energy-factory and cast mate, Jamie Hoggson, involving elegant men settling their differences in a sword fight is one of the most fun physicality's to watch in my mind right now. Other cast stand-outs include Tamara Nolte and the a-fore-mentioned love machine that is Jamie Hoggson. These two should be on your "Who's hot in '07" radar.

Oh, what's that? You think these three are the only good cast members - well guess what? The whole cast is solid - handle that. One of my favorite scenes involves a line by line shouting of one of the best scenes of one of my favorite movies (which I won't give away), but I remember thinking that the timing of the actors during that scene was completely perfect.

I'm told this show is the directorial debut for Shad Kunkle (Carl & The Passions, ComedySportz, The Reckoning), and I definitely enjoyed a lot of the transitions. The show also features tighter and more adventurous blocking than the typical Chicago sketch show - and it runs the gauntlet of musical scenes, relationship scenes, goofy scenes and high energy scenes. Speaking of music, the show boasts music composed and played by perhaps the most sought after musical director in the history of this city, Julie B. Nichols (Second City TourCo., 2 original Annoyance musicals, ThoseGuysFilms.com, etc. - it's a really long list, trust me.).

Admittedly some scenes hit a lot harder than others, and the ticket price is questionable - $15 for a one act? But if you can afford it, it is certainly a very good time with a lot of laughs.

"Lazy Susan" plays on Fridays at 10pm through August 31st at The Bailiwick Theater (1229 W Belmont). Performed and written by Nick Ehart, Jamie Hoggson, J.W. Kuebler, Tamara Nolte, Natalie Sullivan and Duncan Teater. Directed by Shad Kunkle, with musical direction by Julie B. Nichols.

- Jon DeWalt