Try a line or two with the kids

Improv comedy seems to be the next—or is the current?—big thing in the area, and there’s a good reason: It’s fun. It’s friendly. It’s local. Oh, yeah, and it’s cheap. Besides, who doesn’t need a laugh in times like these? Out at ComedySportz on Arden Way (easy to find if you’ve ever been to the mall), it has family-friendly ComedySportz improv shows every Friday and Saturday evening. Think Whose Line Is It, Anyway? and you’ve got a pretty good idea of how it goes—two teams, competition, points awarded, audience participation. With ticket prices from $8 to $10, it’s actually cheaper than taking the family to a movie, because you know the prices on ComedySportz snacks are not going to gouge as hard as the theater chains. Check it out: ComedySportz is at 2230 Arden Way (offstreet, with driveways from both Howe Avenue and Arden). The 90-minute show starts at 8 p.m., with doors opening a half-hour before that. For more information, visit the website at www.comedysportzsacramento.com.