Perfect Ten

SAT 7/19

The Hypothetical 7 comedy troupe is actually a ten. Need proof? Its ten members perform at 8 p.m. today to celebrate a decade of improvisational and sketch comedy. The group took shape in 1993 within the theater department at the University of Kansas. Founding member Matthew Reiss says ten years together have lent the comedians a special rapport — which is an advantage for performers who need to pull jokes out of their asses. “There’s something very rewarding about creating emotion and comedy onstage with someone you trust,” Reiss says.

Not everyone involved has been around for the long haul, though. Hype 7 added five members through an audition process last November. Rookies must contend with characters that have been evolving for several years, such as Reiss’ own “Mark Tatum,” a failed forest ranger relegated to “pond ranger” status. (It’s a lot funnier when Reiss talks about it.)

Filmed sketches are projected between improv acts. Admission costs $8 at the Westport Coffee House, 4010 Pennsylvania. For more information, call 816-756-3222.— Sarah Smarsh

Kansas Story

Picnic brings it back home.

7/18-7/19

A fiftieth-anniversary production of Picnic — by Independence, Kansas, native William Inge — concludes its run this weekend in the Crafton-Preyer Theatre at the Lied Center in Lawrence (1600 Stewart Drive). Inge set this sexy tale of drifters, bad girls and pent-up desire in his hometown, where the 1955 film version of the play, starring William Holden and Kim Novak, was shot. Though Inge and his Broadway producer and director Josh Logan clashed during rehearsals, the play went on to win nearly every theater award in its day, including a Pulitzer Prize. Picnic is being staged by the University of Kansas Department of Theatre and Film. For tickets, call 785-864-2787.— Steve Walker

Men for Breasts

SAT 7/19

Wired magazine reports that, though scientists aren’t necessarily predicting a cure for cancer, they at least anticipate an end to suffering as a result of cancer within the next ten years. But some people are still keeping their fingers crossed for a cure. Among the hopeful are members of the Heartland Men’s Chorus, who present Sing for the Cure — about facing breast cancer and surviving — at the Lyric Theatre (11th and Central) Saturday at 8 p.m. Although most people don’t associate breast cancer with men (who do have breasts, albeit small ones), they, too, are susceptible. Members of the Kansas City Women’s Chorus, the Kansas City Civic Orchestra and the Women’s Chorus of Dallas join the Heartland Men’s Chorus onstage. For information, call 816-931-3338.— Gina Kaufmann