Acme Comedy Theatre

Acme brings professional sketch and improv shows to one of L.A.'s most impressive theaters, a state-of-the-art 99-seat space. Adjacent to Farfalla restaurant, which provides painless pre-show cocktail access and valet parking, the theater is easily identified by the word "ACME" emblazoned across its brick facade, like a package for Wile E. Coyote.

The renovated building has a spacious lobby done in white with multicolored mosaic trim and walls proudly adorned with cast photos from previous productions. Within the theater, soft chairs, air conditioning, an excellent view from every seat and great acoustics are all part of the experience. Even the men's room, with a Western-style swinging saloon door, is indicative of the attention to detail.

The skits cover the spectrum, from current events to outrageous characters, and are performed on a stage resembling Quasimodo's town square — minus the fountain. Caveat: Sound is uneven, and it's sometimes difficult to hear the performers over the live musical accompaniment.