Raucous Caucus II: 10-Minute Political Play Festival

From Democrats to Republicans and Occupy to Osama, 2011 was a ripe year for political satire. Box Wine Theatre's second annual Raucous Caucus will be sure to capitalize on the year's biggest stories, and biggest players, in politics. Seven plays from local and national playwrights will cover topics spanning the political spectrum, all wrapped in neat little 10-minute packages. Though the structure may be limiting, the character-driven works should offer plenty of entertaining, witty and ultimately relatable moments of confusion over the state of modern politics. --Jahna Peloquin

The Underpants Show - Closing Night

After three years of kitsch, camp and just the right amount of flesh, Lili's Burlesque is calling an end to its monthly Underpants Show -- but not without a big, sparkly bang. The troupe is pulling out all the stops with two shows featuring the entire cast, including its brightest stars, Sweetpea, Ophelia Flame, Gina Louise and host Nadine Dubois. Complete with its triple threat of live jazz, slapstick comedy and heart-racing vintage striptease, this is a show not to be missed by Lili's diehards. Advance tickets are highly recommended. --Jahna Peloquin

Mike E. Winfield

You might recognize Winfield as Wes, Dunder Mifflin's newest warehouse stiff on NBC's "The Office." The Baltimore-born comic cut his teeth in standup, a circuit in which he's making serious headway. There are obvious shades of a young Chris Rock in Winfield's lively and charismatic act. His hilarious dissections of relationships are emotionally honest; his knack for performance is effortless. That skill set has earned him appearances on Letterman and on Showtime's popular showcase "Comics Without Borders." --Jay Boller