It might be the Gap of comedy clubs, but this chain theater is worth its weight in laughs.

Wallflowers take note: The National Comedy Theatre is part of a chain of improv theaters that place a large emphasis on improv with audience participation. NCT also plays home to the popular show Comedy Sportz, the longest-running show in Los Angeles, which involves two teams of improvisational comedians who are pitted against each other in a game of full-contact improv comedy. We're talking refs, uniforms and, oddly enough, artificial turf. Audience members should be prepared to get involved by yelling out suggestions and ultimately deciding who wins. Comedy Sportz is also designated as "clean" comedy, so shows are suitable for all ages. (Trust us, clean can still be funny.) The theater also hosts the popular "U-sical" where players turn an audience member's life story into an improvised, full-length musical. Would it be narcissistic to yell "encore" afterward?—Elisa Jacobs