Cup of sugar?
Photo by Evren Odcikin

Nonetheless, the playwright's wit and satirical touch are on fine display, well-served by director Prestininzi's own sense of humor and attention to detail as well as a cast that is uniformly expert and enjoyable — though you could also call Liam Vincent's blithely cocksure flasher-sleuth, in the titular and occupationally ambiguous trenchcoat, something of a standout.

T.I.C. TRENCHCOAT IN COMMON

Through Feb 1

Thurs.–Sat., 8:30 p.m.; Sun., 5 p.m.; $10–$40

Magic Theatre, bldg D, Fort Mason Center, SF

www.encoretheatrecompany.org

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THE BEST OF THE SKETCH

Prescience is just one of the many virtues of SF Sketchfest, which rolls out bigger and better each January since 2001 as if to say, funny shit is going to happen this year. And damn if it doesn't. Founded by David Owen, Cole Stratton, and Janet Varney, then members of now-defunct sketch comedy group Totally False People, the fest has provided an excellent forum for the best local comedy talent while almost single-handedly putting the Bay Area back up where it belongs among the leading destinations for the country's top comedic acts. Spread out over multiple venues and two fat weeks, Thurs/15–Jan. 31, the event presents another embarrassment of riches including "Fernwood Reunion" with Martin Mull and Fred Willard (Jan. 28 at Cobb's); Celebrity Autobiography with Michael McKean, Annette O'Toole, Laraine Newman, and more (Mon/19 at Cobb's); a Bud Cort salute with Cort interviewed and a Harold and Maude screening (Jan. 22 at the Castro Theatre); some not-to-miss local heroes — Crisis Hopkins, Kaspar Hauser, W. Kamau Bell, Will Franken (various venues and dates); Wet Hot American Summer midnight screening with in-person appearances by David Wain, Michael Showalter, Janeane Garofalo, and others (Jan. 24 at the Clay Theatre); the State, reunited and onstage for two shows (Jan. 24 at the Eureka Theatre); "Facebook Improv" with Rob Corddry and others (Jan. 23 at the Eureka Theatre); the first "SF Sketchfest Comedy Writing Award" featuring Robert Smigel in conversation with Dana Carvey (Sat/17 at Cobb's), "Scottastrophe!" with Scott Thompson (Sun/18 at the Eureka Theatre); Emo! The Musical (Jan. 21 at the Eureka Theatre); Aziz Ansari (Jan. 23 at the Punch Line, among other dates); and Upright Citizens Brigade with guest monologist Andy Richter (Jan. 30 at the Eureka Theatre). For the complete schedule, go to www.sfsketchfest.com.