Laugh$ for cheap: Five Dollar Comedy Week returns to Philadelphia

If you thought $5 could only get you a Citywide Special, think again.

Five Dollar Comedy Week returns to Philadelphia on Monday, March 23 through Sunday, March 29 and includes 30 shows. The series will take place at the Plays & Players Theater (1714 Delancey St.).

Shake off those winter blues with some of these comic skits and workshops.

Monday, March 23
Kicking off the week is Action Art. Beginning at 7 p.m., host and Comedy Dreamz star Andrew Jeffery Wright invites action painter Arlo Gargano to go beyond the canvas with live music, dance, and of course — art.

Sit back and watch as comics pitch bizarre yet delightful business ideas to a group of entrepreneurs involving real money. Pitch Bucket starts at 10 p.m.

Tuesday, March 24
Everything has a beginning. Starting at 4 p.m., learn about the History of Stand-up as comic Alex Grubard holds classes complete with a syllabus, exam, and extra credit questions. Pay attention, please.

Discover your inner comedian during It's My First Time. In an event hosted by local funnyman Doogie Horner, audience members will take part in an interview which will eventually lead to their very own (and possibly not last) stand-up show. Doors open at 8 p.m.

Want the ultimate viewing experience? Crack up at 15 skits performed in a matter of 90 minutes during Bit Show at 10 p.m.

Wednesday, March 25
Aaron Nevins, the self-proclaimed doughnut master, will give you a "hole" lot of knowledge during a special tasting class about this pastry. The performance starts at 4 p.m.

Think you know all about comedy? Scripted or Naw will test your know-it-all skills as host Becca Trabin will perform scripted, bits, and improv shows where audience members guess what which one was. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 26
Beginning at 4 p.m., find out what super powers you possess during the workshop entitled: Unlock Your Superpower. In a session conducted by Matt Aukamp, guests will go through tons of special powers, eventually finding one fit for them.

If rap is your music of choice, it's about to go down, when Eat Your Beats hits the town. This is a comic show featuring freestyle battles between comedians. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Friday, March 27
Bring your own tunes to life during the workshop: How to Write a Song. Join the Swaymus brothers for a class about creating your very own music. The event starts at 4 p.m.

Beginning at 11:59 p.m., Matt Schmid has 60-minutes to convince you to donate to a random and hilarious Fund Me campaign. Does he have what it takes to convince you? Come find out.

Saturday, March 28
Tinder took the dating world by storm, now it's time to make fun of it. Hosted by Eddie Finn and Max Barth, this performance will have you explore the crazy world of Internet dating. The mingle starts at 10 p.m.

Comics will not only be a part of this show, but you, the audience will be, too. The Hashtag Game hosted by Garrett Smith will be a live competition to see who has the funniest tweets of the night. Show starts at 11:59 p.m.

Sunday, March 29
Try to take this in: Sixty performers have 60 seconds for this performance event. Pay attention for the whole hour, because you may miss something. The show starts at 8 p.m.

Say goodbye to the producers of comedy week, Kate Banford and Aaron Nevins as they host Close Fest 2015 at 10 p.m. for an evening of surprises.

Extra Extra!
From Monday, March 23 to Thursday, March 26, a Secret Show performance featuring … someone only the host knows will occur every night. They all start at 11:59 p.m.

Wristbands for the whole weekend are available for $25 and no matter what; reservations are required for each show.

For more Things to Do, check out our calendar for the most up-to-date happenings.