Combining sketch comedy and short films by local artists, the comedy SMASH is doing as well outside its native Chicago as it did in the Windy City. The latest offering from Broad Shoulders Productions (the troupe who created TheatreSports (Chicago), The Convention, and Peanut Galleria), SMASH just extended its run at L.A.'s ImprovOlympic West to April 26.

The show, performed Monday nights only, may extend yet again (though it would then likely move to a weekend night).

SMASH penned and performed by Broad Shoulders' Neilia Brown, Steve Longmuir, Tim Monahan, Frank Payne, Gonzo Schexnayder and Chip Schubert, tells of "six kids who accidentally lock themselves in a bomb shelter in 1959." Forty years later, scientists won't let them leave unless they perform sketches that interpret their idea of the outside world. Adding to the chaos is a backdrop of Chicago short films that may or may not have anything to do with the comic sketches.

SMASH first opened at Chicago's Second City Skybox May 29, 1998 in a staging by director Bart Heird. Jim Zulevic is staging the L.A. production.

For information on SMASH call (323) 962-7560 or check out the company's website, http://www.broadshoulders.com. -- By David Lefkowitz and Lawrence Bommer