Zenprov Comedy: Pardon my Tofurkey!

Showings

Mary D. Fisher Theatre Sat, Nov 17, 2018 7:30 PM

Description

Zenprov Comedy promises a feast of spontaneous hilarity at their “Pardon My Tofurkey!” improv show. The “Thanksgiggling” starts at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 at the Mary D Fisher Theater in Sedona. Tickets are $12 pre-sale and $15 at the door.


For nearly a decade now, Sedona’s own Zenprov Comedy has tapped into the quirky source material that comes from living in a small Arizona community steeped in spiritual seeking, UFOs, vortexes, self-help gurus, psychics, tantric sex cults, radical vegans, conspiracy theories and small-town politics. Mr. Patrick Schweiss, Executive Director of the Sedona International Film Festival, has said, “Zenprov is the best comedy troupe in Arizona,” said “People were laughing so hard their cheeks were hurting.”


If you’ve never been to one of their live performances before, Zenprov Comedy is similar to the TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” The troupe performs fast-paced, spontaneous comedic scenes created in the moment — always based on audience suggestions. Unlike sketch or standup comedy, nothing is scripted or rehearsed ahead of time. It’s completely made up and never the same show twice.


While Zenprov Comedy’s long-forms may start in the woo-woo culture of Sedona, their conceptual otherworldly performances are grounded in fundamentals of rock-solid improv, inventive satire, and their constant search for the big truths hidden within the great Cosmic Giggle.


One of the troupe signature pieces leverages actual Facebook postings from The Sedona Open Bulletin Board as inspiration for improvised comedy. An audience chooses one of the postings and the troupe leaps into action. Subjects range from small-town gossip to the evils of smart meters to warnings about impending apocalypses.


“Improv is a unique theatrical experience where audience and actors come together to create something magical and extremely alive right there in the moment,” said Shaeri Richards, Zenprov member. “And it’s funny too.”


Zenprov Comedy embraces the Del Close method of improv acting, which emphasizes the “group mind” that mysteriously develops during a performance. Miraculously, the player’s minds fuse together to create a “super mind” where they practically finish each other’s sentences—and often do. Laughter ensues.


The “super minds” of Zenprov Comedy includes locals Derek Dujardin, Tom Shoemaker, Shaeri Richards, Chris Redish, Shaunn Cochran, Betty Testa, Linda Roemer and Mary Carder.


This one-night-only performance is expected to sell out so please purchase tickets early.


Shows are PG-13 and run approximately 90 minutes. Visit www.ZenprovComedy.com to learn more.?