Back by popular demand, Zenprov Comedy performs for “Falling Down Laughing” (one night only) at 7:30 pm, Sept 26 at Mary Fisher Theatre in Sedona. Tickets are $12 per sale, $15 at the door.
“Zenprov is the best comedy troupe in Arizona,” said Mr. Patrick Schweiss, Executive Director of the Sedona International Film Festival. “People were laughing so hard their cheeks were hurting.”
If you’ve never attended one of their live performances before, Zenprov Comedy is similar to the popular improvised TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” The troupe performs fast-paced games and scenes created in the moment—always based on audience suggestions. Unlike sketch or standup comedy, nothing is rehearsed or prepared ahead of time. Best of all, it’s never the same show twice.
The theme of the show "Falling Down Laughing" is pun on the new fall season as well as an important improv acting technique. According to Derek Dujardin, the troupes director, often the mistakes an actor makes in improv becomes material for great laughs later. Instead of dreading mistakes, the troupe learns to embrace them, justify them, and weave them into the scene to make them work. "You know that saying, 'We'll look back at this and laugh?' I say, why wait?
The Zenprov Comedy players embrace 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.
“We took four months off, and fans have been asking us, 'when are you guys performing again?”' said Dujardin. “It really nice to know our comedy is part of the community, and people miss us when we’re not around. Over the summer, we've been hard at work learning new games to surprise and delight our audience.”
The super minds of Zenprov Comedy are Derek Dujardin, Shaeri Richards, Chris Redish, Bryan Cooperrider, Shaunn Cochran, Betty Testa, Linda Roemer and Mary Carder.
Tickets are $12 pre-sale and $15 the day of the show. This one-night-only performance is expected to sell out so please purchase tickets early. Tickets can be purchased on this site or Crystal Magic in Sedona and Jerona Cafe in Cottonwood.
The Mary D. Fisher Theater is located across the street from Harkin’s Movie Theater on 2030 St. Rt. 89A. Doors open at 6:45 PM. Shows are family friendly (rated PG-13) and run approximately 90 minutes. Visit www.ZenprovComedy.com to learn more.