Zenprov Comedy: Mad Hatters: Goin' Down the Rabbit Hole

Showings

Mary D. Fisher Theatre Sat, Sep 24, 2022 7:30 PM
Film Info
Event Type:Live Improv Comedy
Run Time:90 minutes (approximately)

Description

Zenprov Comedy is back to perform a completely improvised show titled “Mad Hatters: Goin’ Down the Rabbit Hole!" on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre in Sedona. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at the box office or ZenprovComedy.com.


“Zenprov is the best comedy troupe in Arizona,” said Mr. Patrick Schweiss, Executive Director of the Sedona International Film Festival. “People laughed so hard their cheeks were hurting.”


Don’t miss this Sedona favorite, now celebrating their twelfth year together! This will be Zenprov Comedy’s last public show in Sedona until March 2023. However, they will be performing on October 29, December 10 and February 11 at the Old Town Center of Arts in Cottonwood, AZ.


Zenprov Comedy is excited to officially welcome their newest member Nathanial Montgomery to the troupe. Montgomery is a professional life coach and has studied, taught, and performed improv acting for more than 20 years. “Nathanial has big, playful energy and loves to take physical and emotional risks on stage. I love playing with him, and I appreciate the fresh approach he brings. Audience feedback from his performance has been highly positive. He’s great addition to the team,” said Derek Dujardin, the director of Zenprov Comedy. “Plus, Mary Carder is back from her travels around America and will be joining us on stage again!”


If you’ve never been to one of their live performances before, Zenprov Comedy is similar to the improvised TV show “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” The troupe performs a mix of fast-paced improvised scenes created in the moment based on audience suggestions. The troupe also does experimental, Chicago-style, long-form known as the Harold. Unlike sketch or standup comedy, nothing is scripted or prepared ahead of time, so it’s never the same show twice.
 

“I think the health benefits of laughter are woefully underappreciated,” said Dujardin. “Besides being 50X more powerful than morphine as a natural pain reliever, laughter can stimulate organs, lower blood pressure, ease stress and boost the immune system. Plus, it’s a stressful time for everyone. So, any chance to laugh with a crowd feels extra medicinal. You feel connected. And it this day and age, there’s nothing like laughing with live audience again.”


The troupe actively studies weekly with world-renown improv comedy coach from Second City in Chicago and embraces the Del Close method of improv acting, which emphasizes the “group mind” that mysteriously develops during a performance. Miraculously, the players’ minds fuse to create a “super mind” where they practically finish each other’s sentences—and often do. Laughter ensues.


The super minds of Zenprov Comedy are Derek Dujardin, Shaeri Richards, Shaunn Cochran, Chris Redish, Betty Testa, Linda Roemer, Mary Carder and their newest member, Nathanial Montgomery.


Tickets are $15. Due to their local popularity, these one-night-only performances do sell out, so please purchase tickets early. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Shows are rated PG-13 and run approximately 90 minutes.  Note: Shows may contain adult material and may not be appropriate for young viewers or those who are easily offended.