Expect the unexpected: It's all about the audience interactions for the cast of 'Whose Live Anyway?'
Oct. 28—Laughter will be ringing off the walls of the Stranahan Theater.
At least that's what the cast of Whose Live Anyway? is hoping, as the four comedians prepare to take the stage in Toledo on Sunday.
After a year of postponing and rescheduling shows due to the pandemic, Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis, and Joel Murray are finally back on the road with the live improv show that mimics the popular television series Whose Line Is It Anyway?
That improvisational comedy show has been making domestic audiences laugh from the comfort of their couches, off and on, since 1998. Stiles and Proops are well-known for their long-time roles on both this U.S. version of the show, as well as its originating series in the U.K.; Davis has been around since its third season in the U.S.
They and their fellow comedian also hit the road between episodes for the live touring version.
IF YOU GO:
What: Whose Live Anyway?
When: 8 p.m. Sunday
Where: Stranahan Theater, 4645 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo.
Admission: Tickets start at $38
Information: stranahantheater.com
"I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to be back," Davis said in an interview with The Blade. "There's nothing like being onstage and making people laugh. To go without that for a year was making us cuckoo."
Davis is not alone in his excitement. Murray, who has been touring with the show for nine years, said the audience's engagement is what fuels the tour.
"The real wild card is that with the live version of the show, we bring audience members onstage to perform with us. That's the real wild card because you don't know what you're going to get," Murray said. "We've obviously had drunk people, people on drugs, psychotic people, you name it. We've had flashers come onstage. What comes to mind is a Canadian woman, she had to be in her 70s, that flashed all of us."
While the cast isn't requesting a repeat, Murray said the audience should come ready for an experience.
"Wear something nice because you might be onstage. You might have Jeff B. Davis sing a song to you. You might get to do sound effects for Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops for a scene. You might be writing lines of dialogue that we might use for a scene. There are active and passive ways to participate in the show," Murray said.
Davis joked that attendees have been known to become local celebrities following their brief moments of fame.
"They'll be walking down the street the next morning or getting coffee, and people will remember them from the show," he said.
Whose Live's local stop is among nearly 70 tours dates for the year.
Murray said being back on the road has brought a refreshed love for improvisation.
"We set out to do 40 shows between the beginning of October and December. We're getting back at it with a vengeance. For not having performed in a long time, it's the first time I'm seeing some of my co-stars nervous, and they're all seasoned professionals," Murray said. "It's pure improvisation. We're going out to entertain a crowd of thousands without anything prepared. It's an interesting job description and what we love doing."
Davis said it's a pleasure to interact with a new audience every night.
"Every time we walk onstage we know that something different is going to happen. Our audience is a different beast. Our job is to meet them where they are at and find out what tickles them. The audience interaction is fantastic," Davis said, adding that the shows post-quarantine have been successful so far.
"There's an energy in the room that's different than before the pandemic. I think people are so happy to get out of their cages and be around people," he said. "People are stoked to be out and about and around others again."
The 90-minute touring act is a fulfilled dream for the comedians.
"I thought maybe I'd be a teacher at this point in my career," Murray said. "I've directed television so I thought I'd be directing more sitcoms. I didn't think I'd be touring around. There are probably only eight people in the world that get to travel and do improv at the financial level that we're doing it. I feel blessed every time we get to strap on the boots and get up onstage. I feel blessed every time the paycheck clears."
Davis likens the cast to "the greatest band in the world."
"We've been working together for years and we still get along so well. There couldn't be a better job for me," he said. "As Willie Nelson said, 'The life I love is making music with my friends, and I can't wait to get on the road again.'
"Just knowing in a couple of hours we're going to be driving in Toledo is great," Davis continued. "There's never a bad night."