A low impact parody on the male stripper is coming to Maple Ridge played by some of Canada’s best improv comedians.
Comic Roman Danylo is one of four who plays a fictitious male stripper in “The Comic Strippers”, grooving and gyrating between scenes, and playing off the crowd, in the completely unscripted show.
Danylo has appeared in several Canadian series, including CBC’s “Comics”, “These Arms of Mine”, “Made in Canada” with Rick Mercer, the Just For Laughs Improv Championships, “Slightly Bent” on The Comedy Network, and “Corner Gas” on CTV with Brent Butt.
There is no extreme nudity in the show, just laughs as the men attempt being sexy in the hilarious twist on real strip shows like Chippendales and Australia’s The Thunder From Down Under.
This year, said Danylo, there are tons of new moves, although now that the troupe is in their 40’s to 50’s they have to pace themselves more and protect their knees.
“We’ve been performing the show all across Canada for almost 15 years now and we’ll keep going as long as people keep coming… and our knees hold out,” he said.
Cast member Toby Berner performed the show for the first time about 12 years ago and now he’s become a regular.
He began his career at 16 years old with Vancouver TheatreSports Improv Comedy, as the youngest professional improvisor ever in the late 1990’s.
Berner graduated from Studio 58 at Langara College and has since been a part of theatrical premiers like “The Dishwashers” by Morris Panych and Hard Core Logo the Play by Michael Scholar Jr..
He has also been nominated for multiple Canadian Comedy Awards for Best Male Improvisor, Best Sketch Troupe, and Best Improv Troupe. His television credits include, “The Good Doctor”, “Ghosts”, and “The Irrational”.
“It’s an honour to don the purple bow tie and bring my badminton bod to the Comic Strippers,” said Berner.
Over the past couple of years Danylo has noticed more male audience members are coming to the show. He thinks it is because word has gotten out that it is not a real strip show.
“We sometimes get folks up and involved on stage and some of the guys in the crowd really go for it,” he said.
Danylo said the team thoroughly enjoys performing together and they don’t plan to stop anytime soon. The group enjoy travelling, staying in hotels, and having some of the best laughs on stage for two hours every night.
He said they are lucky they have found something unique that clicks with the audience and keeps people coming back year after year.
Berner said he has I’ve known the group for pretty much his entire professional career.
“It’s a joy to dance around on stage with some of my oldest friends in the business and because of that closeness we always seem to bring out the best in each other whenever we’re together. I can’t think of a more fun improv experience for myself or for the audience,” added Berner.
The Comic Strippers are coming to Maple Ridge at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 15, at The ACT Arts Centre, 11944 Haney Place.
You must be 19 years or older to attend and tickets range from $39 to $49 plus fees.
The show is about 120 minutes, including a 20 minute intermission.
To purchase tickets call 604-476-2787 or go to: https://arts-on.org/community-events/comic-strippers.