Four funny men bring improv show to Henderson

Courtesy photo

From left, Chip Esten, Jeff Davis, Greg Proops and Ryan Stiles make up the cast of “Whose Live Anyway?,” an improvised comedy show based on the audience’s suggestions. The show comes to the Henderson Pavilion at 8 p.m. Oct. 11.

Jamie Gentner

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 | midnight

When Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Chip Esten and Jeff Davis take to the stage at the Henderson Pavilion at 8 p.m. on Oct. 11, the audience can expect 90 minutes of non-stop laughter and nothing less. That's what Bud Pico, manager of cultural arts and tourism programs for the city of Henderson, has come to expect from the cast of "Whose Live Anyway?"

After seeing the men on television's "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and talking with one of the live show's producers at a New York conference, Pico said, the show sounded like a perfect fit for Henderson's lineup of city-sponsored entertainment.

"This was yet another opportunity to reach out to a different audience," Pico said.

"Whose Live?," which has toured the U.S. and Canada since 1999, brings together the four men who appeared on the improvisational comedy show built around audience suggestions and interaction.

"It's much more interactive than the TV show because the audience is a willing participant," Proops said by phone as the group traveled to Midland, Mich., for a show. "It's like TV but funner because it's looser. We can be a little more real because we're not on TV."

Proops said he, Stiles and Esten have worked together for about 19 years; Davis joined the group about 10 years ago. In that time, each man has found his niche in the performance.

"I open with some stand-up, but I'm the worst improviser of the group," Proops said. "Ryan is Babe Ruth. He points at the fence and delivers a home run every time. Chip has tremendous musical style. He's so dynamic. And Jeff is the young, sexy one. He's there for the girls."

Proops said audience members can expect to see some of the same games played on the televised show. Some new bits will appear, as well.

Audience members are asked to put a sentence on a piece of paper that will be used to build a scene. One audience member is also chosen for an interview, and Esten and Davis will sing a song to celebrate that audience member's life.

The bottom line is that audience participation is key.

"If the audience is bad, then it's their fault," Proops said. "We never have a bad show.

"You can't sit on your hands. You've got to yell things out."

Pico said the relaxed atmosphere of the Henderson Pavilion makes that easy. The intimate surroundings make the audience feel like it is part of the group, and "it's like watching these guys in your living room," he said.

Because of the more mature nature of the show, Pico suggested only those ages 14 and up attend.

And because this will be the last show of the tour, Proops said to expect anything.

"We may go crazy," Proops said jokingly. "We don't know what the Henderson jail looks like, but we're sure Jeff will see it before the weekend's over.

"They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But what happens in Henderson you put on a DVD and send to your grandmother."

Jamie Gentner can be reached at 990-2412 or jamie.gentner@hbcpub.com.