An award-winning male stripper parody and improv troupe that calls Coquitlam home is back this month to launch its summer and fall tour.
Roman Danylo, Chris Casillan and Pearce Visser with The Comic Strippers will suit up with their signature purple bow ties and tight pants on Saturday, Aug. 24 to perform at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in a show titled Good Times & Tan Lines.
Thirteen dates follow, with the “Chips” — as they’re known onstage — playing gigs in Alberta and Ontario before returning to North Vancouver on Nov. 15 to close the run at the Centennial Theatre.
Danylo told the Tri-City News today, Aug. 7, that the Strippers like to hit suburban communities over big cities like Vancouver and Toronto because of the audience feedback.
For their upcoming tour, the Strippers will return to Airdrie, Alta., which they sold out last year, as well as St. Albert, near Edmonton.
But they’ll also be striking a new venue for them: the 2,305-seat Centennial Concert Hall in Manitoba, home of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the Manitoba Opera.
“It’ll be the biggest place we’ve ever performed in,” Danylo said, noting the Chips have a few tricks up their sleeve for the tour such as new audience-participation games; a new dance (likely to be professionally choreographed); and a new finale.
Comedy weekend
Meanwhile, it’s a comedy weekend at Evergreen with other Comic Strippers performing and teaching on Friday and Sunday.
On Aug. 23, “Chips” David Milchard, Denise Jones and Michael Teigen — who grew up in Coquitlam — will bring The Comedy Department’s Pants on Fire! to the Coquitlam hub.
The romp is described as a mash up of The Liars Club game show and Whose Line Is It Anyway?
And, on Aug. 25, “Chip” Pearce Visser will offer an improv workshop in the rehearsal hall. Students will learn about spontaneity, creativity, teamwork, character creation and storytelling.
For tickets to the comedy shows and workshop at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam (1205 Pinetree Way) on Aug. 23, 24 or 25, call the box office at 604-927-6555 or visit the facility website. A 15 per cent discount is available for tickets to more than one weekend event.
