Most would agree it’s no laughing matter when government funding of the arts is abruptly and drastically cut.

So when the annual B.C. gaming grants were cut back this year leaving a shortage of funding for the Whistler Arts Council, comedian Roman Danylo and the Players Chophouse stepped in with the No Laughing Matter! Comedy Night benefit set for next Wednesday (Oct. 28).

“Our provincial gaming funds were cut this year without very much notice,” said Doti Niedermayer, WAC executive director. “It’s tough, because that funding supports our summer programs as well as things like the annual performance series which is already underway.”

To make matters worse, Niedermayer said WAC is now so busy managing, organizing or facilitating events taking place during the 2010 Games that the organization had no time to raise money to make up for the sudden shortfall.

“We are very busy working with Whistler Live! On events for the Cultural Olympiad,” she said. “And there is a need to make up that money because we don’t feel comfortable cancelling programs, especially post-Olympics when the spotlight is still on Whistler and we can use that to drive cultural tourism.”

Enter the Players Chophouse and Roman Danylo, star of CTV’s Comedy Inc.

“Roman Danylo came and offered this to us,” Niedermayer said. “We are very lucky to have the Players Chophouse and Roman Danylo. It is the only reason we are able to do this. They did all the work.”

No Laughing Matter! features Danylo and special guests in a night of stand-up and improvisational comedy with proceeds donated to WAC.

Based in Vancouver, Danylo is a comedian/actor/writer who currently stars in the CTV show Comedy Inc.

He’s performed on HBO comedy specials, at Montreal’s Just For Laughs festival, been on Corner Gas and the Outer Limits, as well as done writing duties on the Holmes Show.

“As a Vancouver artist who has been around, he knows what it is all about and how personally he will be affected by these cuts,” she said.

Danylo and guests hit the stage at the Players Chophouse on Wednesday (Oct. 28) at 9 p.m. Tickets are $22 or $15 for WAC members available through Millennium Place at (604) 935-8410 or Players Chophouse at (604) 938-1270.