Roman Danylo wants to let you in on a secret of the comedy world: The best, funniest comedy can’t be found on TV.

The Vancouver-based actor and comedian has learned through more than 20 years in the business that there’s a lot of pressure to be funny once the TV cameras start rolling. It’s not exactly a natural setting for hilarity.

But what is a great recipe for comedy is getting a bunch of comedian friends together for a more informal night of improvisation. Even better? Sell it to them as a night to simply have fun together.

“People don’t realize that’s the best recipe for the best quality comedy show — when the comedians are in it just to have a good time,” Danylo said. “Almost every comedian will tell you that’s when the good stuff comes out.”

That’s exactly the scenario this Friday and Saturday (Aug. 6 and 7) when Danylo and a bunch of fellow improv performers are coming up to Whistler for two nights of laughter. A crew of at least six comedians will perform at Player’s Chophouse in Creekside as a fundraiser for the Whistler Arts Council (WAC).

The comedians are donating their time to help raise money for WAC, but they’re also doing it just to have a good time, Danylo said.

“For me the sweet spot is when you can kind of pull back and do these fun public shows. That’s when you’re really cashing in — but not in a money way at all,” he said with a laugh.

The two Whistler shows will be fully improvised and based on audience suggestions. There’s very little structure, which means just about anything can happen.

“We call it improvised sketch comedy,” Danylo said.

Be prepared for some serious audience involvement — the crowd has “all the power,” he said. There’s also a good chance a few audience members could be brought on stage to join in the action.

Danylo said some strange things have happened at such shows in the past, like an audience member who put a hex on him. But “that kind of thing is awesome,” he said, and improv is all about “inviting chaos.”
He encouraged people to get creative with their ideas for the performers.

“The more inventive the suggestions are the more inventive the scenes get,” he said.

Many of the comedians coming to Whistler have been doing a weekly improv show together in Vancouver for years. Called Urban Improv, Danylo said the show is sort of a “beer night” for the group.

Danylo is probably best known for his five seasons starring in Comedy Inc. on CTV, but he’s also appeared in Corner Gas, Just for Laughs and various stand-up comedy segments. Joining him in Whistler is Diana Frances, who has written for This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Drew Mcreadie, who most recently performed with Second City, 18-year improv veteran Pearce Visser and others.

Find out what comedians do to have fun on Friday and Saturday (Aug. 6 and 7) at Player’s Chophouse. The restaurant opens at 5 p.m. for dinner and the comedic chaos gets underway at 9 p.m. Tickets are $22 or $15 for WAC members and can be purchased at Millennium Place or Player’s Chophouse.