Gallery 7 Theatre in Abbotsford is launching their 2016/17 theatre season with the return of Panic Squad and Friends, those masters of super-funny, super-clean comedy improvisation. This one-of-a-kind show runs for one night only on Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Abbotsford Arts Centre.
Those who have watched the hit TV show, Whose Line is it Anyway? will know what’s in store for this evening of fun but there will be one distinctive difference: the comedy will be totally clean.
Using only suggestions provided by the audience, Panic Squad leaps in to action, creating scenes right out of thin air. The results are side-splitting hilarity.
“We’re delighted to have The Panic Squad back to open our new season,” said Gallery 7 Theatre’s executive/artistic Director, Ken Hildebrandt.
“They never fail to bring on the funny. And because their brand of humour is clean humour, the whole family can enjoy the fun.”
Traversing North America, Panic Squad usually performs with three improvisers. With the show at Gallery 7 Theatre, the Squad invites a few more top-notch performers to create a unique experience not to be seen anywhere else in Canada. This year, they’ve invited Trinity Western University’s 11:07 Improv League co-coordinators, Nathan Stein and Corban Dunn.
“A number of actors in Panic Squad got their start in improv at the 11:07 improv league 24 years ago,” said Andrew Bright, one of the founders and current leader of Panic Squad.
“We started the team in 1996 as a combination of the two top 11:07 teams at the time. Since then, we have recruited a number of top players from that league to join The Panic Squad. This year marks the 30th anniversary of 11:07 and the 20th anniversary of The Panic Squad.”
Joining Stein and Dunn will be regular Panic Squad performers Andrew Bright, Mike De Boer, Elijah Tadema, and Dann Warick.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $15 for children 12 and under.
A special rate of $20 is available for groups of eight or more. Tickets can be purchased at House of James, 2743 Emerson St., Abbotsford, or by calling 604-852-3701 or 1-800-665-8828.
For more information or to purchase tickets online, or to purchase season passes to Gallery 7 Theatre’s entire season, please visit www.gallery7theatre.com.