'Improv' comedians expected to create laughter in Fresno

By CHHUN SUN

Ryan Stiles has one piece of advice for college students.

“Enjoy it,” said the 49-year-old best known for his tenure as the tall and rubber-faced comedian on the popular show “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?”

“Because I never went to college.”

Born in Seattle, Stiles dropped out of high school at age 17 to pursue a career in comedy. Despite his parents’ opposition, he started touring local nightclubs and bars in Vancouver, sometimes performing for free. Then he spent some time performing in London, and eventually moved to Los Angeles, where he met and started working with some of the comedians he’s working with now — for the past 15 years.

He couldn’t stop working, he said.

“I thrive on the audience; it’s infectious.”

Stiles hopes to achieve this infectious vibe with a Fresno audience Saturday for “A Night of Improv” at the Warnors Theatre. Fans of “Whose Line” will also recognize his comic colleagues from the show — Greg Proops, Jeff Davis, Chip Esten, Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood.

In its seventh season, the “A Night of Improv” tour will have the quick-witted comedy “Whose Line” is famous for, including its on-the-spot games and audience interaction.

That’s the atmosphere Stiles enjoys. He seems so calm and smooth on stage — and you can say the same for his career.

After performing at small clubs and bars, in the mid-1980s, Stiles joined the Second City, a comedy group in Toronto known for its highly topical and fast-paced sketches. Then he earned some television credits, including “Parker Lewis Can’t Lose” and “Mad About You.” Besides “Whose Line,” he earned much success on “The Drew Carey Show,” playing one of Carey’s best friends. And his friendship with Carey on television is similar to the one they have in real life.

“He’s like any other guy. He’s open to suggestions and he’s open to trying new things, and he’s a good boss in that way,” said Stiles, referring to Carey as the ringleader in “Whose Line” before the show was canceled last year.

Carey will not be there, however.

“He would,” Stiles said. He won’t, though.

What to expect

For those who don’t know what improvisational comedy is all about, the following is quick — get it? — tutorial.

Imagine being on center stage with hundreds, even thousands, of eyes on you, and you have to make them all laugh with unrehearsed material.

Quick, quick, think of something. Sing, dance, tell a joke. Sweating already? That’s what the comedians of “A Night of Improv” have to endure each time.

The comedians are known for the popular games they play on “Whose Line.” So here are two of their more popular games you might see.

There’s a dating game, where the comedians pretend they’re on a dating show, and one of them has to figure out the funny and weird quirks their potential dates possess.

There’s the impromtu song, where an audience member is the main focus, and the comedians sing him or her a song that might be rap, country, pop, or whatever.