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Comic Strippers don’t quite bare it all for laughs

Comic Strippers to perform their improv show in Penticton
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The Comic Strippers hit the Cleland Theatre stage Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. (Submitted) The Comic Strippers hit the Cleland Theatre stage Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. (Submitted)

Some of Canada’s best improvisational comedians are taking the stage and taking it off for Penticton’s debut performance of the Comic Strippers.

Comedian Roman Danylo said the concept for the show came about in late 2012, and since 2014 members of the Vancouver Theatre Sports League have toured across Canada, parts of the U.S. and even Australia.

“We’re really excited to finally be playing Penticton,” he said. “The story goes that we’re a fictitious troupe of male strippers that have perhaps been in the business too long and are now demanding some respect.”

The improv show, meaning stories are created around suggestions from the audience, has four different narratives.

In Penticton, five comedians will perform show number one, which follows the journey of a new stripper finding his place in the troupe. He’s joined on stage with a well-seasoned stripper who has 47 years experience, a member of the stripper exchange program and others.

“So the bulk of the show is strippers meet improv. There’s a private table scene, shower scene and we do something with ping pong balls you have to see,” he said with a laugh.

“It’s a shirtless, Whose Line is it Anyways.”

Danylo said everything above the waist is off but everything below stays covered in the show.

“One thing is guys shouldn’t be afraid to come out. It’s a parody of strippers. There won’t be any horrible thongs. Our bodies will make theirs look better,” he said.

Back in 2012, when the idea surfaced to build an improv show around male strippers it was clear it had the potential to be a hit.

“The first time we had the idea we thought, ‘oh that’s probably going to work,’ but you don’t know until you try it in front of an audience. The very first time we booked it somewhere it sold out two weeks in advance,” he said.

“We’re excited about the idea that maybe this could be Canada’s version of the U.S. Chippendales, or, you know how Australia has their strippers from down under? Canada could have this.”

The Comic Strippers hit the Cleland Theatre stage Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. This is a 19 years and older show.

Tickets are still available and can be bought online at www.brownpapertickets.com.