A.D.D. Comedy with Dave Razowsky

“Love and play are the only things where more is better.” Today’s guest on ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky is author Sam Wasson. Sam has written books on Bob Fosse, Paul Mazursky, Audrey Hepburn, Blake Edwards, and, the one that brought Sam to my attention, “Improv Nation, How We Made A Great American Art.” This is the only book I’ve ever read on how theatrical improvisation as we now know it came to be. It’s funny, smart, informative, heartbreaking, and alive. In other words, it’s just like a great improv scene. Our conversation bounds from improv inspiration, to what does it mean to play, to passion and creativity, to saying yes. We had a blast. Enjoy my pod chat with author Sam Wasson.

Today’s guest on ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky is Stephen Burrows. I’ve known Steve for almost 35 years. The award-winning Burrows was in “Barron’s Barracudas,” the first Harold team I ever saw. The Harold is an improv form that is now taught and performed worldwide. Steve’s gone on to direct, act and write films, but his HBO documentary “Bleed Out” is getting him well-deserved critical raves. “Bleed Out” documents the grueling journey he and his family went through when his mother’s hip surgery went horribly wrong. It was a 10 year very personal journey to discover who was responsible and pursue justice. It’s an amazing film, an amazing story, and this is an amazing podchat.

Today's guest on "ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky" is writer, director, actor, teacher, creator, and innovator, Shira Piven. Shira's directed the motion picture “Welcome to Me,” with Kristen Wiig, and episodes of Amazon’s “Transparent” and “One Mississippi.” She currently works with Tim Robbins’ Actors Gang Prison Project, teaching commedia dell’arte to inmates in California prisons. Shira’s the daughter of improv pioneers Joyce and Byrne Piven, and is the sister of actor Jeremy Piven, and is married to Oscar-award winning director and Second City alum Adam McKay. We discussed passion, what a director’s job is, collaboration, the untapped superpower of creativity, and growing up in “Byrne Piven’s House of Digression.” This chat flies all over the place. Of course it does, it’s ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky.

Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is my dear friend Ian Gomez. Ian and I both performed at Chicago’s Improv Olympic and Second City. Ian has been in more television shows than anyone else I know. Here’s a short list: “The Drew Carey Show,” “Felicity,” “Supergirl,” and “Cougar Town.” He also was in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” written by his wife the wonderful Nia Vardalos. We discussed the peace that comes from seeing others as your equals, what it’s like to be fired, and the success that comes from being a “chameleon.” Ian is honest, sharp, warm, and very funny. It was a blast to talk on such a level with such a dear friend. Enjoy.

Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Joey Bland. Joey’s performed with The Second City, ComedySportz, and iO. He played the title role in Second City's “Rod Blagojevich, Superstar.” He’s a two-time Jeopardy champion, and a member of the Improvised Shakespeare Company which creates fully improvised plays in Elizabethan style. They invited Sir Patrick Stewart to perform with them in New York, and the great Sir said. “I saw them…and they simply took flight. I was dazzled.” Joey’s energetic, informed, wise, and a great actor to play with. I was lucky enough to do a few shows with Joey in Santa Monica! Hold onto your toque and muffin cap, ‘cuz this chat flies. Enjoy.

Recorded at Rockefeller Center, our guest today on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Amber Ruffin. Amber is an Emmy nominated writer and actress on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” and the narrator on “Drunk History.” She was the first African-American woman to write for a late-night network talk show. Amber’s an alum of The Second City, iO and Boom Chicago in Amsterdam. We talked about our love of Amsterdam, living and eating in New York City, finding your voice in the current current we’re in, and bearing witness to the nation waking up to the racism so many people of color have known since our country was founded. This episode works on a bunch of levels. Enjoy.

“Let things play.” Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Jason Winer. Jason is best known as the Emmy Award-winning director and co-executive producer of “Modern Family,” having directed the pilot episode as well as 20 episodes of the amazingly popular show. He is a director, an Emmy-award wining producer, and writer. He directed Robin Williams in Robin’s last television series, and directed Russell Brand in the remake of “Arthur.” Jason’s an alum of iO Chicago which is where I met him. We talked about the challenges of working with creative forces like Russell Brand and Robin Williams, the battles of making a studio film, and how he figured out how to give “Modern Family” the realistic look while staying within budget. This is one strong episode. But what else would you expect? Enjoy.

Today’s guest on ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky is Kate Lambert. Kate is from the Second City which is where I first met her. In Chicago she worked with a cast of women whose names were all variations of Catherine, so they became The Katydids. They got themselves a nice following, and eventually they all found their way out west, where they created the opportunity for themselves to produce Teachers for TV Land. Kate is positive, focused, smart, and funny. In other words, another perfect guest for the podcast. Enjoy.

Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Dick Chudnow. In 1984 Dick created and licensed the ComedySportz improvisational comedy format and the world has never been the same. There are now over 20 cities with licensed ComedySportz franchises in the United States including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Not bad for someone who thinks they don’t communicate very well. We had a probing, frank, honest, and fascinating chat. We covered everyone from Viola Spolin to Keith Johnstone to Del Close. If you’re a fan of improv, comedy, business, or just being a mensch, this is the interview for you. After all, how do you argue with someone who also thinks that farts are funny. Recorded during the ComedySportz World Championship in San Jose, California. Enjoy

Today’s guest on ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky is Charlie Hartsock. I met Charlie in the ‘80s when he, Steve Carell and I joined a cast for Michael Gellman’s Seed Show 2 at Chicago’s Organic Theater. We all worked together at Second City, and in LA Charlie and Steve teamed up with Vance DeGeneres to form Carousel Productions, where Charlie executive produced Crazy, Stupid Love, and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone. Charlie developed and co-created the series Inside Comedy for Showtime. He’s now producing a series in development at HBO. Charlie’s the real thing, and our conversation was wonderful. Enjoy.

Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Fabio Maccioni. Fabio is an internationally renown improv actor and teacher. He’s a member of Teatribu, Milan’s foremost improv theater, where he teaches and performs. I met Fabio briefly in Chicago, then in Australia where we performed and co-taught in Perth. Fabio is kind, caring, a great performer, and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. We spoke in the offices of Teatribu, and though English isn’t Fabio’s first language, this chat had tons of heart and connection. Enjoy.

“There were six or seven people on stage having fun, and I thought, ‘How can I get a piece of THAT?’” Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Eric Boardman. Eric’s worn many a hat as a director, producer, a host on Discovery Channel, Food Network, Travel Channel, and HGTV. He was a performer and writer on CBS’s Tim Conway Show, was regularly seen on the Disney Channel, and Eric’s an “Imagineer,” having designed The Mickey Mouse Club-Audition attraction for Disney World. Cool, huh?? I know Eric as an alum of The Second City in Chicago. Eric’s company included Shelly Long and George Wendt. We hit so many subjects that we ran long. Nice. Enjoy my chat with Eric Boardman.

“I’m a firm believer in you don’t run *away* from something, you run *toward* something.” Bob Kodzis is our guest today on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky,” continuing the booking of guests who help me breathe during these challenging times. Bob’s bio says he’s “one of the happiest people you will ever meet.” It’s true. He’s the creative force behind “Flight of Ideas, Inc.,” a “creative think-tank designed to help groups think outside of the tank.” Bob’s also an artist who created a “mind map,” an illustrated work that captured some of my most precious life philosophies. (For a look, head to www.davidrazowsky.com, then click on the "Media" tab.) Bob’s also designed and executed an inspiring mural at SAK Comedy Lab in Orlando, where this great podchat was recorded. Please give a listen, and you’ll be able to breathe, too.

These are challenging times, and I really needed a guest who would be joyful, hopeful, kindhearted, and smart. Today’s guest is perfect. Eliza Coyle is our guest today on "ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky." I know Eliza from my days at Second City, where we both started out in the Training Center together, then moved on to the Touring Company. Eliza’s bold, smart, funny, and charming. She’s been in God Bless America, Shakes the Clown, and The Mighty Ducks. Eliza’s husband is Joel Murray, a former ADD Comedy guest. This interview made me feel better!

Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky,” is Phelim McDermott. Phelim is an innovative performer and director with productions spanning from improv to Broadway to the Metropolitan Opera, and recently directed LA Opera's spectacular production of Philip Glass's "Akhnaten." Phelim is also co-founder of London’s groundbreaking Improbable Theatre Company. We talk about the tool of tension and the role of improv in our life and work. Improv is a central inspiration for all of Phelim’s work. To quote Improbable’s mission statement:“Whether in performance, rehearsal or development we will use the practice and philosophy of improvisation in the process of creation (even when we’re working on classic plays or operas)." In other words, the product is the process. This was a great interview, recorded in a pub outside of London. Enjoy.

Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Jules Munns. Jules is the Co-Artistic Director of The Nursery, the great improv school in London. Jules is a passionate improvisor and teacher, who has studied under our friends Patti Stiles, Susan Messing, Rachael Mason, and Keith Johnstone. He studied at the Guildhall School, which specializes in classical theater, and when you watch him play, it comes through. Jules and his Co-Artistic Director Judith Amsenga have brought me out to London to teach and perform many times. The actors of The Nursery are truly inspiring. Over too many cups of thick coffee we chatted about overcoming challenges, the journey to acceptance, and, in Jules’ words, learning to “just be with the stuff that’s happening here.” This is one great chat recorded in a flat in London.

Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Brett Paesel. Brett’s an actress, having just wrapped season 3 of Amazon’s Emmy-winning “Transparent,” she’s the author of the Los Angeles Times Bestseller “Mommies Who Drink,” and she’s a teacher. I know Brett from our days at The Annoyance Theater in Chicago, where we performed in “Splatter Theatre,” directed by Mick Napier. Brett’s draw is her passion, her focus, her energy, her clarity, and her truth. We spoke at the apartment she shares with her husband, actor and director Pat Towne, a former guest on ADD, and their two sons. Oh, this is a great podchat, and, spoiler alert, we talk about her “Transparent” character’s arc. You’ve been warned.

Our guest today on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Alan Wilder. Alan is a Joseph Jefferson Award-nominated ensemble member at Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theater, and he’s appeared in over 60 Steppenwolf productions all over the world. He’s also appeared on numerous shows on NBC, CBS, HBO, and FOX. Alan’s hilarious, and smart, and wise, and honest. We chatted in Chicago at Steppenwolf’s rehearsal space located alongside the “el” tracks at Halsted and North. We had a blast and could have talked for a long time. Enjoy!

Recorded at Improvention in beautiful Canberra, Australia. Our guest today is the wonderful “Queen of Improvisation,” Patti Stiles. Patti is an actor, improviser, director, and just one of the most inspiring people you’ve ever met. She’s worked with the world renowned “Loose Moose Theatre,” and was trained by and worked closely with Keith Johnstone, author of the seminal improv book “Impro.” Patti is the Artistic Director of Die Nasty AU, co-Director of Secret Impro Theatre, and Impro Melbourne. She’s traveled all over the world, and is as sought-after as any improv inspiration could be. I’d never before met Patti, but, boy, did we share a lot of improv philosophies. Stick around for Patti’s “Not My Finest Hour” segment. It’s crushingly good. Enjoy.

Recorded in Melbourne, Australia, today’s guest on ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky is Australian improv veteran Jason Geary. Jason is a teacher, a film and television actor, and the former Artistic Director Of Impro Melbourne. I’ve worked with Jason at Improvention, the awesome week-long celebration of “Impro Down-Under,” that annually occurs in Canberra, Australia. (The reason I’m in Australia and soon to be in New Zealand!) Jason’s smart, funny, confident, and one of the best people to sit down with and have a pod chat. And, stay tuned, of course, for his installment of “Not My Finest Hour” at the end of our episode. This is a good one.