Today’s guest on “ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky” is Ali Reza Farahnakian. Ali founded New York City’s Peoples Improv Theater (aka “The PIT”) where we recorded this podchat. Ali was a founding member of Upright Citizens Brigade, he was a writer on Saturday Night Live, and at Second City he performed with the likes of Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Ali’s been on “Law and Order,” “30 Rock,” and “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” But what Ali really is is a powerhouse. He’s driven, focused, honest, funny, engaging, and inspiring. In other words, a perfect ADD Comedy guest. Enjoy!

Ali Farahnakian

On "ADD Comedy with Dave Razowsky,” guests from the worlds of comedy, theatre, film, television, and literature discuss their journeys and life philosophies with podcast host David Razowsky. David’s an alum of The Second City Chicago where he performed with Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Amy Sedaris and numerous others. He’s the former artistic director of The Second City Hollywood, is a member of The Reduced Shakespeare Company, served as a consultant for Dreamworks, and taught for Steppenwolf Theatre Company. David is a master teacher of improvisation, a gifted improv actor and director, and performs and teaches all over the world. He can be reached at dave@addcomedy.com.

TV & Film

Comedy

“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.

Sam Wasson's Made Improv History

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.   

Stephen Burrows' Trusts His Inner Del Close

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.

Shira Piven's Creative Superpower

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.

Ian Gomez...the Equalizer

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.

Ali Farahnakian

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