IMPROVology at the Lobero Theatre

IMPROVology Moves to the Lobero Theatre

Santa Barbara Zoo’s Hit Comedy Series of “Science Meets Improv” Has Debut Lobero Show on Wednesday, May 29 at 8 p.m.

• Talks by Experts on California Condors and Gorillas to Become Fodder for Skits, Songs, and Silliness by LA’s Impro Theatre
• Series Debuted in 2015; Has Outgrown Zoo Location
• Audience Participation; Musical Accompaniment; and “Friendly Competition” Between Teams Judged by Local Celebrities

IMPROVology, the Santa Barbara Zoo’s science-meets-comedy show, has outgrown its nest and flown the coop, landing at the Lobero Theatre. Sold-out shows at the Zoo since 2015 have proven that audiences are “batty” about this mashup of wildlife talks with improv theatre. The format remains unchanged: two leading animal experts are interviewed live on stage, in this case, Joseph Brandt about California condors and Dr. Tara Stoinski about gorillas. Comedy skits, songs, and silliness are then created on-the-spot by members of L.A.’s Impro Theatre, accompanied by live music. Audience participation is encouraged. IMPROVology with special guests Joseph Brandt and Dr. Tara Stoinski is Wednesday, May 29 at 8 p.m. at the Lobero Theatre.

Tickets are $30, $25 for Santa Barbara Zoo Members, and $70 for a VIP ticket which includes premier seating and pre-show reception with drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Purchase tickets at the Lobero Theatre Box Office, at www.lobero.org, or by calling (805) 963-0761.

For the inaugural show at the Lobero, the animal experts are Joseph Brandt, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife supervisory biologist who oversees local efforts to bring the California condor back from the brink of extinction; and Dr. Tara Stoinski, who has studied gorillas for more than two decades and heads up the renowned Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

“IMPROVology has grown up and is moving downtown,” said Zoo CEO Rich Block. “It’s not unlike male gorillas who leave their families when they become mature, or California condor chicks who spread their wings and soar out of the nest. But it’s a lot funnier.”

The host of the show is Impro Theatre’s Artistic Director Dan O’Connor who is joined by company members Kelly Holden Bashar, Brian Michael Jones, Stephen Kearin, Brian Lohmann, and Jo McGinley.

Musical accompaniment is provided by Santa Barbara-based pianist Konrad Kono and bassist Dr. Michael Schindlinger (expert in the languages of wild parrots previously featured in IMPROVology). Celebrity judges who rate the skits in a “friendly competition” between the two animal teams are Independent senior editor Michelle Drown, KEYT meteorologist Alan Rose, and author and columnist Starshine Roshell.

The 90-minute show is performed without intermission.