David Koechner brings stand-up and his 'The Office' persona Todd Packer to Des Moines

If anyone was holding out on actor and comedian David Koechner's performances because he's a University of Missouri graduate, Koechner assured Iowans — and Cyclone fans in particular — that they can come to his stand-up show without feeling guilty.

“Iowa and Missouri aren’t rivals anymore because they’re no longer in the same conference," the comedian told the Des Moines Register over a phone call on Tuesday, adding, "You never know what’s gonna keep people away.”

Koechner, best known for playing roles such as Champ Kind in the "Anchorman" films and Todd Packer on NBC's "The Office," is scheduled to headline two Friday night and two Saturday night stand-up performances at the Funny Bone, 560 S. Prairie View Drive in West Des Moines, as part of his Blue Skies & Dirty Lies Tour.

Saturday evening, Koechner also brings "The Office" trivia, performing as Packer at Funny Bone starting at 3:30 p.m. and quizzing attendees on the nine-season, mockumentary sitcom. Both trivia and Koechner's stand-up shows are only open to those 19 and older.

Koechner previously performed at the Funny Bone in 2018 and has played both the University of Iowa and Iowa State University in the past. This trivia event is a new part of Koechner's touring act that he launched in March, and he's been happy with how it's been received so far. He, in part, attributes that reception to the resurgence in popularity of "The Office."

“It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen," Koechner said of the fan fervor for the NBC sitcom, which broadcast its last episode nearly 10 years ago. "The passion for it is almost religious-like... After the pandemic, (popularity) jumped up again because everyone was at home watching it.”

Packer starts as one of the salesmen at the Dunder Mifflin paper company and the more obnoxious friend of Steve Carell's character Michael Scott. Over the course of trivia on Saturday, attendees can expect to hear Koechner reciting some of Packer's lines while also sharing behind the scene's details and personal experiences from his time on "The Office."

Packer represents just one of the hundreds of credits Koechner has to his name, including the role of Champ Kind in the "Anchorman" movies. Other acting credits range from a year on "Saturday Night Live," a role in the 2008 film adaptation of "Get Smart," playing Bill Lewis in the long-running ABC television show "The Goldbergs" and the 2014 film "Cheap Thrills," the latter of which is a project Koechner is especially proud of.

“'Cheap Thrills' is a dark twisted movie with some comedic undertones, but it is really good," Koechner said of the not-at-all-family-friendly film. "It keeps you on the edge of your seat… you’re guessing what’s happening next every moment.”

Though he's now based on the West Coast, Koechner grew up in Tipton, Missouri — nearly five hours south of Des Moines — where he was raised as one of six kids. Now Koechner has kids of his own, which is one reason he's so busy this year.

“This year is unlike any other. I’ve done more stand-up than I have in the past," Koechner said. "I’ve got five kids and they’re all in school and that’s what keeps you running.”

Further testament to how busy Koechner's year has been is the fact his call with the Register came from the set of a yet-to-be-announced project that he couldn't disclose quite yet. He has three additional upcoming releases on the horizon — "Dotty & Soul," which premiered earlier this year at the San Diego Film Festival, the television show "Rock Me" and the upcoming drama "Ganymede."

"That’s a drama... it’s a gay coming-of-age film and what this young man has to go through just to be accepted as who he is," said Koechner, who is credited as playing Pastor Royer in "Ganymede."

“I don’t mind saying I’m really good in it."

Koechner's first Friday show will start at 7:30 p.m., and the second at 10 p.m. On Saturday the first stand-up show of the night starts at 7 p.m. with the next show scheduled for 9:30 p.m. Tickets to Koechner's stand-up performances start at $23 while tickets for "The Office" Trivia with Todd Packer start at $25. Both tickets can be purchased online at desmoines.funnybone.com.

Isaac Hamlet covers arts, entertainment and culture at the Des Moines Register. Reach him at ihamlet@gannett.com or 319-600-2124, or follow him on Twitter @IsaacHamlet.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: David Koechner brings 'The Office' Trivia with Todd Packer to Des Moines