What to know about 'Whose Live Anyway?' improv comedy group headed to Wisconsin, with shows in Appleton and Wausau

Some of the biggest names in improv comedy are making their way to Wisconsin, with stops this week and next in Appleton, Eau Claire, Madison and Wausau.

"Whose Live Anyway?" is a touring improv show based on the popular television show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" It features four comedians — Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Jeff B. Davis and Joel Murray — in a 90-minute performance of skits and music numbers, all totally unscripted and based on suggestions from the audience.

"We're loud and we do vaudeville and we sing a lot," Proops said in an interview with The Post-Crescent Wednesday. "There's lots of music and jumping around."

Proops has travelled the world with improv and stand-up comedy, performing in places like England, Ireland, Scotland, India, Australia and New Zealand. In addition to comedy, he has voice acting and acting credits in film and television, including "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace," "Bob the Builder" and "True Jackson, V.P."

"Whose Live Anyway?" performs in Eau Claire Friday and Madison Saturday, then heads to Appleton's Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Monday at 7:30 p.m., and to The Grand Theater in Wausau Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

From the show's history to the improv comedy, here are some things to know before seeing "Whose Live Anyway?":

The comedians have a history together

The history of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" spans more than three decades. It initially began in 1988 as a British radio show, then moved to British television that same year and aired until 1999. A U.S. version began in 1998 and aired on ABC until its cancellation in 2007. In 2013, the show was revived on The CW Network and continues to release new episodes.

"Whose Live Anyway?" has been on tour since 2007. It had a hiatus for the COVID-19 pandemic, but resumed touring in October 2021. But Proops said the "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" group has taken their comedy on the road as early as 1999. Before "Whose Live Anyway?" the group toured under the name "Drew Carey's Improv All-Stars."

Fans of "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" who see "Whose Live Anyway?" the show will likely recognize Stiles and Proops, both of whom have made regular appearances since its time on U.K. television and continued with the U.S. version of the show.

Their history of improvising skits together makes performing alongside each other an almost telepathic experience, Proops said.

"Ryan (Stiles) and I go back 30 years. So I don't really have to think about what he's going to do, because I know he's going to do something good," Proops said.

Stiles, along with comedians Colin Mochrie and Wayne Brady, has been a main performer in virtually every "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" episode since it began airing in the U.S. While not one of the three regular cast members, Proops has appeared in the most episodes of any other recurring performer.

Davis has also made recurring appearances in "Whose Line" since 2000. Murray is the only one of the four comedians in the touring "Whose Live Anyway?" show who has not been in "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" — but the actor, who is the youngest brother of Bill Murray, has had roles in shows like "Two and a Half Men," "Mad Men," and "Shameless." Murray joined "Whose Live Anyway?" in 2014 as a replacement for Chip Esten, who since his departure from the comedy troupe has had starring roles in TV shows "Nashville" and "Outer Banks."

With four successful actor-comedians involved in the ongoing tour, sometimes someone has to step out for filming or another engagement. When that happens, Proops said, other comedians who have worked on "Whose Line Is It Anyway" will step in for a bit as replacements on the tour.

"When we have guests come in, it's really fun. It's new energy," Proops said.

'Whose Live' has a different setup from the TV show

"Whose Line Is It Anyway?" has a famous catchphrase: "The show where everything's made up and the points don't matter."

The catchphrase was coined by Drew Carey, who hosted the show on ABC during its run from 1998 to 2007. As host, Carey sat behind a desk, introducing improv games and sharing prompts and witty banter with the four performers on stage. Throughout the show, Carey awarded meaningless points to the comedians based on their improvised performances. When "Whose Line" was renewed on The CW in 2013, its new host, Aisha Tyler, continued the faux gameshow format.

But "Whose Live Anyway?" does not have a host, Proops said. Instead, Proops introduces the group and they launch right into improv skits and songs.

"There's a lot more audience interaction," Proops said. "It's like 'Whose Line,' without that glass wall of television between you and us."

Which leads to the next point...

Audience members will get involved

"Whose Live Anyway?" relies heavily on audience suggestions and participation. Audience members may be asked to shout out answers, be invited on stage, or get singled out and asked a question — especially those sitting near the front.

"You have to know when you go that you're going to get called on probably if you're up front," Proops said. "So if you don't want to get called on, sit in the back."

The crew performs the same games each night. But because of the nature of improvisation, the performances never come out quite the same.

After nearly two years without live performances, Proops said it has been rewarding to see people emerging from the pandemic still interested in filling the audience at shows.

"I think people want ... the release of comedy. Comedy is a real community, a communal thing. We all make it together." Proops said. "And that's what makes improv so fun, is that you're not going to see that again on another night."

Since their return, there's been lots of positive feedback, with many of the tour stops selling out.

"We really do try hard to get a standing ovation every night," Proops said.

They're no strangers to Wisconsin

The "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" crew has spent years performing improv on stages across the country.

"Other than Wyoming, I think we've played every state," Proops said. "We're going to go to Hawaii this year in November, and we played Alaska two years ago. So we really try not to skip anybody."

The troupe has performed on stages around Wisconsin over the years. Proops said. Milwaukee's Pabst Theater is one of their favorite destinations. Once, he said, a couple proposed on stage at that venue. And he recalls performing in Appleton in 2005 as part of "Drew Carey's Improv All Stars," alongside Stevens Point-native actress Kathy Kinney.

"We remember Appleton. I remember it was the first time I had pizza with macaroni on it," Proops said.

Proops said he looks forward to the upcoming Wisconsin shows.

"Wisconsin's great fun," Proops said. "You guys are nice and really smart. I mean, you can OD on cheese, but hey!"

For Appleton: Tickets for "Whose Live Anyway" can be purchased online through Ticketmaster, by phone at 800-982-2787 or through the Fox Cities PAC ticket office in-person or by phone at 920-730-3760. The PAC ticket office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Masks are recommended but not longer required for shows at the PAC.

For Wausau: Tickets can be purchased online at The Grand Theater website, by phone at 715-842-0988 or in-person at the ticket office. The ticket office is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon. The Grand Theater no longer requires guests to wear masks.

Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: 'Whose Live Anyway?' brings famous improv comedy to Appleton, Wausau