A.D.D. Comedy with Dave Razowsky 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.