A.D.D. Comedy with Dave Razowsky Dave Razowsky

“Love and play are the only things where more is better.”

Sam Wasson 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.” 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.

The director of HBO's documentary “Bleed Out” shares with Dave how improvisation guided him throughout his grueling journey.

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.

Today’s guest is Ian Gomez. Ian and I 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 was in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” written by his wife 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,

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. Joey’s energetic, informed, wise, and a great actor to play with. Hold onto your toque and muffin cap, ‘cuz this chat flies. Enjoy.

Amber Ruffin 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, and bearing witness to the nation waking up to the racism so many people of color have known since our country was founded.