Whenever I hear descriptive terms like “good clean fun” or “fun for the entire family”, and the word “Disneyland” isn’t included in the sentence, in my mind I think “boring!” Put the words “comedy” and “competition” in the same sentence and I just think of a “Yo Mamma so fat…” argument on the asphalt. But not anymore!
Welcome to Sacramento Comedy Sportz, a very nice and intimate venue tucked away in an industrial area behind Arby’s on Arden one driveway east of Howe. The sign, like the venue is small and tucked away, so if you weren’t looking for it, you may only come across it when looking for carpet next door.
So, what makes this comedy venue so different? It’s not comedy about sports, it’s comedy played as a sport! Two teams compete for audience points and laughs by making up scenes based on audience suggestions. Fast action improv comedy similar to the hit show “Who’s Line Is It Anyway?” No two shows are ever the same. The material is family friendly so ages are welcome.
I had heard about “short form improve” before but other than watching (and enjoying, I might add) the above mentioned TV show, I doubted that the quick witted talent and fun loving energy could be translated to a live show in Sacramento. I was wrong.
From the moment the Referee (Chris “The Hottie” Crotty) came out in his stripped outfit complete with a whistle, duck call and timer around his neck instructing the audience on how to “warm up” their clapping skills, running down the rules and the fouls, I found myself responding as enthusiastically as any novice comedy first timer would, (in comparison to the jaded comedy snob that I’ve been told I’ve become), without feeling silly for shouting that I was one of “Tonight’s Loyal fans!” at the top of my lungs.
The games are silly fun . I found myself rooting for the Red Team (they won, but just barely) and hoping that the ref would choose my shouted contribution to use in one of the “games.” All eight team members and Crotty were quick, talented and were just cheesy enough to remind you that they were playing to entertain us but also were having fun doing it. On the sustained laugh meter, it was the equivalent of a 90 minute headliner show at the more traditional stand up comedy clubs in Sacramento.
So, if you think, like I once thought, that you can’t have “good clean fun” or “fun for the entire family” without being boring, then you are surely mistaken. I encourage you to come out and watch them in action. I know you will be leaving wondering how one of the players got that he was skydiving with a bowling ball for a parachute while enjoying the sport with Abe Lincoln when all the cast members used for communication was their bodies and gibberish for vocal inflections.
Want to experience Sacramento Comedy Sportz as a group? Leave me a comment below or send and email to Steven@SacramentoComedy.Com and we will let you know when our group outing will be!
Sacramento Comedy Sportz is located at 2230 Arden Way, Suite A, Sacramento, CA. (Remember, behind Arby’s). The shows are every Friday and Saturday night at 8 PM and tickets run from $8 – $12.
