Laugh Out LIVE! plans to close out 2024 with a bang.
"Resting Grinch Face 3" is a four-night comedic extravaganza billed as "Saturday Night Live meets Whose Line Is It Anyway? meets The Price is Right meets Whistler." Not unlike Laugh Out LIVE!'s more well-known Marquee Variety Show, this gig will have a bit of everything: stand-up comedy and sketches to complement new improv games, novel films and a brand-new game show with hefty prize giveaways.
Usual suspects Ira Pettle and Rebecca Mason are of course back, but they'll ride alongside a lineup of emerging talent: Jonny Fleet, Julie Farr, Brandon Barrett, Chris Quinlan, Mark MacIver and Emma Strong.
"We've got some short films made by Jonny, who is one of Whistler's better-known filmmakers," Mason elaborates. "Julie's bringing back her 'old lady' character, which has become a fan favourite. Chris is a local legend and a favourite at our Improv Battle. [Pique reporter] Brandon is going to be making an appearance. We get audience members up on stage … never a dull moment in a Variety Show [or Resting Grinch Face]."
Adds Pettle: "It's really this new, expanded group of people that's been working on the show for the last three months. We're poised and ready to present the best work we've done. When people first gave Laugh Out LIVE! a chance during the pandemic and we had just started, we were at a certain level of ability. Now, three years later, I can say with confidence that we've evolved.
"I want to encourage people who haven't been out to see us in a year or two to check out how far we've come."
'There's going to be something for you'
Hefty goals are ahead for Laugh Out LIVE!, not just in terms of material but also in terms of box office.
According to Pettle, "Resting Grinch Face" is the first time he and his troupe have ever attempted to sell 1,000 tickets: 250 per night. They've also never performed for four consecutive days at the Whistler Conference Centre (WCC) and know it's going to be a long haul.
Previous shows have been held in the WCC's Sea to Sky Ballroom, but cast members are excited to test out the Rainbow Theatre as their new venue.
Moreover: don't forget about the pre-show.
Each night officially begins at 8 p.m., but doors will open at 6:30 p.m. for a lively pre-party involving drinks, additional entertainment and a chance to socialize with friends or anyone you brought. Tickets will get you into both the opening act and the main event.
"No matter what type of comedy you're into, there's going to be something for you," says Mason. "If you're a stand-up aficionado, we've got that. If you're a huge fan of improv, we've got that. If you like to see what writers in a ski town write about and make movies about, we've got that. At the same time, our humour is also global."
In several ways, "Resting Grinch Face" is a culmination of years of passion from Pettle, Mason and their backers. They believe comedy doesn't just make you laugh—it can have a lasting impact, too, which is why they offer various workshops throughout the year.
Some of their protégés have improved their public-speaking skills, listening abilities or customer service aptitude, while others have simply built relationships or discovered a way to walk through life with more confidence.
"And from a performance standpoint, these students who are coming in as first-timers and beginning to grow within the Laugh Out LIVE! family are our future performers," Pettle remarks. "Our farm team has been born, and we have this consistent opportunity to start grooming future talent."
For tickets and more details about "Resting Grinch Face", visit laughoutlive.com/events-collection/resting-grinch-face-3-p4yp5. Don't forget about other Laugh Out LIVE! events such as the Improv Battle and Stand-Up Standoff, which will both return in January.
