Think leg warmers, Rubik's Cube and Tina Turner's "Private Dancer."
The 1980s is the theme for The Comic Strippers' fall tour, which kicks off with two 19+ performances at the Evergreen Cultural Centre in Coquitlam next week.
Roman Danylo, founder of the male stripper parody and improv comedy show, told the Tri-City News today (Aug. 18) that the local launch will also feature the talents of Chris Casillan, Pierce Visser and Michael Teigan, who was raised in Coquitlam.
"We usually begin our tours in Coquitlam," Danylo said.
"It's a great place to start off and test what's to come for the tour. We like to experiment with new and fresh ideas, and the crowd in Coquitlam is always great."
The 80s push was Casillan's idea for the semi-undressed comics to stretch back nearly 40 years when some of their bodies were in "bodalicious" shape, he said.
Besides their usual improv antics, the new "homage" will feature classic 80s tunes like "Maniac" and "Tiny Dancer," as well as a nod to the TV series Miami Vice, and references to VHS tapes and Expo 86 in Vancouver. All scenes will be set in the present.
"It's a fun, perfect energy for our show," said Danylo, a Vancouver resident who hails from Alberta.
After Coquitlam, the fall tour will take the Strippers to Kelowna, Kamloops and Whitehorse — a city they haven't performed in for five years — as well as venues in Alberta, Ontario and Vancouver Island.
The tour ends Nov. 25 at the ACT Arts Centre in Maple Ridge.
Danylo said the crowds have been large and receptive since the COVID-19 restrictions ended.
"Last year was probably a record year in the amount of shows we did," he said.
"It's been pretty great coming out of the pandemic."
For tickets to see The Comic Strippers on Aug. 25 and 26 at the Evergreen Cultural Centre (1205 Pinetree Way), you can call the box office at 604-927-6555 or visit the facility’s website.
