THE UTILITY PLAYERS ARE BACK: For the past two months we have rehearsed new improv games, started a weekly podcast and vlog series, and planned our tour - aptly named the HOMEFIELD ADVANTAGE TOUR - and now we are back. We really have missed our weekly Comedy Cabaret shows at the Studio on 4th but we are excited for the opportunity to perform in different spaces and in different shows.

Our "tour" kicks off this Friday with a special guest appearance at NadaDada Nites presents the Sturdy Beggars and runs all the way to August. We have ALL-IMPROV showcases at West Street Market every first Tuesday of the month, Big Gay Comedy Shows at 5 Star Saloon, as well one night only events including the 2nd Annual Made in Reno & the 2nd Annual 420 Show.

This is a huge step for us all but we want to thank everyone who has been supportive on the website or our facebook fan page and cheering us on. We hope to see you at all the stops on the tour.

The Utility Players performed at a birthday party last night for Kristin Steedman, co-owner of the Studio on 4th. The Utility Players began out of the Studio on 4th almost a year ago and the Utility Players would not be where they are today without the consistent support and generosity of Mike and Kristin Steedman. When they asked us to perform for Kristin's surprise birthday party, we were honored and excited for the opportunity.

The night was absolutely incredible. We did an all improv set for the show and performed such games as Freeze/Ding, Don't Be a Square, Statues, and Say Birthday Girl. The highlight of the night was when the Utility Players played the Newlywed Game with the birthday girl herself. I think for the players one of the best parts of the night was the delicious free food that was offered. Thank you Mike and Kristin for everything!!!!!

Since Thursday is a holiday and because the Utility Players are hard at work rehearsing for the upcoming musical there will be no regular episode of the Comedy Cabaret. Make sure to join us next week though for our holiday episode The Utility Players Deck Your Halls. Come spread some disgruntled holiday cheer with the Utility Players as they relate dysfunctional family stories, Nurse Esther takes a stab at ringing a bell for charity, and a group of Holidays attempt to solve the murder of Santa. Our holiday episode is December 3rd at 8pm at the Studio on 4th. Make sure to get there early and enjoy some hot cider.

Last night the Utility Players had a brand new episode of the Comedy Cabaret. This week's theme focused on Saturday Morning Cartoons - dedicated to all those shows that entertained us growing up.

The show started off with Brandon showing us all how important Saturday Morning Cartoons are to every child ... and 29 year olds. The troupe also explored the darker side of Looney Toons with Cartoon Therapy. The Utility Players tackled Droopy Dog's acute case of depression as well as helped Snagglepus as he came out of the closet.

I think my favorite moment of the show last night was Brandon and I playing with his large elaborate action figure collection during the show. I had not played with action figure for like ... 2 years at this point and a flood of memories came back. Then of course, what is our favorite thing to do with action figures, put them in compromising sexual positions. So that was hilarious to do. I do not think that Nightcrawler and Collosus will be the same after last night

                                                                              The show also featured everyone's favorite improv games including Freeze/Ding, Scenes From a Thong, Don't Be a Square, and Class Dismissed. The Utility Players will not have a regularly scheeduled next week due to Thanksgiving. We will be taking that time to rehearse and practice for the musical which is coming up in less than 4 WEEKS! The Utility Players: The Musical, is an original productions with script, lyrics, and music written by the Utility Players. Make sure to check out the musical December 17th at the Studio on 4th at 8pm.

Tonight at Studio on 4th - 432 E. 4th Street - there is a brand new episode of the Comedy Cabaret starring the Utility Players. This week's theme is Saturday Morning Cartoons, in dedication to those cartoons that entertained us as children and continue to do so as adults. Watch as the Utility Players show the dark side of Looney Toons with a little Toon Therapy or see what happens when a kid attempts to have the perfect Saturday Morning Cartoon watching session.

As always the Comedy Cabaret is admission by donation in an effort to keep comedy affordable and accessible to all. So make sure to bring all your friends and enjoy a hilarious comedy show with a full service bar. Watch a commericial of the Comedy Cabaret. Hope to see you all there!

Looking for a central location that relates information about comedy and stand up in the Reno and Taho area? Wanting to go to a comedy show on Wednesday night but not sure whats around and available? Look no further than Reno Stand Up. Reno Stand Up lists different shows and acts that are featured around town as well as blog post and entries from comedians about everything from the benefits of laughter to how to deal with hecklers. Make sure to check out their website for any and all information about comedy in town.

This past Thursday the Utility Players spoofed the whole Western theme with this week's theme of the Comedy Cabaret - The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. The Utility Players remade the Lone Ranger and pointed out all the ridiculous political incorrectness inherent in the show and also showed us what the Utility Players would act like if they were on the Oregon Trail - Ian unfortunately died of dysentery and Jes from a bison stampede.

The show also premiered a new improv game from the Utility Players - world's worst. Players must improv scenes based on suggestions from the audience such as "World's Worst Superhero"  or "World's Worst Porn Star". To check out an example of the games, check out this youtube clip of Whose Line Is It Anyway where Kathy Griffin, Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, and Colin Mochrie as they provide different scenes around the theme of "Worst Person to Share an Office With". The Utility Players are testing out a wide variety of improv games, so make sure to give us your feedback so we know what games are the best.

Make sure to check out this week's episode of the Comedy Cabaret, as the Utility Players tackle the theme of Saturday Morning Cartoons. A throwback to our childhood days when we all waited anxiously for the weekend to arrive so we could plant ourselves in front of the television and watch such classics as Scoobie Doo, Doug, Hey Arnold, Ren and Stimpy, Batman, X-Men, Dexter's Laboratory, and More. There is so much material to choose from, I do not know what is going to get chosen and what will get cut. Hope to see all there this Thursday at 8pm at the Studio on 4th. As always, the show is admission by donation so make sure to get there early and enjoy the full service bar. 

Tonight at 8pm at the Studio on 4th, a new episode of the Comedy Cabaret starring the Utility Players premieres. This week's theme is "The Good, the Bad, the Ugly" our take on the Old West. Come see how the West was actually fun with your favorite improv games, poker cliches, diseases on the Oregon Trail, and everyone's favorite busty bar wench Erin.

Make sure to get there early in order to save a seat and as always the comedy cabaret is admission by donation in an effort to keep comedy affordable and accessible to all. Bring all your friends and enjoy a full service bar with a hilarious comedy show.

We would like to thank the staff of Cadillac Ranch for allowing us to do some research for this week's show by riding a mechanical bull. Thanks so much for your generousity!

Miss Ginger Devine, the manager of the Utility Players, discusses the the stage as a vehicle for social change and how comedy is a medium for messages and view points. Check out Ginger's new article in the press room

Comedy is a vehicle by which important political, societal, and global messages are transported to our audience, but since those messages are laced in comedic satire, individuals tend to be more receptive to the message – as opposed to watching the news or having a professor lecture at them.