Reno, NV, January 18, 2016:  Reno/Tahoe’s #1 Comedy Troupe, The Utility Players, are returning to their rightful throne at the newly revamped Jester’s Theatre, inside the Sands Regency! Season 11 of this uproarious and irreverent improv show is positioned to be the greatest season the Players have ever had; now with a larger cast, an updated repertoire of games, and an unlimited potential for laughter! Shows this season begin February 6th, 2016 (the troupe's seventh birthday), and run every Saturday thereafter at 8pm through April 30th.


The show is 90 minutes of hard-hitting, side-splitting improv comedy in the style of Whose Line is It Anyway?. Creator and Host, Jessica Levity (Homeslice Productions), takes suggestions from the audience, allowing patrons to co-create the experience with the actors; each live and unscripted show is always fresh and always funny. Players invent characters, environments, and situations on the spot, based upon those suggestions from the audience. There’s a little bit of something for everyone: musical games, guessing games, and all-original games that The Utility Players have developed over their seven years as a troupe.  Fans of the troupe will tell you that you’re guaranteed to laugh until your face hurts.  That’s exactly why everyone from first-timers to longtime fans (called ‘Utilitarians’) can expect a one-of-a kind, unforgettable show, each and every week. 


“I’ve heard multiple audience members, both newbies and those that we consistently see at shows, describe our last season as ‘on fire,’” said Jessica “The Jester” Levity, The Utility Players’ producer and host. “We are working with fervor to carry that ‘fire’ into our shows this coming season, and grow it larger than it’s ever been before.
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Tickets for The Utility Players Season 11 are now available online at www.sandsregency.com, at the cage inside of the Sands, or at the door. Shows begin at 8:00pm, doors open at 7:30pm. The show is Rated R for language and adult themes. For more information about the troupe and the show, check out www.utilityplayerscomedy.com.
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Derek Armstrong
Director of Marketing
www.utilityplayerscomedy.com
775 722 7858

Contact: Jessica Levity

Homeslice Productions

Phone: 513-604-7690

homesliceproductions@gmail.com    

Press Release


Local Comedy Troupe to Present Original Murder Mystery for Artown

The Utility Players bring the comedic mayhem as Sands Regency brings the quality cuisine for latest joint venture

Reno, NV, June 30, 2015: Local improv comedy troupe, The Utility Players, takes to the restaurant floor again with a part-improvised, part-scripted, original murder mystery dinner at the Copa Bar & Grill inside Sands Regency July 21st.  The comedy troupe joined forces with the casino for the same murder mystery twice in the past with great success, and they’re planning to host it again, this time as an official Artown event.

“We are excited to join forces with The Utility Players for our 3rd Murder Mystery Dinner Theater show. The Copa Bar & Grill serve up a killer menu, while The Utility Players deliver the interactive theater show. The whole evening is hilarious, engaging, and keeps everyone on the edge of their seats,” says Erica Fink, marketing director for The Sands.

The show itself is entitled “Pack of Rats”, and is centered around the birthday of a fictional 1950’s-era Reno mob boss who is choosing a successor to run his criminal enterprise. Guests will enjoy a throw-back atmosphere, as well as beer, wine, and quality Italian buffet-style cuisine.

Christopher Daniels, veteran Utility Player and creator of the murder mystery, says, “Pack of Rats is an immersive theatrical experience. From the moment patrons walk in, they are transported and get the opportunity to lose themselves in the ambiance of this intriguing mystery.” Guests are encouraged to dress up in 1950’s style mob outfits to add to that effect. Prizes are raffled among those who correctly solve the mystery.

Tickets are only $50 pp (gratuity not included) and are available for purchase by calling 775-348-2295 or using PayPal by going here.

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"Pack of Rats - A Utility Player Murder Mystery at the Sands" is proud to be part of the 20th Anniversary of Artown and the July 2015 Festival. The month-long summer arts festival features approximately 500 events produced by more than 100 cultural organizations and businesses in locations citywide. Artown receives major funding from the City of Reno, and is sponsored by U.S. Bank, NV Energy, IGT, Grand Sierra Resort, University of Nevada, Reno, Wild River Grille, Washoe County, Reno Tahoe USA, Fox 11 News 4 and My21TV, Reno Media Group, RGJ Media, KUNR Public Radio and KNPB Public Television. Additional support is received from the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Reno, NV, March 5, 2015:  In the fall of 2014, Sands Regency partnered with Reno’s hit comedy troupe, The Utility Players, for a weekly Saturday night improv comedy show at the newly revamped Jester’s Theater inside the casino. “The Utility Players Season 8: Live at the Sands!” premiered September 27th, 2014, and ran for 12 weeks, with nearly every show selling out. Now, due to popular demand, Sands Regency is proud to collaborate with the troupe again for the spring. “Season 9: The Sands – Back by Popular Demand”, premieres April 4th, and runs every Saturday night at 8pm through June 27th. 

The show is 90 minutes of hard-hitting, side-splitting improv comedy in the style of Whose Line is It Anyway?.  Creator and Host, Jessica Levity (Homeslice Productions), takes suggestions from the audience, allowing patrons to co-create the experience with the actors; each live and unscripted show is always fresh and always funny. Players invent characters, environments, and situations on the spot, based upon those suggestions from the audience. There’s a little bit of something for everyone: musical games, guessing games, and all-original games that The Utility Players have developed over their five and a half years as a troupe.  Fans of the troupe will tell you that you’re guaranteed to laugh until your face hurts.  That’s exactly why everyone from first-timers to longtime fans (called ‘Utilitarians’) can expect a one-of-a kind, unforgettable show, each and every week. 

General Manager of Sands Regency, Pete McHugh, says, “This talented group exceeded our expectations with the success of Season 8, and the entire casino is excited to have them back in the house for Season 9.”  The Utility Players are thrilled to continue their relationship with the casino they deem as having “so much personality”. In addition to weekly comedy shows, The Utility Players and the Sands have teamed up to co-produce an original murder mystery dinner inside the Copa (more details TBA).


Tickets for The Utility Players Season 9: The Sands are available now online at www.sandsregency.com, at the cage inside of the Sands, or at the door. Shows begin at 8:00pm, doors open at 7:30pm. The show is Rated R for language and adult themes. For more information about the troupe and the show, check out www.utilityplayerscomedy.com.

Reno, NV, September 27, 2014:  The Sands Casino partners with Reno’s Best Bet for Comedy, The Utility Players, for a weekly Saturday night improv comedy show at the newly revamped Jester’s Theater, inside the Sands. “The Utility Players Season 8: Live at the Sands!” premieres September 27th, 2014, and runs for 12 weeks at the Sands in downtown Reno.

The show is 90 minutes of hard-hitting, side-splitting improv comedy in the style of Whose Line is It Anyway?.  Creator and Host, Jessica Levity (Homeslice Productions), takes suggestions from the audience, allowing patrons to co-create the experience with the troupe; each show is always fresh, and always funny. Players create characters, environments, and situations on the spot, based upon those suggestions from the audience. There’s a little bit of something for everyone: musical games, guessing games, and all-original games that The Utility Players have developed over their five and a half years as a troupe.  “Any of our fans will tell you that you’re guaranteed to laugh until your face hurts,” says Levity. That’s exactly why everyone from first-timers to longtime fans (called Utilitarians) can expect a one-of-a kind, unforgettable show, each and every time.

This homegrown troupe is excited and thrilled with the opportunity to work with a casino with personality, and one that knows how to have some fun. "The Utility Players are a Reno favorite for comedy, and it's time to share their talents with all of our patrons. Their color and style makes a perfect fit to be “Live at the Sands!", says Ferenc Szony, CEO of Sands Regency. The troupe has much in store for their 8th season, including workshops, classes, a family-friendly improv show called “Big Kids”, another installment of their popular “The Game Show Show”, and performing another brand new, all-original murder mystery, written by Utility Player and local playwright, Chris Daniels.  Also, the troupe was accepted into the 10th annual San Francisco Improv Festival for the first time, and will be performing with 27 other improvisational companies from all over the country on September 14.

Tickets for The Utility Players Season 8: Live at the Sands! are available now online at www.sandsregency.com, at the cage inside of the Sands, or at the door. Show begins at 8:00pm, doors open at 7:30pm. The show is Rated R for language and adult themes. For more information about the troupe and the show, check out www.utilityplayerscomedy.com.

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