Brad Sherwood and Colin Mochrie have made a career out of flying by the seat of their collective pants, an approach that has kept them together for 15 years.
The former Whose Line Is It Anyway? cast members return Saturday to the State Theatre in Easton. The stop is part of Sherwood and Mochrie's "Scared Scriptless" tour.
"It's fun to go back to places where it's like a tradition and we have to make it funny every single time," Sherwood said Wednesday during a phone interview. "We never know what to expect. It's as much a mystery to us as it is to the audience,"
Part of the fun of performing improv comedy, Sherwood said, is that no two shows are ever alike. "Basically, we go on stage and not know what's going to happen. It's either a collectively goofy or deranged personality, which, in essence, turns out to make the show better."
Sherwood described "Scared Scriptless" as a "political-free zone" in which the audience can take a mental break from the 24-hour news cycle. "Every single stand-up (comedian) on the planet is chewing that stuff up and spitting it back out," Sherwood said. "Our show is like a silly mental vacation from the world."
While the two performers do their best to keep the audience laughing, Sherwood said he and Mochrie also make it a point to catch the other off guard. "We're always trying to pull the rug out from under each other," he said. "We owe it to each other to constantly do different things... It's our responsibility to make the show new and exciting and different every single time."
Making it up as you go along, Mochrie added, means having to constantly being able to react situationally to the moment. "The beauty of improv is that everything that happens becomes something you can use," Mochrie said. "We find we work best when we're in panic mode. But it's the most relaxed panic you'll ever see."
Mochrie said he and Sherwood each bring something different and unique to the table, which makes for a stronger show. "I'm just there to make sure he doesn't have a stroke," Mochrie deadpanned. "It's worked out well for the both of us."
In fact, Mochrie said he and Sherwood thrive on maneuvering across the tightrope of unscripted live comedy. "I love the fact that you never walk out there going, 'This is going to be the greatest show ever'." Mochrie said. "Every night we go, 'What the hell are we doing?' The more trouble we put ourselves in, the more fun it is for the audience."
Brad Sherwood and Colin Mochrie perform 8 p.m. Saturday at the State Theatre, 453 Northampton St., Easton. Tickets cost $47 and $42.