What happens when you combine the stand-up comedian who has been chosen five times as the Minnesota Comedian of the Year with America’s hottest comedy/improve duo that has twice won the MTV Comedy Challenge? You get over a half ton of laughs with Scott Hansen and the Stagebenders!

Members of the Albert Lea High School Choirs who will travel to England and Scotland next June are teaming up with the Albert Lea American Legion to sell tickets to the Toys for Troops Comedy Tour show set for Friday, Nov. 5. Scott Hansen has made millions laugh and has also made a commitment to help raise money for families of our troops to ensure a wonderful holiday season. Toys for Troops comedy shows have raised more than $100,000 for veteran’s organizations throughout Minnesota. He has teamed up with the Stagebenders (Gust Alexander and Kim Thomassen) who are a pair of high school buddies from Minneapolis who love to make people laugh. Las Vegas Magazine called them “600 pounds of Las Vegas showgirl wrapped into two chubby, bald guys!”

There will be two shows, one at 7 p.m. and one at 9:15 p.m. Each show will be unique and is a comedy experience that evolves as the performers take the stage. The show combines stand-up comedy with improvisation and music and the performers involve the audience in nearly every stage of the performance. As the viewers give suggestions, set the situations and share in each structures outcome, the show seems tailored to every audience. It’s a nonstop, fast-paced hurricane of comedy improvisation.

Tickets are $20 each and can be purchased from an ALHS Choir member or at the American Legion. Part of the proceeds from the ticket sales will go to help fund the choir trip to England and Scotland and part will go to Toys for Troops. If you need to connect with choir students, you may call 379-5386 to secure tickets.