Ben Schwartz & Friends

Ben Schwartz brings his improvised show to ACL Live at The Moody Theater on Saturday, December 5, at 8 PM. The format is simple: he brings a group of friends on stage and makes it up as he goes. Nothing is prepared beforehand and every word is made up on the spot, so the audience gets a different show in every city.

Schwartz is an Emmy-Award winning writer, actor, and comedian who's built a good part of his reputation on this kind of long-form improv. He has three specials on Netflix with Middleditch and Schwartz and has toured this show around the world, playing venues like the Sydney Opera House, Radio City Music Hall, and the Royal Albert Hall. If you've seen those, you know the drill: the night starts with a blank slate and builds from there, and since it's all improvised, the energy of the room plays a role in where it goes.

Outside of the stage, you probably recognize him from a few different places. He was in Space Force with Steve Carell and John Malkovich, and House of Lies with Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell. He also played Jean Ralphio on Parks and Recreation, alongside Amy Poehler, Chris Pratt, and Aziz Ansari. And if you're a fan of the movies, he's set to return as the voice of Sonic in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 4, which is due in cinemas in 2027.

So, if you're in the mood for something that doesn't follow a script, this is a solid bet. It's Ben Schwartz & Friends at ACL Live at The Moody Theater on Saturday, December 5, starting at 8 PM.