John Cleese Performs at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts

Need a good laugh? You’re in luck because actor and comedian John Cleese is performing at the new Virginia Piper Theatre at The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts in Old Town Scottsdale on December 10 and 11.

Fans will remember Cleese as a member of the outrageously funny Monty Python troupe and through his many roles in television and film, from the classic British series Fawlty Towers and film A Fish Called Wanda to his charming and witty appearances on Will & Grace and cameo as ‘Q’ in the James Bond series.

His show, “Alimony Tour, Year One” stems from Cleese’s recent divorce from his wife of more than 15 years.  After the 2008 settlement, Cleese owed his ex-wife $13 million in alimony — hence the need for a tour.

Cleese, 70, shares his dark sense of humor, anecdotes about his life and clips from his popular films and TV shows. He also reminisces about how he got started in show business, how he can’t sing, and how he and the other Pythons were writers who happened to perform their own material.

According to a review from the Chico Enterprise Record in Chico, California, “Cleese may be getting old, but throughout the evening he made the audience feel young by inspiring smiles, hearty chuckles and side-splitting laughter. He proved that he’s very much alive, and he will surely carry his sense of humor to the grave.”

The best part about seeing a show at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts is the Scottsdale mall that surrounds the theatres and the museum.  From the parking garage you will walk through a series of pathways that host boutiques, salons and other retail businesses before reaching the theatre.  Before the show consider having dinner at one of the restaurants in the mall; AZ 88, Blue Moose, Jewel of the Crown, Tapas Pepin or other restaurants nearby.  Here is a complete listing.

The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
The NEW Virginia G. Piper Theater (map)
7380 E. 2nd Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251

Date: December 10-11, 2009, Thursday and Friday @ 8 p.m.

Tickets:  $65 per person
Call the box office for tickets 480-994-ARTS (2787)

Parking:  Parking is available in the public parking garage located to the west of the Center for the Arts building and directly behind Los Olivos Restaurant on Wells Fargo Ave.  Additional parking is available at the library parking garage located on Drinkwater Blvd., south of Indian School Rd and just east of the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.  Both garages are free to the public.

Photo courtesy of The Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts