Q&A with David Magidoff

Improvised musical comedy feels terrifying to most people. What do you love about performing without knowing where things will go?

It’s actually way more freeing to me then scripted acting. There’s no homework, no expectations, just living in the moment with your best funniest friends. What’s terrifying about that?

Oscar Nuñez’s wife interrupting him mid-story sounds incredible. Do the unexpected moments often become the funniest parts of the show?

Absolutely. When Oscar’s wife Ursula shouts from the audience “That’s not how the story went!” and I invite her on stage and hand her a microphone you can’t ask for anything better than that. It just turns into a funny dinner party in front of 500 people. By the way I think we’re all our funniest selves at dinner parties with our best friends. And sleepovers. 

The show has become a sold-out hit in Los Angeles over three years. Did you expect it to connect with audiences in such a big way?

I always believed in this show. Love stories are just so fresh and compelling, sincere and exciting. Who wouldn’t want to watch their favorite people talk about their most vulnerable and genuine moments? And having improvisers from The Groundlings like Stephanie Courtney, Matt Cook and Kimberly Condict help make it soar.

Fran Healy said this is “the perfect Fringe show.” What excites you most about finally bringing it to Edinburgh?

Having Fran just tell me after the show, “If you ever brought this to Edinburgh I’ll go do it with you.” was the greatest compliment I could ever receive. Him actually following through on that is beyond my wildest dreams. I told him he’s Marry Poppins. I don’t know how long he’s going to be in my life but while he’s here I feel like there’s magic everywhere. I’m thrilled to be taking Making Love to Scotland for like six hundred reasons. The ones I think of first are 1. Excited to bring my wife and kiddo. 2. Excited to have guests like Fran and Tim Burgess and nearly everyone from Taskmaster. 3. Excited (and scared) to perform every single day for weeks. I’ve never done that before and I’m up for the challenge. I think audiences will be blown away.

Your guests revisit very personal moments from their lives in front of an audience. Does the atmosphere become surprisingly intimate?

Yes. Wendi McLendon-Covey (Bridesmaids) did the show last week and I asked her about her proposal and she looked around and said “Well, if my parents aren’t here I’ll tell you…” And then the audience leans in. Nothing is better than a secret on a stage. I live for that. 

Making Love with David Magidoff will be at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival from 11^th – 23^rd August (not 10^th & 17^th). For more information visit: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/making-love-with-david-magidoff