DESERT STORIES

Will Wood’s August 31st show at Ikeda Theater blurred performance and raw storytelling, blending chaotic humor, vulnerability, and eccentric fanfare. With support from Fish in a Birdcage, the night explored addiction, recovery, surreal crowd interactions, and a surprise engagement, culminating in a deeply human and unforgettable experience.

In Slouching Towards Branson, Will Wood takes us on a sharp, witty journey through America's manufactured nostalgia. Blending humor with critique, he explores how places like Branson, MO, sell a version of tradition that feels both familiar and hollow. It’s a heartfelt, biting look at the way we package identity for profit—and what gets lost along the way.

AJ Wilkerson brought heart, hilarity, and his signature “Captain Autism” energy to Desert Ridge Improv in a set that felt both personal and laugh-out-loud funny. Whether you’ve seen him once or a dozen times, he somehow keeps it fresh. With honest takes on ADHD, autism, and weed, Wilkerson turns real life into real connection—and real laughs. If you missed it, keep an eye out for his Netflix special!