Max Rykov Productions

I moved back to Birmingham in spring of 2013, fully intent on living here for a only a short while before moving onto a larger city to puruse a career in comedy. One day, almost on a whim, I decided to organize a spelling bee for adults, as a benefit for a local literacy-driven non-profit. The success of this initial event made me realize that I could spend my life combining the passions I have for education, entertainment, and community development. 

Since then, I have produced 21 original productions around Birmingham. You can read more about these shows on my website, here: http://maxrykov.com/

The majority of these shows have served as fundraisers for various non-profit organizations, and I've  helped raise thousands of dollars in these past two years.








In April, I developed a monthly talk show  called "Are We There Yet?", inspired by programs like "The Daily Show", "The Colbert Report", and "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver", but focused on local issues. 



Now, "Are We There Yet?"  has moved to its new home at the beautiful Carver Theatre in downtown, and I've updated the format of the show significantly.  If you like NPR's "Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me", then you'll definitely love this show.

Here's how it works:

Three teams of three take turns anwering questions that rely more on logical and even lateral thinking than mere trivia. Here's an example question:

"A common destination of the worst criminals during the Prohibition era, this prison was, for a time, the only federal penitentiary to offer THIS luxury to inmates. It was not a reward for good behavior, but rather because getting used to IT would make escape efforts less desirable. Name the luxury and the prison."

After each question, our panel of three comedians will discuss the subject matter--thereby making the audience learn, laugh, and question the sanity of humankind. Contestant will play for prizes, and we'll feature some of the best musical talent in the city throughout the show.

I think this show has tremendous potential to be sucessful well beyond the city of Birmingham. We don't have much local, original programming here, especialy not shows that are enjoyed by audiences nationally. I intend for this show, much like some popular NPR programs, to have a home base in a theatre, broadcast widely, and tour across the country.  

The new format premiers at the Carver Theatre on September 24th at 7:30pm

The only thing in the way of producing the type of show Birmingham can be proud of hosting is a little bit of money. So, if you've ever been to one of my shows, liked what you saw, and thought it had value, then I would be eternally grateful for your financial support.

Any donation in excess of $100 will, if you so choose, get you a ticket to any of my shows for 12 months.

Any donation in excess of$25 will, if you so choose, get you two tickets to the show on the 24th.

Thank you.