Russian Comedian Yakov Smirnoff Comes to Mesa Arts Center

The New York Times calls Yakov Smirnoff's performance as the Professor of Love and Laughter, "warmhearted, delightful and splendidly funny."

With infectious charm, comedian Smirnoff teaches his audience how to put the spark back into relationships through love and laughter. Smirnoff will perform one night only, Thursday, December 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Mesa Arts Center's Piper Auditorium, 1 E. Main St in Mesa.

Tickets are $37 and $47 and available at mesaartscenter.com.

A stand-up comedian for decades whose career has seen him on Broadway, television and film, Smirnoff received his Master's in 2006 in positive psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Smirnoff is also an adjunct professor at Missouri State University and is currently earning his PhD in psychology at Pepperdine.

In 2016, he tackled the mysteries of love with a national PBS special entitled, "Happily Ever Laughter, the Neuroscience of Romantic Relationships," which he is now bringing to audiences with a multi-city tour.

"This is a far different type of live show than I did for years in Branson," said Smirnoff who retired his "Russian act" in Branson in 2015. "By using humor, we will be discussing how to put the love and laughter back into relationships," he added. "So, if you, or someone you know needs to bring that spark back into their relationship, bring them to my show."

One of Smirnoff's theories: just as a car needs a gauge to show how much fuel is left, similarly, a relationship can use laughter as a barometer to measure happiness.

"During the honeymoon stage, we're giving all these things to one another and we create laughter in the process of doing all that," says Smirnoff, 65. "We'll do whatever the other person wants us to do. That is something we should be doing for the rest of our lives, but no one teaches us that. In my marriage, it was, "I don't need to send flowers anymore. I don't need to write love letters anymore. But we have to continue to date our partner," Smirnoff says.

"There is a hunger for this information," he says. "Most people don't want to go to counseling. They see that as accepting that they're having problems, especially men. But to go to a comedy show? That's something men don't mind, and it became my little niche."

Smirnoff's live show will be Thursday, December 15th at 7:30 pm at the Mesa Arts Center. Tickets -$37 and $47 - are available online at mesaartscenter.com or by calling the box office at 480-644-6500.