Craig Robinson from ‘The Office' comes to Breck

This year, the festivities for opening weekend at Breckenridge Ski Area just got sweeter.

Craig Robinson, probably best known for his role as Darryl Philbin on NBC's “The Office,” joins Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald from Animal Planet's “Emergency Vets” Friday, Nov. 13 at the Riverwalk Center.

Apparently, it takes some collaboration to bring big names like these to Breck: High Country Comedy is partnering with Breckenridge Ski Resort, Breckenridge Hospitality, Image Audio Visual and Comedy Works Entertainment to pull off this show.

“These two November shows (see Lisa Landry story) are our biggest acts we have worked with so far,” said said JonScott McClung, High Country Comedy organizer. “We are so excited to have both Lisa and Craig in the High Country, and we are equally excited about our first show in Breck's premiere venue, the Riverwalk Center.”

About Robinson

In addition to hanging around television's Dunder Mifflin warehouse, Robinson has appeared in the movies “Pineapple Express,” “Knocked Up,” “Zack and Miri Make a Porno” and “Fanboys.”

He started as a stand-up in Chicago in 1994, where “comedy just overtook me,” Robinson said. With an itch to take the stage, Robinson started seeking out opportunities. But ending up in a hit television show and Hollywood movies happened kind of naturally, he said. As he was working the club scene, he found his way to HBO's Def Comedy Jam and the Montreal Comedy Festival, which led to two weeks worth of meetings in Los Angeles.

Taking improv classes at Second City in Chicago provided the foundation he'd need to do movies; Hollywood is trending toward more and more improv while shooting a film, he said, because it translates to more natural scenes — and often ends up funnier than the script.

While many entertainers carry out their daily gigs in hopes of making it onto the screen — any screen — Robinson's road tours are one of the most fun things he does, he said. Though he'd love to make lead man in films, he loves live performances, whether they're solo or with his nine-piece band.

Robinson's act includes some keyboard action, and when he's backed by guitar, drums and more, he really shines — even though he said he's “the weakest” musician in the band.

“We turn into a comedy dance party,” he said.

Though he won't appear in Breckenridge with his full ensemble, he said next Friday's show will be filled with plenty of fun and audience participation.

“Don't worry,” he said, “we gonna put it down there, too.”