Sit back, make yourself comfortable and think back to your high school years. While a good, nostalgic number of you may be sobbing right now, reminiscing about long-lost friends, the rest should concentrate on what actually happened in the classroom. And we're not talking academics.
| PREVIEW |
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| Mortal Komedy Tomorrow night at 8 U-Club in the Michigan Union Admission: $5 |
Then, this weekend, the Comedy Company brings an event which is along the same lines of entertainment - the kind that we miss and have not outgrown.
No, one doesn't have to be a sick class clown to enjoy the newest installment of the Comedy Company. When a student company, which runs like a professional one, presents its foray of lightheartedness, many comedy lovers will find themselves having a good time.
The Comedy Company of 1996-97 is not to be compared with any performances that have been presented in years past. This year's team of writers and excited new cast has been sculpted by the hands of LSA senior Scott Michael Fera, a Comedy Company veteran.
Fera, acting as both director and producer, and his cohorts have redefined the entertaining group as a more professional troupe. Comedy is presented on a much more serious level. The Comedy Company no longer confines its audience to the student community by simply poking political puns at the ever-unpopular practices of the University. With its new approach to humor, the Comedy Company aims for a wider range of audiences.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily this past week, Fera said that "the interests of the audience are the main thing that we have been working on, and we hope to achieve a greater success by opening up new avenues of comedy, instead of relying on University pot-shots."
The Comedy Company's new slogan is "to be seriously funny." With changes in the preparation and execution of their shows, Fera has successfully re-established the Comedy Company as an amateur company operating professionally.
This new night of comedy, titled "Mortal Komedy," is scheduled to begin with a series of sketches, written and performed by the company's cast and team of writers.
While following the patterns established by "Second City" and "Saturday Night Live," the Comedy Company will present sketches that make humorous situations out of everyday events. These are events to which anyone can relate and look at in a new, more humorous light. The new slogan of the Comedy Company will definitely be reflected in this entertaining performance.
Also scheduled to entertain the laugh-hungry audience will be a stand-up comedian, LSA senior Mark Rukman.
The evening will conclude with a session of improvisation, mainly led by suggestions from audience members.
Improvisation relies not only on the comedian, but more important, on the relationship between the comedian and the audience. Knowing this, the company's cast and writers have worked audience participation into the performance.
The Comedy Company encourages highly voiced audiences, as well as direct interaction with the nine-member cast. At this point in the performance, retired high school class clowns are enthusiastically invited into the spotlight.
This show has been advertised as "a cheap date." The lucky first 75 people arriving at the door are invited to partake in a free buffet, courtesy of the Comedy Company.
The buffet will be served before the 8 p.m. opening, so hungry comedy lovers should plan ahead and arrive early.
In addition to this performance, on Feb. 15, the Comedy Company intends to plan another night that compares closely to the structure of "Mortal Komedy."
The new changes in the structure of the Comedy Company include Improv shows twice every month, as well as the big annual end-of-the-year performance, which is scheduled for March 13, 14 and 15.
Whether looking for some laughs, free food or Mr. Graves' mirrors, the audience is bound to find a good time during the Comedy Company's one-night-only engagement at the U-Club.
Comedy Company will perform "Mortal Komedy" this Saturday.