Comedy survives with Company

As the end of the semester approaches, many groups on campus are beginning to wrap up business, completing their projects and activities for the school year. One of the University's comedy troupes is also preparing for its final performance before summer break. Comedy Company will present "Comedy Never Dies," a collection of comedy sketches, improvisation and stand-up comedy.

Comedy Company is sponsored by the University Activities Center, and will celebrate its 20th anniversary in the fall.

Comedy Company has presented shows such as "Com Air" and "Boogie Laughs" this year. "Comedy Never Dies" promises to be a hilarious finale for its series.

"This is going to be a great show not only because of the content, but the cast has the best chemistry I've ever seen in Comedy Company," said Erica Hermatz, an LSA junior and the show's producer. "I'm also sad because it's our last couple of days to laugh together."

PREVIEW
	Comedy Never Dies Tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m. U-Club

The performance is named for its opening sketch, which is a spoof of the James Bond film "Tomorrow Never Dies" and was written by head writer Robbie Simon, an LSA senior. A series of sketch comedy follows the opening. Clay Shaker, an LSA sophomore and Comedy Company member, describes the sketches as "hysterical." These skits are full of laughs and deal with everything from aspirin commercials for prostitutes to a prospective father who thinks "The Facts of Life" is just a TV show.

A number of stand-up comedy routines promise humor. The performance is concluded with improvisational games in which the audience is asked to participate.

The cast members have been working long hours writing their programs, preparing for opening night and rehearsing their sketches. All of the skits were either written by cast members or a team of student writers.

"The show demonstrates all the unique abilities of the cast and writers of the University's premier sketch and improv comedy group," said LSA senior Aditya Ezhuthachan, the show's director.

The entire cast of "Comedy Never Dies" highly anticipates its upcoming performance.

"I'm excited because I wrote some of the sketches and can't wait to see how they'll turn out," said Tracy Silverstein, an Art sophomore.

"It's probably going to be our best performance yet," said LSA sophomore Rich Nyman.

A number of Comedy Company's members are graduating this spring and are somewhat sentimental about their last performance. "Comedy Company changed my life," LSA senior Dan Messinger said.

Producer Jeremy Salmon, an Engineering senior, also explained his admiration for the group. "I've been with the group for four years and this will be my final show as well. This is the loudest group I've ever known in Comedy Company."

University students may find the program especially entertaining because a number of the skits deal with the comedic sides of life on the University's campus, such as the unique qualities of Ann Arbor, ministers on the Diag, graduation and the Greek system.

The cast members seem to work together effectively and naturally; it is easy to see that they enjoy performing just as much as they hope their audience will enjoy watching them.

Tickets are $3 and can be purchased the night of the performance at the door of the U-Club, in advance from the Michigan Union Ticket Office or by calling 763-TKTS.

03-20-98