Not all comedy shows are created equally. Some are flat-out hilarious while others miss the mark. The Second City's Sept. 6 and 7 shows in McCrary were borderline amusing and repetitive. Tuesday's "FASFA and the Furious" college-themed show explored common themes college students, past and present, can relate to- political differences, campus organizations (Greek or not), relationships and just trying to enjoy their four or more years on campus. The Sept. 7 show was an overall look into the group's best work and that performance stood out more.
Both shows were sold out, yet some students and visitors got balcony seats, which actor.The "FASFA" show opened with Stoltenberg and companions Lyndsay Hailey, Barry Hite and Chris Witaske as drunken and high professors making passes at fellow actor Nicole Hastings and mocking freshmen. It makes you wonder what your professors might say behind your back and the state they may in when they grade papers.
Politically-charged sketches were inserted throughout both shows, from a student confessing his support for the Republican Party and being shunned by his professor, student council candidates who ranged from the stereotypical bro to the environmentally-conscious granola girl and a terrorist's attempt to scare the American people in the 2012 presidential race but having Michele Bachmann beat him to it. A memorable sketch involved Witaske playing a confused former president George W. Bush and his reaction to the announcement of Osama bin Laden's death.
"They've finally done it. They killed the president of the United States," Witsake said. Although humorous and somewhat overdone, W. impressions never seem to disappoint. What disappoints a lot more, though, is the number of American citizens who still make the Osama-Obama mistake.
The comedy troupe definitely did its homework before it arrived on campus, that's for sure. From jokes about squirrels, Smith Jackson emails to mentions about The Fat Frogg and a remark about the common belief that "when other sororities say no, tri Delta," there were some moments in the show that brightened up the group's performance.
Other themes explored in the sketches include substance abuse, awkward familial relationships- "Ding Dong Dad"- sexiling, parents finding you in a comprising position with a partner and roommate confessions. There was no limit in these sketches that mentioned having two STDs instead of one or a father whose pants were raised high enough for his daughter's friends to call him "Ding Dong Dad."
While some sketches were hit-or-miss, the audience enjoyed the improv skits. The troupe asked the audience for suggestions on settings, character's personalities and the like for the skits. Proposals, eventually skits, included "gay best friends who were parole officers," played by Hastings and Witsake, and "a rap battle between a seahorse and King Poseidon."
Elon sophomore Jimmy Stevenson got the chance to participate in an improv skit about a fraternity's meeting. A brother was missing and Witsake and company found that brother in social chair Stevenson.
Onstage, Stevenson surprised and entertained all by his irrelevant sayings as part of the fraternity's founding values and motto. "I'm glad I got to keep it clean," Stevenson said.
"I enjoy communicating with people, being on stage and just making people happy. It was overall fun to work with the guys."
Sophomore Nick Makansi said his favorite part of the show was the improv.
"I liked the improv skits because they add to the hilarity of the show and it's in the moment," he said. While women in comedy are rare or often take the role of being a sidekick if not less, Hailey and Hastings did more than pull their weight. They left the audience in giggles and reaching for tissues during the "sorostitute" rap, Senator's wives and "two truths and a lie" sketches.
While The Second City is best known for its comedy and improv, the group turned some skits into musicals. A favorite among audience members was a song about reality TV and why we watch it.
"Thank God for DVR. All your misery distracts me from mine," crooned the group.
What's a college-themed or wrap-up performance without mentioning technology or social media? "FASFA" touched on young adults' constant need to be connected and how their activities online can often prevent them from getting jobs.
"Everyone has something on the Internet they're afraid of," Witsake's character said. Another sketch highlighted Apple's constant upgrades of products and even upgraded a husband.
Overall, The Second City passed college, but barely with a C+ for the FASFA show and a B for its second show, averaging to a C as a final grade.