Author: Ian Mariani|Ian Mariani
On the evening of Sept. 3, students filled Thorne Hall to see the nationally recognized improvisational comedy group known as Upright Citizen’s Brigade (UCB) perform.
The event, scheduled to start at seven in the evening with a show that promised laughter, with audience participation, was a part of the Labor Day weekend schedule set up by O.S.L.
The only people missing from the show, unfortunately, were the members of UCB.
The representatives helping with the show from O.S.L. contacted the absent members of UCB five minutes before the show was scheduled to begin.
“[They] called a woman in New York, woke her up. She was very confused, and she called members of UCB in Los Angeles . . . She found out they had the wrong day and that the performers that were supposed to be there were at some other show entirely,” Michael Fontanesi (sophomore), the new organizer of campus improv troupe Fantastiprov, said.
Fontanesi explained that Fantastiprov has opened for UCB on campus in the past, and it was this history with UCB that brought them into the planning process in the weeks leading up to the failed show. That particular night, however, Fantastiprov was not scheduled to perform, as the troupe, previously comprised of graduated seniors and members abroad, went from eight people at the end of last year to only three at the start of this year.
When meeting with OSL, Fontanesi was faced with few options. “We decided that [Fantastiprov] wouldn’t perform that night, but instead that I would simply get up on stage to introduce UCB . . . basically get the crowd going,” Fontanesi said.
Fontanesi never got the chance to introduce the group, but instead was tasked with telling the patrons that the show was cancelled when there was confirmation that UCB would not be coming. All was not lost, however, as another show is tentatively slated for later in the semester.
“Changing of the date actually works in Fantastiprov’s favor,” Fontanesi said. The troupe has, since the cancelled show, held auditions and filled their roster once again to fill the gaps left from last year. In subsequent conversations with UCB, Fontanesi said that the possibility of a joint performance over Family Weekend continues to be an option, and that it would hopefully include an opening act by Fantastiprov.
Although the troupe chemistry that Fantastiprov had built does not carry over to the new members, Fontanesi still expressed optimism when it comes to the potential of the new troupe. Practice, he says, is what the troupe will need to get better, but it’s not them just practicing “being funny.”
Fontanesi squashed the idea that “being funny or quick” is the only factor in what makes an improv troupe good at capturing its audience. Comedy is important, he maintains, but the scene composition as a whole needs “honing.” “We need to learn how to tell stories with each other,” Fontanesi said. “Everyone has to be comfortable with everyone else . . . there can’t be any drama within a troupe.”
With Parent’s Weekend only a month from now and Fantastiprov’s rehearsals fully underway with the new cast, only UCB’s datebook stands in the way of the show happening as hoped.
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