They’re here, they’re making it up as they go along, and they’re almost certainly funnier than that time your mom made you go see Bill Cosby during Parents’ Weekend: this Friday the improv comedy stars of Upright Citizens Brigade hit Memorial Chapel for a night of good, wholesome laughter.
Initially founded on the site of a West 22nd St. strip club in 1999 by Matt Besser, Ian Roberts, Matt Walsh, and “Parks and Recreation” star Amy Poehler, the troupe has since spread out into two renowned theaters in New York and Los Angeles, which are frequented by the crème de la crème of current stand-up. In addition to their official theater shows, 2006 saw the foundation of the Upright Citizens Brigade Comedy Training Center in New York, which now serves as a major feeder school for comedy go-tos The Daily Show and Saturday Night Live. Boasting alums like Ed Helms from “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” co-star Aziz Ansari, the UCB is a hotbed of ripe, juicy comedy talent.
While the UCB theater features big-name stand-up acts alongside a regular schedule of shows based upon everything from sex to an entirely improvised two-man movie, the UCB Touring Company promises 90 minutes of classic improv skits as you’ve never seen them before.
“The Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company contacted Wesleyan toward the end of last year looking to include us as a spot on their tour,” says Josh Margolin ’11, who is responsible for bringing the group to campus. “Every time that I have been to see UCB in New York or LA I have had a blast. Their companies are truly stocked with countless phenomenal improvisers.”
With cast members pulled from the ranks of “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “MadTV,” “The Daily Show,” and VH1’s “Best Week Ever,” you never know what’s going to go down. Come for the prospect of witnessing the comedy stars of tomorrow, stay for the audience participation and sheer hilarity.
Upright Citizens Brigade performs this Friday, April 8 in the Memorial Chapel at 9 pm with an opening act by Wesleyan’s own Gag Reflex. Tickets are available for $5 at the Wesleyan Box Office located in Usdan, so snap ‘em up while you still can.
Leave a Reply to Andrew Cancel reply