warner Hall buzzed with laughter Friday as three University comedy groups-The Incident, Amuse Bouche, and The Whethermen-teamed up for their semesterly free show, “Good Things Come in Threes.” The event offered a vibrant showcase of comedic styles, attracting a packed auditorium eager for an evening of improv and sketch.
A Trio of Talent Takes the Stage
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The collaborative performance provided a platform for both seasoned comedy fans and students considering joining the UniversityS vibrant performance scene.
- the Whethermen, founded in 1997, kicked off the night with short-form improv.
- Amuse Bouche showcased their signature long-form style with a single, evolving scene.
- The Incident, the University’s only sketch comedy group, closed the show with a mix of new and classic sketches.
Form Games and Rapid Thinking
The Whethermen’s set consisted of numerous short-form improv games, each lasting just a few minutes. A bell signaled rapid-fire changes-performers switched characters,invented new scenarios,or ended games abruptly,eliciting roars of laughter from the audience. One especially memorable moment involved performers quickly lying on the stage floor in response to the bell.
Tara Cochrane, a Whethermen member and fourth-year College student, emphasized the preparation behind the spontaneous performances. “We’ll practice the games with different people, figure out what’s best for the show,” Cochrane said. “Obviously, as it’s improv, every scene ends up different but we’ll do the format of the games a couple of times a day.”
Long-Form Improv Builds a World
Amuse Bouche, founded in 2007 and specializing in long-form improv, performed a single 30-minute game titled “As seen on T.V.” The act began with two actors building a movie concept based on audience suggestions. Each subsequent scene wove in new characters and plot twists, gradually escalating the narrative to a comedic climax involving the entire group.
sketch Comedy and Familiar Favorites
The night culminated with The Incident, the university’s sole sketch comedy group and the only one performing pre-written material. They presented a selection of their favorite sketches,blending recent pieces with established classics. A crowd favorite was a sketch spoofing fraternity pledges, featuring a character identifying as the “bed gremlin pledge.”
Bella Fazio, a third-year College student and audience member, noted the fresh energy even in familiar sketches. “It was really fascinating to see different acting choices being made even though the script for the sketches were technically the same,” Fazio said. “It was different than they did it last time and they just get better and better.”
The lines between the groups blurred as some students participate in multiple ensembles. Reese Robers, a member of both Amuse Bouche and The Incident and a fourth-year College student, described the benefits of this dual involvement. “It’s really energizing and very fun to be able to perform in two groups that both do comedy, which is my love, but they do it in different ways,” Robers said. “I’m always a little more anxious for Amuse Bouche and waiting to see what’s gonna happen next, and than for The incident, I’m always excited to see where the laughter hits.”
Jillian Reed, a third-year College student and comedy enthusiast, summed up the show’s impact. “I love these comedy shows, as I feel like the laughter and joy that comes from it, it follows you after the show,” Reed said. “It coudl be four hours after the show and I’m still in a good mood.”
