By
Aaron Cowman
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA comedy groups to perform at festival tomorrow
In the past, Centennial Hall has been the host to sophisticated performances by the Moscow Ballet, the dance group Aeros and cellist Yo-yo Ma.
This weekend, the performers who take to the stage proudly call themselves SICK.
The ninth annual SICK (Southwestern Intergalactic Comedy Kermis) Festival will perform tomorrow night at Centennial Hall. The two-and-a-half-hour show is comprised of comedy sketches performed by the University of Arizona's Comedy Corner and the Charles Darwin Experience, along with Arizona State University performing groups Sarceside and Barren Mind. A total of about 40 actors will contribute to this year's production.
This is the first time the SICK Festival has gained use of Centennial Hall. Zack Armstrong, producer of the University Activity Board's Comedy Corner, said that the larger venue may offer some extra benefits.
"This is the first time we've tackled this big of a show," Armstrong said. "We want to get more notoriety to build us up."
Tami Torok, director of the Charles Darwin Experience, said performing in such a massive environment may make things a little more difficult for the improvisational groups, though.
"I'm not so sure about the space because it is so big," Torok said. "Improv lends itself to a smaller space."
Torok also said her biggest worry is, "Are we going to be heard?"
The comedy groups will also have to deal with performing in front of a much larger audience than they normally do in their weekly shows on campus.
"We generally have a really good-size audience," Torok said. "(Still) it's a good-size audience for The Cellar."
Last year's festival was performed over a two day span in the Arizona Ballroom.
"The first day there were over 200 people," Armstrong said. "This is going to be even bigger, though."
Actor-comedian David Cross will be the host for the festival. Cross acted in movie blockbusters "Men In Black," "Cable Guy" and "Chain of Fools." He has also made appearances on "Just Shoot Me" and "The Drew Carey Show," as well as produced his own comedy special "David Cross: The Pride is Back." He also appeared as co-star in "Mr. Show," an HBO comedy series that aired from 1995 to 1998.
"People in the group are really excited to work with him," Torok said
The show will allow audience members to interact with the performers by shouting out suggestions for improv sketches. Armstrong said everyone will enjoy the program.
"The groups have a lot of fun and it translates to the audience," Armstrong said.
Prior to the evening show there will be workshops for aspiring improvisational actors, including "Beginning to Intermediate Improv," facilitated by former members of Groundlings, an improv group based out of Los Angeles and "What to Expect After Graduation," presented by various Comedy Corner alumni.
UAB spent this week promoting the show on the UA Mall complete with a massive sign on the front of the union, dummies strategically placed at a table on the UA Mall and handfuls of yellow fliers.
"It'll be interesting," Torok said. "We'll see how it works."
If this year's performance is anything like those from the past, it should be a big hit, Armstrong said
"It should be a lot of fun, and really high energy," Armstrong said, "It's pretty well-received every year."
