2008 Woodie Awards
Oy Ha Ha Ha: Boston based Jewish comedy team performs along with UMass student improv group
Andrew Sheridan, Collegian Correspondent
Issue date: 11/8/07 Section: Arts & Living
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Based in Boston, they travel the country, touring mostly college campuses and similar arenas.
"We like an intimate venue," said Aaron Kagan, one of the group's members. "This kind of crowd is cool."
The atmosphere certainly was an interesting one. Healthy snack foods covered the tables that were set up dinner-theater style and upbeat hip-hop played at every spare moment.
The evening was kicked off by Mission: IMPROVable, the University of Massachusetts student improvisational comedy group. Their act consisted of five members who relied heavily on audience participation and suggestions for their zany, on-the-spot skits.
Mission: IMPROVable puts on a free performance in Herter hall every Saturday night at 8 p.m. After 30 minutes of games such as "multitask" and "story, story, die!" M:I bowed out to make way for the main act.
The Late Night Players were energetic and enthusiastic, and although only three of the four players were present, they never missed a beat. Right off the bat they announced their intentions to perform sketches, music and Jewish jokes, as well as make fun of UMass.
The University was the main target of their humor, and they ripped into the school with fervor. They wrote a new school fight song, made fun of building names (why is it called "the cage" anyway?), and acted out anagrams of the school's name. Other sketches spoofed cell phone companies, "the worm" and the Chinese zodiac.
The event was organized by the Jewish Student Union and UMass Hillel - and it showed. The skits took on a decidedly Hebrew edge, something they do "usually only when it's Hillel sponsored" said Kagan. "[Our act] is mostly secular, but Judaism and comedy are inseparable."
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