It is a show far from normal and better than okay. “Everything You’re About to See is Normal and Okay” is a musical sketch show devised entirely by DePaul students, and it is taking the Annoyance Theater on Belmont by storm. In the course of an hour, audiences are captivated in a comedic telling of relationships, sex, pop culture and absurdity.

Through a young, creative and queer perspective, the performers offer a fresh comedic landscape for storytelling and music — using their current and creative ideas to perform songs that are both informative and entertaining. “Everything You’re About to See is Normal and Okay” consists of 15-20 original songs that explore comedy in a number of clever contexts. Throughout the production, the audience will find themselves experiencing awkward clashes between roommates, controversial kinks between partners and a road trip through an apocalyptic world. It is at once pleasantly relatable and entirely absurd.

The brains behind this collection of work are those of DePaul’s own comedy arts program. Students can get their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Comedy Arts through DePaul’s theater school. For months, the students worked with directors and musicians to generate a show that is both boisterous and becoming. 

The cast is comprised of seven students: Ally Montgomery, Isha Pati, Luke Herman, Justin Jacobs, Kathryn Courtney, Sydney Copeland and Rocky Wenrich. The group was selected in a competitive audition process held in early September, where the majority of the comedy arts program auditioned with their own packages of original songs, musical talent and unique performances.

“We wrote this for you. This is completely for college students,” sophomore Luke Herman said. “College audiences will really appreciate seeing themselves on the stage in an experience that feels, like, really uniting.”

For more than four months, the curated cast worked with director Jeff Bouthiette, assistant director Tisby Critchley and musical director Brad Kempe. Under their professional guidance and boundless support, the group pitched and collaborated on ideas that were transformed into clever and catchy tunes. Their efforts cultivated a cunning composition of work that utilizes several instruments, talents and techniques. On top of acting and vocal performance, the ensemble skillfully incorporates acoustic and bass guitars, and even a melodica into their songs.

The group hosted previews in November to test the stockpile of material in front of a live audience. By that time, they accumulated almost 100 songs and sketches to work with. Bouthiette smiles when they remember this part of the process.

“To me, that’s what the most exciting thing about doing sketch comedy is,” Bouthiette said. “It’s like living in real time and figuring out what is the best choice for everything.”

Consequently, the final production is one true to its trials and tests of public approval. At the end of the previews, the students and directors whittled down the list to the 15-20 pieces that are now being presented at the Annoyance Theater.

“It’s well-polished,” stage manager Melina Arevalo said. “It’s been worked on for so long compared to shows that are usually created quickly and then done with … we are always moving.”

In January, they performed in DePaul’s “Messfest,” a student-created sketch, stand-up, improv and music show that spans over the course of an entire weekend. After all the passion put into the project, the show was a meticulously sculpted masterpiece and a smashing success. For that reason, “Everything You’re About to See is Normal and Okay” was officially picked up by the Annoyance theater for an additional 10 weeks.

Annoyance Theater is popular theater located in Lakeview that showcases plays, improv and comedy sketches. 

The cast and crew held their opening night at the end of March and are hopeful and expectant of an exciting spring season ahead of them. Their fixed feature at the Annoyance now poses as a different performance than the others that are typically put on. The theater often showcases talents ranging from their mid-20s to early 30s, making the cast of “Everything You’re About to See is Normal and Okay” an astoundingly young group. However, because of this, the show offers a fresher perspective that is unique to the theater’s common comedic scene.

“It’s a great glimpse into rising comedians and what the comedy scape is going to be looking like soon,” Arevalo said. “It has a youthful yet mature POV, and there’s a lot of creativity within it.”

The cast and crew are excited to bring their talents and hard work to the mainstage every week. 

“It’s funny, and it has music in it,”  Bouthiette said. “So you should come and laugh with us!”

The show is at the Annoyance Theater every Thursday at 7 p.m. until May 17. “Everything You’re About to See is Normal and Okay” tickets are less than $10 and additionally discounted for DePaul students who present a student ID.