It’s nearing the end of February, and for DePaul students, another exciting event is about to take place: Big Comic. Every year, the DePaul Activities Board (DAB) hires a comedian for a night of humorous entertainment.
Last year’s guest was Jo Koy, who is known for his stand up comedy featured on Comedy Central. Koy has also performed on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” as well as “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
This year’s canidates were Mike Birbiglia, Hannibal Buress, John Maloney, Nick Kroll, Anthony Jeselnik, Amy Schumer, Nikki Glaser, Marc Maron and Chelsea Peretti.
DAB comprised a video of all the canidates and the students were able to select their top three choices. This year, two comedians were chosen because each of them was in the top three choices of 30 percent of students. The finalists are Hannibal Buress and Amy Schumer.
Buress, originally from Chicago, now resides in New York. His work includes “The Awkward Comedy Show” on Comedy Central, “Louie”on FX and “The Eric Andr’ÛΩ Show“on Adult Swim. In 2009 and 2010 Buress wrote for “Saturday Night Live” as well as “30 Rock.”In addition, Buress made “Varity Magazine’s” “Ten Comics to Watch in 2010” list. He is currently touring the country performing in cities ranging from Portland to Miami.
Candidate Mike Birbiglia shares a positive opinion of Buress.
“[He is] one of the best joke writers I’ve ever seen,” said Birbiglia. “He’s one of the few performers I’ve come across that creates such electricity in a room that I think ‘this guy is going to be a star FOR SURE.'”
Amy Schumer is a New York native and has had roles on several comedy shows including “Last Comic Standing,” “30 Rock” and Adult Swim’s “Delocated.” In addition, Schumer also appeared in three films in 2012: “Price Check,” “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” and “Sleepwalk with Me. It is also rumored that Schumer will appear in the next season of HBO’s hit television series, “Girls.”
When looking for comedians, Ryan Cummings, head of comedy at DAB, explains what the board tries to look for when booking a comedian for the event.
“[We look for] someone that is well known enough to fill up the Merle Reskin capacity and that seems to be one of the most popular choices amongst students,” said Cummings. “We also look for someone that can connect with and make DePaul students laugh.”
As Cummings said, each year, the event is held at the Merle Reskin theater on 60 E. Balbo, just off the Harrison red line stop. The DAB expects about 800 students in attendance; however they would love to fill up the entire theater. Each comedian will have about 45 minutes of talk time.
Tickets for the event are $5 each with the fee going back to DAB in order to cover basic costs as well as fund future events for the university. Tickets will be sold at the Lincoln Park Student Center as well as the 11th floor of the DePaul Center in the loop. Tickets are on sale until the Feb. 25, and only two tickets are permitted per student. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30. Come join us for a night of, as Ryan Cummings puts it, “gut busting lolz.”