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Comedy pokes fun at worldly issues By Nora Hicks Jeff Kreisler made his appearance on Cooper Hall’s New York Room stage to only a few hearty claps, but that did not stop him from delivering his political comedy show. The Brockport College Democrats brought Kreisler and his show, Comedy Against Evil here, Tuesday, April 1. The tour’s Web site says the politically absurd show “believes humor speaks truth to power and that comedy will save the world,” and that it will “travel anywhere, anytime to support your fight … against evil.” The performance was set to begin at 7:30 p.m. but began at 8 p.m. with the opener Harry Terjanian. Terjanian discussed issues from the economy to religion and put a humorous spin on it. He also critiqued the current administration. “Bush’s plan is interesting,” Terjanian said. “His plan is to ruin America’s economy so badly that illegal immigrants won’t even want to come here anymore.” Kreisler, the headliner, then took the stage. The show progressed as a narrative from focusing on his life into everyday politics. Kreisler, according to his Web site www.comedyagainstevil.com, is an accomplished “comedian, actor, writer, producer and person.” He won the Bill Hicks Spirit Award for Thought Provoking Comedy. He is also on the cast of “Shoot the Messenger” (from the creator of “The Daily Show”) and wrote for Comedy Central’s Indecision 2008. He has performed at more than 100 campuses with crowds of up to 350 people at Notre Dame. “Next time I would definitely not schedule the show in competition with something that every professor on campus was giving extra credit for,” said Ryan McPherson, the president of the College Democrats. McPherson brought the show to Brockport by learning about its credibility through the College Democrats of New York. The show previously performed at Brockport in November 2006. “[The Brockport Democrats] brought me back a second time and I love them,” Kriesler said. “… Honestly, Josh and Ryan and the others are some of the most fun, smart, down-to-earth of the lot.” Kreisler said he enjoys performing for college-age students because they get his wackiness and political points. He notes that younger people today are really concerned about the future of our country. “It’s refreshing that they get my … references,” Kriesler said. “There was a little bigger crowd last time, but in some ways I enjoyed this show better because I’ve really grown as a comic in the last 18 months, and feel like I have a lot more to say.” The crowd was really attentive, said Kreisler, and stayed with the comedian for a minute or two until the big gags. “I thought the performance went really well,” McPherson said. Kreisler currently has a book deal with Harper Collins to write the satire, Get Rich Cheating. Comedy and humor can be an effective form of communication said Kreisler, and that dialogue is a key to our future. “College kids appreciate the boldness and frankness I try to bring to my act,” Kreisler said, “and I appreciate that about them. Also, college kids are easy to beat up. Punks.” |
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