January 3, 2006 > Original comedy sketches by CSUEB student club

by Diane Daniel

"Evil Empire: Genesis," a collection of original comedy sketches, will open the 2006 theatre season at California State University, East Bay with performances on Fridays and Saturdays, Jan 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m.

The shows will be held in the Studio Theatre of the university's Hayward campus, located at 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd.

Directed by "Evil Empire Comedy," a recently recognized Cal State East Bay student club consisting of students Rob Mueller, Nate Maggio, Alex Buckley, Jesse Miller, and Brian Turner, the show consists of student-written comedy sketches interspersed with improvisational pieces. All of the sketches were written by Mueller and Buckley last summer and refined since then in a weekly theatre incubator.

"We're giving you permission to laugh at all the things that society told you it was wrong to laugh at," said Mueller. "You want to be safe? Stay at home. You want intelligent comedy that's a little bit dangerous? Come on in. Our humor is mostly dark and off-kilter, but it is all very funny."

The club's slogan is: "Sometimes we do comedy, sometimes we take over the world."

"I guess this is what happens in a world where we turn creative students loose in a room without windows," said Thomas Hird, chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance.

"If anyone takes this seriously, heaven help us," said Alden Reimonenq, Dean of Cal State East Bay's College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences.

More information is available online at http://class.csueastbay.edu/theatre/. Tickets are $8 for general admission, $5 students for students. Tickets are available for purchase by telephone at (510) 885-3261 or at the Box Office, which will be open from noon to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays beginning Jan. 2.

Due to innuendo and simulated violence, the show is not recommended for young children.

Evil Empire: Genesis
Fridays and Saturdays, Jan 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 15 at 2 p.m.
Studio Theatre at CSUEB
25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward
(510) 885-3261