Series of Events Provoking "Laughter
SALISBURY, MD---“Life is too important to be taken seriously,” said Oscar Wilde. Humor can create healthy perspectives, make or break reputations, puncture pretentiousness. Some believe laughter can save life. This semester the Salisbury University Office of Cultural Affairs and Museum Programs sponsors a series of events that will not only provoke laughter but thoughts about why we’re laughing. Humor, from the visual to the political, with classic pratfalls and hi-tech clowning, takes center stage. In addition, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet who uses humor in his verse, nationally recognized humor experts, and the ever popular standup comic will be part of the semester-long celebration. All events are free and the public is invited. Call 410-543-6030 for information or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu. Below are highlights:
Salisbury University
Spring 2002 Humor Series Cultural Events Comedy Residency:
Aspects of Humor Lecture Series:
Wednesday, February 6, 7 p.m. – Robb Armstrong
Wicomico Room, GUC
Nationally syndicated cartoonist and creator of Jumpstart, talks about cartoons and comedy.
Tuesday, February 19--8 p.m., Great Hall of Holloway Hall
Boogaloo Comedy Crew--performance artists who combine break dancing and hip hop with comedy.
March 4—My Best Girl (1927)
Directed by Sam Taylor and starring America’s sweetheart, Mary Pickford, and America’s boyfriend, Buddy Rogers. Includes rare newsreel footage and home-movies of Buddy and Mary.
Monday, March 11, 7 p.m. – Dr. John Tibbits Devilbiss Hall, Room 149
Dr. John Tibbits of the University of Kansas discusses “The Dark Side of Comedy.”
Monday, March 11--8 p.m., Wicomico Room, GUC
Nick Swardson—stand up comedian.
(Student Organization for Activity Planning presents guest comedy performances; public invited—for adult audiences)
Monday, March 18, 7 p.m. – Donald Whaley
Devilbiss Hall, Room 149
SU history professor discusses “Beavis and Butt-Head find a Soul Mate: Richard Nixon as Comic Figure in Hollywood Films.”
Wednesday, March 20, 7 p.m. – Dr. Larry Mintz
Wicomico Room, GUC
Director of the Gliner Center for Humor Studies at the University of Maryland College Park.
Monday, April 1—Captured on Film: The True Story of Marion Davies (2001)
A documentary directed by Hugh Neely concerning blonde and beautiful Marion Davies, the consummate screwball comedienne famous for her 35-year love affair with William Randolph Hearst. (International Film Series:
SU’s International Films Series is selected and organized by Dr. Jim Welsh of the English Dept.) All screenings are Mondays at 7 p.m. in Devilbiss Hall (Room 149). For more information call 410-543-6271.
Monday, April 8, 7 p.m. – Dr. Thomas Leitch
Devilbiss Hall, Room 149
University of Delaware professor discusses “Hitchcock the Comedian.”
Tuesday-Thursday, April 9-11 – Dan Kamin
Classic physical comic who coached Robert Downey Jr. for the movie Chaplin and coached Johnny Depp for his starring performance in Benny and Joon. During Kamin’s residency, he will lecture on physical comedy, body language and mime, as well as on Chaplin. Kamin will be providing multiple events. Days and times TBA.
Friday, April 12, 4 p.m., Holloway Hall Auditorium (public invited)
Major Address on Laughter at the SU Student Research Conference
Dr. Robert R. Provine, professor of psychology and assistant director of the Neuroscience Program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He came to the study of laughter from a background in neuroembryology. His work has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Psychology Today The Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post. He has appeared on “Good Morning America,” “ABC World News Tonight,” “20/20,” The Learning Channel’s “Understanding Laughter” with Bill Cosby, and The Discovery Channel’s “Laughter” with Conan O’Brien. His radio appearances include “All Things Considered, “Morning Edition,” “Talk of the Nation” and “Talk of the Nation—Science Friday,” all on NPR.
Monday, April 15, 8 p.m., Montgomery Room, Commons
Henry Taylor, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet reads from his works, which are noted for their humor. (Writers on the Shore)
April 15—The Gay Desperado (1936)
Directed by Rouban Mamoulian, and starring a very young Ida Lupino and Metropolitan Opera tenor, Nino Martini, in an eccentric musical comedy. (International Film Series: SU’s International Films Series is selected and organized by Dr. Jim Welsh of the English Dept.)
All screenings are Mondays at 7 p.m. in Devilbiss Hall (Room 149). For more information call 410-543-6271.
Wednesday, April 17, 2 p.m., Holloway Hall Auditorium - Box of Light Theatre
Shakespeare's Clowns-- takes its audience on a trip through London in 1609, across the Southwark Bridge, down narrow Bankside lane and to the Globe Theatre. Full of wit (and the witless), Shakespeare's Clowns uses computer projected animations as an integral part of the performance. Not only do the projections let the audience see the Globe's interior and London's streets, they become characters as well and take part in the scenes. (Comedy Performance)
Wednesday, April 17, 7 p.m., Holloway Hall Auditorium – Box of Light Theatre
Pavlov’s Clown – Pavlov’s Clown is an energetic performance of clown theatre. In the course of the show, the audience will see a unique style of shadow puppetry, comic dance, improvisation and mime. While the character on stage is silent, the stage and auditorium are not. The performance includes sound effects, props and 248 computer graphics, 47 quicktime movies and 23 morph sequences. (Comedy Performance)
Wednesday, April 24—8 p.m., Wicomico Room, GUC
Jamie Lissow—stand up comedian.
(Student Organization for Activity Planning presents guest comedy performances; public invited—for adult audiences)
Wednesday, May 1, 7 p.m. –Dr. Elizabeth Rankin
Wicomico Room, GUC
SU nursing professor discusses “Humor for the Health of It.”