‘Anything Goes Sketch Comedy Show’ coming to Butler
If you love sketch comedy with no limits, the Anything Goes Sketch Comedy Show is for you at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, at 111 Arrowhead Drive, Unit B, in Slippery Rock Township.
“The sketch comedy show is titled the ‘Anything Goes Sketch Comedy Show,’ and it is the first one, which will benefit Hobnob Theatre in Butler,” Laura Crago, the show’s creator, host and director, said. “This is something that always felt right, as I did sketch comedy in high school and I studied in New York City at UCB (Upright Citizens Brigade), so I approached the theater over a year ago and explained what I wanted to do.”
Crago added that the show is going to be a lot like “Saturday Night Live,” as they will have a live band, a musical guest, 10 actors and six writers. All the sketches will be original and were created last fall when they held workshops with the actors and writers.
Crago is the creator, host and director, Matt Leslie is the co-creator, host and director, and Katie Moore is in charge of costumes, props and the set. The six writers for the sketches are Joe Szalinski, Deanna Sparrow, Jack Senske, Molly Miller, Casey Hoolahan and Eddie Trizzino.
“In January, we ended up doing a table read and got feedback, and then we did another table read, which helped us narrow down exactly what we wanted to do,” Crago said. “The show will also include digital sketches like with SNL, where a commercial will come on and at first you don’t realize it’s a commercial from the show, but it’s a spoof, and that is kind of what we did.”
Crago also emphasized that the show is going to have something for everyone when it comes to the topics covered in each sketch. She also said that people who attend will have a good time and a laugh, which she believes people need more than ever right now.
“It genuinely is just lighthearted fun, and we have joked that everyone is going to be offended at some point, but I think right now what people need is to laugh because of all the heaviness happening in the world,” Crago explained. “What I ultimately want people to take from it is laughter and fun.”
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., and when people arrive at the show, musician Zach Manuel will be playing his guitar and singing. The bar will be open, and food trucks will also be lined up for the event.
Various vendors will also be at the shows, with Katie Griffith of A Note for You setting up on Saturday, Dana Miller of Cute Co. Charms on Friday and Saturday, All Booked Up Bookmarks on Saturday and Theia Permanent Jewelry on Friday. The Rumble will perform Friday and Repo Man will perform Saturday.
Tickets for the show are $15 online, while students can get discounted tickets for $8 with proof of ID at the door. To buy tickets ahead of time, visit hobnobtheatre.ludus.com/show_page.php?show_id=200543771.
