The Satire of Evil Petting Zoo Earns Laughs
Robin Bortner
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Entertainment
"It's okay - it's just a lesbian," senior Evil Petting Zoon member Jon Becraft announced to the audience as he portrayed a man paranoid of forward messages. Instead of taking offense to the issue, the audience laughed.
Social issues are important, such as racial and LGBT awareness. There's a reason for the numerous advocacy groups on campus and a reason why some topics demand politically correct spins to them. However, it's also important to reflect that seriousness back in upon ourselves and laugh at it, taking a moment to make fun of our own self-importance and seriousness.
The improvisational group Evil Petting Zoo found its success in poking fun of our seriousness on Friday night, January 29. Judging by the frequent applause and laughs that emanated from the crowded Parker classroom, the audience connected with their efforts.
"I find a lot of inspiration in the more irritating parts of American culture: popular entertainment and celebrity worship the average person's dependence on pop media that includes politics, but on a very simple scale," said Becraft. "I find a lot of humor in what it means to a person living in this era."
Like Becraft, EPZ member freshman Jessica Hines also looks to the modern world to find inspiration. "I find humor in daily occurrences. It's all about the truth, because reality is pretty damn fun," said Hines.
These philosophies were reflected in the setting of their scenes. Commonly used places included restaurants, fast food dives, homes, offices, and classrooms. The dramatic situations spun from explaining just how Jerry (portrayed by senior Brian Kerr) became stuck in the couch to the invention of the hot dog.
Memorable performances were given by Brian Kerr, who convincingly portrayed a man with severe dementia, and Jessica Hines, who acted as a teen girl hopeless in love with a Columbine shooter.
"Had he known anyone loved him, he wouldn't shoot up his school the next day," said Becraft, acting as a narrator to Hines' dramatic scene.
Social issues are important, such as racial and LGBT awareness. There's a reason for the numerous advocacy groups on campus and a reason why some topics demand politically correct spins to them. However, it's also important to reflect that seriousness back in upon ourselves and laugh at it, taking a moment to make fun of our own self-importance and seriousness.
The improvisational group Evil Petting Zoo found its success in poking fun of our seriousness on Friday night, January 29. Judging by the frequent applause and laughs that emanated from the crowded Parker classroom, the audience connected with their efforts.
"I find a lot of inspiration in the more irritating parts of American culture: popular entertainment and celebrity worship the average person's dependence on pop media that includes politics, but on a very simple scale," said Becraft. "I find a lot of humor in what it means to a person living in this era."
Like Becraft, EPZ member freshman Jessica Hines also looks to the modern world to find inspiration. "I find humor in daily occurrences. It's all about the truth, because reality is pretty damn fun," said Hines.
These philosophies were reflected in the setting of their scenes. Commonly used places included restaurants, fast food dives, homes, offices, and classrooms. The dramatic situations spun from explaining just how Jerry (portrayed by senior Brian Kerr) became stuck in the couch to the invention of the hot dog.
Memorable performances were given by Brian Kerr, who convincingly portrayed a man with severe dementia, and Jessica Hines, who acted as a teen girl hopeless in love with a Columbine shooter.
"Had he known anyone loved him, he wouldn't shoot up his school the next day," said Becraft, acting as a narrator to Hines' dramatic scene.
Be the first to comment on this story