UBC students are still striving to pursue their aspirations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Babyboy Comedy is produced by two UBC students, Erin Purghart and Liam McCulley premiering online via Twitch on July 4 at 7:30 p.m.
The hour-long comedy show will feature eight numbers. The first half of the show will consist of planned sketches whereas the second half will consist of improvised numbers.
The show will be focusing on a number of topical themes in its sketches such as spousal tribulations and the struggles of attempting to date during the COVID-19 pandemic. The show will also feature a satirical take on recently published New York safe sex guidelines. Similar to a typical Improv show, the crew will be taking suggestions on what the audience would like to see during the set through their Instagram page.
Although the show is completely free to stream, the cast and crew encourage viewers to donate any money that they would have been willing to spend on tickets to Black Lives Matter related organizations. The Facebook and Instagram pages for the show have provided a list of recommended organizations with some related to arts and others to health.
Given the current tense climate, it has been three months since any comedy shows have taken place in person. With the current physical distancing protocols, a show available through online streaming may be the next best thing.
“I would really love if people could just take 45 minutes or an hour out of their day and still be at home and still be isolated, but laugh and watch theatre [instead of a] crappy CW TV show,” Purghart said.
The cast and crew have run into some difficulties rehearsing and managing the show during these unprecedented times.
“One difficulty [we’ve had] is rehearsing social distanced and doing Improv socially distanced … Making sure that we perform [but] we're not doing stuff where we have to hug or where we have to touch. [Another difficulty has been] writing work and thinking of how our work is going to be received without a live audience.”