URBANA — Big Show, Uni's annual student-written and -directed comedy production, took place in the North Attic on May 15 and 16.

Postponed for two weeks to give the cast more time to prepare, the show officially marked the end of X-Week, the school's annual series of fundraising events for charity.

Seniors Hannah Leskosky and Adam Tiouririne co-directed this year's production. (For the rest of the cast, see below.)

Sketches poked fun at Assistant Director Sue Kovacs' oddly worded e-mails, the new prox card system, the swine flu epidemic, and the economy. The show also included impersonations of Bill and Hillary Clinton, President Barack Obama, and Kim Jong Il.

Due to technological advances, Big Shows for the past few years have begun to contain more and more video skits; this year was no exception.

The videos were funny and well used, featuring a prox card rap video and an Axe deodorant commercial. Parodies of the "Saw" movie series were also sprinkled throughout the show. (For a list of sketches and video skits performed, see below.)

As per tradition, Big Show proceeds were donated to a designated charity along with the rest of the money raised by X-Week activities. This year, the charity was the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club in Champaign. A total of $3,460 was donated to the organization at the school's year-end awards ceremony on May 19.

Here's a look back at the festivities through a series of photos by Katy Metcalf.

Big Show '09 takes the stage

Disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's support of Big Show was displayed around Uni the week before the show. With a price of $5 per ticket, the show's two performances helped X-Week raise $3,460 for the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club. Gargoyle photos by Katy Metcalf (click any photo to enlarge and to create your own slideshow)

One half of the Big Show directing duo, senior Adam Tiouririne, plays both Gandalf and Saruman — at the same time.

The other Big Show director, senior Hannah Leskosky, plays an automated robot on a blind date.

Senior Deren Kudeki consults with President Obama (senior Ben Daniels) over incomprehensible missives from outer space — in reality, e-mails from Assistant Director Sue Kovacs.

Junior Anna Gooler raises her foot to comment on Dr. Seuss and
drugs in a comical portrayal of an upperclassman English class.

Alan Liang is incorrectly identified as a sexual predator when all he wanted was to play Magic.

The Water Planeteer (senior Karen Han) shows off her aquatic friends.

Captain Planet (freshman Will Erickson) dies a painful death after stocks plummet.

Swines Anna Gooler and Adam Tiouririne are outraged at their
darling Hamlet's exposure to the flu by human child Ernest.

Junior Zack Goldberg hides his face during a skit.

Okwert Twoortel (Ben Daniels) takes the audience back in time to
look at one of his more awkward dates.

Zack Goldberg and senior Nish Nookala pose as a Facebook picture.

Will Erickson earns laughs with his portrayal of Hillary Clinton.

Junior Laura Dripps is appalled by the drooly antics of her elderly grandfather (Alan Liang).

Big Show '09: Cast Members

• Hannah Leskosky (sr), co-director *
• Adam Tiouririne (sr), co-director *
• Ben Daniels (sr)
• Laura Dripps (jr)
• Will Erickson (fr) *
• Zack Goldberg (jr)
• Anna Gooler (jr) *
• Karen Han (sr)
• Deren Kudeki (sr)
• Alan Liang (sr) *
• Nish Nookala (sr)
• Ethan Schiller (jr)

* Performed in last year's Big Show

Big Show '09: Comedy Sketches and Video Skits

Part I

• Intro *
• Fourth Wall
• The Transmission
• Proper Citation
• Axe *
• Captain Planet
• Hog Wild
• Harold and Gertrude
• Test of Will *
• College Tour
• New Building
• Okwert Twoortel
• Saw I *
• Recess Session
• The Joke Explainer

Part II

• Facebook Me
• Saw II *
• The Magic Predator
• For Sale
• Prox Dance *
• Luggage Subbies
• Saw III *
• Lord of the Rings Condensed
• Prom (Notification) Date
• The Art of Diplomacy
• Children's Book Seminar
• Automatically in Love
• Duel of the Phones

* Video skit