URBANA — Excellence requires time, and this year for Big Show cast members, time was not on their side.

The annual showcase of student-produced comedy sketches and videos has been moved back two weeks to give the cast more time to prepare.

The production was originally scheduled to be performed May 1 and 2 at the end of X-Week (the school's annual fundraiser for charity), but Uni Director Steve Epperson agreed to the cast's request to move the show to May 15 and 16.

Despite the change, all money raised by Big Show will still be donated to the X-Week charity, the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club.

This year's directors are seniors Adam Tiouririne and Hannah Leskosky. How do they feel now that rehearsal time has been extended?

"Titillated," answers Tiouririne. "In all seriousness we can be excited for opening night rather than being stressed, because of the time extension. For me, this year's Big Show is my last, so I'm really excited to make it the best that I can. Plus, who doesn't love performing in front of their mom?”

Big Show usually takes place on the second Friday and Saturday of May. But that time slot was unavailable this year because prom is scheduled for May 9. So the production was moved up a week earlier, which provided too little time for the writing and rehearsing of skits.

But knowing the resourcefulness and creativity of this year's crew, Tiouririne has no worries that the show will live up to the standards set by its predecessors.

"We'll be incorporating current events, popular culture, and Uni humor," he says. "Plus, we'll have sketches that are just downright, plain-and-simple funny without falling into any category."

Let the show go on!

Big Show 2009 Cast

• 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