Freshman Will Erickson gets in character for a Big Show skit. Gargoyle photo by Katy Metcalf (click to enlarge)

Senior Ben Daniels rehearses for this weekend's Big Show. Gargoyle photo by Katy Metcalf (click to enlarge)

Karen Han and Deren Kudeki are among seven seniors in the cast. Gargoyle photo by Katy Metcalf (click to enlarge)

URBANA — The school year's imminent conclusion has Uni students thinking big: big summer plans, big excitement for graduation, and, of course, Big Show!

Big Show is the conclusion of X-Week, Uni's annual series of fundraising events for charity. The show itself consists of a collection of comedy sketches and video skits.

All of the other events connected with X-Week took place from April 27 to May 1 and raised about $2,000 for the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club, this year's designated charity.

Originally scheduled to be performed May 1 and 2, Big Show was moved to this Friday and Saturday due to time constraints. The show starts at 7 p.m. in the North Attic on both days.

Tickets are $5, and all proceeds will go to the Don Moyer organization, which offers afterschool programs and other activities for local kids.

With a good turnout this weekend, the total amount raised by X-Week could top $3,000.

Besides contributing to that lofty goal, what other incentive is there to attend?

"Because it's really funny, and who doesn't like to laugh?" said senior Hannah Leskosky, who is co-directing the show with classmate Adam Tiouririne.

The delay has given cast members an opportunity to make this year's production better than ever, though Tiouririne thinks that preparations started long before this spring.

"Hannah and I have been preparing since birth, of course," he said. "Big Show has been officially in session for the past six weeks. That includes the two-week time extension, so our thanks are with the administration for giving us enough extra time to make a great show."

There will be a total of 28 sketches this year, seven of which are video. As for a common theme — well, there is none.

"I cannot think of a theme," said Leskosky. "There are a lot of puns, and a handful of current event-y skits and a few Uni-themed skits, but a clear theme for the show as a whole has not emerged (at least in my opinion)."

Tiouririne added: "We'll have sketches that are just downright plain-and-simple funny without falling into any category."

Despite the change of date, the directors and the rest of the Big Show cast are more ready than ever to come on stage Friday night and deliver their own brand of funny.

"One could write a comprehensive treatise with all the reasons to attend Big Show," said Tiouririne, who proceeded to do so. "Watch your friends perform; watch them with your other friends; laugh; support the Boys & Girls Club; laugh some more; laugh a lot. Our sketches only happen twice, Friday and Saturday, so don't miss them!"

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