The Players’ Theatre Group (PTG) is an entirely student-run theater company that puts on a variety of shows each semester, including dramas, comedies and sketch programs. This spring, PTG’s upcoming programming includes “Proof,” “The Revolutionists” and, of course, “PTG Live!” which took place this past Friday.
The premise behind “PTG Live!” is simple: It is a sketch comedy show that draws inspiration from Saturday Night Live (SNL), with a few Case Western Reserve University twists. In place of a celebrity monologue, a faculty member is invited to perform the opening monologue. Instead of a celebrity musical guest, the group features a band from our own student body. And of course, instead of going live from New York on Saturday night, PTG performs live in the Walter and Jean Kalberer Black Box Theatre on Friday Night.
The lineup of sketches this semester was remarkable. From the office culture parodied in “Corporate Escalation Training” to the ironically unhelpful advice column “Ask Annabelle,” PTG is comfortable poking fun at life’s idiosyncrasies. The company isn’t afraid to fall into the sillier side of comedy either, or hit close to home—or rather, campus. “Ohio Political Ad” touched on both serious issues with Ohio’s politics and the hilarity of the image conservatives can project of liberals. “Case Cracked” follows a film-noir-esque detective trying to solve seemingly obvious problems that first-years at CWRU face. The sketch manages to touch on realistic aspects of dorm life through the lens of the quirky detective in ways that had me laughing from the start.
However, a prime example of PTG not taking itself too seriously was “NORB.” In a stunning work of physical comedy by second-year student and PTG Secretary Ave Tallarida, a person named Doug attempts to pitch their gameshow magnum opus, “Naked or Butthole.” While the premise is entirely immature and risks falling on its head, Tallarida’s staunch defense of the show, going so far as to jump on chairs and bring out a prop knife, keeps the audience enraptured. This sketch is a testament to their ability to perform as a comedian and actor.
A standout for me was the first sketch of the night, “Little Italy Story.” In what I can only assume is a reference to John Mulaney’s SNL musical parodies of New York City happenstance, PTG brought “West Side Story” to CWRU. In a musical parody, the CWRU students experience Little Italy for the first time. They enter a world of war between servers and valets, witness a fraught love story and come together in song about common problems CWRU students experience. It was a strong start to the show, and when the entire cast came together to shout “Live from Cleveland, It’s Friday Night,” the energy in the room was electric.
Another extraordinary sketch from the show was the “Coultaire Report.” The sketch was presented and written by third-year student Mary Coulter, the self-proclaimed “most DEI person on campus.” With that opening, Coulter set a politically comedic tone for the rest of the set. A moment that stuck with me was Coulter talking about their father, a political science professor who argued that we are not in a descent into fascism but are instead “authoritarian curious.” The laid-back but politically relevant performance is on par with both SNL’s “Weekend Update” and what I can only assume is the inspiration behind the name, “The Colbert Report.” Coulter delivered their monologue in a thoughtful and hilarious manner that felt both simultaneously practiced and off the cuff. It is everything anyone could want out of a late-night comedy show.
This year, the students at the helm were producers third-year Raaghuv Vazirani, Tallarida, second-year Gryffin Hauenstein and third-year Abigail Gilman. I was able to speak to Raaghuv, who told me about his experience with the show over the semesters.
“We start early, and have multiple writer round tables to create ideas and edit sketches,” he said. “Just like SNL, all the acting, directing, lights and sound happen the week of the performance, which is always a hectic whirlwind, but one that I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
PTG echoes its inspiration with an impressive dedication to form. The fact that full-time students are able to pull this off during the semester is truly astonishing. Raaghuv is proud to have seen how PTG has grown over the years.
“The first semester I did it I was just an actor, and putting on a full-fledged show in less than a week was this incredible feeling—not only was [PTG] extremely easy to become a part of, the payoff was incredible,” he said. “Last spring, when I realized that it was originally going to be a one-and-done thing, I knew I had to produce it, if only just to provide that whirlwind experience of going from a script to a packed house show for others. I produced it alone, and then for both last semester and this semester. I’m so lucky to have a wonderful team of co-producers, without which it never would have been possible to grow to the size we have, and put on this scale of production. We grew from an original cast of 12 people to now having over 30 incredible actors, and [more than 20] extremely talented writers.”
There is clear passion here from all parties involved. From what I watched on Friday night and heard about from those who worked on the project, this is a truly beautiful labor of love. For any comedy fans who missed it, past “PTG Live!” productions are available on the Players’ Theatre Group YouTube page.
“At the end of the day, we’re here to make people laugh, maybe take some weight off their shoulders, and create a sense of community through a free, open to all, one night only sketch comedy special,” Raaghuv said. “Live from Cleveland, It’s Friday Night! We hope you enjoyed the show, and can’t wait to see you at the next one.”