If there’s no business like show business, then the Varsity Show is Columbia’s version of a multi-million- dollar corporation. The singing, the satire, and the countless hours of preparation arguably make the Varsity Show the annual high point of campus theater.
Because the production is so renowned, many students aspire to be a part of the Varsity Show, either behind the scenes or as part of the cast. Although the creative team for the 116th Varsity Show has already been selected, hopeful actors will get their chances during cast auditions, which will take place on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 8-11 p.m. in Hamilton 302; Saturday, Nov. 14 from 4-7 p.m. in Hamilton 407; and Sunday, Nov. 15 from 8-11 p.m. in Kent 424.
Prospective cast members can expect that this year’s creative team will be both eager and diverse, with a number of fresh faces to the Columbia theater scene. This year’s writers, Peter Labuza—current film editor for Spectator—and Patrick McGuire, both CC ’11, have high hopes for this year’s Varsity Show despite the fact that neither of them has written for the stage before.
This doesn’t mean that the duo lacks experience—Labuza has done film writing, and McGuire contributes to the Jester, Columbia’s humor magazine. However, their non-theatrical background may provide a change in perspective, because, as Labuza said, “We come from a different angle than probably [writers of] years past.”
Matt Star, CC ’12 and one of V116’s composers, also hopes to put a new spin on the long-standing campus tradition—rock music. Star cites rock as one of his main sources of musical inspiration. “I definitely want to include some rock-influenced music in the show,” he said.
Labuza and McGuire don’t yet have as clear a goal for their tenure with V116, but they already know the importance of keeping the audience entertained. “We just want to have a good fun show that people can go to and laugh ... for not too long of a time,” Labuza said.
They also plan to take inspiration from the jokes they enjoyed most from last year’s Varsity Show.
“One of the things I really liked was the sight gag with the giant key. That’s just a fun thing,” McGuire said.
Overall, “fun” seems to be the message from the V116 creative team at this point in the process. Immediate performance deadlines and hectic rehearsals have yet to begin, so this is the time when the creative team can focus on honing its vision and selecting actors to fulfill it.
For anyone hoping to become a part of the V116 cast, Star offered some audition advice: “This [the audition] isn’t a place for subtlety ... go all out!”
Labuza added that he and McGuire are also seeking actors who aren’t just funny, but “who can use their comedy well.”
But no matter who makes the final casting cut, V116 promises, like every Varsity Show before it, to provide a new take on the beloved campus tradition.
“Every year is a different team, and every year has completely different visions,” Labuza said. “We have a tradition, but we’re not tied to our traditions.”
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