Laugh a Little - it's good for you!

Tonight, we went to see a comedy/improv show at the Texas Theater of Seguin.  Texas Lutheran students from a comedy class were putting on a show at this historic theater as their final.  
                         

As comedy and improv goes. … some was funny, some was awkward.  With some acts, it was hard to know whether to laugh or be offended.  And some acts, we definitely heard the crickets.  One girl actually had us all pause before her show, to listen to the crickets she knew would be present throughout her act.  Cris and I were in the back of the theater, sitting next to the professor of the class.  Based on his reactions, we could tell what kinds of grades the kids were getting.  The last act we saw was not going to fair well.  Even with the awkward silent moments, it was pretty cool.  It takes a heck of a lot of courage to get up on that stage, especially when it’s not your passion - just your class.  I actually took an improv class, way back when I was at Gonzaga.  I only took it because the guy I had a crush on was an improv guy.  I went to one workshop, trying to feign interest in the same hobbies. I was put in a group, and for our improv act – we were assigned "going into labor."  Because I was the only girl , I was the obvious default mother.  I’m pretty sure there is no funny way to push a baby out – unless your on Knocked UP or Friends, with a set laugh track.  Either way, my interpretation of labor pretty much killed any possibility of that guy ever wanting to date me.  So – I thought about that, as I watched tonight, and I gave all of them serious props for even stepping on that stage.  Hopefully none of their dating prospects were in the audience. 

                   

The Texas Theater is actually a really cool space, that has a lot of history.  It has been closed for at least the last decade, undergoing renovations to restore the theater to it’s original glory.  The theater opened in 1931, and has been host to it’s share of Hollywood movies (non of which I’ve actually seen, but are now on my radar)  The Great Waldo Pepper (1975), Raggedy Man (1981), and The Ballad of the Sad Café (1991).    Like many of the places in the south, this theater has also had its share in the segregation side of history.  Cris and his teammates were introduced to Mexican-American community leaders early in their time here, and there was expressed hurt in this group at the mention of the theater.  Growing up, these men were not allowed to go the theater with their surrounding white community – there were designated days for people of color.  Even today, in the 21^st century, it is interesting to note that the Theater, with the Seguin Conservation Society, was easily able to raise over 2,000,000 dollars for renovations, while other organizations on the opposite side of town struggle to get money. 

This theater hasn’t been very busy since it’s re-opening last March.  But, tonight the seats were packed, and it was fun to see students putting themselves out there.  And it’s always good for the soul to laugh!  One of the best new discoveries (thanks Russell!) this year has been comedy on Pandora.  Did you know that, in addition to music, you can listen to comedians?  Just type in your favorite comedian, and you get a station full of laughs.  To sign off, I’ll leave you with some of our favorites.  Mine. . . Brian Regan.  Cris. . . . Aziz Ansari.    

We are smiling as we toast away the night with some redneck beer in our redneck wine glasses.

                         
-Courtney