By Mahelate Solomon
Maryland Night Live returned for its 10th season on the evening of Saturday, Feb. 18 in the STAMP Colony Ballroom.
The show consisted of a variety of jokes, including a comedic Gen-Z courtroom cold-open, and a College Park Pokemon parody that caused the room to erupt in laughter.
The event showcased talented musical guests Peter Kim and Lulu Jameson, as well as witty stand-up comedians Josh Blume and Julia Parker. Additionally, harmonic melodies of the jazz band played throughout the show, with a set list ranging from catchy pop tunes like “Havana” by Camila Cabello, to the stoic Home Depot theme.
As a fully student-run organization on campus, MNL aims to bring laughter and joy to the Terrapin community through the comedic stylings of sketches, musical performances, stand-up routines and digital shorts, according to host and head writer Philip Mallin.
Prior to the night’s performance, Mallin says the team spent up to six weeks writing, pitching, revising, filming and practicing each of their sketches.
“Nobody just comes in with a sketch that’s perfect,” the three-seasoned writer, Mallin, said. “…We work together to make it better.”
The show’s origins date back to 2019, when improv group leaders Sammy Garcia and Walker Green came together to create an entertainment event based on the format of popular late night sketch show, “Saturday Night Live”. Despite its infancy, the first event is believed to have had over 200 people in attendance, according to current co-director junior Alex Hong.
Hong worked alongside junior Parker Leipzig to direct the latest rendition of the show. As directors, the pair was tasked with fundraising efforts as well as scheduling practices and performances.
“…[D]uring both writing and rehearsing weeks, it can get a little busy and a little tiring,” said Hong. “But you kind of learn how to find gaps in your day.”
MNL is structured through different sub-departments:a video production team that works on digital shorts and video editing and a band director who works to schedule instrumental rehearsal times.
Senior Ines Donfack attended the show for the first time since its debut performance in 2019.
Donfack spent the event laughing with friends and enjoying each of the musical guests.
“The more I watched the funnier it got,” Donfack said in a post-show interview. “Everyone was just super involved in it and to me, the sketches are really cool.”
Although the season has come to an end, MNL is still looking forward to future shows and possibly new members joining the cast for its eleventh season.
Auditions for the next show are expected to begin in the next semester. Those interested in writing and performing with the organization are expected to undergo the standard application which consists of a packet of sketch ideas, written jokes and performances as an original character.
“Don’t be scared,” advised Mallin. “ We’re all just students, we’re all just pretty silly. So just come be silly, and you got a pretty good shot.”
Featured image: Sketch Players perform in front of a live audience at MNL. Photo by Mahelate Solomon.