Michael Escañuelas
Staff Writer
Laughs filled Dailey Theatre as Alpha Omicron Pi held its third annual Laughs of Love comedy night on Wednesday.
The program, which was titled, “Strike Out Arthritis,” took all proceeds made and put it toward funding for Arthritis research, the sorority’s international philanthropy of choice.
“I think it was a successful event,” said Brittney Alarcon, a senior radio broadcasting major and also the person who organized the event. “I’m appreciative of everyone who can support us.”
The comedy night consisted of four comedians: Tom Vrab, Michael McCusker, Johnny Loquato, and headliner, Robbie Pickard, along with the host, University of La Verne alumnus Yesel Manrique.
The program lasted a little less than two hours with each comedian bringing up their own unique type of comedy for the audience.
With some of the comedians hailing from places as far as the east coast to cities closer to home, each entertainer brought a unique style of comedy to the stage. Some of the comedians used music in their acts while others used intermission in a clever way.
“We’re on stage five nights a week,” Pickard said. “It is nights like these that I really like.”
The stage was set up with the standard mic and stand along with a stool. The background held a display of the Alpha Omicron Pi letters along with the “Strike Out Arthritis” logo.
The lighting, stage work and volunteers all consisted of members of Alpha Omicron Pi. By the start of the show the theater had a number of people filling most of the seats.
“The crowd was good and the set up was nice,” Vrab said. “It was more intimate.”
The show ended with a birthday surprise for Michael Laponis, the women’s faculty adviser and professor of communications.
Following the show, audience members took pictures with sorority members and the comedians.
The night was made possible by the members of the sorority and the volunteer work of the comedians who gave their services for free.
Michael Escanuelas can be reached at michael.escanuelas@laverne.edu.
