Comedian performs free show tonight in Plachta

Comedian Alex Thomas will perform a free show at 8 p.m. today in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium.

He has been featured in episodes of “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” and “Moesha,” and has done voices for “Family Guy.” Thomas also has had roles in the movies “Just Married” and “The Wash.”

“We first saw him this February at the NACA (National Association for Campus Activities) National Conference in St. Louis,” said Dave Breed, Program Board concert chair and Muskegon sophomore.

At the conference, students get the opportunity to build relationships with talent agencies and watch performances by those interested in touring at universities.

Program Board put in a bid for Thomas after watching his performance at the conference, said Matt Burza, Program Board president.

“Students can definitely expect some really high-quality comedy,” the Ostego senior said. “He has been on Chappelle’s Show and all over Comedy Central.”

Thomas was originally signed to be the featured comedian for Hip Hop Week, but the week was rescheduled because it would conflict with Homecoming Week.

“We decided to keep Thomas for the Oct. 1 show rather than trying to reschedule him for the week earlier,” Burza said.

Instead, Program Board had Rodney Laney pick up the comedic slot for the Hip Hop Week performance Sept. 22.

Program Board Comedy Chair and Pinconning sophomore Crysta Heckman said Thomas’ show will probably top a lot of the smaller shows Program Board has put on the past few years.

“He’s been doing comedy since he first got out of high school,” Heckman said. “He is really funny, and his show shouldn’t be missed.”

Burza said Program Board is taking suggestions for future comedic acts to come to campus. To give an opinion, click on the survey in the upper-right-hand corner of the CMU Portal, portal.cmich.edu.

The list of possible comedians includes Lewis Black, Gabriel Iglesias, Stephen Lynch, Demetri Martin, Bob Saget and Nick Swardson.

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