Some records were made to be broken.
Local comedy improvisational troupe The Family Dinner believes in this mantra.
Adam Wilson, member of The Family Dinner, said the troupe was looking to break the record for the longest improv show ever performed. Unfortunately, the group recently learned another group from Kentucky holds the record for the two longest shows.
The Family Dinner decided to settle for third place, with a 28-hour-long improv show called The World’s 3rd Longest Improv Show.
“This group has always been a group of vanity and self-absorption,” Wilson said. “We were not, however, interested in performing a show that was more than 70 hours long [to break the record].”
Rhonda Dunaway, adviser of the Union Program Council’s Lively Arts Committee, said the proceeds from the show will be donated to the Hurricane Student Relief Fund.
Dunaway said Lively Arts has been a friend of The Family Dinner comedy troupe since before they were a group.
Five years ago, the Lively Arts Committee sponsored an improv show, called Making it Up, that was very popular among students, Dunaway said.
Some of the students in Making it Up formed The Family Dinner and since then have stayed in touch with Lively Arts, Dunaway said.
Wilson said Lively Arts has been very supportive of The Family Dinner and their goal to produce a 28-hour-long show.
“It’s kind of a like a reunion of sorts with Lively Arts,” Wilson said. “It also just so happens to be our 100th show, so it is a celebration in that right, as well.”
Mike Tauzin, a member of The Family Dinner, said several different types of improv comedy are scheduled for the show.
“There will be something there for everyone – stand-up, improv opera, sketch comedy,” Tauzin said.
Wilson said the group will perform for the duration of the show, with no breaks in between.
“Each member gets their own hour to perform whatever type of comedy they want,” Wilson said. “Some of us will help each other out, and sometimes we will just watch and support each other.”
Wilson said the group does not plan to sleep extra to make up for the 28 hours they will spend awake.
“Any sleeping we do will be on stage,” Wilson said. “That way we are actually performing while we are asleep.”
Wilson also said everyone he has talked to about the performance seems excited about the show.
“It is for a great cause and something like this has never been done before around here,” Wilson said.
The World’s 3rd Longest Improv Show will take place from noon Friday to 4 p.m. Saturday in the Union Colonnade. Admission is $5 for one entrance or $15 for unlimited access on both days.
 
Contact Meghan Legaux at [email protected]