SPOTLIGHT: Bloomers blends humor with morbid themes

If Bloomers, the only all-female comedy group at the University, was categorized as feminist once upon a time, it might have been an accurate description. But it certainly is not now. The group opens its 14th annual show tonight, and in this time of war and fast changes in the world, the women of Bloomers have decided to avoid the stereotypes of female comedians as well as the complexities of the unpredictable and explosive world situation. "It's hard to make fun of the world [in these times]," said College senior Nani Coloretti, the show's director. So Bloomers decided that they would stay with topics that, although contemporary and identifiable, stay away from touchy subjects. At the time Bloomers was formed, Coloretti said, "there was no outlet for female comedy." And although she conceded that years ago the show might have had a feminist agenda, she said today it is different. "We have stuff dealing with things not done in other [Bloomers] shows," Coloretti said. But, she added, "[although] we do deal with female issues . . . we leave no stone unturned." And all of the show's material was approved by the 12 performers, since they, along with some other writers, created the skits. "If you can't write a funny show, it doesn't matter how many funny faces you can make," said Lesley Wolff, a College sophomore. The performers-writers are concerned not only about the show's execution, but also the content itself. "I really hope that the audience will be able to sense the wit and the effort that went [into the show]," added College sophomore Deborah Brown. Coloretti's attempt to leave no stone unturned seems to be a major part of the show. Good to the last drop . . . dead! satirizes almost everything from movies such as Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure PARIS, the Penn Automated Registration Information System. Coloretti said that despite the show's morbid jokes, people will still enjoy it. "I try to give the audience a feeling of fun and irony about the world," said Coloretti. "To get people to laugh . . . laughter is a good release." Good to the last drop . . . dead!, opens tonight at 8 p.m. in Houston Hall Auditorium. Tickets are $5 and will be on sale today and tomorrow on Locust Walk and at the door. On Friday and Saturday, shows will be at both 7 and 9:30 p.m.

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