Mask & Wig, Penn-6 to team up

The Titans of male comedy on campus will come together tonight for an unprecedented, one-time-only performance. Mask & Wig and the a cappella group Pennsylvania 6-5000 will stage their opening performance of Pure Prophet!, combining comedy sketches and singing of the two groups for the first time. The groups will perform onstage together for the opening and closing numbers, supported by the diverse musical talents of the members of the orchestra. The casts of both groups were extremely enthusiastic about the upcoming culmination of their efforts. Members said the groups had joined together to offer students a comic oasis from the stress of finals. "In these hard times when finals are in the air, sometimes the best thing to do is to take a break for a laugh or two," said Mask & Wig Director Rich Carvajal, a College junior. The show is a compilation of 15 skits from Mask & Wig and 12 songs from Pennsylvania 6-5000. Wharton junior and Mask & Wig member Doug Lipton would not divulge any specifics, but said, "It's a mish-mosh of different styles, approaches and comedy." College sophomore Dave Hitchens of Penn 6-5000 said the show contains a variety of "very offbeat numbers." Hitchens added that there will be plenty of "new stuff." The M&W; sketches, on the other hand, consist mostly of older material, dating back four or more years, with the exception of three completely new acts. Of course, seeing your favorite comedy is not the only reason to attend. College junior Todd Lieberman has a more mundane, if self-congratulatory reason for audience attendance. "You have two of the best-looking, most talented, all-male groups coagulated into a mushy glob on one stage," he gloated. Still, according to College freshman Mark Milstein of M&W;, "This is a once in a lifetime event that's not to be missed." As for the title of the show, Pure Prophet!, no one in either group was really clear on its meaning or relevance to the show. M&W; explained that the title just sort of happened. The one-night engagement of Pure Prophet! will be 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Annenberg School Theater. Tickets will be on sale today for $5 on Locust Walk.