Rising Stars

Aspiring Harvard comics auditioned Wednesday for a chance to appear on a cable television college comedy show sponsored by Catch a Rising Star night club.

The New York City club was the starting point for such performers as Robin Williams Pat Benetar, Andy Kaufman, John Belushi and Freddy Prinze.

Dinah W Danby '84. Eric P. Kjellgren '86 and Joe Pistelli a student at the extension school presented comedy skits at auditions for the show, which will all on Home Box Office in April.

The students each had five to 10 minutes to perform their original skits and stand up acts, which were judged and videotaped by Catch A Rising Star and Home Box Office representatives.

Pistelli presented a standup routine on growing up with a Jewish mother and an Italian father. Danby performed a Star Trek parody and Kjellgren a mock quiz program and a spoof briefing on Libyan weaponry.

Smith said she saw some "very funny acts" and was impressed with a lot of the talent she saw.

Kjellgren, who performed with Wesleyan freshman Bennett Schneider, said he auditioned because of the exposure of being on television, adding. "We thought if people see us, they might ask us to perform in clubs on weekends or during the summer."

Danby, who performed her parody at South House February 21 and will perform again April 10, said her skit has some "general silly scenes and many bad puns."

Catch a Rising Star recruited for the show at 17 schools in Massachusetts and will conclude the tour Monday at Emerson College. The show, called "Campus Comedy," will appear as a pilot for a proposed series.