Wright Concert Plans Are Almost Definite

The Undergraduate Council will almost certainly secure a spring concert performance by deadpan comedian Steven Wright over the weekend, former council social chair Eugene S. Kim '92 said yesterday.

Kim said that Wright had verbally confirmed the concert last Friday and that the final contract would probably be signed by Monday.

The council will pay Wright $10,500 for the April 6 concert, which will be made up of a 50-minute routine and a 20-minute film starring Wright. Kim said there was also a possibility that the Harvard improvisational comedy group On Thin Ice might appear as the opening act.

The performance will take place in Sanders Theater and tickets will probably cost $10 if bought in advance, and $12 at the door, Kim said.

Although the council was previously unsuccessful in negotiating a Wright show in February, Kim said his negotiating position had been strengthened when the Harvard Lampoon offered the comedian an award.

"It bolstered the bid," Kim said. But he said that tough negotiating had still been necessary. "The key to the whole situation was that we didn't budge when the ante went up," Kim said, referring the threat of Wright's promoter that the comedian would not perform at Harvard unless the council paid for his $2400 airfare.

Kim also said that negotiations with reggae musician Ziggy Marley were proceeding smoothly and that Marley would soon be pressed to confirm his final concert dates. Marley has said he will perform at Harvard either in April or May of this spring.