By Bailee Lawless | Staff Writer –
Comedian Seaton Smith’s performance had the crowd roaring with laughter on Tuesday night but some of his jokes may not have been appropriate for the catholic university venue.
Smith performed at Salve Regina University in Bazarsky lecture hall following the opening act of the Salve’s Seahawk Down Improv Troupe. Smith’s routine kept the audience laughing but it also received a variety of reviews in regards to his appropriateness.
Campus Activities Board (CAB) Advisor, Mary Crimmins said they spoke to the comedian beforehand to set boundaries. “We want to make sure they uphold the values that Salve has” so that it is not offensive, said Crimmins.
Smith opened his routine by acknowledging the small private catholic setting and even asked jokingly if he was allowed to swear. Occasionally he would look to the CAB officials in the back and ask if he had gone too far, in some cases they replied that he had. Before one joke Smith paused, laughed and said, “I’m filtering myself” and moved on.
While he did show an effort to sensor his jokes and make them appropriate for the venue, CAB officials said he slipped up occasionally. “He was a little inappropriate and went a little too far at times,” said CAB comedy director and Salve senior Jimmy Donnelly. CAB’s president and Salve senior, Vittoria Penna, agreed with Donnelly saying she found a few jokes offensive.
Regardless of Smith’s lack of censorship, both CAB officials agreed that the show was successful. “He was a little crude for Salve but I think the public loved it,” said Penna. The hall was full of laughter and there was never a joke that received a quiet response. “Everyone seemed to be laughing, so the show was a success,” said Donnelly.
While the students agreed on the success, they seemed to disagree with CAB about the level of appropriateness. Coley Barker, a freshman at Salve and winner of the raffle after the show, said “for the most part, it was really funny” and “not at all” offensive. Molly Kallinich, a sophomore at Salve said she didn’t find it too offensive and said it “was the right amount for comedy purposes”. Both students said they would see him perform again.
It’s tough to get a large attendance because the events are usually on Tuesday nights, this night however, the Seahawk Down Improve Troupe “drew a lot more people to the event,” said Donnelly. About a third of the crowd came early to watch their peers perform before Smith.
It was also the escape and CAB’s reputation that drew students to the show. As school work gets busy it’s “kind of fun to come and unwind a bit” said Robin Peterucci, a freshman at Salve.
CAB’s previous event was singing comedian Brian Sullivan. Jana Bechtiger, a junior exchange student from Switzerland said she came to watch Smith perform because she enjoyed Sullivan’s act.
CAB does their best to find unique comedians with different strengths. Searching for comedians is “a place where we can be diverse. Diversifying CAB’s programs is one of its missions”, said Crimmins.
Donnelly worked with Crimmins to find and hire Smith to perform at Salve. They looked at reviews and watched some of his routines on YouTube. According to Smiths website he has a smooth charisma and an explosive energy. Smith is very upbeat, energetic, and makes the most of his performance said Donnelly.
Salve’s Campus Activities Board plans an average of four comedy events each semester. Smith’s act was the second this year following singing comedian Brian Sullivan. CAB’s next and third performance this semester will be Jimmy Ouyang on Friday, Nov 1. in Bazarsky at 9pm.
