Tweens sketch show


Sean Fiedler practices for his role. Reminder Publications submitted photo

By Danielle Paine, Reminder Assistant Editor

LONGMEADOW "No Funny Stuff," a live sketch comedy show for the whole family will soon premier to raise funds for Glenbrook Middle School.

"This truly is a school show that you can go to even if your kid isn't in it," Director and local television commercial producer Dave Brinnel said. "It is truly funny for kids and the jokes are funny for adults too."

This culmination of a new after-school comedy club has developed much like a professional comedy show, Brinnel explained. He and the actors met weekly to write sketches, discuss which jokes worked best and rehearse. In the end, the group created a fast-paced 90-minute performance of both live and prerecorded "TV" comedy sketches.

"It all began because there was no drama club," Brinnel explained about founding this comedy troupe of 15 middle-schoolers including his daughter Hailey. "I said well, I'm not quite comfortable directing a play but I've been doing comedy in some form all my life."

The two-night show will debut June 1 and 2, 7:30 p.m. at Glenbrook Middle School in Longmeadow. All proceeds raised from tickets (priced at $3 and $5) will go towards extra-curricular activities via the school's Parent Advisory Council.

"You can't get more laughs for five bucks anywhere else," Brinnel said. "There are a few school plays that are supposed to be funny but this thing is as new as a show can get. It's fresh and funny and anybody would have a great time seeing it."

The spoof of a live television comedy show will feature fake commercials, music and stand-up comedy, all infused with original and classic sketches.

"I've watched these kids come into this program with very little knowledge about how comedy works and now I've created these 15 little experts and it's an awesome feeling," Brinnel said. "Maybe they won't go into comedy for a living but it was a great experience and a great way to expose kids to something they may have never experienced."

Tickets for both performances are available at the Glenbrook Middle School Office, by calling 567-7653 or at the door.

"The No Funny Stuff Players" include Hailey Brinnel, Kimberly Brown, Samantha Goldaper, Connor Holmes, Sam Martin, Ariel Michaels, Sally Mikhlin, Nathaniel Munic, True Rafferty, Shelby Smith, Alex Torpey with Assistant Director, Comedian Kelsey Flynn.