Travelling back in time from the year 2113, the futuristic comedy improv group Octavarius will take the stage at the University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Wieden Hall on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. The way the group presents it, the galaxy is in danger—an evil mythical cyborg octopus is leading the invasion—and the audience’s help is needed to save it. Through interactive improv, games, scenes, songs, and audience participation, Octavarius will generate enough laughter and friendship to save the future. This show, rated PG-13, is free and open to the public.
Octavarius has performed across the country—from California to Maine—though their home base is in Chicago at the ComedySportz Theater. The group not only performs live comedy, they make music videos and record comedy music. Their web series have been featured on WGN, FOX, and CBS, as well as on the homepages of MSN, The Huffington Post, The Daily What, and many more. Octavarius’ visit to campus is sponsored by UMPI’s Student Activities Office.
Octavarius has been performing improv comedy for seven years. Eight members of the group met at Illinois State University in Chicago, where they performed in ISU’s Improv Mafia together. After studying at the legendary comedy schools, The Second City and iO, the group officially came together. Octavarius is named after a mythical cyborg octopus from the future that is leading the Humboldt Squid Invasion.
The Humboldt Squid Invasion started when two members of the group, while watching Animal Planet, discovered that an abundant number of these gigantic, spineless creatures were patrolling the sea deeper than 1,500 feet below. However, this news didn’t resonate until they started seeing articles seemingly everywhere about the Humboldt Squid. This led to the idea that an invasion had already begun without humankind ever noticing.
This improv group includes: Chris Boque, Matt Castellvi, Matt “LP” Gutierrez, Keith Habersberger, Nick Mikula, Marc “Sharc” Muszynski, Mike “Commodore” Norris, Lisa “Cloud” Ridarelli, Brian “BWo” Wohl, and stage manager Lauren “Timoney” Aimone.
To learn more about Octavarius and their unique brand of comedy, visit www.octavarius.com. For more information, please call 768-9452. The public is invited to join this live event.