This year’s homecoming comedian is a familiar comedic figure
Jamie Heathcote
Contributing Writer
Bo Burnham is appearing at the Retriever Activities Center (RAC) on Oct. 11 with his humorous style of wit, sarcasm and songs. A young musical comedian, Burnham landed his fame through a YouTube video he posted at the age of 16 that quickly went viral.
UMBC’s Student Events Board has arranged for comedian Bo Burnham to be this year’s featured performer at the annual Homecoming comedy show. This will be the young comedian’s second performance at UMBC. What makes him solid choice and an engaging comedian is that he offers his jokes through a combination of songs and stand-up.
Burnham will be performing in the Retriever Activities Center on Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the CIC for $12 or online for $15.
The Student Events Board here at UMBC is responsible for planning major events, such as Quadmania, weekly movies, karaoke nights, game nights, dances and parties. Currently shown as the cover photo of their Facebook page, a performance by Burnham appears to be an upcoming event that’s worth getting excited for.
Luke Schubert, a junior information systems major, said “I’m definitely a fan of Bo Burnham. I had no idea he was coming here though.” In fact, this isn’t the first time he has performed here and it may not be the last. During Welcome Week in 2009, Burnham performed in the University Center ballroom.
Of course, if one isn’t familiar with Burnham’s comedic style, there are videos of his performance here at UMBC among many videos of him performing on YouTube. He performed songs such as “Perfect Woman,” “New Math” and “High School Party,” while the audience laughed and carried on.
Katelyn Seale, the event programmer of (seb), said “In choosing who to perform we look at who is available, the price and who the students like.” In 2012, Burnham also performed at the University of Maryland, making him a popular choice among Maryland universities.
Not always lighthearted or politically correct, Burnham is now widely recognized as a comedian, singer-songwriter, musician and actor who appeared in the popular show Parks and Recreation alongside fellow comedian Aziz Ansari, who has also performed at the University of Maryland in recent years.
Burnham’s latest musical stand-up comedy special what. is available to stream on Netflix and was released Dec. 2013. Burnham also released a book of poetry last October. “Egghead: Or, You Can’t Survive on Ideas Alone” features poems, stories and illustrations by Chance Bone.
Expecting another fulfilling turnout this year, an estimated 900 tickets have been sold for the upcoming show so far, making roughly 400 tickets still up for grabs. Seale also said “The week of Homecoming is usually the busiest time with selling tickets and preparing.” Planning for an event like this certainly isn’t a short-term process, but an exciting one nonetheless.
