Students enjoyed a night of laughs with music/comedy duo Dakaboom and stand-up comedian Justine Marino for SVSU’s Welcome Back Comedy Night.
The free event was Jan. 24 by Valley Nights and Program Board.
Marino lives in Los Angeles and has worked in improv and sketch comedy. She plays at colleges and clubs across the country and has opened for comedians Joel McHale and Bo Burnham.
Vanguard photo | Jamie Loubert
Entertainment RSOs Valley Nights and Program Board kicked off their winter semester with a Welcome Back Comedy Night, featuring comedy duo Dakaboom (pictured: Paul Pegler, left, and Ben McLain) and stand-up comedian Justine Marino.
She began her set by asking one audience member who she was texting and continued to interact with students and start conversations throughout the show.
Marino told stories about her dating experiences and made confessions to the audience.
“I never know what to wear on a date, which is why I just throw on a wedding dress and hope for the best,” Marino said.
She also disclosed her affinity for sweets and declared that for her, doughnuts should be called “do nots.”
The show quickly transitioned from Marino to Dakaboom, comprised of Ben McLain and Paul Peglar. The duo is from Los Angeles and New York, and is described as postmodern vaudeville on their website.
McLain and Peglar used a cappella, loop stations, stand-up, sketch, crowd interaction and many musical genres to entertain students.
The long-time best friends moved quickly from talking and arguing to singing fast-paced songs. They also utilized facial expressions and body language to showcase their unique and oftentimes eccentric brand of humor.
Kaylee Davis, second year psychology and creative writing double major, thought that Marino was funny, but liked the humor Dakaboom presented more.
“I prefer the musical puns and how they use word play,” Davis said.
Peglar performed a song using female names as puns: “Who’s the girl I’d like to pick? Rose.” He included names such as Hope, Dawn and Holly.
One song, “F.A.Q.,” used humor to answer questions about their lives. The duo briefly discussed the numerous projects they have been involved in while Paglar commented that being broke is what you’re supposed to do in your 20s. After an affirmation from audience members, Peglar jokingly addressed students: “we can tell you with certainty, it does not get better.”
A crowd favorite seemed to be their combination of 50 television theme songs in under five minutes. They incorporated songs from “The Flintstones” to “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Aire,” and had audience members sing along.
Dakaboom also performed many songs from their studio album, “Get Awesome.”
Kennedy Danforth, first-year elementary education major, liked that the comedy night included a mixture of different types of comedy.
“I thought the contrast between the two acts was really good,” Danforth said.
