The last laugh

Saturday night was bittersweet for both the audience and performers. About 50 people gathered in the IMU cafeteria to watch the very last performance of the Pumpernickel improv troupe, and they were thoroughly impressed. The group, which formed in 1994, does Chicago-style comedy games similar to those seen on "Whose Line is it Anyway?". Saturday's final performance made the audience laugh, cry and, in the end, they were sorry to see the group go.\nFor sophomore fan Stephanie Sluss, Pumpernickel's final show was the best.\n"I think everyone (in the group) letting loose was the best part," she says. "Pumpernickel rocks, and they get progressively better every time I see them. I am sad to see them go."\nSenior Andy Murphy, a self-described Pumpernickel groupie, said watching the last performance was heartbreaking. \n"I really think that they are the best form of short form improv comedy around. I think it's cool it can be funny, but (the performers can) still keep it a family show." \nThe group mugged, leaped and strutted across the stage, and its high energy was contagious. The audience got into each skit more and more and, as the skits required their participation, they shouted out categories louder and faster as the show went on. It was obvious that the Pumpernickel members fed off this energy, as their lines got funnier and comebacks got quicker with each skit. \nPumpernickel needs a strong audience, and it had one Saturday night. \nEncouraging the audience and saying that almost no subject was taboo, Pumpernickel created scenarios involving everything from circus freaks to butter knives and bleeding hearts with dandruff. The actors injected the objects in film genres like film noir, gross-out comedy and porno, skits were sung in a doo-wop rap or performed straight, each with their own unique charm. \nAt the end of the show, Pumpernickel said its last goodbye. The night ended on a sad note, but the group was still in high spirits and was eager to talk with friends and fans.\nAlthough the group was not willing to say exactly what led to the breakup, it did note the strain resulting from three members who had to commute at least an hour for every performance. \n"We just grew up. We tried doing (performances) long distance and it didn't work," says IU alumnus Elizabeth Holtsclaw, who now lives in Indianapolis. "The Waldron (Arts Center) really supported us and kept us around, and we are really grateful for that."\nThroughout senior Keith Roach's career with Pumpernickel, he experienced many highs and lows. But nothing prepared him for going out in front of an audience for the first time.\n"The first year I was in Pumpernickel, I was scared as crap. I actually dreaded coming to performances," Roach says. \nAs the months passed, Roach became more comfortable in front of an audience. The excitement of the Friday night shows at the Waldron did not start the day of, or the night before, but Wednesday. As he became more comfortable with his performance, he formed stronger friendships with the other group members.\n"The camaraderie among everyone is what I am going to miss the most. It was fun," Roach says.\nAdam Briner thought joining Pumpernickel would be a great opportunity to get some real world experience for what he hopes will be a career in comedy. After all, who better than an audience to gage his comedic talents. The results were better than he expected.\n"My first year was good and I enjoyed playing to stadium sellout crowds," Briner says.\nPumpernickel was important to Holtsclaw, who used the troupe as a lesson in life. She discovered that she could find more of herself in the group rather than in the world of academia at the university. The group prepared her for life by teaching her how to function in the real world. \n"It has made me well-rounded and has taught me to be comfortable being a fool," she says. \nFor IU alumnus and Pumpernickel director Gregg Holtsclaw, the last performance was a chance to say goodbye to the group that has been a part of him since 1994.\n"Six years and one last show, it's a good note to go out on," Holtsclaw says.\nHoltsclaw says although Pumpernickel might be gone, this will not be the last time audiences will see members of the group in performance. Some of the cast members will be performing in shows in Indianapolis and Chicago later in the year. \nBut the fans are left wondering how they will fill the void Pumpernickel has left.\n"I am sad," says freshman Erica Zehner. "What am I going to do on Friday nights"