Gather round, children. It’s story time.
Long ago, in the years when people thought handwashing was just a suggestion, the RU comedy scene was dominated by the titans of their industry: Rutgers Night Live! These funny folk worked tirelessly for two whole weeks each semester to put up what SNL does in five days. The shows were something of a legend at Cabaret. With the friendly face of a fellow classmate hosting the show, live performances from local DIY bands, and comedy either so funny or so cringey you leave laughing no matter the context, it was a recipe for success.
Rutgers Night Live had it made. The comedy troupe were the celebrities of Cab culture. Every show sold out to millions of tens of adoring fans. Midnight performances were the event not-to-be-missed.
And then, we went virtual.
The coordinators of RNL decided that it would be best to take a hiatus from production after things went online. So much of RNL is based on real-time reaction from the audiences. There just isn’t a virtual equivalent to seeing your friends squirm around like a lizard on the Cabaret floor. So for the 2020-2021 season, RNL vanished.
But never fear, Cabaret! Our fearless leader, RNL coordinator Jason Bediako, has heard your cries. Rutgers Night Live is back and better than ever with a cast of entirely new talent. Except for this one guy, Soren. We can’t seem to get him to leave.*
Gian-Soren Morici, pictured alongside Paige Jarusiewicz and Josh Rosenzweig, performing in the opening sketch.
Under the traditional circumstances, Rutgers Night Live only auditions in the second semester to prepare for the next year’s season. But a two year gap meant we were out a lot of players. So Jason, a former RNL performer himself, decided to introduce Fall auditions. This means that for the first time in its history, RNL has freshmen in it! Our sole (And we really mean sole. Everyone else graduated.) veteran member, Soren, comments on this: “They will be involved in RNL for 4 years! Unless they take a 5th year, then it will be 5 years!” An important detail to know is that once one gains membership to Rutgers Night Live, it lasts until you 1.) graduate 2.) hate us.
Each new member of RNL has their own unique perspective with this being their first time on the show, and I knew their interpretations of the experience would be much funnier than my own:
What IS RNL XXI: And Legal Baby!?
“RNL XXI is the kid who was, like, a real heavy drinker in high school and started shitting blood so they had to get sober but now by their twenty-first birthday it's been a long enough hiatus that they trust themselves to celebrate with a wine cooler.“ -Paige Jarusiewicz, vampire and RNL performer.
How have rehearsals been?
“I get to see a baby pineapple from time to time during rehearsals so that’s definitely a highlight.” -Kolter Yagual, mediocre punch absorber and RNL performer.
What’s your favorite joke in the show?
“My fav joke is my entire monologue because it's so funny and I'm definitely not nervous about everyone else thinking that it's funny because it's definitely not my first time doing stand-up-so I'm manifesting :}” Hayley Adler, spiritual guide and RNL host.
Hayley, warming up the crowd by riffing on returning from the pandemic and readjusting to college life
Yes, you read that right, folks! Cabaret regular and serial ensemblist Hayley Adler is our RNL XXI host! And she is back with a vengeance. Her bitingly hilarious monologue pokes fun at the struggles of casting and her snap comedic timing drives us through the course of the show. She’s featured in three sketches and each digital short, delivering a performance that both stands out and fits perfectly in the schmorgesborg of cast comedians.
When I asked Hayley about her time with Rutgers Night Live, she told me “I like the RNL process because it is SUCH a fun and goofy environment. it's been lit.” Her real excitement, however, lies with the midnight performance:
“The midnight show is when the crackheads come out. The audience is hungry for some top notch comedy, and boy are we ready to give them what they are craving. The energy is contagious, and we all are running on iced coffee and various substances (I am referring to alcohol and weed only and specifically, don't do drugs kids.**)”
In addition to the inclusion of a host and digital shorts, RNL also copies the page on musical performances out of Saturday Night Live’s book. This time around, we were lucky enough to secure not one, but TWO guests: Valentine’s Day (10/22) and Eastern Function (10/23, both shows).
Check out Eastern Function’s Spotify here.
Check out Valentine’s Day’s IG here.
*We love you, Soren.
**Alcohol and weed are drugs.
RNL XXI: And Legal Baby! opens tonight Friday October the 22nd at 8pm, and also shows October 23th at 8pm and 11:59pm.
Host: Hayley Adler
Musical Guests: Valentine’s Day and Eastern Function
Tickets are available for purchase at:
https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/sabo/4785
For more information visit our Facebook event page: (1) Rutgers Night Live XXI: And Legal Baby! | Facebook
Photos courtesy of Henry Strehlo
Some of the RNL cast performing in Dinosaur Day