the encyclopedic entry of Humorology

Dictionary Thesaurus Word Dynamo Quotes Reference Translator Spanish

Humorology

Humorology, or "Humo" for short, is an annual musical/variety show show that takes place at the Union Theater of the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The final performance consists of six original mini musical comedies that are entirely written, produced and performed by six independent companies and overseen by a student run executive board. It is also a judged competition. Having started in 1948, Humorology is one of the oldest traditions at the UW Madison and has become the largest non-profit student service organization in Wisconsin.

About the Show

The six original mini musical comedies are performed over a series of three nights. Each twenty-minute show takes popular music and adapts it into an original story full of singing, dancing, and, of course, plenty of comedy. What makes Humorology so unique is that, aside from the music score, everything is created by the students. Each show is written, directed, choreographed, and performed by the students themselves. Even the sets and costumes are student-made, and when backed by a professional tech crew, Humorology has been equated to the caliber of an off-Broadway production.

Humorology is not just a show - it is also a competition. Rehearsals begin in early October and each cast prepares a nine-minute first half of their show with which they audition for the final show. Auditions take place in December and six casts are chosen to move on to the final show, which is held in April in the Memorial Union Theater. In preparation for the final show, the remaining six casts lengthen their shows by 9 minutes to produce an 18-minute mini-musical comedy. The final night of the show awards are given to the shows that ranked First, Second and Third according to a panel of unbiased judges who score the shows throughout the 3 nights of performances. Additional "Caption" awards are given for Best Musical Number, Best Use of Theme, Best Female Performer, Best Male Performer, Best Dance Break, and Funniest Show among others.

The Companies

Each Humo company consists of selected members of a UW Madison fraternity teamed with selected members of a sorority, however, individuals independent of the Greek system participate as well. Nine companies and shows are created every year, but only six shows make it through auditions to the final performance. A team of writers comes up with the script for the show and writes the lyrics for the music. A rehearsal venue is chosen and companies meet to practice several times a week. The final casts for the 2008 show were:

Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Psi and Sigma Chi
Alpha Phi and Tau Kappa Epsilon
Delta Gamma and Delta Upsilon
Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Tau Delta, Alpha Gamma Rho and Alpha Epsilon Pi
Kappa Alpha Theta, Sigma Pi, and Sigma Phi
Pi Beta Phi and Pi Kappa Alpha

Recent History

Year	1st Place	2nd Place	3rd Place
2001	Pi Beta Phi & Sigma Phi Epsilon	Delta Gamma & Acacia	Chi Omega & Tau Kappa Epsilon
2002	Kappa Kappa Gamma & Acacia	Delta Gamma & Sigma Alpha Epsilon	Gamma Phi Beta & Sigma Phi Epsilon
2003	Delta Gamma & Sigma Phi Epsilon	Gamma Phi Beta & Acacia	Alpha Phi & Zeta Beta Tau, & Sigma Phi
2004	Delta Gamma & Delta Upsilon	Kappa Kappa Gamma & Sigma Phi Epsilon	Alpha Chi Omega & Acacia
2005	Pi Beta Phi & Sigma Phi Epsilon	Alpha Chi Omega & Sigma Phi, & Sigma Pi	Delta Gamma & Pi Kappa Alpha
2006	Delta Gamma & Sigma Pi, & Sigma Phi	Kappa Alpha Theta & The Lodge (Chi Psi)	Alpha Chi Omega & Sigma Phi Epsilon
2007	Alpha Chi Omega & Delta Tau Delta, & Alpha Gamma Rho, & Alpha Epsilon Pi	Delta Gamma & Sigma Phi Epsilon	Kappa Kappa Gamma & Chi Psi, & Sigma Chi
2008	Gamma Phi Beta, & Delta Tau Delta, & Alpha Gamma Rho, & Alpha Epsilon Pi	Delta Gamma & Delta Upsilon	Kappa Alpha Theta & Sigma Phi & Sigma Pi

The Shows

The Humo shows are mini musical comedies that have original plots and scripts and that use popular music with the lyrics altered to fit the storyline that must adhere to an overall theme picked each year. The theme of Humorlogy 2007 in "Never Say Never". Costumes and props and sometimes scenery are used to various effects. Each show must be 20 minutes long and must adhere to the prescribed theme or motif for that given year. Shows are then judged based on creativity, musicianship, humor, and other categories.

Charities

Humorology is the largest Non-Profit student service organization in Wisconsin. Proceeds from Humorology performances are donated to several charities. Prominently among them are Camp Heartland and The Chris Farley Foundation.