A State of Confucian Promises Non-Stop Laughs

A State of Confucian Promises Non-Stop Laughs
September 30, 2013 Donald Fisher

By Don Fisher ’75

Every now and zen, a show comes along that is so life-changing, it’ll make you turn your phone off and actually consider watching it. Fingers crossed, this is that show. We don’t mean to be blunt, but the laughs will be non-stop as you enlighten up with us and reach a higher state of mind.  So, grab your friends and pagoda the Mask and Wig Fall Show “A State of Confucian.”

This is the 43rd annual Fall Show produced by the Mask and Wig undergraduates featuring original comedy, songs and dance. In addition to the troupe’s wacky sketch comedy, the show tells a story of several Penn students who unwittingly find themselves far off the beaten path.  Set in a forbidden temple inhabited by mysterious singing monks, “A State of Confucian” begs us to ask many of life’s most pressing questions: Is it possible to truly find inner peace in a commercialized world completely dependent on technology? Why don’t people tap dance more often? How many puns can one possibly fit into one sentence?

“We have been going from strength to strength in our shows and our Company is the most talented to date,” stated Noah Goldstein, Undergraduate Chair. “A State of Confucian promises to be a great evening of comedic entertainment.”

The company features these seniors in their final performance

  • Noah Goldstein
  • AJ Rossi
  • Chirag Pathre
  • Kevin Seelaus
  • Will Seife
  • Tommy Sisson
  • Zach Tomasovic
  • Nick Volpe

The show is being directed by Kevin Seelaus and the book was written by Chirag Pathre, Kevin Seelaus, Will Seife, Zach Tomasovic, Andres Martinez, Joe Miciak, and Danny Rodriguez.

“Our band continues to rock the house with successful performances at New Student Orientation, and a packed house at Zellerbach for our Free Show” noted Goldstein. “They will certainly bring it for A State of Confucian.”

The band features:

  • Nick Volpe
  • Wyatt Shapiro
  • Dimitri Antoniou
  • Zach Shen
  • Tai Bendit-Schtull
  • Tatum Gale
  • Tomy Patrich
  • Eric Schwartz

The Mask and Wig Club, founded in 1889, is the oldest all-male collegiate musical comedy troupe in the United States. Mask and Wig has presented comedy, music, and dancing to the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and audiences across the country for more than 125 years. Its credo is “Justice to the stage; credit to the University.”

The club’s performers, or “The Cast,” stage two all-original shows each year. Many Mask and Wig original songs were made famous on the radio by classic crooners. The well-known “Route 66” was composed by club member Bobby Troup and launched to the height of popularity by Frank Sinatra. Troup’s song “Daddy” was written for a Mask and Wig show. Other Mask and Wig songs, such as “The Gypsy in My Soul,” written by Clay Boland and Moe Jaffe, have been performed by the likes of Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey, and Ella Fitzgerald. The first electrically recorded album ever released was Mask and Wig’s “Joan of Arkansas,” in April 1925.

If you would like more information please contact Noah Goldstein at 215-716-7378 or email at ugchairman@maskandwig.com.