Parents, students and the public alike have the opportunity to see one of America’s most prominent comedians live when Bill Cosby performs Saturday night at UW-Eau Claire’s Zorn Arena.
Cosby will hold two shows, one at 6:30 p.m. and the second at 9:30 p.m., in conjunction with Parents’ Weekend.
| “He made you laugh and think about things at the same time.” –Nick Koshenina Senior |
The presentations will consist of his classic storytelling and family oriented humor, said Rick Gorbett, who is Cosby’s Green Bay based regional promoter.
Cosby has been the star of multiple sitcoms, TV shows and movies. Despite being in his mid-sixties, he still tours with his stand-up acts.
“Historically, Cosby always wanted to be in front of live audiences,” Gorbett said. “He’s a known storyteller and continues with his anecdotal format to this day.”
He added that Parents’ Weekend attracted Cosby because it was one of the few family themed oriented weekends present on the college circuit he tours.
Also, Eau Claire considered Cosby to be ideal entertainment for a weekend that focuses on family interaction.
“Because of his values, Cosby is a perfect fit for Parents’ Weekend,” said Paula Stuettgen, student development and programs coordinator. “For students he brings in a big name. But he is also a very educated man, has a number of PhDs and promotes higher education.”
Cosby graduated from Temple University (Penn.) before getting a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts in 1977.
This won’t be the first time Cosby has entertained an Eau Claire crowd. He showcased his intelligence and humor during an earlier visit in Sept. 2000 for Parents’ Weekend.
Senior Nick Koshenina attended one of Cosby’s shows then.
“It was funny, but had a little more to it,” he said. “He made you laugh and think about things at the same time.”
Koshenina also said that he felt Cosby really related to him as a young adult, despite the age gap.
Those wishing to catch Cosby for the first time or for a second round should already have a ticket because both shows are sold out as of yeasterday afternoon.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the first show. Ticket holders for the second show may enter the arena as soon as the first audience is cleared out and the theater is cleaned.
