Funny business

Need a laugh? UC Irvine’s Improv Revolution – an improvisational ensemble of undergraduates from the Claire Trevor School of the Arts – will present the Coup de Comedy Festival 2015 on May 6-9, with plenty of humorous inspiration for all.

The free four-day event brings shows, panels and workshops to the UCI campus and community. Venues include the Little Theatre, the Nixon Theatre, Winifred Smith Hall and the Claire Trevor Theatre.

As part of the third annual comedy extravaganza, iRev will honor Keegan-Michael Key of Comedy Central’s “Key & Peele” with the Revolutionary Comedy Award at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 9. Key, who recently appeared at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner as President Barack Obama’s “anger translator,” was selected for his talent and positive impact on the world.

Many alumni credit the Coup de Comedy Festival for shaping their professional career path. Zoë Rose Moacanin ’13, who first did stand-up at the debut event’s open mic show, is now a comedian, actor, producer and writer in Los Angeles. She returns to the festival on Friday, May 8, in 8:30 and 10 p.m. performances.

“While in iRev, I rediscovered my intense passion for comedy and, through the Coup de Comedy Festival, was able to pursue that passion,” Moacanin says. “I made connections and gained advice over those [four] days that have made it possible for me to return two years later with two sketch shows under my belt, a degree from The Second City Hollywood, production experience and lifelong friends. Come to this festival, listen, learn and be inspired. Also, the cast of iRev once made me cry in a Cheesecake Factory. Just saying.”

The full schedule and registration information for the Coup de Comedy Festival 2015 is available at https://coupdecomedy2015.sched.org. For maps, driving directions and parking instructions, go to www.arts.uci.edu/directions. The event is co-sponsored by UCI Illuminations: The Chancellor’s Arts & Culture Initiative.