The Boston College community has been buzzing about Will Ferrell's impending arrival ever since it was announced in December that he would be stopping at BC during his Funny or Die comedy tour. Inevitably, though, the next question that followed was, "Is there still going to be a spring concert?"
"I swear that's the number 1 comment I've gotten since December," said Erica Reisenwitz, executive director of campus entertainment of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) and A&S '08, when asked the same question. "I can't give you a yes or no on that right now. Like I said all year when I've been asked this question about any kind of programming, UGBC has been pursuing entertainment options as they present themselves."
In the past, the UGBC spring concert has been one of the most anticipated events on student calendars. In recent years, BC has snagged such acts as six-time Grammy-award-winning rapper Kayne West, and the popular '90s group Third Eye Blind. While a spring concert for this year has not yet been ruled out, it appears that this year's big bid for the spring will be Will Ferrell's Funny or Die comedy tour.
Ferrell, Saturday Night Live veteran and star of such hit comedies such as Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgandy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, and Blades of Glory, is promoting his new movie, Semi-Pro, through the comedy tour. Ferrell will also be joined by comics Zach Galifianakis and Nick Swardson, as well as Demetri Martin, who performed at BC last spring. The show will take place at 6 p.m. on Feb. 13 in Conte Forum.
The UGBC placed a bid for the Funny or Die comedy tour last summer when it was first notified that the tour was looking to stop at a college campus in the Northeast. Reisenwitz said that the UGBC began researching who would be touring in the area during the time frame they had been allotted for an event when the comedy tour came up.
"This was an example of a specific tour coming to us," Reisenwitz said. "We were able to put in our bid very early." This is Reisenwitz's third year helping to coordinate such events, which, in her experience, requires a lot of time, research, money, and a little bit of luck.
"It kind of worked that a whole lot of serendipity was involved," Reisenwitz said. "Sometimes we have a lot of options, sometimes we don't have a lot of options. As long as we are actively pursuing things, as long as we have our dates in Conte, something always comes up."
Although Reisenwitz declined to name a specific amount, she said that the cost of the comedy tour was high - greater than the $150,000 price of the Kanye West concert of 2006. Jennifer Castillo, UGBC president and A&S '08, said that the price rose due to production costs, including the additional comedians accompanying Ferrell. The UGBC has been budgeting for the comedy tour since it first realized it was a possibility and has planned accordingly throughout the year, Reisenwitz said.
"Beyond this, we're just looking at how big of a loss we're going to be hit with after this," said Reisenwitz. "We never really break even with these shows, and we never make a profit."
Events with heftier price tags come with pricier tickets. Tickets to last year's $85,000 Third Eye Blind concert sold for $15, but tickets for the comedy show will cost $30. Tickets will go on sale on Jan. 29 at 7 a.m. and may be purchased online. Students may purchase two tickets per BC ID. The event is closed to the general public. Tickets are general admission only, and Reisenwitz said there would be plenty of tickets available for all undergraduates.
Castillo said she had received a very positive response from students about the comedy show.
"People are talking about camping out the night before the show in order to ensure that they get good seats. Everyone seems really, really enthusiastic about it," Castillo said. "It's great when you have an artist who attracts so many different students, and you know it's going to sell out. I'm definitely looking forward to it."
Some students, however, voiced concerns regarding the comedy tour. While many students were enthusiastic about the show, some were also worried that it eliminated the possibility of a spring concert.
"Will Ferrell is a big name, and I think it's a good thing that he's coming to BC," said Maura Callahan, A&S '09, "but I personally would rather have a concert."
For those students who are concerned about the potential lack of a spring concert, there's hope yet.
Reisenwitz said that after the comedy show, the UGBC will reassess its budget and see what its options are. "I can't make a guarantee on the time table for the spring events," Reisenwitz said. "I can assure you that we will have something in the spring, or definitely a great Modstock."
Castillo also gave assurances that the comedy tour did not necessarily mark the end of major UGBC-sponsored events for the year. "We are pursuing it, we'll do our best, and hopefully we'll get to see at least one more big event on campus," she said.
Even if BC does not see a spring concert this year like last year's Third Eye Blind, some students said they would be perfectly happy with that.
"I think it's cool that Will Ferrell is coming to campus. It's mixing it up," said Marisa Ross, CSOM '09. "Last year I wasn't too impressed with the concert, so it's a good that we're doing something different."
Mike Chauvin, A&S '08, echoed that sentiment. "I support it too. The spring concert has been weak the past few years. So, why not? It's Will Ferrell."
Be the first to comment on this article!