Greek Week Fling groupings advance to finals

Greeks performed 14 storybook-themed skits this week.

By Travis Cornejo

Published April 23, 2010

The Boxcar Children and casino robbers were both left holding empty moneybags as the curtains closed on Zeta Tau Alpha, Lambda Chi Alpha and Tau Kappa Epsilon's Fling preliminary performance.

Fourteen groupings performed in preliminary competition Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

The three groupings advancing to finals from Tuesday night are "The Magic School Bus Goes Greek," by Alpha Delta Pi and Beta Theta Pi which features Magic School Bus and "Kiss Me," by Sixpence None the Richer, "Goodbye One-Hundred Acre Wood," by Sigma Sigma Sigma, Sigma Nu and Alpha Gamma Rho which features Winnie the Pooh and "Ice Ice Baby," by Vanilla Ice and "A Curious Quest: George's Journey Home," by Pi Beta Phi, Kappa Alpha Order and Acacia which features Curious George and "All For You" by Sister Hazel.

The two groupings advancing to finals from Wednesday night are "The Boxcar Children Do Vegas," by Zeta Tau Alpha, Lambda Chi Alpha and Tau Kappa Epsilon which features The Boxcar Children and "Mambo No. 5," by Lou Bega and "Dr. Seuss' Cat in the Hat: If Not You, Then Who?" by Chi Omega, Sigma Chi and Beta Sigma Psi which features the Cat in the Hat and "Say My Name," by Destiny's Child.

According to the 2010 Greek Week rulebook, preliminary skits could not run longer than 12 minutes and had to end with a cliffhanger.

In finals, groupings are allotted five additional minutes to solve the cliffhanger ending. Finals will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Jesse Auditorium.

"Fling preparation began before spring break, but it doesn't really take fold until right when we come back from spring break," Interfraternity Council President Brandon Green said.

Green said most of the work takes place during nighttime, so it doesn't interfere with his studies or duties as IFC president.

"It takes a lot of work," Phi Kappa Theta member John Fitzpatrick said about rehearsing for Fling.

Fitzpatrick directed and played the character of Franklin in "Hey, it's Franklin! ... Pretty Old Now."

"When you're a director, you have to be on top of everything," Fitzpatrick said.

A constantly changing script, building props and painting the backdrop are a few reasons why Fling takes a lot of work, Fitzpatrick said.

"It's tough," Fitzpatrick said. "There's not a lot of free time at night. School kind of gets put on the back burner sometimes."

In addition to the 14 groupings, in-between acts are also performed throughout the three nights of preliminary competition.

Alpha Gamma Sigma housemother Josie Walsh performed in the in-between act, "The Housemom Hotties."

"We just wanted to be a part of the excitement of Greek Week with the kids," Walsh said. "We feel it's important that we show them support."

Walsh said the group started three years ago. There are eight participants this year, and usually there are between eight and 10.

"We just try to do something different each year — something fun and light," Walsh said. "We have a great little skit. It's usually just music and dancing."

Walsh said the housemothers enjoy being a part of the tradition of Greek Week, what it stands for and how important it is for the students.

"We feel the kids really enjoy it," Walsh said. "We really get a kick out of it."