Laugh With Me

Abstract

When a repressed boarding school student is talked into living with a new roommate, his dream of becoming a Stand-Up comedian seems more achievable than ever before, but with the looming presence of an over-controlling father, the punchlines might bomb before they reach the stage. Gabe Calloway is a student at one the most prestigious Protestant boarding schools in the country. Unlike the other students, whose dreams consist of becoming priests and attending Harvard Divinity, Gabe has a repressed desire to become a comedian. The untapped potential of Gabe's comedy is unlocked when he agrees to live with a new roommate. Jonathan, Gabe's new roommate, learns about Gabe's comedic sensibility and of a secret comedy club that meets on campus most nights. Once Jonathan attends a club meeting and truly sees Gabe's potential, he insists that Gabe take his talents off campus and try his luck at a comedy club. There's a problem though, Gabe's over controlling Father, the headmaster, despises comedy for joke give up any sort of moral high ground. If Gabe gets caught, it could mean big trouble. After some convincing from Jonathan, Gabe agrees to trek to the city and test out the comedy world. Together, Gabe and Jonathan hop onto a bus a travel into New York City to a legendary comedy club, 'The Comedy Shack.' While preparing for his first ever set, Gabe meet's Gus King. Gus is a down on his luck comedian who is in need of inspiration. Gabe and Gus don't get off on a great foot. Finally, Gabe preforms his first set and, let's just say he doesn't bomb. In all honesty, Gabe is elated with his performance and figures that he can actually become a comedian. Now, with missing assignments, the Headmaster begins to suspect that something is going on with Gabe. Typically, Gabe is a great student who does his best to maintain good grades. Gabe, unable to reveal the hidden desire to his father, suggests that everything is going fine. The Headmaster isn't sold. Gabe, still high off of his recent comedy club performance, decides to convince the fellow secret club members to perform too. At first, everyone is a bit skeptical, but eventually they decide to join in on the fun and explore their true voices. Gabe also enlists the help of Gus King to teach them the secrets of Stand-up comedy. Through a series of trial and error, Gabe and his friends, learn to explore the reasons as to why they preform stand up. Will Gabe accomplish his goal of becoming a comedian or will his Father step in and squash the whole thing?