History
Mee-Ow Show: the First 50 Years
The Mee-Ow Show was founded at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois in 1974 by student creators & producers Paul Warshauer and Josh Lazar. The inaugural Mee-Ow Show, "Just in Time," was the first performance in the newly constructed McCormick Auditorium in Norris University Center. The show has been a staple of the Northwestern theatre and comedy scene ever since.
Joseph Radding and Paul Warshauer's book, "Mee-Ow at 50; The Definitive History" will be released by Northwestern University Press in October, 2024.
A Brief Overview of Mee-Ow History from the Northwestern Archives:
1974: The First Show
Creator/Producer Paul Warshauer was approached by Josh Lazar in a hallway in the Foster Walker Dormitory in the fall of 1973 to assist him producing a new show on campus. Lazar had submitted material to the Waa-Mu Show and in his opinion, "they butchered it."
"Mee-Ow" was created in reaction to the "closed door policies" of the venerable Waa-Mu Show, Northwestern's long running annual musical revue. A new open door policy, based on the philosophy of Henry Miller, that "Everyman is an Artist." Submission of material began immediately and included poetry, original songs, comedy sketches and dance routines. These were reviewed by the producers and the director. An overarching theme of traveling through time was put in place based on the material submitted. The show featured traditional song and dance numbers, poetry, and sketch comedy. The cast and crew numbered 50 on stage and behind the scenes. The orchestra, consisting of 13 performers was placed on stage left and was directed by George Lisle. The first Mee-Ow Show ran April 12, 13 & 14, 1974. With a large cast and orchestra, the show ran over three hours but set the stage for what would become one of the longest running student created improvisational shows in history.
2024; The 51st Mee-Ow Show
Producer, Henry Patton
Co-Director, Orly Lewittes
Co-Director, Alondra Rios
Cast: Brendan Dahl
Ferd Moscat
Shai Bardin
Jeff Snedega
PJ Fahrenkrug
Todd Walter
Staff and Band:
Khoi Le
Luca Hirsch
Aditi Adve
Piper Fishkind
Leo McKenna
Missy Scavongelli
Julia Stork
Zoe Davis
Sam Marshall
Katherine Li
Anna Selina
Marilena Kolokotsa
Cessa Lewis
Ezra Osburn
1975-1982: Mee-Ow Grows Up
In 1975, after mixed reviews and political & financial issues, the Mee-Ow Show was re-conceived and directed by two of its cast members, Bill Nuss (class of 1976) and Eugene "Dusty" Kay (Class of 1976), as a musical comedy review with a smaller cast, taking its inspiration from Chicago's The Second City, Kentucky Fried Theatre and Monty Python. The dance numbers were choreographed by Wendy Taucher and Karen Pepper served as Music Director. Richard Kotrba served as "Comedy Coordinator," thus beginning the long legacy of comedy and improvisation as the basis for future shows.
The name of the show was almost changed to Improv '75, but instead the name and cat logo for Mee-Ow was maintained. Kay and Nuss co-directed the '75 and '76 versions.
According to cast member Jeff Lupetin, the first time audience suggestions were taken from the audience was 1977. Music has been a part of the show since 1974 in one form or another either with a show band, keyboardist or combo. According to cast member Rush Pearson, Mee-Ow featured "And The and the And Thes," the first ROCK band in 1982. Although performances were limited at first to the two venues in Norris University Center, (McCormick Auditorium and the Louis Room), additional performances started at Shanley Hall in 1982.
1983-1989
1983-1989
1983-1989
Mee-Ow grows more popular and music and the "band" become central to the core of the show.
1990-1999
1983-1989
1983-1989
The motto 1/3 sketch, 1/3 improv games. and 1/3 music takes hold. The shows now have TWO sets of performances. One in Shanley Hall and one in McCormick Auditorium in the Norris University Center.
2000-2009
1983-1989
2000-2009
The new millennia finds Mee-Ow more popular than ever. Record numbers of students audition Shows now occur in Shanley. the McCormick Auditorium and in the Louis Room on the second floor of the Norris University Center.
2010-2019
Then and Mee-Ow (Exhibit)
2000-2009
Mee-Ow cast continue the amazing traditions and some cast travel to LA, New Orleans and participate in improv "contests" against Yale and UCLA,. Trips by the cast to Los Angeles, the Bahamas and Europe become legendary!
2020-present
Then and Mee-Ow (Exhibit)
Then and Mee-Ow (Exhibit)
"Mee-Ow at 50" (working title) is approved by the Northwestern University Press! Authors Paul Warshauer and Joseph Radding undertake the massive task of writing a book featuring interviews, articles, programs, photos and other memorabilia from the show, The book is due to be published in fall of 2024 concluding a year filled with Mee-Ow celebrations.
Then and Mee-Ow (Exhibit)
Then and Mee-Ow (Exhibit)
Then and Mee-Ow (Exhibit)
In the Fall of 2023, Northwestern University featured an installation of Mee-Ow show historical artifacts in Deering Library, Evanston, Illinois
For a deeper dive into Mee-Ow history,