Free UIC-only comedy show features ‘Office’ actor

B.J. Novak headlines LOL@UIC Thursday.

After leaving class or the office Thursday, head out for some fun.

The annual LOL@UIC free comedy show for UIC will feature headliner B.J. Novak from NBC’s “The Office.”

The comedy event, sponsored by the Student Activities Board, includes Chicago-bred MISSION IMPROVable as the opening act.

Doors open at 6 p.m. at the UIC Forum and the roar of laughs will begin at 7 p.m. Students must show their i-cards to attend.

Novak is well known for igniting humor as Ryan Howard on “The Office.” Not only was he co-executive producer and writer for the Emmy Award-winning comedy, but appeared in the films “Inglorious Bastards” and “Saving Mr. Banks.”

“What’s not to love about him?” said Christian Gray, director of marketing for the Student Activities Board.  “He’s a renowned comedian, actor and producer that the world has come to know and love. He’s a Harvard guy and he’s different from the regular comedian.”

The MISSION IMPROVable comedy team’s performance style is a combination of MTV’s “Wild ’N Out” and “Whose Line is it Anyway?”

LOL@UIC made its debut last January with comedian Kenan Thompson. More than 1,200 students came to see the “Saturday Night Live” comedian and Nickelodeon star.

“Kenan was such a prominent figure in a lot of our lives, from his work with Nickelodeon when we were younger, so it was cool to see that UIC could bring him,” said Kinjal Dave, president of the Student Activities Board. “The most memorable moment from that night would probably be when he sang the ‘All That’ theme song and the entire room joined in.”

The first 300 students will receive a free LOL@UIC pom pom beanie.

“We’re hoping that our fellow students enjoy a good time just getting a chance to sit back and laugh,” Dave said.