The Pigskin Revue, to be held tonight at 8:15 p.m. in McFarlin Auditorium, is the longest running SMU tradition on campus according to the Pigskin Revue Committee.
Organized, produced and developed by the Mustang Band, the Pigskin Revue is a variety show that features SMU students, performing either as individuals or groups, in different singing, dancing, comedy and talent acts.
According to the Pigskin Revue Committee, the show was modeled after the traveling Vaudeville shows that were popular in the 1920s and ‘30s. These shows featured slapstick comedy and big band sounds that have since helped make Pigskin Revue both a timeless and unique part of SMU tradition.
Since its first show in McFarlin Auditorium in 1933, the Pigskin Revue has had themes such as Broadway, Disney and the Roaring Twenties. Thus, in keeping with this year’s Homecoming theme, the show is entitled “Lights, Camera, Pigskin: From the Pages to the Silver Screen.”
Without spoiling too much of the surprise, the Pigskin Revue Committee shared a few details on what the audience can expect from the show. “Beautiful musical numbers, spoken word, hilarious videos, surprises from notable characters of beloved novels portrayed by SMU students, their favorite acapella groups and their favorite movie soundtracks from the black and white days of movies to the movies based on books today,” the committee said.
Sophomore Sullivan Martz, whose favorite performance of Pigskin Revue last year was the Southern Gentlemen, commented on the wide range of performances in the show. “I think it is important for the students of SMU to get an idea of the variety of talents we have here on campus,” she said.
The Pigskin Revue Committee hopes the annual show will continue to “unify the SMU community on the foundation of SMU tradition and spirit through the avenue of an entertaining, collaborative and captivating student-led production.”
The committee also shared some of the SMU traditions associated with the Pigskin Revue that have since been phased out. “Up until the 1980s, Pigskin Revue was the place where the Homecoming Court was presented to the student body, and where the Homecoming Queen and King would be announced,” committee members said. A bonfire pep rally in front of Dallas Hall was another tradition that has since died out.
The Pigskin Committee is actively working to bring back elements of these traditions in hopes to get the show “on the road to its former glory.”
Now, the Pigskin Revue has a pep rally after the show to get the crowd excited for the Homecoming game the next day. The Pigskin Committee hopes that bringing back some of these traditions will help get more groups on campus involved with the Revue. “The best tradition of the show is how it brings the whole campus together and incorporates all the diversities, quirks, and talent that make up the SMU community,” members of the committee said.
Pigskin Revue Student Producer Matthew Bruemmer said his favorite parts about the show are that it is produced by the student body and involves the whole campus. “It is amazing to see the work that started in January 2012 come together into a show that the whole community around SMU takes part in,” he said. “The quality will blow you away. No member of the SMU community should miss this production.”
Tickets for the Pigskin Revue are free with an SMU ID and $15 for reserved seating.
For more information on tickets for the Pigskin Revue call 214-SMU-BAND.
