Andy Samberg, a comedian famous for his work on ‘Saturday Night Live,’ including the music video ‘I’m on a Boat,’ will perform at Syracuse University on March 24, University Union announced Tuesday.

‘Samberg is someone that always seems to be in the media spotlight,’ said Drew Sullivan, a senior economics major and the co-director of performing arts for University Union. ‘He’s very successful.’

Samberg’s performance, which will take place in Schine Student Center’s Goldstein Auditorium, is part of UU’s commitment to bringing a comedian to campus each year. In past years, UU has brought in Lewis Black, Bob Saget and Bill Cosby. Sullivan said he is confident Samberg’s performance will sell out.

Samberg is a member of the comedy group The Lonely Island and is a current cast member on SNL. Samberg was also part of the comedy sketch ‘Dick in a Box,’ which featured Justin Timberlake and won a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

Tickets, which go on sale March 8, are $7 for students and $10 for SU faculty and staff. The performance will only be open to the SU and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry community.

Samberg will present his material with an ‘Inside the Actor’s Studio’ format with a moderator that will be accompanying him. ‘Inside the Actor’s Studio’ is a Bravo television show where performing artists share their secrets and speak about the work they’ve accomplished. Samberg will also entertain a Q-and-A session for students, staff and faculty who attend the event.

‘I think Samberg’s performance is a chance for people to get a personal look at someone whose comedic work they enjoy,’ Sullivan said. ‘You get to see a little bit of a background on someone they may not have gotten to know a whole lot about otherwise.’

Nate Stein, a junior in the Bandier Program for Music and Entertainment Industries, said he likes how Samberg mixes music and comedy, and he would be willing to pay to see the SNL star perform.

‘I like him. He’s a funny guy,’ he said. ‘He’s a creative guy. Anyone who gets on SNL has got to have talent.’

Emily Petkus, a junior television, radio and film major, said she couldn’t put Samberg’s face to his name, but she knows he is a comedic singer.

‘I would probably be interested in going to see him perform,’ she said. ‘He’s definitely funny. A man that can sing and be funny is a good combination.’

rltoback@syr.edu

Published on March 2, 2010 at 12:00 pm