Still ‘original’ after 30 years

“The Original Show,” an annual series of comical sketches put on by Estancia High School’s theater students, started 30 years ago.

It was the brainchild of student Mitchell Hurwitz, whose idea was to create a sketch comedy similar to “Saturday Night Live.”

The graduate of the Costa Mesa campus went on to write “Arrested Development,” a critically acclaimed TV comedy about a dysfunctional rich family in Orange County. The show won Emmy awards and drew a cult following. Yet, to the disappointment of many, the show lasted only three seasons because of a lack of sponsors.

More enduring — and possibly even more popular — is Hurwitz’ “The Original Show,” which will debut at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Estancia High’s theater, when more than 20 students hit the stage and perform sketches that they wrote.

A sneak preview during one of their recent dress rehearsals revealed some pretty funny stuff — from friends coercing friends into wearing the ever-popular Snuggie blankets to henpecked boys who’ve simply had enough of overbearing mothers who call them on their cell phones.

“It’s really student-driven,” said Pauline Maranian, the school’s drama teacher. “The motto is, ‘By the kids, for the kids.’ ”

Tickets are $10, and there’s a capacity of 250 in the theater. The show will continue at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and March 26 and 27.

The show’s director, Carlo Odicino, an Estancia graduate, said he’s been a big fan of “The Original Show” for years, which is why he volunteers his time and expertise while juggling a full-time job as a biotechnology consultant.

“Each show relies on the creativity of the students and the cast,” Odicino said. “I tend to like the sketches where they draw on scenarios that are true to themselves. I always try to coach them and tell them that a lot of good comedy comes from sources of pain or feeling uncomfortable about something, then turning it around and laughing at yourself.”

For example?

In one sketch, students have fun with the love-hate relationship between mothers and daughters.

The mother annoys her daughter, who’s busy talking to a friend on Skype.

Not only does the mother barge into her daughter’s bedroom, but she also starts talking to her daughter’s friend through the Internet-based phone service.

But she talks really loudly because she’s not familiar with the technology.

“Mom!” complains the kid, her voice reaching the screaming level. “Would you stop talking so loud? She can hear you. You don’t have to yell.”

Of course there are more scenes to enjoy, said Melissa Fackler, president of the school’s Drama Club and the stage manager.

And students have been preparing as many as four hours a night, four days a week, for two weeks.

In all, the show will last just under two hours, Fackler said.

A senior who plans to attend Northern Arizona State University in the fall, Fackler said it’s going to be sad leaving the high school and “The Original Show.”

“We’ve had some fun times up on stage,” she said. “But we’ve also worked really hard to get to where we are.”