FROSTBURG – Comedian Judson Laipply performed to a near full house at Frostburg State University on Wednesday night. Laipply is known from his viral YouTube video “Evolution of Dance”. In the video, he showcases the most notable dance crazes from previous decades. The six minute video begins with Laipply mimicking Elvis Presley’s famous pelvic thrusts and ends with a demonstration on how to “brush dirt” off of one’s shoulders in the style of Jay-Z.
Most YouTube viewers are unaware that Laipply is, in fact, a stand-up comedian and the dance segment is a tie-in with his act. Laipply brands himself as an “inspirational comedian.” Alongside his comedy, he offers uplifting lessons about life.
“I’m responsible for two things tonight: to make you laugh and to make you think,” Laipply announced to his audience of college students. His routine included jokes on such subjects as laziness, childhood nostalgia and Snuggies. His reoccurring theme was a theory that he calls the Struggle Bus. The Struggle Bus is a metaphor for those days where the brain appears to be taking a day off. Laipply used a line about riding the Struggle Bus that is reminiscent of Jeff Foxworthy’s famous “Here’s your sign” slogan.
His comedy, while funny, was generally unremarkable until the performer added his small bouts of inspiration. This is what sets Laipply apart from his peers. He came off as genuine, not dry. When he gave advice, Laipply did so without a condescending or lecturing tone.
“I’m not here to change your lives. I just want you to think. We are so bombarded with messages every day that sometimes we forget that we have the ability to step back and think,” said Laipply. He specified that there are only two problems people encounter in life: those they can control and those they cannot. Laipply emphasized the idea of focusing on those that can be controlled and letting go of those that cannot.
Before performing his Evolution of Dance, Laipply gave the audience the backstory of it. He explained that he believes life is nothing but change. Dancing is something that is in a constant state of change as well. At one time, all of the dances, like the Macarena and the Thriller, were the coolest trends of their days. Today, they are old and clichéd. The Evolution of Dance segment is an analogy for how life never stays the same. Laipply then stripped off his jacket and turned the music on. Several students brought out their video cameras to capture the performance.
Laipply left his audience with one single thought. “The next time you’re upset, I want you to pause, just for a second, and ask yourself if you have any control over the situation. You may end up reacting the same way you would have, but at least you thought about it, so I’ve done my job.”
Visit Judson Laipply’s website at http://www.mightaswelldance.com. To see his “Evolution of Dance” video, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg.
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