It?s a place where you can find free beer, laughter and even the Sacramento Kings? Scot Pollard, kind of. And even though the Sacramento Kings have been a source for a good laugh recently, the beer at Arco Arena is definitely not free. So the next logical choice is the Free Hooch Comedy Troupe, which plays the Beverly Garland Theatre Friday and Saturday nights.

The troupe?s weekly show plays new skits every Friday, with a “best-of” show every fourth Friday. The performances consist of sketch comedy rehearsed during the week, along with improvisational techniques that feed off crowd contributions. The Troupe asks the audience to set the topics for certain skits, and one cast member, Dan Fruge, sings a song every week on a topic chosen by the crowd. Each show also sees the troupe pick a “VIP” from the audience, who then receives a free six-pack of beer to help along the laughing process.

But the majority of the laughs come from the eccentric comedy style of Jeff Sloniker, a communication studies major at Sac State. Sloniker?s wide range of voices and outlandish physical displays are reminiscent of John Belushi. He has become a crowd favorite with both his willingness to act, and for his use of his hair as a supporting cast member.

“We?re the most talented group of people that don?t get any recognition,” Sloniker said.

One of the troupe?s most popular skits deals with the Kings? back-up center, Scot Pollard. The group has vowed to perform the skit until Pollard attends one of the shows.

Although they have yet to succeed in bringing the Kings player to a show, they continue to perform skits for him and to plead with anyone who might be able to convince Pollard to make an appearance.

The troupe is a production of Quarter Blue Productions, which was started by Sac State alumna Colleen Griffiths in 1996. After a few years of working predominantly in theater, the company expanded to include film, musical groups and sketch comedy. The troupe brings six actors to the stage, most of whom are current students or alumni of Sac State. The show is anchored by the experience and veteran leadership of Rebecca FaGalde, a Sacramento native who has been working in community theater for more than 11 years.

The intimate theater is a perfect house for an evening of traditional sketch comedy, with a bar located conveniently near the theater that has a live band or karaoke at the conclusion of every show. The Free Hooch Comedy Troupe takes the stage every Friday and Saturday night at 9 p.m. in the Beverly Garland Theatre, located in the Heritage Hotel near Cal Expo.