The Gay Mafia is a sketch comedy troupe which uses homosexuality as the foundation of its humor.

When Mike Player – Gay Mafia founder – started the group, gay improvisation was uncommon. Player taught weekly improvisation workshops at a gay and lesbian center and later formed the Gay Mafia from his classes.

“Gay comedy isn’t common in shows like SNL,” Player said. “(In our shows) the gay issue is not a punchline to humor; it’s the foundation. Our audience can relate to the desires and problems of our characters.”

The comedy troupe performs short-formed (2-4 minutes) and character-based scenes.

The Gay Mafia even performed a banned skit at Club 66 in Hollywood; the skit featured two gay navy seals getting married in San Francisco.

Player said the club owner saw the skit and demanded the group not perform it.

“The owner of the club was straight, had a brother in the navy and said he’d pull the plug and have the lights turn off if we performed that sketch,” Player said.

Despite the club owner’s request, the Gay Mafia still performed the skit in front of a “packed house” which was well-received by the audience, Player said.

As the Gay Mafia has been pushing the envelope of comedy, Player said he is “highly addicted” to performing comedy.

“When you’re in the zone, click with the audience and know the audience is with you – those moments are 100 percent harmonious,” Player said.

Player said he was excited to perform at Sacramento State. He favors performing at colleges since students have a “high-level of enthusiasm.”

“College students have energy and are generally more well-informed,” Player said. “They’re also more eager to give suggestions.”

The Gay Mafia performed during Pride Week in the Union Ballroom on Thursday.

Jordan Riturban can be reached at [email protected]