Whether they’re invading your mobile device with viral ROFL YouTube video parodies, making political statements with anti-Trump songs, or staging live shows, Room 28 wants to make one thing clear: they’re after more than just Internet fame.
The New York based Latino comedy troupe may have started out making short skits in their living rooms and neighborhoods, but according to Anthony Palmini, he “knew from our first video” that they had something unique to offer the world by way of their observational humor.
Comprised of a “core five” players including Palmini, Jaime Fernandez, Jerry “Elmo DiFoca” Diaz, Michael “Juan Bago” Diaz and Rachel “La Loca” Strauss-Muniz have shared their humorous insights on everything from Shakespeare Latino style to transit romances through their social media videos and sold out performances.
‘LLERO spoke with Jerry Diaz, Jaime Fernandez and Anthony Palmini about what inspires them, the group dynamics and what’s on the horizon (SPOILER ALERT: their next show “Do the Right Spring” is already sold out as this goes live!)
‘LL: What is Room 28? And what’s that name all about?
Jerry: We’re a sketch comedy group that happens to be Latino. Michael, Jaime and I met and decided we had our own idea of what [is] funny and decided to start the group. As for the name in the Dominican Republic there’s an old folk tale of an insane asylum called “Casa 28”. Since we’re based out of New York, and we felt “Apartment 28” was too long, we went with Room 28. And once people began asking what that was, we knew we had a hook.
Jaime: We have a mainstream comedic sensibility. We wanted to create and perform in roles that we normally would not be given, or considered for, in the current comedy landscape.
‘LL: How long have you been together? And what drew you to one another?
Jerry: Jaime, Michael and I have been working on this for about eight years. But we weren’t complete until Rachel and Anthony joined us two years ago.
Jaime: Mike and Jerry were originally in another sketch group together and became instant friends because we shared the same sense of humor and facial hair styles. That led to us forming our own sketch group: Room 28. Everyone that has come into the group since then are talented performers who make us laugh (similar facial hair not mandatory).
Anthony: I met Mike through a mutual friend in 2009 and met everyone else through him. I saw that we shared a love for comedy. We all worked on projects together and then they asked me to join the group not only as a cast member but also as a business partner.
‘LL: Are you guys like Menudo with rotating members?
Jaime: Like Menudo, we love to wear tight shirts with leather pants. As for rotating members, we have a core group of performers who have been here since the beginning with some minor changes in between. We also have a lot of cameos in our shows which allows us to mix it up and showcase some of our talented friends.
Jerry: We also want it to be a breeding ground for people who want to be involved with sketch comedy, performing, whether it be through acting or writing.
‘LL: What is it like being involved with Mas Mejor [the Lorne Michaels, Horatio Sanz and Fred Armisen digital comedy lab]? How did it happen?
Jerry: They reached out to us and told us they were fans of our stuff, which was pretty cool cause as comedy geeks we were fans of Lorne Michael. The idea of a digital space for Latinos to perform mainstream, American style comedy was something we were really drawn to.
Jaime: Plus being associated with Lorne Michael’s production company definitely looks good on the ol’ comedy resume.
‘LL: What inspires your comedy?
Jerry: Everything: work, your upbringing, family, relationships, heartaches, failures…
Jaime: Our sketches can be personal, cultural, pop-cultural, sexual, historical, relatable, disgusting or just plain stupid. Our comedy inspiration is as diverse as we are.
‘LL: How does your Latino cultura play a role in your work?
Jerry: Just by looking at us, you can tell we are Latinos so it’s not something we wave as a flag because it’s the foundation of who we are. So obviously we have Latino characters but for the most part, everyone can relate to it. Before we label ourselves Latinos, we are just people. But I ate too much mangu growing up so it’s going to show up in a sketch eventually.
Jaime: We embrace it because it does help us stand out in a crowded industry.
‘LL: When did you know that this could be something big?
Jerry: When random people come up to you and say they’re fans. When someone comes up to you and says “Thank you for the laugh, so and so just passed away. I really needed that.” Anyone can do videos now, so it really became something else to us. We want more than just “like” clicks. We want to be a comedy institution.
Jaime: When you start getting an audience consistently paying to see your shows and companies like Broadway Video asking you to partner up with them, it’s made us strive for bigger and better things.