URI comedian returns to old stomping ground; Poppy Champlin to perform in CCA’s Titanic

June 26, 2012

Photo courtesy CCA

University of Rhode Island graduate Poppy Champlin is returning to Kingston this summer. Known for her stand-up comedy, she will portray the ‘comic relief’ in Titanic at the Courthouse Center for the Arts, which debuts June 22.

WEST KINGSTON – University of Rhode Island graduate Poppy Champlin is returning to Kingston this month to join the cast of Titanic at the Courthouse Center for the Arts.

Her career began at URI in 1982 when she performed a comedy piece she wrote entitled Oceantics.

Jokes from her debut show included, “What’s the matter, you hard of herring?” and “Buoy, last night me and the gulls went out to the local sandbar, it was a real dive, but we just went for the halibut.”

Since earning a degree in theater from URI, Champlin has spent time in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago and abroad. She has also appeared on television, performed on cruise ships and performed stand-up comedy with the likes of Rosie O’Donnell, Bill Maher and Dave Chappelle.

In Titanic Champlin will play the part of second class passenger Alice Beane, a woman who wants nothing more than to be one of the first class voyagers. Champlin described her character as the “comic relief,” adding, “Yes, Titanic has some comedy in it.”

Champlin is happy to be back in Rhode Island for the summer.

“I love being home in Rhode Island,” she said. “I love the woods and the farmland and the beautiful sky. I have always missed the summers since I have been away and now I will have them again.”

She is also excited to be involved in a professional production of Titanic.

“Titanic is exactly that... titanic,” she said. “I have not been in a professional theater company in many years and it is kicking my butt, in a good way. I knew it would, and it is. I love singing and this is stretching my vocal chops; it feels wonderful.”

Champlin, who writes her own stand-up material, will also be performing a comedy routine July 25 at Charlie O’s in Narragansett.

If you go

Titanic opens June 22 and runs through July 15 at Courthouse Center for the Arts, Route 138, West Kingston. Tickets are available online at www.courthousearts.com or by calling 782-1018.

Charlie O’s is located at 2 Sand Hill Cove Road, Narragansett.