NY Artists Unlimited
News from Downeast
Bulletin - Bulletin - Bulletin!
BAD MUSICALS FESTIVAL 'O8
GETS SCALPED!
Last call for the festival's 5 theme nights
August 5-9; COSTUME party & awards on the 10th
"Recently at the Producers' Club, I saw a very funny 45-minute offering in the Bad Musicals Festival 2008. This was the aforementioned "Charlie Chang and the Mysterious Salami," by lyricist-writer Anne Berlin and music's Andy Cohen. It is a daring tribute to political incorrectness when it comes to class, color, creed and everything else!... This was a hilarious event, directed quite brilliantly by one Tony Spinosa. He managed to score even with the tiny stage and a slow motion sequence wherein the villain is killed by two aptly thrown Manolo Blahnik shoes. Or maybe they were Jimmy Choos... If you're in NYC, catch this laugh riot on July 31 and Aug. 5. Legit agents should be looking at all these young actors. And, in fact, Berlin and Cohen are already being sought out by music companies."
Liz Smith, New York Post, Page Six
“It is outrageous, it is relentless, and it is delicious. Go to the festival and have some nasty fun. The guilty pleasure is
actually cleansing in its own devious way.”
NYtheatre.com
OKAY, FOLKS, WE'VE HIT THE BIG TIME -- on Friday, August 1st, one Alex Sanders called and presented himself as from a senior center connected to NYU, a center that likes to reward its dedicated volunteers with free tickets to the theatre. We offered 5; he insisted upon 10. Arriving at the door that night was a person announcing himself as Alex Sanders (presumably about 75 years old), who picked up the free tickets about an hour before curtain time. He then proceeded downstairs at the Producers Club and started charging people full price at the door. Fred, the theatre owner, confronted him and he ran off, refusing to return the total money collected from patrons by claiming he didn't have it anymore. Fortunately, most people did get their money back and proceeded upstairs to get REAL tix, we are proud to report.
Bad Musicals Festival '08 is in its final week at the Grand Theatre at the Producers Club in the Times Square/ theatre district through August 9, Mon - Sat @ 8 pm; Sun @ 2 pm. The musicals are politically incorrect, political satire, sexually explicit or utterly zany -- and don't we all need a good belly laugh these days? Some renowned composers, writers, and directors participating are: Ilann Maazel, Raymond Bokhour, Tony Spinosa, Denver Casado, Kenny Wade Marshal, and Anne Berlin ("Charlie Chang"). Charlie Chang & the Mysterious Salami has sold out all 4 nights it has been performed.
On August 10 at 6 pm (no show that night), the festival wraps up with the CARMEN MIRANDA BENEFIT & FRUIT CUP AWARDS for best plays by audience vote: Golden Pineapple, Silver Tomato, and Bronze Banana. New this year will be the Jack Lemons for best bad actor & actress. There will be surprise awards that night as well, but we're not telling yet! Costumes are encouraged and there will be prizes, games & raffles. Come dressed as your favorite fruit! There will be a special award for the Best Carmen. $25 per person ($20 if you come in costume) benefits the company's work with under-served children & families, seniors & elderly. There will be entertainment, food, Brazilian punch, and lots of fruit!
At the FAIRIES & PHANTASIES BENEFIT on Friday, July 25, Emmy, Bistro, & Obie winning Marilyn Sokol. Warhol/Dali muse Ultra Violet, and multi-MAC & Bistro award-winning Sidney Myer received Honorary Golden Pineapples. The festival is the brainchild of NY Artists Unlimited and is part of what they like to call The International Cringe, including bad plays, bad musicals, and soon bad films. At last fall's Bad Plays Festival, legendary director Tom O'Horgan (Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar) was honored.
Festival tix are $25 or $15 for students with ID; TDF vouchers accepted. Not recommended for children. Musicals are huddled under a theme umbrella for one all-inclusive price per evening or matinee:
NAUGHTY BITS & WHO'S RESPONSIBLE
IS THAT A GUN IN YOUR POCKET? (8/5)
Charlie Chang & the Mysterious Salami
The detective story musical that has something to offend everyone.
Book & lyrics by Anne Berlin, music Andy Cohen, director Tony Spinosa
Henry & Hyde
Jekyll and Hyde with porn stars, cowboys, evangelists, and dancing phalluses.
Book by J.M. Eisenman & Thomas Adams, lyrics J.M. Eisenman, music &
additional lyrics Thomas Adams, director Maryna Harrison
FOREIGN & FAMILIAR BODIES ? (8/6)
Too Much Love
Some of our better known politicians call a sex hotline for a political 3-way.
Lyrics Douglas M. Parker, music Denver Casado, director Tom Amici
Falling in Love Again
Will a '50s TV audience want to see the couple who inspired Dietrich's Blue Angel?
By J. Boyer, director Anita Brown
OBGYNia, a Sci-Fi Musical Romp!
Astronauts go wake up naked on an all-female planet. Trekkies welcome!
Book & lyrics Justine Lambert & Kenneth Nowell, music Kenneth Nowell, director Tom Amici
POLITICS & POOPSY? (8/7)
The Virgin Dictator: A Love Story Starring Kim Jong Il
A Marilyn Monroe obsessed dictator looks for love in all the wrong places.
By Itai Grunfeld, director Brady Amoon
Daffodils in Deutschland
Time travel, ex-lax, & Germany — you'll laugh all the way to the bathroom.
By Dray Rigg, director Kenny Wade Marshall
CRIMINALLY INSANE PUPPETS? (8/8)
Pinokenstein wants love from Dr. Geppetto — and will do anything to get it.
Music & lyrics by Mark LaPierre, libretto/puppets/puppeteering Chris McLaughlin,
director Diane Englert
The Dependents
A romantic and harrowing tale involving demented puppetry and the IRS.
Book by Bebe McGarry, lyrics Debra M. Gussin, music Michael Paul Girard,
director Sara B. Ware
IT AIN'T KANSAS ANYMORE! ? (8/4, 8/9)
Stranded!
3 friends, a desert island, a Mesopotamian oil lamp.
Sounds like an old joke -- and it is.
Book & lyrics Raymond Bokhour, music Ilann Maazel, director Leslie C. Nemet
Grimm Late Night
A magical exploration of love, seen through sexual frustrations of the Moon.
Book & lyrics Mark LaPierre, music Jodi Eichelberger, director Nikki Rothenberg
The Great Plastic Surgeon of Oz
Looking for jobs in porn, Dorothy & friends set out to get the necessary
'equipment' from the Great Ozzie.
By Zurbon Gish, director Robyne Parrish
There are entre acte appearances by Huck DeMilo of Bronze Fondue, naughty singer-songwriter Jessica Delfino, and sound effects comedian extraordinaire Zero Boy. The show runs a max of 2 hours, including a short intermission. For descriptions of each theme evening and play: www.NYartists.org. The event is supported by grants from the Dramatists Guild Fund, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and individual donors.
Festival and benefit reservations strongly recommended. Online tix available at www.Theatermania.com or by calling 212-242-6036 (check/m.o./pay at door). Grand Theatre at the Producers Club, 358 W. 44 St., betw. Eighth/Ninth Aves.
WORKSHOPS WITH ARTURO SCHOMBURG SENIOR s
WORKSHOPS taught by our eminent artist-teachers are going on with seniors in the Bronx have concluded for this season. Francis J. Roach, resident choreographer who teaches Luigi Technique around the world, did many Broadway/Jazz Dance Workshops. There were even physically-challenged seniors sitting in chairs doing Luigi exercises! Theatre Games/ Improv for Seniors with Court Sweeting/ Anita Brown and Improv Comedy with Kenny Wade Marshall were big hits, as well as the Poetry & Performance Workshop taught by eminent published poet Cynthia Nibbelink Worley. With a generous Sm(ART)s: Seniors Meet the Arts grant (a brand new City program), we partnered with Rev. Nunn at Arturo Schomburg Senior Center, 1315 Franklin Avenue, to present performances & workshops through the end of June. This project was funded by the NYC Department for the Aging, NY City Council, and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. There were also performances of "Voices of the Town - A Vaudeville Salute!" After the grant period, we are continuing to work with the Schomburg Center by inviting them to our festival and to offer individual workshops. They will also be invited to Downeast Arts Center for performances and workshops once we are back in the neighborhood."VOICES OF THE TOWN - A VAUDEVILLE SALUTE!"
Vaudeville is currently undergoing some cast changes, but will be back up and touring real soon. Keep tuned for a performance of the Vaudeville show near you."EBONY BLACK"
"Ebony Black," inspired by Snow White, continues its tour throughout NYC. Written & directed by Melba LaRose, the beautiful score is by Rachel Kaufman, choreography by Francis J. Roach. After completing appearances to sold out houses at the Players Theatre, SPACE Gallery (Seaport), and throughout Queens Library system, we are looking forward to new gigs. Check the website for performances near you. Come one, come all -- perfect for ALL AGES!OUR WEBGIRL RENEE LEWIS RUNS NIKE WOMEN'S MARATHON
As you may know I am training for my 3rd marathon on October 19th, 2008. I am raising funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) and I'm asking you to help by making a donation to my fundraising campaign. Please use this link http://pages.teamintraining.org/nnj/nikesf08/rlewis to donate online quickly and securely. If you're not comfortable with donating online you can also send a check to me made out to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Thank you in advance for your support. Please forward this email to as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well!AND ANOTHER'S IN THE RUNNING --
COMPANY MEMBER & BOARD SECRETARY
Gladys Perez is running for the lives of many!
Help me raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
Dear Friends, Colleagues, Family and Acquaintances,
You are invited to participate with me in a marathon without ever leaving the comfort of your home! On October 26, 2008, I willl be running along with my sister Laura Perez and members of The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program from New York in the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC.
All of us on Team In Training are raising funds to help stop leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma from taking more lives. I am completing this event in honor of all individuals who are battling blood cancers, but I would like to honor three people, two of whom are survivors of other types of cancer. The first person is my father, Federico Perez, who survived a bout with prostate cancer two years ago and is still having fun and making jokes. The second person I'd like to to honor is Joanne Morrelli, my sister-in-law who in her early 40s and with two small children, was blindsided by breast cancer and won the battle just this past year. Last but not least, I'd like to honor Maria Dobbs, a lymphoma survivor and my sister Laura's life partner of 18 years. These people are the real heroes on our team, and we need your support to cross the ultimate finish line - a cure!
I have two goals to accomplish in this endeavor: 1) raise $3300 at a minimum and, 2) complete the marathon in less than six hours. Happily, I have been training since the beginning of June and am doing amazingly well! I know now that I will be able to run and finish this marathon, but I need your support and sponsorship to reach my goal. You can pledge as little as $1 per mile (a marathon is 26.2 miles), but of course, $10 or more per mile will go further toward my cause. Every dollar counts, though, and I appreciate any help you can give me.
Whatever your pledge, please feel free to donate via this page, http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/corps08/gperez, or, if you prefer, you may send a check instead. Email me at coachglad@gmail.com for my address.
REVEREND JEN's anti-slam!
The Rev holds her Anti-Slam on the last Wednesday of every month starting at 10 p.m. at Bowery Poets Club. Come join this crazy bunch of East Village zanies (ArtStars) led by Jen and her devoted chihuahua Reverend Jen, Jr. The idea behind the Anti-Slam is that everyone gets a ten, no matter what -- a policy heartily endorsed by NY Artists Unlimited. Everyone is welcome – poets, performance artists, comedians, musicians, dancers -- and people who need therapy but can’t afford it. 6 minutes of stage time. $3 admission for all.DOINGS DOWNEAST
The word from Lower East Side People's Mutual Housing Association and Mary Spink is that the workmen hope to finish 203 Avenue A by September/October. We'll keep you posted and could use help & ideas in preparation for the return to Downeast Arts Center. Quarterly board meetings are being held and anyone is welcome to attend.Discounts For our Mailing List
TONY N’ TINA’S WEDDING
Edison Hotel, 221 West 46th St.
www.tonyandtinanewyork.com
"IT'S A HIT"— People Magazine
"One of the most successful and imaginative hits in
Off-Broadway history." –New York Daily News
"Audaciously imaginative!"—The New York Times
DISCOUNT OFFER:
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$25 Off VIP tickets (Friday & Saturday performances)
AND MORE ON NY ARTISTS UNLIMITED:
PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers and interns are always welcome in all areas of the company's work. The more you're around, the greater your chances of participating in productions. We also audition for new members, so get those P&Rs to us. For more information on all events: 212-242-6036 (office), Nyartunltd@aol.com, or visit www.NYartists.org. Of course, you're also welcome to stop in and see us even when there are no events. Make it soon!
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Melba
NY Artists Unlimited