Are you ready to rock? No, seriously, are you? Because  Traveling Musicians, the glam-rock quartet straight out of the barnyard, are ready to help you find your inner animal.

This merry band of misfits is comprised of four multi-instrumentalist critters–a cat, a dog, a donkey and a rooster. Based on the Grimm Brothers fairy tale, The Town Musicians of Bremen, the theatrical rock concert is brought to life by the Minneapolis-import theater company, 3 Sticks.

Billed as the reunion show for the aptly named “Rooster Donkey Cat Dog” (later changed to the much edgier moniker, “Cock Ass Pussy Bitch” or “CAPB”), this hour-long show is a silly, satirical romp through the lighter side of rock clichés. CAPB battles drug addiction (Donkey becomes hooked on sugar cubes), relentless groupies (Rooster’s harem of chicks), attempts to branch out as a bigger brand (Cat pursues a career in fashion), or rising above the rest (Dog, a born howler, is offered a solo gig), making for a tumultuous retrospective on their battles with fame and fortune.

This may sound like the most ridiculous concept ever–and it is, but this cast of talented musicians injects life, humor, and so much energy into what could be a plodding series of animal puns. Katie Hartman (Dog) stands out with her powerhouse voice and badass sense of humor (her solo “Bitch” brings the house down). Katie Melby (Cat) is wonderfully weird, with limbs akimbo, as she contorts and shapes herself into the lanky, luxurious feline. Jonas Earl (Donkey) is slow but never plodding, adding a stoner sense of hilarity to his performance (see his duet with Rooster “Inter-Species Love”). Composer (and Rooster) Andrew Lynch has incorporated music of many styles–from the beginnings as a folk quartet to their harder, faster, sexier pop, rock and even metal sounds as they ascend to stardom. The feat is impressive, and the music stays exciting and fresh with each number.

Traveling Musicians is a hysterical gem that is a testament to its strong, talented ensemble, and their wicked, witty sensibilities. They aren’t afraid to be dirty, bad, and racy, even when decked out as the simplest of Old MacDonald’s brood. It’s a children’s concept done up for adults, but remains smart in its frivolity. A hootin’, howlin’, grand old time.

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Traveling Musicians was part of the 2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL which ran February 22-March 4 at The Kraine Theater & The Red Room (85 East 4th Street between 2nd Ave and Bowery) and UNDER St. Marks (94 St. Marks Place between 1st Ave and Ave A).

Related Posts:

• The Traveling Musicians: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• The Rope In Your Hands: Katrina, In Their Own Words (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Fear Factor: Canine Edition – Puppy Love (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• Love In The Time Of Chlamydia: Love And War Stories (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)
• I Married A Nun! – And That’s Just The Beginning … (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

Five Questions. Five Answers. And One Big Decision: Rock, Paper, Or Scissors?

The Traveling Musicians

Company: 3 Sticks
Music by Andrew Lynch

Inspired by the Grimm fairy tale, The Traveling Musicians chronicles the tumultuous career of the greatest animal rock band to ever break out of the cage and on the stage in this one of a kind theatrical rock show.

Show Times:

• Wed 2/22 @ 6pm
• Sat 2/25 @ 4pm
• Wed 2/29 @ 7:30pm
• Sat 3/3 @ 1pm
• Sun 3/4 @ 5:30pm

Answers by Andrew Lynch

(Composer)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Andrew: Our show is inspired by the Grimm Brothers fairy tale The Musicians of Brementown, sometimes referred to as the Traveling Musicians. While the title is not terribly original, we hope our animal glam rock band interpretation is.

Diánna Martin’s Question
If you were going to invite five people, anyone from past and present, to see your FRIGID show – who would you invite and why?
Andrew: The Brothers Grimm of course. Hopefully Jacob and Wilhelm would be pleased, and a little surprised. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and his Harem of Chickens. They would understand our show on the deepest level.

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Andrew: We once carried a male mannequin half way across the continent by train. Early one morning at the Minneapolis train depot the man took one look at the wooden foot sticking out of a re-purposed guitar case and said, “we can’t check your wooden leg sir.” A few crocodile tears later, they did check our wooden leg. And the rest as they say, is history. Worth it? You bet your leg.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?
Andrew: Many unexpected discoveries, many we can not share, but we can tell you this: animals do it best. And yes, by “it” I do mean perform in a theatrical rock band. Believe me, we were as surprised as you are now to learn this.

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?
Andrew: We sincerely hope to melt your beautiful faces off with our fiery blast of rock.