Scratch & Pitz Burlesque and Variety Hour – Seven Act Scratch (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

The Happiest Medium — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:25:55 +0000

The Happiest Medium Review by Guest Contributor Linnea Covington

If you have ever had dreams of your dolls coming to life and doing a sexy strip tease, this show is for you. Produced by two-time FringeNYC winning performer and playwright Cyndi Freeman with storyteller Brad Lawrence, both whom are burlesque performers, Scratch & Pitz Burlesque and Variety Hour proved a comical hour of pretty girls, awkward men, song, and a tantalizing strip-off between our heroine and the Devil. That’s right, the Devil. Played by Lawrence, who goes by Handsome Brad in the burlesque world, the Devil comes on stage dressed to the nines with the intention of garnering a few souls for his collection. What he didn’t reckon was facing off against Cherry Pitz, played by Freeman, a pink puffy-wigged aspiring variety show host who is a combination of Lady Gaga and Fran Drescher with just a splash of Jersey Shore.

The show starts out with the basic rules of burlesque, helpful hints for those who haven’t ever seen this type of show and might not know what to do. Just remember, as Lawrence belted out, “If you see something, say something.” After that the hoots followed and for good reason—the show is chock full of fun, sexy acts and the performers obviously were having a good time. Which brings me to the only thing off about the show – most of them looked like they were about to bust out laughing. Of course we did a few times but especially in the ventriloquist scene with BTK Band dancer Amelia Bareparts and Moth GrandSlam champion Peter Aquero. Hands down this was the best act as Bareparts played the dummy, guided by a fat, socially inept man who is trying to blossom through the power of his wooden doll. The scene runs so smoothly that while you know Bareparts is a real live girl, at times you can’t help but wonder. Things take a turn for the naughty after the Devil enters the scene and our poor ventriloquist gets more than he bargained for. Thank goodness.

Other acts include a lion-taming bit (featuring Bareparts again) with Lucille Ti Amore. Mary Cyn got a turn as Cherry Pitz and the Devil’s daughter, which features a deviant dress change as daddy’s sweet little Chastity strips down to become mommy’s little Chaz ala the Bono family style. She might not look like a man in the end but Cyn sure looks hot in leather shorts, an outfit she sure didn’t sport in her ballerina days. The show is also peppered with acts by BTK Band’s Rory Scholl, a folk musician who belts out tunes about an abusive woman (or was that his guitar?) that treated him badly…hard to tell but either way hilarious.

As a producer and performer with Hotsy Totsy Burlesque, Freeman got into burlesque late in the game, about 10 years ago in fact when she was in her late 30s. Now 47, she displays the same pizzazz and energy as her younger counterparts but mixes in a sophisticated plot line. The narrative she and Lawrence presented on stage not only proved whimsical and fun, but actually told a story. But don’t be fooled: it’s definitely a sweet, sassy, and sexy story.

~~~

Scratch & Pitz: Burlesque Variety Hour

Company: Heroics in Hotpants

Directed by: Cyndi Freeman & Brad Lawrence

Feb 26, 7:00PM

Feb 29, 10:30PM

Mar 02, 4:00PM

Mar 03, 8:30PM

$10.00

The Kraine Theater

~~~

The 2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL will run 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). Tickets to all shows may be purchased online at www.FRIGIDnewyork.info or by calling Smarttix at 212-868-4444.

Scratch & Pitz Burlesque And Variety Hour: 5 Things To Know About The Show Before You Go (2012 FRIGID NEW YORK FESTIVAL)

The Happiest Medium — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:28:48 +0000

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

Scratch & Pitz Burlesque and Variety Hour

Company: Heroics in Hotpants
Directed by: Cyndi Freeman and Brad Lawrence

Cherry Pitz (Cyndi Freeman) and Scratch (Brad Lawrence) present a burlesque melodrama & variety show. Cherry wants to do a duet act like Sonny & Cher, Burns & Allen, or Captain & Tennille! In exchange Scratch wants Cherry’s soul.

Show Times:

Thu 2/23 @ 10:30pm
Sun 2/26 @ 7:00pm
Wed 2/29 @ 10:30pm
Fri 3/2 @ 4:00pm
Sat 3/3 @ 8:30pm
Sun 3/4 @ 2:30pm

Answers by Cyndi Freeman

(Writer/Performer/Director/Producer)

Karen Tortora-Lee’s Question
That’s some title. How did you come up with it – and what does it mean?
Cyndi: The Scratch & Pitz Burlesque and Variety Hour is a show about how the Devll “Scratch” offers Cherry Pitz her wildest dream in exchange for her soul. Cherry’s dream is to have a Variety show Like Sonny and Cher, Captain & Tennille. And this is the show!

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?
Cyndi:
Sonny and Chery – Because they inspired this.
Captain & Tennille – Also Because they inspired this.
Cherry’s father Harry Pitz – It was his dream in the first place.
The Krofft Brothers – who shaped me in ways therapy will never correct.
Bea Aurthur – Because I sing part of her song from the Star Wars Holiday Special…and no one but me knows all the words.

Antonio Minino’s Question
What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for your Art and was it worth it?
Cyndi: I slept without a real bed for 5 years because whenever I had enough money to buy one I would put it to art projects instead. Was it worth it? Sure! Luckily I married my co-producer Brad Lawrence … he had a bed so its a moot point.

Geoffrey Paddy Johnson’s Question
Was there any unexpected discovery made during the development of this production and, if so, can you share it?

Cyndi: Its really easy to convince Peter Aguero to get naked on stage….but we were not that surprised.

Michelle Augello-Page’s Question
What do you hope the audience receives from the experience of seeing this show?

Cyndi: Permanent psychological scars.

Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH

THM Bonus Question – We’re serious this year!
In the THM virtual Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH which FRIGID Show do you take on? And what do you throw?

Cyndi: Stripper Lesbians – I’m throwing paper…but only $5’s and $1’s.

SO CLEVER Cyndi! I have no idea what Stripper Lesbians will throw but if you wind up winning you certainly soften the blow by tucking dollar bills into their g-strings. Of course I’m sure the stripper lesbians wouldn’t have it any other way.

You were challenged by Love in the Time of Chlamydia who threw ROCK and that gives you a WIN! So, a WIN and a wait-and-see … how’s THAT for variety?

Thanks Scratch & Pitz Burlesque And Variety Hour for participating in The Happiest Medium’s FRIGID New York Festival 2012 Q&A. And for playing our game! You’re officially PAPER in any and all challenges. You may win again, you may not – who knows! This is how it works in the crazy world of the Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament of DEAAAAATH!

For the rest of you don’t forget to check out Scratch & Pitz Burlesque And Variety Hour!

~~~