by Karen Tortora-Lee on February 10, 2011
Welcome back to another installment of FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A! We’ll be running these throughout February until the Festival starts, so be sure to check back to read all about the great shows that will be taking part in the festival. Also – don’t miss the winner-take-all game of Rock Paper Scissors! Today’s Q&A is with Denmo Ibrahim who is the Creator and Performer of FUNNY A Trunk Show.
Inspired by a true story, FUNNY A TRUNK SHOW looks at what we leave behind in our search for the American dream. A smash up of clown, bouffant and immigrant interviews, this 45 minute fast paced epic reveals a heartbreaking tale — a patriotic Egyptian, who will always be seen as an outsider despite his ability to vote. Hilarious, moving, and undeniably real.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on February 9, 2011
I’m always happy when I have an excuse to talk to Eric Sanders – he’s one of the most talented people I’ve run across and I love that doing what I do allows me to periodically get him to update me on what he’s doing. A quick brush up: I first met Eric when he was re-imaging Algernon Blackwood’s The Wendigo (which scared the heck out of me) and then got to see his punchier side during Fight Fest with his crowd favorite: Last Life which was resurrected more times than (wait … I think I made this joke already. Cher’s career? Well, it writes itself so you fill in the blank).
Now, Eric Sanders has teamed up with Dave Nuss to bring forth Original Innocence – a Rock Opera and they’re hosting a “Symposium on Creation Mythology” on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 7 PM at the Anthroposophical Society of New York (138 West 15th Street btwn. 6th/7th Ave.).
This symposium will feature practitioners and scholars from an array of religious traditions discussing how the creation mythology of a religion creates or reflects the context for its ethical structure.
Several songs from the show will be performed, and food from the Holy Land will be served. BYOB.
Admission will be on a sliding scale (‘pay what you wish’) from $5-$50. All proceeds from the Symposium will go towards the first workshop presentation of “Original Innocence” on Friday, March 25, 2011 at 8 PM at the Issue Project Room in Brooklyn.
I asked Eric a few questions to find out a little more about what I (and you) can expect from this symposium.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on February 9, 2011
The soliders wait to be called NEXT: Matthew Ferretti, John Weisenburger, Christopher Tocco, Sean Meehan & Charles Everett (photo by Andrea Varga)
Imagine yourself far away from home, stripped of your identity, doing the exact same thing as the interchangeable cog in the wheel beside you. Imagine that you are so scared by the fact that you have no idea what’s happening to you tomorrow that you coat yourself with a thick layer of false bravado just to get through another day . . .and another . . . and another. You’re so panic-stricken that someone will know you for what you really are that you’ll tell whatever story fits best – even stereotype yourself if you have to – just so you can be the perfect image of what you’re supposed to be. Now tell me: are you a soldier in the middle of a war? Or are you the whore that services the soldiers? In Stephen Gracia’s WWII play, Next, the answer is – both.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on February 8, 2011
Welcome back to another installment of FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A! We’ll be running these throughout February until the Festival starts, so be sure to check back to read all about the great shows that will be taking part in the festival. Also – don’t miss the winner-take-all game of Rock Paper Scissors! Today’s Q&A is with Melanie Jones (aka Dr. Jones, BFA, PhD, WTF, Research Technician) who is the Producer of We Might Be Experimenting On You.
Dr’s. Bernazky and Jones (PhD, BFA, WTF) are seeking participants in a theatrical research study. Lab rats will be asked to perform various convention-blasting, audience-related tasks. Hijinks and non-slip shoes are required.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on February 7, 2011
Welcome back to another installment of FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A! We’ll be running these throughout February until the Festival starts, so be sure to check back to read all about the great shows that will be taking part in the festival. Also – don’t miss the winner-take-all game of Rock Paper Scissors! Today’s Q&A is with Melanie Gall who is the Writer/Performer of My Pal Izzy – The Early Life and Music of Irving Berlin
Narrated by Berlin’s childhood friend Becky, My Pal Izzy is a musical comedy that explores the early life of famed composer Irving Berlin. From a song plugger to a singing waiter, young Irving would do anything to succeed.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on February 6, 2011
Welcome back to another installment of FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A! We’ll be running these throughout February until the Festival starts, so be sure to check back to read all about the great shows that will be taking part in the festival. Also – don’t miss the winner-take-all game of Rock Paper Scissors! Today’s Q&A is with Tania Katan who is the Writer/Performer of Saving Tania’s Privates
Funny, outrageous and true! This critically acclaimed comedy hit from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival will have you laughing till you weep. A show about far-out families, quirky girlfriends and boobs…but not necessarily in that order.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on February 4, 2011
Seussical (c) Joan Marcus = earlier 0ff broadway cast
I’m going to be right up front: I don’t have kids. I have a darling inner child that I spoil and dote on every chance I get, but as far as a flesh and blood child . . . none exists. So if I’m a bit cynical when it comes to children’s theatre . . . Wait – hold up. Let me put my thing down, flip it and reverse it. Let me actually start by asking – is Seussical meant to be straight up children’s theatre? Well . . . that’s the question. There have been several Seussical incarnations: the full scale Broadway version, the one-act Off-Broadway version, and now this Theatreworks USA version which is, from what I gather (having never seen the Broadway version) more on par with shows for kids like Dora the Explorer, LIVE! or something by The Wiggles or Yo, etcetera . . . you get the idea. Please don’t make me say any more of these ridiculous phrases that pass as names of Children’s Shows.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on February 3, 2011
Welcome back to another installment of FRIGID New York Festival 2011 Q&A! We’ll be running these throughout February until the Festival starts, so be sure to check back to read all about the great shows that will be taking part in the festival. Also – don’t miss the winner-take-all game of Rock Paper Scissors! Today’s Q&A is with Jennifer Lieberman who is the Writer/Performer/Producer of Year of the Slut.
As a horny 18 year old virgin on a quest for romance, a naive Jewish Canadian girl moves to NYC and becomes entangled in seduction, heartbreak and adventure. Jennifer Lieberman weaves her provocative poetry across the stage while bringing nine vivid characters to life.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on February 3, 2011
As the recently appointed Vice-Chair of Maieutic Theatre Works-MTWorks I’m honored to be (just a small) part of the very talented team that brings The National NewBorn Festival to life.
Please join me tonight for the first in the series of free readings dealing with such hot topics as: immigration, sexuality, war and freedom.
Thursday, February 3rd at 6:00pm
The Aronow Theater (First Floor)
**Resident Reading**
THE REEDUCATION OF ARIZONA
by MTWorks Artistic Director David Stallings
directed by MTWorks Resident Director Cristina Alicea
A satirical comedy that dissects the trickled down effect of Gov. Jan Brewer’s immigration bill in Arizona.
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Thursday, February 3rd at 8:30pm
The Aronow Theater (First Floor)
SKIN AND BONE
by Jacqueline Goldfinger (Pennsylvania)
directed by Dev Bondarin
A cannibalistic dark comedy about aging, set in a cozy B&B in the South.
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by Karen Tortora-Lee on February 2, 2011
You may remember Morningside Opera from the Opera Karaoke which I covered in December. They are a NYC-based opera collective, and they will present the world premiere of a new Handel opera entitled Atra, ossia, l’amore ricordato (Atra, or the remembered love) this Friday, February 4 and Saturday, February 5 at 8PM in the Ailey Citigroup Theater, New York City.
Friends of The Happiest Medium are welcome to use the discount code AMICI2011 when purchasing tickets via this link (click here) so be sure to take advantage of this offer!
Atra is a pasticcio comprising a selection of Handel’s best arias and music woven together by a modern plot that evokes themes from traditional opera seria. The multimedia production, designed and directed by Minou Arjomand, draws on projection, film, dance, music, and words to create a new opera, both in content and presentation, that explores connections between operatic conventions and social conventions in America today, in particular those surrounding the controversial topic of gay marriage.
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