Friday, April 29, 2011

Cast of Lucky Guy To Appear at SPLASH

Leslie Jordan, Varla Jean Merman and the cast of Lucky Guy will be special guests at SPLASH's Musical Mondays on May 9th.


Sunday, April 24, 2011

Sad News - Wings Theatre

Sad news from John Chatterton about Wings Theatre on Christopher Street.

"I'm writing to pass on the sad news that Wings Theatre, 154 Christoper Street NYC, will be closing its doors on April 30th. Thus on Wednesday, April 27 from 2pm - 10pm they're having an open-house where they're making much of their costumes, props, set pieces, etc. available to other theaters, non-profits, etc. who can make good use of the materials. If you know of a deserving arts organization, please pass the info along."

Las Vegas Broadway Bares: The Sequel - Tonight



Saturday, April 23, 2011

TOSOS Presents a Staged Reading of "Insatiable Hunger"

TOSOS
(Doric Wilson - Mark Finley - Barry Childs)
Robert Chesley / Jane Chambers Playwrights Project
Kathleen Warnock, curator

PRESENT

Lea DeLaria
in a new musical
Insatiable Hunger
conceived and written by Meryl Cohn
music and lyrics by Susan Goldberg and Billy Hough
directed by Mark Finley
Saturday, April 23 - 7:00 PM

Lea Delaria is Max Stein, a washed-up '80s rocker who gets an unasked for shot at redemption in this musical tale that proves that family is where you find it.

Featuring: Andrea Alton, Vance Julian Barber, Andrea Bianchi, Meghan Cary, Wayne Henry, Rick Hinkson, Billy Hough, Elizabeth Stahlmann, Karen Stanion

TADA Theater
15 W. 28th St. (2nd Fl.)
New York, NY

Reservations strongly recommended!
FOR RESERVATIONS, EMAIL:
insatiablehunger2011@gmail.com

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Once Upon a Musical Time - Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps

The Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps Symphonic Band presents

ONCE UPON A MUSICAL TIME

Brian Worsdale, conductor
Nolan Dresden, assistant conductor
Steven Reineke, honoree and guest conductor
Marcus Rojas, tuba soloist
Tituss Burgess, narrator
Raphael Miranda, host

Tickets: $17-$25
Box office: http://www.lgbac.org/ or 212.864.5400

Experience one of the world's first and New York City's own gay band performing music inspired by stories, myths, and legends. Special guests from Broadway and The New York Pops and will help the band bring these stories to life.

The New York Times calls Reineke’s conducting “young and vigorous, with a playful attitude.” See him conduct the band performing his masterwork Casey at the Bat. Broadway star Tituss Burgess and New York Pops Principal Tuba Marcus Rojas will also appear to tell the tale of a tuba searching for his own song.

Join us at 7:15 p.m. for a special pre-concert conversation with Reineke and Worsdale moderated by NY1 Producer Frank DiLella.

Program includes:

Bock, Symphonic Dances from "Fiddler on the Roof"
Gillingham, Council Oak
Kleinsinger, Tubby the Tuba
Mackey, Undertow
De Meij, Gandalf The Wizard from "The Lord of the Rings"
Reineke, Casey at the Bat
Sondheim, Selections from "Sweeney Todd"
Sparke, Sunrise at Angel's Gate

The concert is approximately two hours and there is one 15-minute intermission.

Group tickets are available by calling the Symphony Space Box
Office at 212.864.5400. Groups of 10 or more receive 20% off ticket purchases.

DIRECTIONS: Symphony Space is conveniently located at the corner of Broadway and 95th Street. Please refer to SYMPHONYSPACE.org for detailed travel instructions.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Broadway Stars Join Annual Earth Day Benefit Concert - Broadway Recycled

AT HAND THEATRE COMPANY's annual Earth Day concert, BROADWAY RECYCLED, will take place this year on Monday, April 25th at 7pm and 9:30pm at Joe's Pub. The concert of songs cut from musicals – songs that shouldn't go to waste - benefits the Broadway Green Alliance and At Hand Theatre Company.

This year's BROADWAY RECYCLED concert will feature performances by Sean Bradford (The Lion King), Blake Daniel (Spring Awakening), Katrina Rose Dideriksen (Hairspray), Gideon Glick (Spiderman: Turn Off The Dark), Annie Golden (Xanadu), Jessica Lee Goldyn (A Chorus Line), Jeff Hiller (Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson), Natalie Joy Johnson (Legally Blonde), Adam Kantor (Rent), Andy Karl (Legally Blonde), Andrew Kober (Hair), Liz Larsen (Starmites), MK Lawson (Bloodsong of Love), Tracy McDowell (Rent), Andy Mientus (Spring Awakening), Kevin Michael Murphy (Awesome '80s Prom), Kate Pazakis (South Pacific), Vanessa Ray (Hair), Megan Reinking (People In The Picture), Kate Rockwell (Legally Blonde), Lance Rubin (Things To Ruin), A.J. Shively (La Cage Aux Folles), and Taylor Trensch (Little Miss Sunshine).

Concertgoers at BROADWAY RECYCLED can expect to hear songs cut from Hair, Side Show, Rent, Chicago, Legally Blonde, Spring Awakening, Little Shop of Horrors, The Boy from Oz, Bloodsong of Love, Guys and Dolls, Tick Tick Boom, Subways Are For Sleeping, Betty Boop, and Working!

The concert will be directed by Jennifer Ashley Tepper with musical direction by Julie McBride. Last year's performance featured the original cast of [title of show] singing the now infamous and complete version of “The Tony Award Song," un-recorded Dolly Parton songs cut from 9 to 5, an Altar Boyz number too offensive to make it out of an early workshop, and Anthony Rapp and Annaleigh Ashford singing a song they performed in the NYMF production of Feeling Electric... before it became Next to Normal.

AT HAND THEATRE COMPANY is nonprofit whose mission is to produce original work using environmentally conscious means. Past productions include the world premieres of The Body Politic by Richard Abrons and Margarett Perry at 59E59, Anton Dudley’s Letters to the End of the World, Dan Horrigan’s My AiDS, Lila Cante by Mark Snyder, Cake and Plays…But Without the Cake by Jono Hustis, Brian Dykstra’s Silence!, and One Nation Under by Andrea Lepcio, as well as the NY premiere of Trickster at the Gate by John Patrick Bray. At Hand also produces a free Staged Reading Series throughout the year, a yearly one-act festival called POP! featuring new plays that revolve around pop culture, and an annual benefit concert every Earth Day, entitled Broadway Recycled at Joe’s Pub. For more information, please visit athandtheatre.com.

BROADWAY RECYCLED will be presented Monday, April 25 at 7:00pm and 9:30pm. Joe's Pub is located in The Public Theater at 425 Lafayette Street at Astor Place -- accessible from the N/R trains at 8th Street or the #6 train at Astor Place. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door (subject to availability); a limited number of $60 tickets, which include preferred table seating and a poster autographed by the cast.

For tickets call 212-967-7555 or visit http://www.joespub.com/.

Interview - Indio Melendez of "Indiosyncracy"

By Byrne Harrison

Actor and writer Indio Melendez was born and raised in New York City. He was the recipient of the “2008 H.O.L.A. Award” for ensemble cast in Dona Flor Y Sus Dos Marido, which enjoyed a healthy run at the Spanish Repertory Theater. Other notable performances include his portrayal of Miguel in The Vieques at the Spanish Repertory Theater, for which he was recognized with a “2001 Latin Ace Award” Nomination. More recently, his one may show, Manchild Dilemma, was also again recognized for excellence, earning Indio a “2007 Premios Sin Limites Award Nomination”. His play Indiosyncacy will be performed Friday, April 15th as part of the Downtown Urban Theater Festival.

You have a fascinating background - teacher, actor, writer, Gulf War veteran. How long have you been involved in theatre?

Yes, my background is diverse; I am very fortunate. I've been involved with the artistic community for over 15 years. I started acting professionally in 1996, in a play called The Tranny Chase.

Your current show, Indiosyncracy, is part of this year's Downtown Urban Theatre Festival. Tell me a little about it.

Indiosyncrasy is my autobiographical coming out story and my experiences as I tried to define who I am as a man, a father, and a son. Indiosyncrasy is about stereotypes, internalized homophobia, homophobia and heterosexism. And love and faith to ground you.

I'm intrigued by the fact that it incorporates Afro-Cuban song and dance, monologue, verse... a variety of different styles. What made you decide to work these different aspects into your show?

I wanted to tell my story but not in a linear way. Life isn't like that. Its a conglomerate of people and emotional journeys that one has to experience to hopefully find yourself. If you're strong and have positive people around to help guide you. That's the way I wanted to stage my show with the same idiosyncratic tosses and turns life throws at you.

How did you come up with the different characters in your show?

The characters in my show are people I know. My mother, who is homophobic and how she affected my coming out. Cinammon, the very effeminate family friend who I made fun of and ultimately saves me. And "Id" who made me do some of the craziest things ever.

What's next for you in 2011?

I'm currently in rehearsal for Carlos Serrano's new play at Repertorio Espanol titled No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy. I hope that Indiosyncrasy will have a life of its own. I believe there's a powerful message people sometimes have to be reminded of.

Indiosyncrasy
By Indio Melendez

Downtown Urban Theatre Festival
at MMAC Theater
248 West 60th Street

Friday, April 15, 8 PM

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Downtown Urban Theater Festival Features LGBT Writers

Downtown Urban Theater Festival (DUTF) returns for a much anticipated 9th season with four world-premiere theatrical works by LGBT playwrights Dominic Colon, Andreʼ Jermaine Ford, Indio Melendez and Marsha Sheiness, April 13 to April 23 at the new MMAC Theater on West 60th Street in Manhattan. Reg E. Gaines, the Tony and Grammy-nominated writer of Bring in da Noise Bring in da Funk, is returning as the Artistic Director and Nilo Cruz, winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his play, Anna in the Tropics, will be the recipient of the first-ever DUTF Playwright Masters Award.

DUTF 2011 will feature 12 theatrical works by a cross-section of playwrights. This yearʼs LGBT works include:

THURSDAY, APRIL 14
8:00pm
Crush
By Dominic Colon
Michael is in for an evening of horror, hilarity and hope at his High School Senior Prom. Inspired by 1980s coming-of-age films, Crush adds a Bronx/Latino/gay twist to the universal themes of unrequited love, loss and the ultimate life lesson of having to face your demons.

FRIDAY, APRIL 15
8:00pm
Indiosyncrasy
By Indio Melendez
Indiosyncrasy is the coming-out story of "Nene" and the emotional journey of leaving his wife and two sons, falling into addiction and finding redemption. The story is told in vignettes using monologue, spoken word and traditional Afro-Cuban song and dance.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20
8:00pm
Lost and Found
By Marsha Sheiness
A comedy-drama. Eight teenagers laugh and cry as they tell their personal stories about growing up gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender in a world largely intolerant of sexual differences.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22
8:00pm
I Scream Out Loud
By Andre' Jermaine Ford
Told in poetry and prose, I Scream Out Loud is the redemptive story of one man's journey to self-revelation and spiritual freedom as set against the backdrop of life in the inner city.

DUTF has been described as “not only prestigious, but a slice of heaven for playwrights who want the chance to express themselves” by Theater Festivals. From an inclusive, multicultural perspective, it presents works that echo the true spirit of urban life and speak to a whole new generation whose lives defy categorizing along conventional lines. DUTF has presented 88 original theatrical works since its inception with 23 of these works by LGBT playwrights. This year. DUTF will reach an important milestone by producing its 100th play on closing night of the festival.

DUTF is made possible with public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York Stateʼs 62 counties. DUTFʼs LGBT Media Sponsor is Next Magazine.

Tickets for DUTF 2011 are on sale at http://www.downtownurban.net/ and Ovation Tix at OvationTix.com and (866) 811-4111.

The festival will run from April 13 to April 23, 2011 at MMAC (Manhattan Movement & Arts Center)
248 West 60th Street, Manhattan (http://www.manhattanmovement.com/).

Visit DUTF online at:
www.facebook.com/pages/Downtown-Urban-Theater-Festival/152194641470752
www.twitter.com/DUTFNYC
http://www.youtube.com/dutfnyc

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHTS:

MARSHA SHEINESS has been produced on television, Off-Broadway, Off-Off Broadway, regional, community, university, and high school theatres across the US as well as in Japan, Canada and England. Mirror Repertory produced her 2009 adaptation of John Coltonʼs Shanghai Gesture at the Julia Miles Theatre. As a playwright-inresidence at Playwrights Horizons in NYC, she participated in eleven productions of her work. Best All ʻRound was produced at the Perry Street in NYC, Professor George and The Spelling Bee were first presented by the Eugene OʼNeill National Playwrights Conference in Connecticut, and her play, Monkey, Monkey Bottle Of Beer, How Many Monkeys Have We Here? (Available on DVD) aired on “Theater in America” produced by PBS. Her musical adaptation of Great Expectations was a 1997 finalist for the Richard Rodgers Award and the Festival of Contemporary Musical Theatre.

DOMINIC COLON is a true native New Yorker, born and raised in the Bronx and began acting at eight years old at The Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club. He went on to receive his BFA in Acting from New York Universityʼs Tisch School of the Arts. Colónʼs recent guest appearances include: Blue Bloods, Running Wilde, and Nurse Jackie. Other TV credits include guest appearances on Ugly Betty, Damages, Law and Order, and Law and Order: SVU. Colon also appeared in the HBO original film Taking Chance and recently wrapped up production on Mr. Popperʼs Penguinʼs opposite Jim Carrey and Angela Lansbury. Currently, Colón is the Theater Director of Teatro El Puente; a youth theater company that tours NYC. As a playwright, his plays have been seen at the Hip Hop Theater Festival, Rebel Verses at Centerstage NY, Nuyorican Poets Café and at schools, hospitals and prisons throughout NYC.

ANDREʼ JERMAINE FORD is a new and emerging playwright who served as an emerging director in residence at Ensemble Studio Theatre in 2006-2007 and as a young emerging artist of color at Tectonic Theatre Project in the summer of 2009. In 2010, his play I Scream Out Loud received a reading at Serenbe Playhouse in Atlanta, GA as well as at the Urban Life Series Play Festival and the Manhattan Theatre Rep One Act Series.

INDIO MELENDEZ is an actor, writer and poet, born and raised in NYC. He is a Desert Storm Veteran, who quickly learned he is not made for war. In 1995, Melendez returned home to NY and discovered theater. His first one-man show Manchild Dilemma had a successful run at the 3rd Annual Hip Hop Theater Festival at PS. 122. Melendez is a member of the legendary “Spanish Repertory Theater Company” in NYC and the Pregones Theater Company. Recipient of the 2008 HOLA Award for “ensemble cast” in “Dona Flor y Sus Dos Maridos.” Melendez was also nominated for a 2001 Latin Ace Award, for supporting actor as “Miguel” in Vieques at Spanish Repertory Theater Company. Indio is committed to writing works that are liberating for the soul.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

PF Party Ushers in Its Terrible Twos

The unabashed and offbeat party, Pussy Faggot, (PF) celebrates its 2nd anniversary in New York, Thursday, April 7 at the Delancey Lounge (168 Delancey St). The brainchild of nightlife impresario Earl Dax, the party that was recently hailed by The New York Times as “a party with serious art chops” was created to celebrate expressions of queer identity through an eclectic mix of live performance, DJs and visual artists. This incarnation will feature performers from Broadway, Off-Broadway and somewhere in between... including:

The divine lesbian Lea Delaira; modern-day Renaissance man Paul Oakley Stovall; Brad Simmons, who recently appeared with Stovall's musical Clear; composer, lyricist and performer Lance Horne; and a reading of Prince/Elizabeth by Paul Iacono of MTV's "The Hard Times of RJ Berger."

Performance artist nonpareil Penny Arcade, tranny-superstar and beauty pageant queen Glenn Marla; Homocore musician Gio Black Peter; Brooklyn-based Indie rockers Little Victory, with appearances by Max Steele and Machine Dazzle.

The international contingent features Berlin’s electro punk band The Nuclear Family.

Visuals include: Liz Liguori’s PUSSY FAGGOT! Portrait Studio, AL Steiner and AK Burns socio-sexual video Community Action Center, and an installation by GAYLETTER.

Pussy Faggot will happen Thursday, April 7th at the Delancey Lounge (168 Delancey St.). Tickets are $10.00 at the door and $6.00 with an advance RSVP to: rsvp@pussyfaggot.net