Crazytown

THE KOREANS ARE INVADING!!!

We’ve all been so worried that North Korea would launch an attack against the U.S., that no one seems to notice that we’ve already been invaded… by South Korea.

By David Davila (playwright/songwriter)

 

This week I was almost trampled to death by a bunch of obsessed teenagers who were trying to get a peek at their favorite boy band. No, it wasn’t One Direction. No, it wasn’t The Wanted, or Justin Bieber, or any other rag-tag group of little white twinks. It was someone I had never heard of, and I’ve never felt so old… but I’m getting ahead of myself. This phenomenon starts with Psy.

You all heard the song, you saw the viral video, you did the silly little dance at that Pub the other night. Don’t try to tell me you didn’t, there was proof on Instagram! We all got caught up in Gangnam style. It’s a catchy song with a crazy little video to match. Psy seemed to pop out of nowhere with his unique image, and enthusiasm for sexy Korean women and wild dance moves. It’s infectious, and the infection has spread across the world as Psy’s video for his first U.S. single (18^th K-Pop single), became the most watched video on YouTube, toppling Justin Bieber’s “Baby” in a matter of weeks. It has 1.5 BILLION views! That’s a sixth of the entire world population!

Psy not only sold millions of albums in the U.S., he also did something much more important. He created a viral portal that has been connecting teenagers around the world to Korean pop music, also known as K-Pop, one YouTube click at a time. Now the portal is wide open and Billboard has even started counting down the top K-Pop songs of each week, which brings me back to the mob of screaming teens.

B.A.P. is not like any other boy band you’ve encountered in your life. Well, okay they’re a lot like every other boy band from what I can tell. They’re a group of six hot young twinkish boys who sing really well, and dance even better, but they have a distinct brand that will help them gain more male fans than your standard Backstreet Boys milieu. B.A.P. are all Korean gangsters!

 
(When you watch this video you'll understand why the teens were freaking out. It's pretty effing bad ass!!!! DAMMNNNNN!!!!! B.A.P. - One Shot)

MINDY KALING IS BAD BITCH

Why Mindy Kaling is a wonderful role model and everyone should want to be like her when they grow up.
By Annissa Omran (Writer/College Student)

This is the second installment in the "Bad Bitch" series I started in March with an ode to the wonderful Angela Lansbury. This series puts the spotlight on women with great talent you might have forgotten about or overlooked. 

(This woman is my spirit animal ^[source])

If you, like me, are a fan of the show The Mindy Project, you might be wondering how Mindy Kaling meets the "forgotten or overlooked" criteria. On the show she's plays a sassy partner in a gynecological practice dealing with the highs and lows of love and life in New York city. And while her character might be navigating daily ups and downs, you as the viewer will always be left sideways. On the couch. Laughing hysterically while concerned friends and family members in other rooms yell at you to remember to breathe.

Ok, that might just be my personal experience.

But even so, The Mindy Project is some seriously underrated TV. I place series creator Mindy Kaling in the "forgotten or overlooked" category simply because I don't hear people talking about her and I think they SHOULD.

 I know that some people aren't sure how they feel about her humor. I was originally one of those people. But then I actually paid attention to her work and now I'm definitely a Kaling-convert. 

AN ODE TO YES

I'm taking a break from Art Outside the City this week in order to declare my deep and abiding lady love for Tina Fey.
by Lauren Silverman Durban, writer 

Holy crap, do I ever love me some Tina Fey.

She’s hilarious, scary smart, and attractive in that fabulous “I don’t care if you think I’m attractive” kind of way. She’s a kick-ass woman in a male-dominated field without ever being annoying or preachy about it. And I recently came across this article she wrote (go read it-- I’ll wait here) for O Magazine about how the improv comedy rules she learned early in her career have shaped her outlook on just about everything, and I fell in love with her all over again.

“The things I learned in that class became part of the way I live my life. A couple of times I've been called on to do things -- jobs or whatever -- where I've felt, Maybe I'm not quite ready. Maybe it's a little early for this to happen to me. But the rules are so ingrained. "Say yes, and you'll figure it out afterward" has helped me to be more adventurous. It has definitely helped me be less afraid.”

Artists, almost by definition, live a life jam-packed with opportunity for fear. We’ve all felt like impostors-- that at any minute, someone could find out that we’re really not talented enough for whatever it is we happen to be doing. Who am I to call myself a writer/singer/composer/actor/director/etc anyway? Why do I think anyone will care what I have to say? Why did I think I was ready for this? And when they all figure me out, I’ll obviously die broke and alone and humiliated. (Or maybe that last one is just me?)

But here’s the truth, and it bears repeating-- if you’re not afraid, then you’re probably not doing it right. When what you’re doing becomes so comfortable that you’re never nervous anymore, then you’ve stopped pushing hard enough. And while that can feel deceptively good from time to time, it’s a decidedly unexciting and uncreative way to live.

WHY BOTHER? ALWAYS BOTHER.

What happens when one of the most respected theatre critics of our time steps on some toes? This, I suppose.
By Ali Gordon 

I'm in no position to call myself any sort of expert to weigh in on this situation, but I am a young artist, and a creator, so this matter concerns me. I am highly ambitious, but admittedly green. I try to understand and feel things on a universal level (as all writers must do) but sometimes, I fall short. I'm young, and I'm trying. I'm learning every day, but can't look back on what I created in the past and choose to resent it just because I may know and feel more today than I did yesterday. I want people to love what I make, and what I have to offer. And I invite people to hate it, too. But, I suppose, my greatest fear is for someone to look at what I've done - what I've poured my whole heart and soul into for a certain amount of time - and say "Eh, what's the point of it all?" Or, more simply (and as Times reviewer Ben Brantley said) "Why bother?"

Alec Baldwin has released an article entitled "How Broadway Has Changed" in response to the review Ben Brantley gave the current production of Orphans (which Mr. Baldwin co-stars in). 

The production has been trailed by drama, starting with the quitting/firing/who the hell knows of its original star, Shia LaBeouf. Then, by means of twitter, he released personal emails between himself, Mr. Baldwin, and the director, Dan Sullivan (among others). Gossip sites jumped on this juicy drama in a heartbeat, and even I kept up with all the new tidbits fastidiously (though a bit shamefully). Then, apparently, his "heartfelt apology email" was mostly plagairized??? Oy, vey. It's all too much. So firstly, the drama mostly eclipses any notice of the, well, actual PLAY-drama. Then, Brantley writes a review that is neither praising nor scathing, calling it a "dispiritingly pallid show" and saying, essentially, "why bother?" And, in Baldwin's words,

"In the case of Orphans, Brantley wrote "Why bother?" [...] If it's trash, then call it. But is it good trash or is the bar too low? Then call it. Is the piece ambitious and groundbreaking? Factor that in. But never say "why bother?"

And, as I previously stated, I'm no expert. I'm a wanna-be actress with great aspirations, and not a lot to show for it. Yet. I'm a writer, and I want to do sketch, short fiction, plays, one-person shows, musicals, short films, writing for television... you name it. And once again, I'm working on it. But I'm still green. I won't always be, but right now, I am. 

So yes, when I really dig deep... what is my greatest fear as a young creator?

That someone will look at my work - at my countless sleepless nights, my palms sweaty as I sit in the back of an audience watching people see my work for the first time, my butterflies as I stand in the wings waiting to go on stage - and they'll say, "Meh." They'll say, "fine." They'll say, "I guess it was okay - but not worth the effort."

And I will also admit to admiring the hell out of Ben Brantley, so I certainly don't want to put myself in a position of claiming a loss of respect. I think he's remarkably good at his job, and there's an awful lot I agree with him on. But yes, I do have to back Alec Baldwin here. You can't say "why bother." It's hard enough for people to have to bother in the first place. We live in a culture where now we aspire to be too-cool-to-care, but artists do exactly the opposite. We constantly put ourselves on the line. We scream, we care! we care! into the void, hoping someone - anyone - will care to listen.

So please, hate it. Or love it. But at least pick up the signal. 

I've never been to a show and regretted going. Sure, I may bemoan spending my hard-earned cash on seeing something I didn't enjoy, but the experience is never wasted. No matter the show, everything created is worthwhile. It adds to the education and the long-lasting canon of this very difficult, ever-changing medium of entertainment. Baldwin writes, "Brantley says we were wrong-headed to have even tried. Where would the theatre be if that was the prevalent thinking?"

And you know what?

I couldn't agree more.

(Sorry this time, Brantley.)

ALI GORDON is an actress, writer, comedian, optimist, and waffle enthusiast. Most frequently she can be heard doing funny voices. www.ali-gordon.com
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ONE LESS LONELY GIRL

Never Say Never? How about Never Say Anything?
By Alisha Giampola (Actor) 

You guys. Since the news broke that Justin Bieber was getting his WWII history on in Amsterdam and wrote a slightly awkward entry in the guestbook at the Anne Frank House, I'm sure you've all been wondering sleeplessly if Anne Frank would, in fact, have been a 'belieber' as Justin hoped. If you have somehow missed this amazing moment in American pop culture, and have not yet become alarmed that possibly no one under the age of 20 knows anything about Anne Frank, or you know, World War II, please take a moment to catch yourself up.

(And I really cannot even discuss right now that Justin Bieber was born in 1994, because that just makes me feel HORRIFYINGLY OLD. I need to procure a lawn, so I can start yelling at people to stay off of it.)  

To the credit of pretty much everyone on the planet, most people reacted on a spectrum between outrage and irritated disbelief at Bieber's comment, although 50 Cent had the Beib's back. In all fairness, if we ever hoped to discover what was on the mind of a teenage Jewish girl during the Holocaust, 50 Cent's guess is probably as good as anyone's. Also, it's pretty clear that Bieber's comments were made in fairly profound ignorance, as he doesn't even know who the Germans are, let alone the Nazis.

And then, Anne's own posthumous stepsister, Eva Schloss, steps forward and makes the ultimate defense for Bieber's comment. Eva constructs this very scientific logical syllogism for us: all 15 year old girls love Justin Bieber, Anne Frank was (and will eternally be) a 15 year old girl, therefore Anne Frank would have loved Justin Bieber. 

“Tell me what you like girl, tell me what you don’t.
I could be your Buzz Lightyear, fly across the globe.”

KIM & ERIN EAT CHEESECAKE (AND TALK ABOUT "BUYER & CELLAR")

The lastest episode of our podcast where we discuss a new piece of theatre over a slice of cheesecake.
By Kimberly Lew (Playwright/Blogger) with Erin Salvi

Yes, we have a new podcast for you guys to check out. But first things first: are you aware that Barbra Streisand has a mall in the basement of her dream mansion?? Like a whole street of Victorian shops of antiques, sweets, costumes, and ribbons on display-- all owned by the Funny Girl herself, but displayed as though it were a fancy promenade. If your mind is as blown as mine was when I found out this information, you'll need photographic evidence, and have no fear for there is a lot of it.

And as much as I wish I was bringing up Babs's mini mall just for funsies, it is also the genesis of the play we covered for our latest podcast. Buyer & Cellar, currently playing at The Rattlestick, imagines how things would shake out if our favorite Yentl hired someone to man her private playground through a one-man show starring the talented and wonderfully coiffed Michael Urie. We holed up at Bosie Tea Parlor to discuss this intriguing and hilarious play (and eat free pastries)! Click on the player above to find out more about Buyer & Cellar, our takes on Barbra, and whether or not the mall has a frozen yogurt station. We know inquiring minds want to know! (Warning: this podcast will contain spoilers)

*Also, since this recording, the run of this show has been extended until May 12-- get on it!

KIMBERLY LEW is a playwright with two published one-act plays for high schools, as well as full-length Searching for Candi (co-written with Gabriella Miyares), which debuted at Mt. Holyoke college. Her latest play, Other People's Children, was recently featured as a part of The Beautiful Soup Theater Collective's new works reading series and was a semi-finalist for the 2012 O'Neill Playwrights Conference. She also created/manages the Emerging Musical Theatre blog. www.kimberlylew.com
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ERIN SALVI is a Brooklyn-based writer who enjoys theater, drinking copious amounts of coffee, rocking out to David Bowie, and thinking about the space-time continuum. Her writing has been featured in The Expeditioner and My Dog Ate My Blog.
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TONY TALK

Three drunk gay guys try to predict the Tony nominations... It's just like THE VIEW, but a lot more messy!

by David Davila (playwright / songwriter)

[Barbara Walters voice] I had an idea for a show... a bunch of gay guys sit around and talk about the Tony Awards. I call it TONY TALK.

Seriously though, I've been wanting to do a dumb talk show about the Tony Awards for several years now. Finally two friends and I were drunk enough, after a long night of celebrating a successful fundraising event, to pull out the webcam at four in the morning and start talking. There was a lot of vodka and pizza involved in this shoot. It was grueling.

What you are about to see are the drunken ramblings of a few queens who saw EVERYTHING on Broadway this season! ENJOY!

 

SEASON REVIEW: Drag Queens & Children

  

 BEST MIXING, BOOK, & ORCHESTRATIONS

WHAT'S IN A NAME (OR TITLE, FOR THAT MATTER)?

The answer to that question? Everything.
By Annissa Omran (Writer/College Student)

Today I have been having one of those days. You know the kind - when you can't seem to focus and every single thing that is NOT what you are supposed to be focusing on all of a sudden becomes the most interesting thing on the planet.

During one such flight of fancy, I found myself somehow on the Wikepedia page dedicated to Elizabeth I. A very natural progression led me to click on multiple links that led me to a variety of different pages. Eventually I happened upon the definition page for "Queen Consort", something totally cool.

(Unless you're Carol Burnett in Once Upon a Mattress, in which case it's an uphill battle^[source])

In a nutshell it simply refers to the wife of the reigning king/emperor/grand duke/head-honcho. The consort is not queen by birth right and does not have the same pull as a Queen Regnant (i.e. Queen Elizabeth II has got the power)

(I'm not going to try and pretend that I didn't absolutely obssess over the Unimpressed Queen meme^[source] )

Now, as a history buff, I was already aware of all of this information. In middle school I created a badass presentation covering all aspects of the life of Henry VIII (adorably cliche diorama and fact-plastered posterboard included). "Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived" was definitely my 8th grade mantra, although I'm not sure what that says about my mental well being. In literary terms, I have read books and books and books detailing and dramatizing the lives of queens long gone.

But what I wasn't aware of was the fact that there are actually quite a few royal families left in the world.

WHY I STILL WATCH SMASH (OR, A LOVE LETTER TO MEGAN HILTY)

Smash is barelling towards unwatchability, but we're still rooting for Ivy.
By Sam Perwin 

First off, I must apologize to anyone who read my post last week, felt guilty for having abandoned Glee, then tuned in to watch the absolutely wretched episode that centered around a school shooting. While I appreicate Ryan Murphy's unflagging willingness to go there no matter how tasteless, this was unnecessary. It also led to many unfortunate, snotty/scared close-ups of our fresh-faced heroes, and then the shooter turning out to be (SPOILER ALERT) the girl with Down's Syndrome bringing a gun to school because she was feeling scared about graduating into the real world (wah-wah) then accidentally firing it, then dropping it. Bad form, Murphy, bad form. 

I do, however, stand by what I said, and echo it this week with some thoughts on the TV show the New York Theaterati loves to hate, Smash. Now, Smash, is a horse of a slightly different color than Glee in that it actually pretends to be an insight to the inner workings of Broadway. There are a few musical dream sequences (some good, some bad), but for the most part, the singing and dancing is in rehearsals, auditions, performances and the occasional "we're at a party, let's do a number!" situation (we've all been there...).

CLASSLESS AND LOVING IT

Ali wants to let you know five ways the Sarah Silverman Program was way ahead of its time, and why you should stream it on Netflix right away.
By Ali Gordon 

Hey, kids! Stuck in your Theatre History class at school? No idea what to write your midterm paper about? Have to somehow relate Kafka and Magical Realism into your in-class essay, and you didn't really read The Metamorphosis because you were getting super into Breaking Bad that week? Never fear - The Sarah Silverman Program is here!

It was funny. It was crude. Damn it, it was postmodern. And - worth mentioning - her skin was always flawless, even when she was licking her own dog's butthole.

Plus, the title sequence was always funny!

Starting on Comedy Central in 2007, The Sarah Silverman Program ran for three seasons until cancellation in 2009. When faced with an untimely end before the third season due to budget disagreements, LOGO TV stepped in to renew the third season. And that rocks, no arguments about it. Plus, amidst the poop jokes and wacky hijinks, the show was also consistently praised for its non-stereotypical portrayal of a gay couple (Sarah's next door neighbors, Steve and Brian) and it was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award, which is ALSO awesome.

In today's comedy landscape, we love crude women (see Bridesmaids), selfish-lazy-do-nothing protagonists (see It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia) and cultural reference cut-aways, especially when they incorporate musical numbers (see Family Guy). And no, The Sarah Silverman Program didn't necessarily do them first, but it sure as hell did them well. Here's Five Reasons as to why the Sarah Silverman Program was Way Ahead of Its Time.