Crazytown

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

A RAY OF SUNSHINE

Maybe you just need to smile for a minute today...
By Ali Gordon 

It’s been an incredibly tough week for this country and, facing these recent events, it’s difficult to stay positive. But luckily, though the internet can be a cesspool of crappy opinions and bad news, it's also a place where cute videos abound, and puppies are always learning to walk down the stairs. So, this week's blog post is dedicated to something I think we all could use...

A COLLECTION OF POSITIVE THINGS TO MAKE YOU SMILE OR AT LEAST JUST FEEL A LITTLE BETTER TODAY

The time that Kid President got to meet Obama.

  

Kid President is charming, enthusiastic, and wide-eyed with the joy of political possibilities. Obama is patient, jovial, and looking handsome (if I do say so myself). We could use more people like them in the government. Kid President makes me feel hopeful about that.

This kid who knows that if you believe in yourself you can do anything. Even ride a bike.

WHY I WILL NEVER STOP DOING COMMUNITY THEATRE

It's the day of the show, y'all.
By Gregory Jacobs-Roseman (Composer-Lyricist) 

First, a disclaimer: any and all photos or video of the rehearsals for the show posted below are done so with permission. I know first hand that rehearsal halls are a personal and private space, but we’ve decided with this production that we’d wield social media to our advantage when it comes to marketing. Hence the photos and video.

That said, the current job that has a stranglehold over my life is sound designing a community theatre production of Once On This Island in Brooklyn. As a sound designer, I am well past the point in my career at which most other designers would still be volunteering their time for community theatre, but when one of my closest friends who is directing the show called and asked if I’d work on it, I enthusiastically said: “yes!”

Nikki Rothenberg, Director (in the background). Giving notes at the beginning of rehearsal.

Clearly both Rachel and I are excited about this production on Crazytown this week. But as someone who works in the business that we call show, I think community theatre is a very important form of theatre, and every so often I welcome the chance to be a part of it. It’s not just because I have fond memories of doing it as a kid back in Delaware. It’s because it brings people who wouldn’t ordinarily have the performing arts in their lives into the fold, both in the audience and on the stage. It’s also because often the productions that community theatre organizations are able to mount are very different from those of professional theatre companies.

"Pray"

Let’s start with the issue that plagues all theatrical endeavors, both professional and amateur: MONEY. In community theatre, it’s pretty much generally accepted that you’re not getting paid to be there and you know that before you even go to the audition. It’s simply not in the budget. Which means two things: first, if someone’s job or a paying gig conflicts with it, that will usually take priority. Second, the people who are participating are doing so purely out of love for the theatre.

This is what you all think of when you think "Community Theatre." Don't deny it.

I find this last fact truly inspiring. Sitting in rehearsals for Once On This Island the past week and watching these performers, who span all ages, backgrounds, and level of theatrical experience, was a breath of fresh air. There were performers who are highly trained next to ones who had never been in a play before. But they all had the same amount of passion and energy and they all had smiles on their faces. As Alice Ripley once said to me (how’s that for a name-drop?) when we were in a show at Emerson College: when theatre becomes your job it’s really easy to get jaded about it. But seeing people who are doing it for no other reason than it’s what they love to do really reminds you that you love it too, and that’s why you got into this screwed-up business in the first place. And as Akilah Williams, who is a trained actor playing Asaka in this production pointed out to me: “Every single one of these people has a full day of work or school that they do before they come to rehearsal. We're all exhausted when we get there, but we get to work, and we have fun doing it.”

Akilah performing "Mama Will Provide."

WHY WE TELL THE STORY

Shameless plug time: I have really talented friends.  And a bunch of them are working on a show together.  You should go!
By Rachel James (Treasurer/Writer) 

We choose our own lives.  I have to remind myself of this constantly, especially when navigating through professional artistic endeavors.  I chose to do this for a living.  And with that choice you find that you begin to make certain sacrifices for your happiness and your artistic life so that you can reach the next level.  Or just so you can pay rent that month.  When you’re a professional artist, you don’t always love every job you do. But you tell yourself it’s worth it for the jobs you do love.  

But what if we started pursuing stuff not to get ahead, not to reach the next rung on the ladder, but for fun?  Remember fun?

It’s very easy to get lost in the maze of success in being a professional artist.  And one can get so lost that you forget why you did this in the first place.  Because you loved it.  Because creating and exploring your artistic abilities was enjoyable and brought you pleasure.  You didn’t HAVE to go to a show, you WANTED to go to a show.  You didn’t HAVE to meet a deadline or sing in a showcase or take a class, you WANTED to do all those things.

 
I burst into tears during this number when I saw the show.  I think everyone feels this way at some point. 

I was reminded of the pure pleasure of making art while talking to my friend, Nikki.  For the uninitiated, Nikki Rothenberg is a director extraordinaire and the world’s foremost expert on all pop culture knowledge related to the 1990’s.  She is currently directing a production of Once On This Island for Brooklyn Players Community Musical Theater.  That’s right, folks... community theater in New York City.  It is a thing and it is awesome.  Working in New York theatre, you sometimes forget that not everyone wants to do it professionally.  Sometimes people do theatre because they love to do theatre.  Sometimes people want to try something new.  These and other reasons are why it’s important to support our local community productions.  Because this is how we pass on the story.  This is how we continue the fun.

Also involved in the production is the ridiculously talented Akilah Williams.  How talented? 

 
Best medley ever, arranged by Akilah and Gregory Jacobs-Roseman.

Once On This Island will also feature the amazing sound design prowess of Crazytown’s own Gregory Jacobs-Roseman.  I honestly can’t wait to see how many ways Greg has figured out to produce thunder.

 
This is what I found when I googled "How to produce thunder."  Hope this helps!
*Scurry off into a corner while Greg does actual designing of sound*

Once On This Island is playing April 27th and May 4th, two shows each day.  You can purchase tickets here, and I really suggest you do.  I think it’s time we all had a little fun.

RACHEL JAMES is a native New Yorker and theatre baby. Her plays have been produced by The 52nd Street Project and Starfish Theatreworks. She currently makes a living as a Broadway treasurer.
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WHY I STILL WATCH GLEE (AND WHY YOU SHOULD TOO)

In defense of a much maligned TV show
By Sam Perwin 

If you haven't dismissed me already from the title of this post, then bear with me here. I swear I have point, and it is this: you should be watching Glee. Not because it is good television (although, sometimes it can be), not because it showcases brilliant singing (ditto), but because it's important. Ditto Smash, but that might have to be saved for another post. First, enjoy this brilliance:

 
This one's for the straight boys...sort of...

Now didn't that make you smile? No? Ok, fine. Here's the deal: I'm a consummate snob, especially when it comes to singing and musical theatre (give me a little credit for writing my first ever post for Crazytown about Passion). I would imagine that most people who read this blog have similar feelings about musical theatre, so I understand that Glee is problematic. It's over-produced, the singing is auto-tuned and studio-fied. The sound is slick, detached from reality and often emotionless, not to mention the low bar of actual singing talent. All of these things are true. I won't even get started on the meandering plots and inconsistent writing. 

BEST OF HELL'S KITCHENETTE

A New York Magazine-style guide to the best of the neighborhood.
By Jen Littlefield (Choreogrpaher/Librettist)

As I count the days (23) til I move out of this convenient, expensive, busy, and always fun neighborhood, I thought I'd share some of my favorite things about it with you dear readers. Many of you have probably spent an evening or two on 9th ave, as it is the crossroads of all things gay and all things theater (I mean, how has a portal to Planet Unicorn not opened outside of Industry yet?), but allow me illuminate some of the less talked about places my friends and I like to frequent.

Casellula: My home away from home.

Good wine. Good cheese. Good people (the staff is amazing). Do I really need to say more? No, but I will. I LOVE Casellula. I love the wines. I love how every cheese comes with its own made-in-house paring, including things like pine nut brittle, or coffee-flavored marshmallows,  or pickled quail eggs. And the main dishes and desserts are out of this world. Try the Pig's Ass sandwich or the chocolate cake and cream. (Top reason why I'm broke and squishier around the middle)

House of Brews 51st: Best spot for birthdays

This location has an upstairs bar with a little lounge room that you can reserve for your party so you aren't annoying all the customers with your drunken toasts and this-is-my-day entitlement. Add to that a two-for-one or pitcher special during the week, all-you-can-drink mimosa brunch, and beer bongs. It's a little slice of hoppy-heaven

 

 

Worldwide Plaza: Best out-door spot in Midtown

I actually love this place the most in the late fall and early spring, when it's not quite warm enough for the Blockheads infestation. Grab a coffee and maybe some food, snag a table in the sun, and read or write or just sit and enjoy. (And I do enjoy the thrifty nature of Blockheads, but sometimes you don't want to eat with 25 people you know from that one show that one time, in that place… you remember right?)

The Hudson River Park, Midtown addition

I love to come over here and just be by the river. This is pier 96 at 55th st, and a little further north, the area opens up into a lazy river walk, a nice cafe with tables and umberellas, a good running path, and lots of grass. It's really beautiful and often not crowded at all. 

 

Vlada: Best happy hour

There are a plethora of gay bars in this neighborhood, and all have drink specials, drag shows, dim lighting (because we all need it, honey). But Vlada's is the longest, the strongest, and the tastiest (mmhhhmmm). All of their drinks are half-price from 4-9pm. Yes. 9pm. That's a lot of infused martinis for one gal to drink. But don't you worry, we do our best every Monday night. 

54 Below: Best new cabaret spot

I did a whole post in January on Backstage, the Tuesday late-night show, but this place is seriously the most fun. It's comfortable, inviting, a little expensive, but always a good time. And we get to see Linda Edder next week, so there.

 

The vegetable/farmers market on 52nd st: Best place to save a buck

If you live here or just want a quick piece of fruit, stop into Stiles Farmers Market on 52nd st. This place is so cheap, you could eat for a week on about $10. I'm only half kidding too. I will miss living right next to this little gem. (My mom was sure she was going in the stock-room door when she went to get us veggies, it's that fresh).

Oh 52nd st, you've done me well the past two years. I will miss the beautiful and tall drag queens parading around on Monday nights. I will miss the endless brunch options within two blocks of my apartment. I will miss getting calls from friends who are in the neighborhood and just popping by because I can. I will miss leaving my apartment at 7:45 to make an 8pm curtain with no trouble. I will miss my food-making boyfriend. And I will miss my little apartment on the 4th floor with it's sloping floors, tiny kitchen, and separate bedroom. UES, you got big some big, sparkly platforms to fill...

JEN LITTLEFIELD is a freelance choreographer and writer with a few steady teaching gigs at Pace University and Concordia Conservatory. As she's come to discover, freelance is code for constantly working, so she is also a single gal who lives and lives-it-up in Hell's Kitchen. www.jenlittlefield.com
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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.

VILLAIN THIS

Most of my favorite movie roles are villains. It's not even that I love to hate them, I just love them. Here are a few of my top 'so bad they are so good' characters. 
By Leah Bonnema (Stand Up Comic) 

When I was just a young lass, watching Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves with my dad, I fell madly in crush with the Guy of Gisborne, played by the raspy voiced Michael Wincott (he also played a very bad bad man in The Crow). My dad said to me "You always seem to like the bad guys Leah" - and to this day, it is true. 

Give Me Brown Eyes & An Anger Management Problem & I'm In!

Below is a list of six of my top movie baddies NOT my all time top six because I reserve the right to have rotating favorites. Also, I'm not including superhero movie villains because that should be a group unto itself. AND I'm not listing iconic roles such as Darth Vader because that's a different category as well as those characters exist outside and beyond the actor's who brought them to life. 

The Pill Scene. Complete Psycho. Absolute Wonderful.

• Gary Oldman as Stansfield in Leon: The Professional. I haven't said 'Everyone' since seeing this movie without Oldman's voice ringing in my ears. (Sidenote: I was stuck between picking Stansfield and Oldman as Drexl in True Romance - also a gem!)
• Alan Rickman as Hans Gruber in Die Hard. Rickman brings some Shakespearean gravitas to this action classic. 
• Willem Dafoe as Bobby Peru in Wild at Heart. Have you seen the teeth? He oozes creepy and yet I just cannot get enough. 

KIM & ERIN EAT CHEESECAKE (AND TALK ABOUT "THE LAST FIVE YEARS")

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

Though it's not a "new" work of theatre, since the Second Stage production is a revival, Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years has become such a cult hit that we couldn't pass up the opportunity to cover for the podcast (not to mention see a professional production for the first time ever). Greg already wrote an awesome blog post about his experience seeing the show, and we talked abou the iconic-ness of the show in our latest blog for the podcast. Seeing this version of the show, starring Betsy Wolfe and Adam Kantor and directed by JRB himself, was an opportunity to see a show we had come to love done the way it had always been intended.

So how did the show on the stage compare to the shows in our heads? Can an old show still surprise you? And how delicious is the cheesecake at Junior's? (Okay, we all know the answer to that last one: very!) Click on the episode above to find out. (Warning: this podcast will contain spoilers)

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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IN CHARACTER?

What does that even mean?
By Michael Kras (Actor/Playwright/Director)

My earliest exposure to acting theory came from the pages of David Mamet's treatise True and False: Heresy and Common Sense for the Actor... It was my Bible in high school. It's a terrific book, if only for the fact that it really stirs the pot up a bit. In the book, Mamet attempts to discredit and defy many of the things actors commonly learn and accept. One of the biggest things he debates is the existence of the so-called 'character'. He says, and I paraphrase: There is no character. There are merely words upon a page, and the only job of the actor is to simply do the play as written.

(Read this book. Even if you completely disagree with it, it WILL change your life.)

As idealistic and dogmatic as some people find Mamet's theories, it was my first foray into learning how to act and thus it will forever be my unbreakable base. It may shift, but it will never go away. As such, I don't believe in characters. I don't even like the word. Allow me to explain.