offoffBway.com

Years ago Steppenwolf (the theater company, not the band) used to bring a show to Broadway every year. No longer. This is a shame, since the shows were often quite good.
Now we have them back, and at least the tickets won’t be as expensive. This time they’re at the tremendously snazzy theater complex 59E59 (really, the place is a sight to behold – if you’ve never been there, go; if you have, go again). The play is called THE SUNSET LIMITED, and it stars Austin Pendleton and Freeman Coffey. Pendleton’s a nutcase (or so we’ve heard), but he’s a terrific actor, and while we aren’t very familiar with Freeman Coffey, with a name like that, how can you not at least be sort of curious? Coffey is a Steppenwolf company member, so odds are he can act. Perfs start Tuesday, October 24, details are below or check the calendar.

Chicago’s acclaimed Steppenwolf Theater to premiere
Cormac McCarthy’s THE SUNSET LIMITED, featuring Austin Pendleton, at
59E59 Theaters in October
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Reverend Jen has been hosting her Anti-Slam for a looong time (we can remember seeing her at Collective Unconscious, wearing a cat suit and those ears, waaaay back in, like, 1997. Collective Unconscious was on Ludlow Street. There were no clothing stores there. Really.) Now this event has moved to Downeast Arts Center and will play every Wednesday at 8pm (see below and check the calendar for details).
What’s this about her thinking you’re a 10? Don’t get yer hopes up, dude (although she does, on her website, invite dudes to contact her). The idea behind the Anti-Slam is that, while every act is rated from 1 to 10, everybody gets a 10. (We’d prefer if everyone got a 1, but we’re cranky that way.) So whether or not you have talent, if you’ve got a yen to perform, go Downeast, young man/woman/troll.

REVEREND JEN’S ANTI-SLAM!

MOVES DOWNEAST

starting Wednesday, October 4
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OK, sometimes we’re obnoxious, but we like to give credit where its due. This is kinda funny:

Ken Davenport and Robyn Goodman, in association with Walt Grossman, Ruth Hendel, Sharon Karmazin, Matt Murphy and Mark Shacket, proudly announce that Tuesday October 3rd was the 666th performance. Passing that means the Boyz have beaten the Devil and can continue their ‘soul saving’ in New York while embarking on a Nation-wide Tour as well.

That’s amusing, it promotes the show, and even, in a strange way, will probably even appeal to the religiously inclined. If nothing else, it’s an amusing thing, and probably a first (celebrating the 666th performance, that is). Bravo!
Full press release after the jump:

Altar Boyz Cast Album
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Want some singing with your trick or treating? Or just want something where kids aren’t allowed (in this case, cuz they serve alcohol)? Check out the The LionHearted Players event on October 23. Don’t forget to check the calendar. Read on:

Monday, October 23

The LionHearted Players Present:

A Halloween Special of Magic Tricks and Comedy Treats
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The web site for ‘Makeout Session’ is cute. Blistex navigation elements, very nice. Not nearly enough photos of folks makin’ out, however, especially for a play that claims to be An exploration of love, and an exploration of the overwhelming question “are they going to kiss?” Well, maybe they’ll post more soon.

Makeout Session | A New Play by Kenan Minkoff

‘Bouffon Glass Menajoree’, a parody of guess which play, has been extended at The Brick Theater. NYTheatre.com says it’s ‘sacrilege’, but in a good way (really). Anytime someone takes potshots at sacred literary cows, we’re all for that. (Real cows on the other hand – uh-uh. Don’t take potshots at those.)
Fridays @ 10:30pm starting October 13. Read on, you foolish mortal, you:

EXTENDED!! FROM … The NY Clown Theatre Festival

The Brick Theater, Inc. presents

a Ten Directions production

Bouffon Glass Menajoree

a parody of a beloved American Classic

” Yes, it is total theatrical sacrilege, and, I am forced to admit, delicious.

…sublimely funny and unexpectedly witty.”

-nytheatre.com

Gentlemen callers beware: The Wingfields plume their nest with broken glass, twisted morals, and perverted minds. Each night a new audience member will get to play the role of Jim, the gentlemen caller. Tom, Amanda and Laura claim no responsibility for your hurt feelings or offended sentiments. Tennessee Williams is spinning in his grave. Why would anyone do this to an American Masterpiece?
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Dude, we are so there!

HERE ARTS CENTER
PROUDLY PRESENTS
“THE FORTUNE TELLER”

A MARIONETTE PLAY
WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY ERIK SANKO
MUSIC BY ERIK SANKO & DANNY ELFMAN
FEATURING NARRATION BY GAVIN FRIDAY
OCTOBER 19 – NOVEMBER 5

HERE ARTS CENTER

(145 SIXTH AVENUE)

The OBIE award-winning HERE Arts Center will proudly present the premiere of The Fortune Teller, a new marionette play written and directed by Erik Sanko with music by Erik Sanko and Danny Elfman. This production is presented through HERE’s Dream Music Puppetry Program as a part of HERE’s 2006 – 2007 season featuring six new multi-disciplinary shows, two festivals and the completion of its renovations. The Fortune Teller will play Thursday, October 19 – Sunday, November 5 at HERE Arts Center (145 Sixth Avenue).
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(L. to R.) Adrian Wyatt & Andrew Pastides (photo by Jason Woodruff)
OK, so the song is really Feel Like Makin’ Love, but this is close enough. Previews start October 6th, opening is October 20th. The play is “MAKEOUT SESSION”. We are sounding too much like the press release. It is below. It quotes Nietzsche. And The Beatles. Read it and buy tickets (well, that’s the idea anyway). Check out the Calendar for the dates.

“MAKEOUT SESSION”

KENAN MINKOFF’S
TWO-ACT TRIBUTE
TO
THE IRRESISTIBILITY OF SEX
AND
THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF LOVE

WILL HAVE ITS WORLD PREMIERE
OCTOBER 20th
AT
TBG ARTS CENTER
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‘The Beginning of the And’
Audax Theatre at the 78th Street Theatre Lab
Production closed; info here.
review by Naneh Israelyan

A play significantly infused with the nature of common interactions and human behavior, The Beginning of the And, written by Daniel Roberts, presents us with three unrelated narratives (all of which include a humorous filmed prologue) that involve colorful characters with quirky personalities. The first of the three, entitled “Apps,” begins with a newlywed on his honeymoon waiting for his fiancé to arrive in order to have dinner and have a long awaited “conversation” about marriage. But as Bob Meyers waits in the hotel bar, he meets two regulars (as well as an overly fabricated bartender): a charming man, strangely obsessed with the art of appetizers and the right drinks to go with them, and Mr. Burns, more secretly known as Ringo Starr. “Burns” remains blindfolded for majority of his performance, occasionally passing incoherent comments; however, it is he that ultimately makes Bob realize that, although a series of alcoholic drinks may force a man to realize that marriage is nothing more than a job without substance, he is perfectly content with his overly obnoxious and spiteful wife.
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Click each little pic to see the big one.

Pictured: King Pepin with the infant Valentyne. Photo by Ralph Lee.

Pictured: Hauffrey and Henry. Photo by Ralph Lee.

Pictured: the bear and the poor man. Photo by Casey Compton.