offoffBway.com

If you like Kiki and Herb, you probably like them separately. Or so one might think. Justin Bond, one half of the dyspeptic duo, is doing his TALK/SHOW, where he, you know, talks to people on stage. Guests on 2/19 include Daniela Sea of ‘The L Word’, John Cameron Mitchell of ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’, and Debbie Harry of FREAKIN’ BLONDIE (if you didn’t know that you are not worthy). Not bad for $15. Joe’s Pub, see below for details.
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Joe’s Pub is presenting the dynamic duo of Kiki and Herb. This is a way more intimate way to catch ’em than when they were on Broadway, and maybe they’ll sing some Suicidal Tendencies, so go check ’em out.

Joe’s Pub NYC proudly announces the addition of the following show to our calendar:

Sundays January 7, January 14, January 21 + January 28

KIKI + HERB

“Having reached the heights of Broadway this past summer, Justin Bond and Kenny Mellman bring their characters Kiki and Herb back downtown for a series of late-night shows at Joe’s Pub where people can drink, eat and quite possibly have Kiki walk across their table. Who knows? “”Dare to Suck and let the magic happen!””, Kiki always says…

11:30pm, $20

LOCATION:

425 Lafayette Street (between East 4th and Astor Place) NYC; adjacent to The Public Theater

TICKETS:

By Phone: 212-967-7555

On the Web: www.joespub.com

In Person: At The Public Theater Box Office from 1pm to 6pm and at Joe’s Pub from 6pm to 10pm (both located at 425 Lafayette St.)

TABLE RESERVATIONS: 212-539-8778

Purchase of tickets does NOT guarantee a table reservation; you must call to reserve seats. Seating, as well as standing-room, is available only on a first-come, first-served basis for all shows without a dinner reservation. Two drink or $12 food minimum per person is standard.

Another Jennifer tidbit – Greg Braxton of The Los Angeles Times (reprinted in the Kansas City Star) interviews Ms. Holliday, who says:

Instead of being swept up in the hoopla over the new film adaptation of “Dreamgirls,” Holliday is being swept aside.
“Why is it necessary for them to wipe out my existence in order for them to have their success? It’s scary that they can be so cruel.” [said Holliday]

Well, I don’t think they thought about you at all, actually. Which may not be nice, but when studios produce a $75 million dollar movie, they usually aren’t that concerned with being nice. I don’t think the movie will do any damage to Holliday’s legacy, although admittedly future generations may see Hudson’s version as ‘definitive’, which it isn’t. Then again, this show business, and actors, especially stage actors, always get shafted (see also: Kathleen Chalfant not getting to play her role in Wit for just one glaring example).
As much as we do feel that Holliday is a little over the top in her criticism, this seemed unnecessary:

After weeks of suffering privately with the constant “Dreamgirls” onslaught — particularly the raves surrounding the other Jennifer — she said the final crushing blow came the night before her Ars Nova stint when she watched Hudson on “Entertainment Tonight” as Holliday’s version of “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” from the original cast recording played during the segment.

“When I saw that, I just gave up,” she said. “I thought, ‘This is a hopeless situation. I am being canceled out as an artist.’ ”

Memo to Dreamgirls the movie’s producers: play the new version of the song. If not that’s just mean.

Kansas City Star | 12/25/2006 | It’s no ‘Dream’ for Jennifer Holliday

With the Dreamgirls movie opening this week, and everyone going gaga for Jennifer Hudson who plays Effie, we thought we’d show you a clip of the original Effie, Jennifer Holliday, as she blows the roof off of the 1982 Tony Awards with “I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.”
You also get to see the late, great Tony Randall, who was the host that year.

YouTube – ’82 Tonys–Dreamgirls “And I’m Telling You”

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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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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Duncan Sheik had one very big hit a bunch of years ago. He never really went away, though – his musical, ‘Spring Awakening’, is moving to Broadway, and now he’s doing a solo appearance as part of the NYMF. Read all about it here, and don’t forget to breathe.

NEW YORK MUSICAL THEATRE FESTIVAL (NYMF)

PROUDLY PRESENTS

AN EVENING WITH DUNCAN SHEIK
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 @ 8:00 PM

ARS NOVA

(511 WEST 54TH STREET)
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Joe’s Pub, named for the late great Joe Papp, the Public Theater’s founder, has a rep for being one of the coolest places in town. This newly added event on September 7th sounds like a winner. One Ring Zero is described as “Fellini-esque-lit-rock”, and features lyrics from writers such as Paul Auster, Neil Gaiman (of Sandman graphic novel fame) and Margaret Atwood, among others.
There’s even a free MP3 so you can hear a little of the music before you plunk down your hard-earned ducats. Although for 15 bucks, that’s a pretty good deal. Read on (and listen):

Joe’s Pub NYC proudly announces the addition of the following show to our calendar:

Thursday, September 7

ONE RING ZERO Wake Them Up CD Release with special guests CLAUDIA GONSON and RICK MOODY

www.oneringzero.com

With songs about Siamese twins, marching mannequins, and decrepit trailer parks, Brooklyn’s One Ring Zero continues to embrace its Fellini-esque-lit-rock reputation with crafty lyrics (which Michael Hearst and Joshua Camp wrote this time) and odd-ball instruments, as they celebrate the release of their new album “Wake Them Up” (Barbès Records). This album follows their 2004 release “As Smart As We Are”, which featured songs with lyrics written for the band by many of North America’s top authors: Paul Auster, Margaret Atwood, Jonathan Lethem, Neil Gaiman, A.M. Homes, Dave Eggers, etc. Tonight’s performance features special guests Claudia Gonson (The Magnetic Fields) and Rick Moody (Wingdale Community Singers and author of The Ice Storm)””Accordions, organs, theremins, and the occasional brass horn … combine to make soundscapes that are both haunting and entertaining.” –The New Yorker
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Ars Nova always has stuff that looks fun. Only two shows, tickets just $15. Here ya go:

Ars Nova

Presents

NATALIE JOY JOHNSON
With Our Lady J and
The Pink Champagne Orchestra

Featuring The Bubblies

Saturday, July 22 & Sunday, July 31 at 8 PM

New York, NY – New York, NY – Ars Nova (voted “Best of New York” by New York Magazine) presents NATALIE JOY JOHNSON with OUR LADY J, THE PINK CHAMPAGNE ORCHESTRA and THE BUBBLIES on Saturday, July 22 and Sunday, July 31 at 8:00 PM at Ars Nova (511 West 54th Street).  All tickets are $15.
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This isn’t theatrical in nature, but it’s too weird to not post.

STEVEN SEAGAL HAS A BLUES BAND.

Not since Bruce Willis’ exciting forays into musical performance has there been such anticipation.

Via Thrillist.

B.B. King Blues Club & Grill

Mojo Priest (Steven’s CD)

StevenSeagal.com