Bad Musicals Festival ‘ 08

Presented by NY Artists Unlimited as part of the International Cringe Festival, these musicals are not actually bad but REALLY GOOD. However, they are all naughty, satirical, and politically incorrect. They’re filled with bad language/puns and other sorts of things that would be otherwise frowned upon. Approximately fifteen short musicals are arranged in various theme evenings (ex: Sex, Thugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll). The bad house band, Bronze Fondue, and East Village comedians provide entertainment between the shows. At the Carmen Miranda Opening night Benefit (7/25), a celebrity is presented with an honorary golden pineapple. Last fall’s honoree was legendary director Tom O’Horgan (Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar). There is a closing night party (8/10) featuring the presentation of the Golden Pineapple, Silver Tomato, and Bronze Banana (award winners selected by audience vote).

Theme Nights

IS THAT A GUN IN YOUR POCKET?
Mon. 7/21, Sat. 7/26, Thurs. 7/31, Tues. 8/5
Charlie Chang & the Mysterious Salami, Book & Lyrics by Anne Berlin, Music by Andy Cohen. Directed by Tony Spinosa

The detective-story musical that has something to offend everyone.

Henry & Hyde, Book by James M. Eisenman and Thomas Adams, Lyrics by James M. Eisenman, Music by Thomas Adams. Directed by Maryna Harrison
A spin-off of Jekyll and Hyde, this time involving a personification of manhood, a porn star, and aphrodisiacs.

FOREIGN & FAMILIAR BODIES
Tues. 7/22, Sun. 7/27,Fri. 8/1, Wed. 8/6
Falling in Love Again by J. Boyer. Directed by Anita Brown.
Will a 1950s This is Your Life audience want to see the couple who inspired one of the greatest love stories of all time, Dietrich’s Blue Angel?

Too Much Love, Lyrics by Douglas M. Parker, Music by Denver Casado. Directed by Tom Amici.

Eliot Spitzer, Jim McGreevey, and Bill Clinton call a sex hot line and end up in a political three-way.

OBGYNia, a Sci-Fi Musical Romp! by Justine Lambert and Kenneth Nowell. Directed by Tom Amici.
Three astronauts, pulled through a time warp, wake up naked on an all-female alien planet.

POLITICS & POOPSY
Wed. 7/23, Mon. 7/28, Sat. 8/2, Thurs. 8/7
The Virgin Dictator: A Love Story starring Kim Jong Il by Itai Grunfeld. Directed by Brady Amoon.
Obsessed with Marilyn Monroe, rich North Korean dictator Kim Jong II finds love in a most unusual form.

Daffodils in Deutschland by Dray Rigg. Directed by Kenny Wade Marshall
This tale of time travel, ex-lax, and Germany will have you laughing all the way to the bathroom.

CRIMINALLY INSANE PUPPETS
Thurs. 7/24, Tues. 7/29, Sun. 8/3, Fri. 8/8
Pinokenstein by Mark LaPierre. Directed by Diane Englert.

Pinokenstein, neglected by Gepetto, only wants love, and will go to any lengths to get it.

The Dependents, Book by Bebe McGarry, Lyrics by Debra M. Gussin, Music by Michael Paul Girard. Directed by Sara B. Ware.
A romantic, hilarious and harrowing tale involving criminally insane puppets.

IT AIN’T KANSAS ANYMORE!
Fri 7/25 (benefit), Wed. 7/30, Mon. 8/4, Sat. 8/9
Stranded!, Book & Lyrics by Raymond Bokhour, Music by Ilan Maazel. Directed by Leslie Nemet.
Three friends, a desert island, and an ancient Mesopotamian oil lamp–sounds like an old joke–and it is.

Grimm Late Night, Book & Lyrics by Mark LaPierre, Music by Jodi Eichelberger. Directed by Nikki Rothenberg
A magical exploration of the nature of love and obsession, as shown through the sexual frustrations of the Moon.

The Great Plastic Surgeon of Oz by Zurbon Gish. Directed by Robyne Parrish
If you take your Oz with a twist… Dorothy finds herself in Van Nuys looking for a job in the only industry America has not found a way to outsource–porn.

BENEFITS

The Fairies & Phantasies Benefit ($25.00 additional to attend benefit; $20.00 if you come in costume) will be after the shows on July 25. Legendary actress Marilyn Sokol and Warhol superstar Ultra Violet will be presented with Honorary Golden Pineapples. Benefit attendees are encouraged to come in costume as a wacked-out version of their favorite children’s character, and to bring a toy or book to donate to needy children. There will be costume prizes and raffles. Co-chairing this event are playwright Jean Hart and Kimberly Kopera. In keeping with the bad children’s theatre theme that night, there will be lunchbox specials: assorted finger sandwiches (including P&J!), cupcakes, cake, cookies, penny candy, punch, booze, and more.

On August 10, the Carmen Miranda Closing Benefit brings presentation of the Fruit Cup Awards: Golden Pineapple, Silver Tomato, and Bronze Banana (by audience vote). New this year will be the Jack Lemons for best bad actor & actress. Costumes are encouraged and there will be prizes. Come dressed as your favorite fruit! There will be a special award for the Best Carmen. $25.00 per person ($20.00 if you come in costume) benefits the company’s work with under-served children & families, seniors & elderly. There will be entertainment, food, booze, and lots of fruit! This event is presented alone, on its own night.