Urban Pop Festival

Creative Stages Entertainment presents Urban Pop Festival. Running the entire month of August Urban Pop invites you to discover and experience the magic of these and other exciting shows in what has often been described as “film on stage!”

Mania! A totally wild, witty, & salacious behind the scenes account of this cult-classic 50’s b-studio show. Mania examines the personal lives of the Hollywood characters responsible for this infamous show. Written and Directed by Franco. Dates: 8/4, 8/7, 8/12, 8/14, 8/20

Creative Stages: The Play This modern day sexy and provocative dark comedy reveals the tragic life of Danny Tucker. Unable to complete his latest novel Danny’s increased dependency on vice to spark his fading imagination lead to dire consequences. Written and Directed by Franco. Dates:8/5, 8/8, 8/11, 8/15, 8/18, 8/21

A Beautiful Color An unfolding story of circumstances that lead two southern women of differing classes to a bitter and confused confrontation on New York City’s posh upper eastside. Wirtten and Directed by Franco. Dates: 8/5, 8/6, 8/8, 8/14, 8/16, 8/19

Soldier Boy Blue Blue takes a small group of misfit privates struggling with their fears and places them on the front line of real life and war. They encounter friendship and betrayal that causes strife, anxiety, and death. Written and Directed by Franco. Dates: 8/7, 8/9, 8/13, 8/15, 8/21, added shows 8/23

A Matter of 2nds Carlos Fitzgerald, a highly acclaimed writer/novelist is shot dead at a book signing. His two sons and estranged wife must now dismantle the sordid details of his legacy while uncovering the truth behind his murder. Written by Herb Donaldson. Dates: 8/20, 8/21, 8/22

NY, NY Anyone who has ever lived in the city of New York has a horror story about a roommate and finding a place to live. When Dave and his friend Skip find themselves locked in Dave’s new apartment while moving in, Dave is forced to re-examine his decision to move in with a “complete stranger.” This quirky tale of uncanny coincidences forces Dave to ask himself: Who’s telling the truth? Who should he believe? And is it too late to move out? Written by Damien Corsetti & Mark J. Williamson. Directed by Jason Trevits. Dates: 8/4, 8/6, 8/7, 8/9, 8/12, added shows 8/13, 8/17, 8/24

The Room Find out the not-so-guarded secrets of “THE ROOM,” a short, three act play that takes you behind the walls of the ladies room in a nightclub, an office, and a factory. How do women see themselves, and treat each other, in a place devoted to vanity, pseudo-friendship and bodily functions? Find out when you view the hilarious and weird relationship women have with “THE ROOM.” Written by Grisel. Dates: 8/26, 8/27

Charm School Tales “CABBIES LESS CRABBY. COMPLAINTS FROM RIDERS FALL TO NEW LOW.” (New York Post, Ocober 7, 2002) Under former Mayor Giuliani’s quality of life initiatives, the Taxi and Limousine Commission required all New York City cab drivers to attend a four-hour courtesy class at La Guardia Community College. Bill C. Tate has welcomed thousands of these cab drivers to his taxi courtesy class. “Charm School Tales” is a performance piece about Mr. Tate’s six-year odyssey improving the cab drivers’ rude and reckless image. Written and Performed by Bill C. Tate. Dates: 8/25, 8/26, 8/27, 8/28

Sometime Soon Is the comical, powerful and emotionally raw story of one woman’s struggle to understand the meaning of death and grief. The victim of a personal tragedy, this young woman confines herself to her bed while attempting to answer her own questions on “how to grieve?.” Through a series of memories, funny moments, manic tangents she tries to answer this question until finally resorting to fortunes she has obtained from Asian fortune cookies, and living each moment through according to them, she comes to a resolution. Written by Anita Menotti. Dates 8/23, 8/24, 8/25, 8/28

Bong Hits Felix and his friends spend their life in a cloud of drugs as they contemplate the universe and their own greatness. But one too many hits has Felix doubting his lifestyle and his faith. When they are paid a visit (or are they?) by a not-so-divine stranger during one final smoking session, their friendship may never be the same again. Directed by Lou Moreno. Written by Vincnet Toro. Dates 8/18, 8/19

Madame Jaxon’s Jazz Song This experimental short is the first installation in The Real True Stories of HollyHood Mythicons, Jazz Song takes a glimpse at a day in the life an ex-blaxploitation film heroine and her daughter. A generational struggle reveals rifts between the fantasy and reality of being a black woman caught in the traps of popular culture. Written by c sala hewitt. Dates 8/5, 8/6