Benjamin Walker, Mary Testa, et al. Return to Joe's Pub This November

JOE'S PUB at The Public Theater, reopened October 4th, 2011 from a top to bottom renovation, debuted in October 1998 and quickly became one of New York City's most celebrated and in-demand showcase venues for live music and performance. With its genre-blind booking and vast diversity of interests, the stage at Joe's Pub gives voice to a world of varied artists. Check out the full November schedule below!

For additional information, visit: www.joespub.com

Benjamin Walker
Find The Funny
November 1 at 9:30pm - $10

Benjamin Walker, the critically acclaimed star of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson and the upcoming 20th Century Fox Film, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter presents and performs in Find The Funny - which he created and hosts. An event dedicated to providing performance opportunities to new and innovative comics, writers, musicians, and performers, Find The Funny is a monthly show that began downtown and has moved from venue to venue as it expanded and matured. Find The Funny is presented by BenRo Service and Inspire Entertainment.

Toshi Reagon with Playwright Winter Miller and Director Lear deBesonnet:
Lines
Part of the Joe's Pub New York Voices series
November 4, 5 & 7 at 7:00pm - $20

Lines is a collaboration conceived by Singer, Musician, and Composer Toshi Reagon in development with Playwright Winter Miller (In Darfur, The Penetration Play,) and Director Lear deBesonnet (On The Levee). Toshi Reagon has been described as "a talented, versatile singer, songwriter and musician with a profound ear for sonic Americana-from folk to funk, from blues to rock" by critic/blogger Eva Yaa Asantewaa (InfiniteBody). "She masters each of these genres with vocal strategies that easily spiral and swoop from the expressively sinuous to the hard-charging, a combination of warmth and mischief." While her expansive career has landed her comfortably in residence at Carnegie Hall, the Paris Opera House and Madison Square Garden, you can just as easily find Toshi turning out a music festival, intimate venue or local club. Toshi finds home on any musical stage.

Lady Rizo with Director Niegel Smith: Ordained
Part of the Joe's Pub New York Voices series
Nov 4, 11, 18 at 9:30pm & Nov 16 at 7:00pm - $20 advance / $25 door

It's Lady Rizo's final performance before being ordained into the temple of glitter. Aggressively feminine and possessing a distinct absence of inhibition, she will attempt to lead you in a night praising the power of song, giggles, madness and glamorous glances. Will we survive? Yes - if her spectacular new gown has anything to say about it. Be the first to see this work-in-progress collaboration with director Niegel Smith showcasing Lady Rizo's original songs. Featuring: Emily DeCola, Carly Hughes, Taylor Mac, Eric Wright

Taylor Mac
Nov 6 at 7:00pm - $20

Taylor Mac is an Obie award winning playwright, actor, singer-songwriter, and sometime director and producer. He has performed his work and/or others at The Sydney Opera House, The San Francisco MOMA and Opera House, New York's Public Theater, Stockholm's Sodra Teatern, The Spoleto Festival, The Bumbershoot Festival, The Time Based Arts Festival, Dublin's Project Arts Center, London's Soho Theater, with The National Theater of Scotland, and literally hundreds of other theaters, museums, music halls, cabarets, and festivals around the globe.

Justin Vivian Bond:
An Evening of Cunning Covers with Thomas Bartlett on Piano
Nov 6, 13, 20 & 27 at 9:30pm - $25

Described in The New Yorker as "The greatest cabaret artist of (v's) generation" by Hilton Als, Mx Justin Vivian Bond is also a writer, painter and Tony nominated performance artist. Mx Bond's novella-length memoir, TANGO; My Childhood, Backwards and in High Heels is now available from The Feminist Press and v's debut CD DENDRPOPHILE was self-released by WhimsyMusic. From Oct 30- Dec 15th, 2011 Justin Vivian's first solo art exhibition The Fall of the House of Whimsy will be presented at Participant Inc. in New York City. Mx Bond was nominated for a Tony Award for Kiki and Herb Alive On Broadway in 2007. Other notable endeavors include touring with avant-garde performance troupe The Big Art Group and appearing in the John Cameron Mitchell film Shortbus.

Daniel Breaker with Condola Rashad
November 7 at 9:30pm - $20

Tony nominated actor Daniel Breaker (Shrek, Passing Strange) teams up with Condola Rashad (Ruined, Stick Fly) for a night of musical delights. This dynamic duo will be dishing out spoonfuls of jazz standards, R&B, and soul with the help of modern-day Mozart Jon Spurney and an eight piece band. From Nat King Cole to Gnarles Barkley, and everything in between, this is a night of music that's not to be missed.

Ethan Lipton & His Orchestra: No Place to Go
Part of the Joe's Pub New York Voices series
November 10-12 at 7:00pm - $15

When playwriting lounge lizard Ethan Lipton learns that his employer of 10 years is relocating to Mars, he faces a tough decision. Part love letter to his co-workers, part query to the universe, part protest to company and country, Lipton and his crackerjack Orchestra present a song cycle about picking between two bad choices and the deep-seeded desire to curl up in a ball while the world goes to pot.

Never Sleep Alone
November 10 at 9:30pm
$25 Singles
$30 Voyeurs
$75 VIP Singles
$80 VIP Voyeur

Finally, a show designed to help you hook up! Sexual psychologist and music therapist Dr. Alex Schiller brings the hot, the single and the curious together for a night of delirious laughter, awesome music and socio-sensual interaction. Dr. Alex insists that her audience be filled with the sexy and seeking. And she suggests you put your table/seat number, stats and sexual preference in the comments section below.

"Singles" mix in the front and "Voyeurs" watch from the back as the provocative and irreverent Dr. Alex dispenses sex advice from her new book, "Get Laid or Die Trying", sings re-imagined pop songs and brilliant originals, and leads her audience through a wildly entertaining evening. Willing singles are invited to join Dr. Alex on stage for free champagne and an assisted speed-dating session. The night continues at an exclusive after-party and the secret location is announced at curtain call.

Morgan Karr
November 11 at 11:11pm - $15

Singer/Songwriter Morgan Karr returns to Joe's Pub to help bring the Sing for Hope Pop-Up Piano Project back to New York. Last summer, the dynamic arts organization, Sing for Hope brought music to city streets with 88 Pop-Up Pianos placed in New York's parks and public spaces. Each one of the pianos was painted by a Sing for Hope Volunteer Artist who shares our mission of bringing the arts to all. After the project ended on July 2, the Pop-Up Pianos were donated to the local schools, hospitals, and community organizations that we serve year-round. Join Morgan for a special 11/11/11 benefit concert, premiering new songs, new arrangements, and new guest artists (Alina Smith, Starr Busby, Catherine Brookman, and Shyvonne). 100% of event ticket sales will go to the Pop-Up Pianos Project.

Sonnet Repertory Theatre's
Tenth Annual Benefit & Cabaret
November 14 at 7:00pm - $75 premium / $50 reserved

Sonnet Repertory Theatre's Tenth Annual Benefit and Cabaret celebrates the career and artistic mastery of internationally regarded director and teacher, Gerald Freedman. This evening will feature performances from some of Broadway's greatest talents and legends tipping their hats to Freedman, an Obie Award-winner, leading director of Joseph Papp's New York Shakespeare Festival from 1960 through 1971 (the last four years as artistic director), and the first American director invited to direct at London's Globe Theatre. Freedman made theatre history with his off-Broadway premiere of the landmark rock musical Hair, which opened The Public Theatre in 1967. Sonnet Rep launches its tenth season with this cabaret benefit event honoring Freedman, present Dean of the School of Drama at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, who has influenced the lives of many generations of professionals with his aesthetic.

Jonathan Reid Gealt & Matt Hinkley
A Broadway Impact Benefit Concert
November 14 at 11:30pm - $20

On Monday November 14th, 2011, Jonathan Reid Gealt and Matt Hinkley team up to bring you an evening of songs to raise money for Broadway Impact. Founded by Rory O'Malley (Book of Mormon), Gavin Creel (Hair), and Jenny Kanelos, Broadway Impact is a grassroots organization of the Theatre community and its fans, mobilizing in support of marriage equality. This one night only event will feature performances by broadways brightest young stars and is an event not to be missed!

Our Hit Parade
starring
Bridget Everett, Kenny Mellman and Neal Medlyn
November 16 at 9:30pm - $20

OUR HIT PARADE is a live top-ten countdown show created by Tony nominee and Obie winner Kenny Mellman (Kiki & Herb), carnal chanteuse Bridget Everett (At Least It's Pink at Ars Nova), pop song opera impresario Neal Medlyn (Neal Medlyn's Unpronounceable Symbol at P.S. 122), producer and MTV cameraman Brendan Kennedy, and writers Ada Calhoun and Peter Schjeldahl. The show is inspired by the musical sketch series Your Hit Parade that ran on radio and then television from 1935 to 1959. On that show, cast members performed the week's most popular songs as comically literal skits. In this show, the hosts and special guest stars from the local performance scene present their renditions of current popular hits live on stage!

Angelique Kidjo with Director Jo Bonney
Part of the Joe's Pub New York Voices series
Nov 17 at 9:30pm & Nov 18 at 7:00pm

Angelique Kidjo along with Director Jo Bonney will revisit the legends and tales of Angelique's childhood with a poignant perspective on the history of her native country. This will be the first opportunity to see this work-in-progress as part of the Joe's Pub New York Voices series. Born in Benin (West Africa), Angelique Kidjo is a Grammy award-winning music recording artist deemed "Africa's premier diva" by Time Magazine. Kidjo's internationally acclaimed repertoire includes collaborations with various recording artists such as Carlos Santana, Peter Gabriel, Alicia Keys, Josh Groban, Branford Marsalis, Joss Stone, and many more. Known for her dynamic and uplifting music, she has translated her distinctive work in the arts to that of philanthropy; by promoting education for girls in Africa through her foundation, Batonga and as a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador Kidjo travels the world to inspire and empower.

Melissa Errico
Celebrates The Release of Legrand Affair and MORE!
November 19 at 7:00pm - $25

Melissa Errico returns to one of her favorite night spots in New York City to sing songs from her career, songs she's never before performed live, and share in the excitement as she debuts of some of the beautiful Michel Legrand songs from her new CD release, Legrand Affair. The album is already garnering praise from critics and fans alike. It's no accident that this appearance is walking distance from where she lives, which will allow her to get home at a reasonable hour and still say "goodnight" to her kids. Melissa will share with you what she's been up to and how she manages (or doesn't manage) all the things going on in her life these days as a self-described "Desperate Housewife" of her own design. The special one-night-only event is sure to be an amazing evening with a lot of great music. Come to Joe's Pub and catch up with Melissa Errico.

Morgan James (of Godspell)
November 19 at 11:30pm - $14

Morgan James is currently starring in the Broadway revival of "Godspell". Other Broadway credits include Original Broadway casts of "Wonderland" and "The Addams Family", starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. As a solo artist, she has played to sold-out audiences throughout New York City with her seven-piece band, and is working on an album. Recently she starred in "The Rock Tenor" with Broadway's Rob Evan. Morgan was a featured soloist in Bernstein's "Mass" with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, performing at Carnegie Hall and The Kennedy Center, and can be heard on their Grammy nominated recording (Naxos). Recent orchestra credits include the Utah Symphony. Her regional and concert credits include Arizona Theatre Company, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Barrington Stage Company, Paper Mill Playhouse, Eugene O'Neill Theatre Conference, The Wilma Theatre, Two River Theatre Co. In addition to her theatrical career, Morgan can be seen and heard in numerous commercials, voice-overs, and recordings including the cast albums of "Wonderland" (Sony Masterworks) and "The Addams Family" (Universal Decca). Morgan is featured on the upcoming "Tears from Heaven" album by Frank Wildhorn; "Bring me Giants" (with James Barbour); "(Sorta) Love Songs", Paul Loesel and Scott Burkell; "Chasing the Day", music of Will Van Dyke; and "What I Wanna Be When I Grow Up", the music of Scott Alan. Morgan is a Juilliard School trained musician, and a proud member of Actor's Equity Association and the Screen Actors' Guild.

Allen Toussaint: A Southern Night
Part of the Joe's Pub New York Voices series
Nov 20 at 12pm (noon) / Nov 21-23 at 7:00pm
$15 children under 12 (11/20 show only) / $30 adults

One of America's greatest musical treasures, Allen Toussaint presents A Southern Night featuring songs from the album as well as songs that relate to the Toussaint Family. A singer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and producer - the New Orleans native and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has been making hit records for over forty years. His massive influence on American music reaches deep into the idioms of rhythm and blues, pop, country, musical theater, blues and jazz. The master has produced such artists as Etta James, LaBelle, John Mayall and Dr. John, and has been covered by and/or performed with the Pointer Sisters, Robert Palmer, Otis Redding, The O'Jays, Ringo Starr, Paul Simon, Chet Atkins, and Elvis Costello, among others. In New Orleans, Toussaint is revered for his distinguished record in public service, consistently devoting his talents to a variety of community and charity programs.

Howling Hilda
featuring
Mary Testa
November 21 at 9:30pm - $18

Mary Testa is "Howling Hilda" in this new solo musical, set in 1957, on the eve of the Brooklyn Dodgers' last season in New York. It tells the story of Hilda Chester, the team's greatest and most colorful fan. Thwarted in her dream to play baseball, she spent a lifetime cheering and became an institution at Ebbets Field, notorious for her clanging cowbells, frying pan and iron ladle.

Eden
A Musical by Mel Marvin and Jonathan Levi
November 28 at 7:30pm - $20

Eden is a musical of chaos, a story of natural and unnatural disaster, that ranges between the Scylla of Hurricane Katrina and the Charybdis of the War in Iraq. Six characters in search of survival bump up against one another in New Orleans after the shock and awe of Katrina, and come away with varying degrees of bruises. Music by composer Mel Marvin (Tintypes, Elmer Gantry, The Grinch) with book and lyrics by novelist Jonathan Levi (A Guide for the Perplexed).

 

 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos