Bond's My Friend, the Cat, with Cutrell, Etc., Plays 2/23

The Storefront will present My Friend, The Cat, described as "Phil Geoffrey Bond/>'s tale of life, love and loss, and blessings from the four-legged friends who grace our lives."

The short piece will be read aloud by Bond, with musical assistance from an array of celebrated vocalists. This one night only performance will take place on Friday, February 23 at 8pm at The Laurie Beechman Theatre, located at 407 West 42nd Street in the heart of New York's theatre district.  

My Friend, The Cat, according to press materials, "centers around the life and times of Chesterson Bond, and his wild and funny antics over the course of ten years. From adventures in bed making to the cat who learned to speak English and eventually drive a station wagon, this is a story for anyone who's ever loved a pet."

Joining Bond onstage will be an array celebrated cabaret vocalists, including Tom Andersen/>, Lisa Asher, Brandon Cutrell/>, Suzanne Fiore/>, Julie Reyburn/> and Alysha Umphress, who will interpret the music of Carole Bayer-Sager and Carole King, John Bucchino/>, Charlie Chaplin and Geoffrey Parsons, Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn, Babbie Green, Laura Nyro and Andrew Lloyd Webber/>. Musical direction will be provided by Ray Fellman/>.

Bond founded The Storefront Theatre in 2000, and currently serves as Artistic Director for the not-for-profit organization. As a playwright, he is the author of The Other Side of Darkness, The Citadel (workshop production in 1998 at The Sundance Theatre Lab, presented off-Broadway in 1999), Sheridan Square (The Duplex, 1998), My Queer Youth (The Duplex, 2004, 2005), Generation X (Ball State University, 1998) and a myriad of short pieces, most of which have been presented by The Duplex Cabaret Theatre, where he served as Director of Programming from 2002 - 2006. His extensive work for cabaret and concert stages have garnered him five MAC (Manhattan Association of Clubs and Cabarets) Awards, the Time Out New York Special Achievement Award, the New York Nightlife Award from the collected critics of New York and the Backstage Bistro Award.

Bond has also directed numerous shows, and spent three years as an Assistant Producer for the Broadway, national and international productions of Disney's The Lion King. In 1993, he was awarded the Presidential Medallion from President Clinton when he was named Presidential Scholar in the Arts for his achievements in playwriting. He is a member of the Dramatists Guild.

There is a $12 cover charge ($10 for members of MAC & Cabaret Hotline) as well as a $15 food/beverage minimum (dinner menu is available). For reservations, which are recommended, please call 212 695 6909 between the hours of 12pm and 6pm.

Photo - Phil Geoffrey Bond