"BUSH IS BAD: The Musical Cure for the Blue-State Blues," a new revue by Joshua Rosenblum, aims venomous, highly partisan musical barbs at the President and his dissembling gang of conspirators, resulting in a take-no-prisoners show. Performances begin Off Broadway at The Triad Theatre, 158 West 72nd Street (between Broadway and Columbus) this week on Thursday, September 15, with the official opening slated for September 29. "BUSH IS BAD" stars Kate Baldwin, Neal Mayer and Michael McCoy. It is directed and choreographed by Gary Slavin, with costumes by Anne Auberjonois, and lighting and sound by Tonya Pierre.
"BUSH IS BAD: The Musical Cure for the Blue-State Blues" provides a cathartic and entertaining release for everyone frustrated with the Bush administration's outrages and plagued by the feeling that sane voices are falling on deaf ears. A cross between Forbidden Broadway and The Daily Show, the musical offers catchy tunes, wickedly funny lyrics and scathing impersonations. It's a bracing, satirical dose of the truth, with an emphasis on comedy, not malice, and includes songs such as 'How Can 59 Million People Be So Dumb?;' 'Good Conservative Values;' "The Gay Agenda," and 'John Bolton Has Feelings, Too." If you can find any open-minded Republicans, bring 'em - they might learn a few things about how the rest of America (and the World) sees them.Kate Baldwin was seen recently in the Huntington Theatre production of Falsettos. Last season she appeared in Stephen Sondheim's Opening Doors at Zankel Hall, and in the Wall-to-Wall Sondheim celebration. Broadway shows have included: Wonderful Town, The Full Monty, Thoroughly Modern Millie as well as Babes in Arms, A Connecticut Yankee and Bloomer Girl at City Center Encores! Neal Mayer was on Broadway in Les Misérables (final company); Off-Broadway: Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back, That's Life! (Cast Recording) and The Wizard of Oz in Concert (also on TNT). He toured in Golf: the Musical, and has numerous regional credits at North Shore Music Theatre, Arena Stage, Goodspeed, Coronet Theatre (L.A.) and others. Michael McCoy has been seen across the US and Canada in plays, musicals, concerts and cabaret. Including on Broadway: The Phantom Of The Opera and the national tours of Phantom…and Cats. Some of the regional theatres include Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Goodspeed, Virginia Stage Company, and Walnut Street Theatre.
Joshua Rosenblum has served as conductor and/or pianist for fourteen Broadway and Off-Broadway shows, including Miss Saigon, The Music Man, Falsettos, Wonderful Town, and, currently, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Rosenblum is the composer and co-lyricist of Fermat's Last Tango and his musical Einstein's Dreams will receive its world premiere in Lisbon later this fall. Some of his compositions can be heard on the CD, Impetuosities—Music of Joshua Rosenblum As a pianist, he has appeared with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, New York Chamber Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, and the American Symphony Orchestra. Gary Slavin (Director) has been active in the professional theatre for over 23 years. He has choreographed and/or directed for numerous stock: Starlight Indianapolis; Starlight Kansas City – world premiere, The Prince and The Pauper; as well as at numerous regional theatres, and for television (Stop the World…; Loving) and in Europe (Little Shop of Horrors tour.)
Performances of "BUSH IS BAD: The Musical Cure for the Blue-State Blues" are Thursdays at 9:00 pm, beginning this week on the 15th, and the opening is September 29. Tickets are $20 with a $12 minimum and are available on-line at www.theatermania.com, or at (212) 352-3101.