This or That! Plays Farewell Performance At Sideshow By The Seashore 9/9

By: Sep. 01, 2011
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Burlesque Gameshow- This or That! is ending it's run. Coney Island's cult classic game show has been going for a full decade and featured hundreds of burlesque and variety performers, as well as the shenanigans of the real stars of the show; the audience members who became contestants! Friday, September 9th at 10pm in Coney Island USA's Sideshows by the Seashore theater will mark the last ever performance of This or That!

Why is it ending? "After 10 years, Its just time... before we jump the shark!", says show creator Fred Kahl, aka. The Great Fredini. "The hilarity and spontaneity of This or That! is really special. Its one of the few shows you'll ever see that will literally make your sides ache from laughing so hard! We were even courted by TV networks until Janet Jackson's Superbowl stunt revealed that America's not yet ready to see tits on TV!"

This or That! was born in Coney Island USA's Burlesque at the Beach series just three days before 9/11, and it was instantly clear that something magical had happened that night. The following years brought an improved stage set as the show grew to cult status in Coney Island. The core cast of the Great Fredini, Julie Atlas Muz, the This or That! Girls: Bambi and Bunny, and bandleader Fisherman honed the show to perfection with the help of director David Kaplan, television producer Mark Cyr and the scores of feature performers who appeared as special guests.

In 2005-6, This or That! had a widely acclaimed Off Broadway run at The Belt and Zipper Theaters. "Every performance of This or That! exists on videotape", says television director Mark Cyr. "When the networks wouldn't touch us, we created our own network! We ran full edited episodes on Cable Public Access in 6 cities nationwide, and we were one of the first video podcasts out there, even gracing the iTunes top 100!"

What's next for the cast and crew of This or That? Bootylicious Burlesque co-host Julie Atlas Muz wants to see a documentary film made! "There's so many sexy challenges the game show as featured over the years! org*sm contests, Sexy Banana Eating, Pin the Tail on the Honky, Barber-Ella, Name that Smell!". Indeed, there's movement to memorialize the show with a documentary. The team hopes to raise funds to do this on Kickstarter this Fall.

In the meantime, don't miss This or That!'s final live performance at 10pm on Friday, September 9th at Coney Island USA! Tickets are $15, and are available at the door.

Coney Island USA
1208 Surf Ave. (between Stillwell Ave. and West 12th Street)
Brooklyn, NY 11224
718-372-5159
D,N,Q,F Trains to Stillwell Ave.
www.coneyisland.com

For more information on This or That! please visit http://www.thisorthat.tv

Coney Island USA, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit based in the amusement area of Coney Island whose mission is to defend the honor of lost forms of American popular arts and culture, leading to the renaissance of the historic Coney Island neighborhood. Coney Island USA produces programs including the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, The Mermaid Parade and Ball, Burlesque at the Beach, Creepshow at the Freakshow, The Coney Island Film Festival, The Coney Island Film Society, The Coney Island Museum, Ask the Experts, Coney Island Sideshow School, The Coney Island Sweetheart Pet Pageant, The Coney Island Tattoo and Motorcycle Festival and The Congress of Curious Peoples.

 


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