Who's Your Baghdaddy? Or How I Started the Iraq War Previews

[Milo3]

Hey everyone.

At the risk of being called a shill, I have a friend involved with a new musical comedy Off-Broadway at the Actors Temple on 47th, and I wanted to spread awareness about it, because it is a show that should not fall into obscurity. And with preview tickets all running for $15, it is an absolute hidden treasure in the city opening tonight. I saw the dress run yesterday, and it is an absolute must-see and a unique experience. First off, the show is staged as a support group for people who started the Iraq war, and the audience is seated among the actors in a circle of chairs. This makes the show very intimate and unique with no bad seat in the house, and you can see the incredibly talented and funny cast, which includes Larisa Oleynik, the actress who played Alex Mack (my childhood!) on Nickleodean in the 90s. 

The musical is based on the incredibly insane story of how the Iraq War started in America, but it isn't about Bush, Cheney, or 9/11 like you would think. It tells the story of members of the CIA and an Iraqi informant whose story led up to the justification for going into war. It sounds very heavy handed, but the show handles the material with incredible grace, being one of the funniest shows I've seen in a long time, and handling the darker material with the perfect tone.

The show is written and directed by Marshall Pailet, who's recent shows include Claudio Quest, and Trassic Parq the other year. 

If you guys want to listen to songs from the show (well an earlier version) here is a link, I listened before I went, and can't get some of them out of my head:

http://www.marshallpailet.com/baghdaddy/

I was told the first weekend was sold out, because theres only about 50 seats in the theatre. 

Anyway, I hope you guys check it out. My friend is one of the actors, and he is hilarious.

Here is the website

http://www.whoisyourbaghdaddy.com/

Thanks guys.

[veronicamae]

I'm going on Sunday!

Anyone know what the stage door situation is for Actors Temple? I'm aware it's a tiny venue and perhaps atypical of more traditional theatres, but someone's in that show that I'm kind of falling over myself to have the chance to meet.

If anyone had input, that'd be sweet! (And hopefully it gets read here since I didn't want to start a new thread for a SD question.)

[HorseTears]

Heard such good things about this show from a friend the other day.  Let us know how it is, Veronica.  And good luck with the stalking! 

[ClydeBarrow]

I'll start off by letting everyone know that I have no affiliation with the show and I absolutely LOVED it. I'm a big fan of Marshall Pailet and think this is just an evolution of his talent. While I didn't find as many catchy songs like the ones in TRIASSIC PARQ and CLAUDIO QUEST, this feels like a more adult musical. All of the material is handled very well and the changes in tone are done super effectively. 

 

All of the actors are phenomenal. Claire Neumann and Brandon Espinoza were really terrific as the female and male ensembles handling a variety of characters. You were always very aware of who they were portraying at all times. Plus Brandon was looking good in a pair of pasties. Getting to see Alex Mack rap also made the 14 year old me very happy. But honestly everyone was perfect in their roles and I really had no complaints about any of them.

 

I loved the use of the space and how the music was done. As the OP said, it's staged as a support group for those who started the Iraq War. When you walk in there is a giant circle of chairs with a few rows behind on two sides. In the center is a table with coffee, donuts and wine which the audience is free to consume. Honestly I found it a bit awkward to begin with but warmed up to the idea. There are some seats scattered among that have items placed on them which is where the cast sits. My recommendation would be to sit at least one seat away from the cast member because their chairs get moved around and jumped upon throughout. In my opinion, I think sitting in the inner circle to the left side once you enter the theatre is the best option. The opposite side has three actors next to one another where portions of the show take place so it's a better vantage point for that. 

 

On a related note, when you're seated next to an actor in an unconventional staging such as this please DO NOT take your shoes off and sit there with bare feet! I saw a man do this and was disgusted by the act because the actors definitely had to notice and at times were on the ground very close to his feet. Just because this isn't a traditionally staged musical doesn't throw decorum out the window.

 

I do hope more people are seeing this because it has a lot to say and does so without being preachy. Plus it's great to see something non-traditional work so well.

[ClydeBarrow]

veronicamae said: "I'm going on Sunday!"

 

What did you think, veronica?

[Milo3]

Just wanted to let everyone know, the show is scheduled to run through November 22nd. Here is a discount code for the show, $29 tickets, for the free wine, mimosas, donuts and coffee the show gives, it is practically a steal.

https://www.telechargeoffers.com/go.aspx?MD=2001&MC=BAGBLAST

Thanks everyone. I know I have a friend in the show, but it really is something special. It even was a New York Times Critic's Pick!

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/14/theater/review-whos-your-baghdaddy-on-the-difference-between-credible-and-reliable-intelligence.html

[DivaBrigader]

Anybody have intelligence on the stage door sitch? A group of Larisa fans is going tonight. :)