NIC AND BROOKE'S COMEDY DANCE PARTY Returns to Hollywood Fringe This Week

Producer VicToria Watson knew she had something special in the on-stage chemistry between local talent Nic Hodges and Brooke Brewer.

"I saw them interacting at the opening party of a show and it just hit me that they were like a black Sonny and Cher," Watson said. "I said right then and there I was going to create a show around them."

Nic and Brooke's Comedy Dance Party makes its world premiere at the Lounge Theatre in June as part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival. An homage to the classic variety shows, it asks what it would look like if Sonny and Cher were still on the air today...and black. Triple threat talents Nick and Brooke take the audience through a fun-loving comedy romp with sketches, musical numbers and yes, a dance party. Reminiscent of the great comedy/variety shows of the 70s with a modern twist, it also incorporates The Carol Burnett Show, Laugh-In and even a little Soul Train.

"I've worked with Nic and Brooke on two shows and I've always been amazed at the way they feed off each other," Watson said. "Nic is gregarious and loud and Brooke is the straightest of straight men who takes no prisoners."

Nic is an experienced theatre actor with several credits to his name, including the hit Once On This Island at 3-D Theatricals, while Brooke is an actor/singer/dancer and a NAACP Theatre Award winner for her role in the cast of Recorded in Hollywood. The show has an all-star team behind it, with award-winning choreographer Cassie Crump and costume designer Mylette Nora, along with writer Tom Cavanaugh (Inland Empress) and last year Fringe winner Matt Ritchey (Angel's Flight), who is also directing.

The show runs the gamut in terms of songs, dancing and sketch. In the First Flippin Church of God, the minister of the First Gay Baptist Church offers a lesson in loving your neighbor as laid out by the Gospel of Madonna. In There's Always a Kiki, 911 operator Diana gets to help a woman who's seeing aliens as the Compton McDonalds. And in Hot Stuff: The Donna Summer Musical, an audition turns into a "Donna-off" when a drag queen throws her hat in the ring for the title role in the musical biopic.

"The show is very irreverent and very funny," Watson said. "And there are a lot more surprises in store!"

IF YOU GO:

Nic and Brooke's Comedy Dance Party

Written by Matt Ritchey and Tom Cavanaugh

Directed by Matt Ritchey

Produced by VicToria Watson

Part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival

DATES AND TIMES:

Friday, June 2 - 8 p.m.

Friday, June 9 - 8 p.m.

Thursday, June 15 - 8 p.m.

Saturday, June 17 - 10 p.m.

Sunday, June 18 - 4 p.m.

Friday, June 23 - 6 p.m.

Location: The Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038

Tickets: $12

For more information, visit www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/4598?tab=tickets.