Bad Musicals Festival '08 Enters Final Week

 Bad Musicals Festival '08 is in its final week at the Grand Theatre at the Producers Club in the Times Square/ theatre district through August 9, Mon - Sat  @ 8 pm; Sun @ 2 pm.  The musicals are politically incorrect, political satire, sexually explicit or utterly zany -- and don't we all need a good belly laugh these days?  Some renowned composers, writers, and directors participating are:  Ilann Maazel, Raymond Bokhour, Tony Spinosa, Denver Casado, Kenny Wade Marshal, and Anne Berlin ("Charlie Chang").  Charlie Chang & the Mysterious Salami has sold out all 4 nights it has been performed.

On August 10 at 6 pm (no show that night), the festival wraps up with the CARMEN MIRANDA BENEFIT & FRUIT CUP AWARDS for best plays by audience vote:  Golden Pineapple, Silver Tomato, and Bronze Banana.  New this year will be the Jack Lemons for best bad actor & actress.  There will be surprise awards that night as well, but we're not telling yet!  Costumes are encouraged and there will be prizes, games & raffles.  Come dressed as your favorite fruit!  There will be a special award for the Best Carmen.  $25 per person ($20 if you come in costume) benefits the company's work with under-served children & families, seniors & elderly.  There will be entertainment, food, Brazilian punch, and lots of fruit!

At the FAIRIES & PHANTASIES BENEFIT on Friday, July 25, Emmy, Bistro, & Obie winning Marilyn Sokol. Warhol/Dali muse Ultra Violet, and multi-MAC & Bistro award-winning Sidney Myer received Honorary Golden Pineapples.  The festival is the brainchild of NY Artists Unlimited and is part of what they like to call The International Cringe, including bad plays, bad musicals, and soon bad films.  At last fall's Bad Plays Festival, legendary director Tom O'Horgan (Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar) was honored.

Festival tix are $25 or $15 for students with ID; TDF vouchers accepted.  Not recommended for children.  Musicals are huddled under a theme umbrella for one all-inclusive price per evening or matinee:

 IS THAT A GUN IN YOUR POCKET? (8/5)
Charlie Chang & the Mysterious Salami
The detective story musical that has something to offend everyone.

Book & lyrics by Anne Berlin, music Andy Cohen, director Tony Spinosa

 Henry & Hyde
Jekyll and Hyde with porn stars, cowboys, evangelists, and dancing phalluses.

Book by J.M. Eisenman & Thomas Adams, lyrics J.M. Eisenman, music &

additional lyrics Thomas Adams, director Maryna Harrison

 

FOREIGN & FAMILIAR BODIES (8/6)
Too Much Love

Some of our better known politicians call a sex hotline for a political 3-way.

Lyrics Douglas M. Parker, music Denver Casado, director Tom Amici

Falling in Love Again
Will a '50s TV audience want to see the couple who inspired Dietrich's Blue Angel?

By J. Boyer, director Anita Brown

 
OBGYNia, a Sci-Fi Musical Romp!
Astronauts go wake up naked on an all-female planet.  Trekkies welcome!

Book & lyrics Justine Lambert & Kenneth Nowell, music Kenneth Nowell, director Tom Amici

 

POLITICS & POOPSY (8/7)
The Virgin Dictator: A Love Story Starring Kim Jong Il
A Marilyn Monroe obsessed dictator looks for love in all the wrong places.

By Itai Grunfeld, director Brady Amoon

 

Daffodils in Deutschland
Time travel, ex-lax, & Germany — you'll laugh all the way to the bathroom.

By Dray Rigg, director Kenny Wade Marshall

 
CRIMINALLY INSANE PUPPETS (8/8)
Pinokenstein wants love from Dr. Geppetto — and will do anything to get it.

Music & lyrics by Mark LaPierre, libretto/puppets/puppeteering Chris McLaughlin,

director Diane Englert

 
The Dependents
A romantic and harrowing tale involving demented puppetry and the IRS.

Book by Bebe McGarry, lyrics Debra M. Gussin, music Michael Paul Girard,

director Sara B. Ware

 
IT AIN'T KANSAS ANYMORE! (8/4, 8/9)
Stranded!
3 friends, a desert island, a Mesopotamian oil lamp.

Sounds like an old joke -- and it is.

Book & lyrics Raymond Bokhour, music Ilann Maazel, director Leslie C. Nemet

 
Grimm Late Night
A magical exploration of love, seen through sexual frustrations of the Moon.

Book & lyrics Mark LaPierre, music Jodi Eichelberger, director Nikki Rothenberg

 
The Great Plastic Surgeon of Oz

Looking for jobs in porn, Dorothy & friends set out to get the necessary

'equipment' from the Great Ozzie.

By Zurbon Gish, director Robyne Parrish

 
There are entre acte  appearances by Huck DeMilo of Bronze Fondue, naughty singer-songwriter Jessica Delfino, and sound effects comedian extraordinaire Zero Boy.  The show runs a max of 2 hours, including a short intermission.  For further info:  www.NYartists.org.  The event is supported by grants from the Dramatists Guild Fund, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and individual donors.

Festival and benefit reservations strongly recommended.  Online tix available at www.Theatermania.com or by calling 212-242-6036 (check/m.o./pay at door).  Grand Theatre at the Producers Club, 358 W. 44 St., betw. Eighth/Ninth Aves.

To post a comment, you must register and login.