NY Artists Unlimited
News from Downeast
Bulletin - Bulletin - Bulletin!


See below for off-Broadway
special discount offers


Bad Musicals
Grand Theatre
the Producers' Club

44th St. & Ninth Avenue

Deadline for scripts = April 30th. Look out! -- the BAD MUSICALS are coming -- and they're scheduled to land at the Producers' Club July 21-August 10. The madness continues with the 2008 edition, part of our International Cringe Festival (these are actually REALLY GOOD plays that are decidedly naughty). Submissions can be musicals or plays with music or any combination thereof, but must be under 45 minutes. A Carmen Miranda opening night party is again in the works with a major "bad" celebrity to be presented with the Honorary Golden Pineapple. Closing night brings presentation of the Fruit Cup Awards: Golden Pineapple, Silver Tomato, and Bronze Banana (by audience vote). New this year will be a Best Bad Actor Award. DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS on the website -- PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING. This festival is supported by grants from the Dramatists Guild Fund and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. FOR GUIDELINES & APPLICATION: www.NYartists.org.


RECEPTION FOR DOMENIC RECCHIA

Melba LaRose is co-hosting with Ginny Louloudes (A.R.T./New York) a reception this Sunday 4-6 p.m. for Councilmember Domenic Recchia. Domenic is head of the Cultural Affairs Committee on City Council and has been very instrumental in getting more funding for the arts, education and city planning. He's a good man, Brooklyn born-and-raised, and will be there to sit down and talk with everyone. If you would like to attend this lovely event at Ginny's house, call for details: 212-242-6036.


A Sm(ART) Choice for Seniors

With a generous Sm(ART)s: Seniors Meet the Arts grant from the NYC Department for the Aging, City Council, and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, NY Artists Unlimited is proud to partner with the Arturo Schomburg Senior Center, 1315 Franklin Avenue in the Bronx, to present a series of workshops from now until the end of June ’08. The lineup includes workshops in dance, improvisation, theatre games, poetry, and more. Artist-teachers are renowned show business personalities, such as actor-singer Richard Pryor Jr. and Francis J. Roach of Luigi’s Jazz Centre. These workshops not only give seniors a window into artistic techniques, they also stimulate the senses for "real life."

On Saturday, May 3, at 1:30 PM, published poet & teacher Cynthia Nibbelink Worley holds a Seniors Poetry Workshop as part of the Body, Mind, & Spirit Health Fair at the center. Ms. Worley, who holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop and has extensive experience teaching in high schools and universities, shares her own writing. In addition, she will read and discuss works by other poets. Participants are invited to share their thoughts about poetry and the therapeutic nature of writing. All will be encouraged to write and share their own poetry.

On Tuesday, May 6, at 1:30 PM, Anita Brown, Artistic Director of Shooting Star Theatre/Montauk Theatre Prods., and Court Sweeting, AHRC Workshop Leader/Program Director, lead a Dramatics for Seniors Workshop. Brown and Sweeting invite seniors to participate in theatre games, creating characters, and other exercises designed to stimulate imagination and encourage creativity.

On Wednesday, May 14, at 10:45 AM, Francis J. Roach, protégé of jazz legend Luigi, conducts a Broadway/Jazz Dance Workshop, including warm-up exercises and simple choreography, scaled to the level of participants. Students are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Mr. Roach teaches Luigi Technique around the world and just returned from Munich, Germany. Students of Luigi Technique include dance & choreography greats Liza Minnelli, Twyla Tharp, Ben Vereen, Susan Stroman, Bob Fosse and many, many more. Luigi, who is now 82 and still teaches daily classes, will be Grand Marshall in NY's Dance Parade on May 17.

Upcoming workshops include: Improvisation, Sense Memory, Prose Writing, Theatre "Tag," and more with actor-singer-teachers: Richard Pryor, Jr., Kenny Wade Marshall, Erin Hadley, and Jen Ponton. All workshops are FREE OF CHARGE.



MICKI HOBSON, CONSULTANT

A very big thanks and SHOUT-OUT to Micki Hobson, our consultant generously provided by A.R.T./New York. Micki advised us on the Bad Plays Festival for last September and is now counseling us for the Bad Musicals Festival. If anybody's looking for a consultant who really knows her stuff, Micki is the IT girl!


ARTS & BUSINESS COUNCIL

After attending a panel at the New Museum, we contacted panelist Will Maitland Weiss of the Arts & Business Council to see if they could help us plan for the return to Avenue A. He arranged a meeting with Fran Smyth, Manager of Arts Services, who is graciously giving her time to find us a pro bono consultant for financial strategy/ business planning/ capital fundraising.


CASTING CALL

Tom Amici, one of our best directors, will be holding an open casting call Saturdays, March 1 & March 8, from 3 to 5 p.m. for an evening of plays called "Durang/Durang," and he's looking for some specific types: two 40+ women, one to play Nina, a narcissistic and wealthy mother of three; and one to play "Amanda Wingvalley," a parody of the Amanda character from "The Glass Menagerie." Performances will be Wed-Fri from April 2-25 at the 45th St. Theater, 354 W. 45th St. This is an unpaid, non-AEA production. Rehearsals will be on nights and weekends. Interested parties can e-mail the director at taa24@drexel.edu to arrange an audition.


"VOICES OF THE TOWN - A VAUDEVILLE SALUTE!"
Touring Brooklyn & the Bronx

The Vaudeville show will perform April 4 at 4 p.m. at the Arlington Branch of Brooklyn Public Library. On April 16 at 1:30 p.m., it will perform for seniors at the Riverside Y in the Bronx. Recent audiences have mostly been youngsters for this educational and entertaining show. Faithful company member Carmela Davis, who originated the roles of Bert Williams and Florence Mills, returns in March. (She took a little break to welcome to this world Evangeline Odile, a beautiful bundle of joy… who recently attended a board meeting!) Come on out to the other boroughs or keep tuned for a performance near you.


"EBONY BLACK"
Touring to Children & Families

"Ebony Black," inspired by Snow White, continues its tour throughout NYC. Written & directed by Melba LaRose, the beautiful score is by Rachel Kaufman, choreography by Francis J. Roach. After completing appearances to sold out houses at the Players Theatre, SPACE Gallery (Seaport), and throughout Queens Library system, we are looking forward to 2008 gigs. Check the website for performances near you. Come one, come all -- perfect for ALL AGES!


DOINGS DOWNEAST

The windows are in and there's a new fire escape at 203 Avenue A! We'll keep you posted on progress and could use all kinds of help & ideas in preparation for the return to Downeast Arts Center. Quarterly board meetings are being held and anyone is welcome to attend.


TRUE STORIES TUESDAYS
Mug lounge, 448 E. 13th St.

Come perform in a safe, supportive space. Poets, Storytellers, Musicians, Comics, Free Thinkers are welcome. The Mug is a great spot, with our friend Michael shaking up those cocktails. Join Joe Fury for a very special evening and bring your friends! Performers get 8 minutes onstage. Sign-up and show start at 8 p.m. $3 admission for all.


REVEREND JEN's anti-slam!

The Rev reports she's taking a hiatus from her open mike. Check our website or the Rev's for future schedule. Come join this crazy bunch of East Village zanies (ArtStars) led by Jen and her devoted chihuahua Reverend Jen, Jr. The idea behind the Anti-Slam is that everyone gets a ten, no matter what -- a policy heartily endorsed by NY Artists Unlimited. Everyone is welcome – poets, performance artists, comedians, musicians, dancers -- and people who need therapy but can’t afford it. 6 minutes of stage time. $4 admission.


Nationally TRAVELING CHOREOGRAPHER

Resident choreographer Francis J. Roach, protégé of Luigi, continues his trek, dancing and teaching Luigi technique everywhere. His next venture will be to Germany and possibly Paris. He did a spectacular job of choreographing "Ebony Black" for us and is on board for the Bad Musicals Festival.


BE THE FIRST TO CONTACT US BY EMAIL WITH
"FABULOUS DIVAS" IN THE SUBJECT LINE
TWO FREE TIX TO…

Fabulous Divas
ONE MAN AS 18 WOMEN
IN 25 SONGS

THE ACCLAIMED ONE-MAN MUSICAL FUNFEST

FABULOUS DIVAS
OF BROADWAY
STARRING AND CREATED BY ALAN PALMER

The acclaimed musical FABULOUS DIVAS OF BROADWAY is a rapid-paced showbusiness tale about the Broadway divas who inspire their fans, from the legendary Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, Liza Minnelli, Angela Lansbury, Julie Andrews, Judy Garland and Chita Rivera, to such Tony Award-winning stars of today as Christine Ebersole, Patti LuPone, Sutton Foster and Kristin Chenoweth. They¹re all brought to life with hilarity, songs and gorgeous costumes, showing us exactly why they¹re all called DIVAS! Direct from Los Angeles, where it enjoyed an acclaimed and extended 5-month run at Open Stage West, the musical FABULOUS DIVAS OF BROADWAY starring and created by Alan Palmer opened February 27.

THE HIT MUSICAL DIRECT FROM L.A.
THAT HAD WEST COAST CRITICS RAVING

A yummy treat for all lovers of musical theater!

No mere mimic - Alan infuses his grande dames, from the sublime Judy Garland to the self-styled Edie Beale, with a KINETIC ENERGY filled with NUANCE, GRAND GESTURES, HUMOR, TENDERNESS and a voice range that INSPIRES.

The essence of the particular diva comes first through the storytelling and then through his artistry with the song. Palmer is endearing.

As a man, he¹s quite HANDSOME; as a woman, WOW, WHAT GREAT LEGS!!!!!!!!

SPECIAL OFFER: All Seats $35.00! (reg $56.50)

Order online: Visit www.BroadwayOffers.com and enter code FDPLM59. Order by phone: Call 212-947-8844 and use code FDPLM59. Order in person: Print this email and bring to the to the St. Luke's Theatre Box Office. The box office is open Tue-Sun from 1pm-curtain. Restrictions: Offer valid for performances through 3/2/2008. Blackout dates may apply. Offer subject to availability and prior sale. Limit four (4) tickets per order. Includes $1.50 facility fee. Normal telephone and internet surcharges apply. All sales final. No refunds or exchanges. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer may be revoked at any time.

Now playing at St. Luke’s Theatre – 308 West 46th Street
For tickets: Telecharge.com or 212-239-6200
www.fabdivas.com


20at20
IT'S BACK! NY THEATER’S ANSWER TO RESTAURANT WEEK:
SEE OVER 20 OF OFF-BROADWAY’S BEST SHOWS FOR ONLY $20 EACH

BUY TICKETS FOR ONLY $20 -TWENTY-MINUTES BEFORE SHOW TIME!
FEBRUARY 25TH – MARCH 9TH ONLY!

For two weeks only, Off-Broadway will offer tickets for only $20 twenty minutes before show time. “20at20” is now a bi-annual celebration of NY’s best shows, in the tradition of Restaurant Week! Beginning Tuesday February 25th and continuing through Sunday, March 9, Off-Broadway shows will offer seats still available twenty minutes before the curtain, for only $20 when purchased at the box office (cash only at some venues; some restrictions may apply) for over twenty shows. Here is your chance to catch up with shows you may have missed, get a sneak peek at the next hit, or revisit a favorite – all for only $20! And since Off-Broadway has performances to fit everyone’s schedule, you can see more than one: on Saturday for example, you can see Gazillion Bubble Show at 11 AM, Perfect Crime at 2 PM, Forbidden Broadway at 4 PM, Altar Boyz at 8PM, Stomp at 10:30 PM! Where else can you see five shows in a day, for less than the price of ONE BROADWAY TICKET?!
                                                    For a full list of shows and showtimes, visit www.20at20.com.


AND MORE ON NY ARTISTS UNLIMITED:
PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers and interns are always welcome in all areas of the company's work. The more you're around, the greater your chances of participating in productions. We also audition for new members, so get those P&Rs to us. For more information on all events: 212-242-6036 (office), Nyartunltd@aol.com, or visit www.NYartists.org. Of course, you're also welcome to stop in and see us even when there are no events. Make it soon!

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Melba
NY Artists Unlimited