The Bad Musical Festivals ’08

Presented by NYArtists Unlimited – co-produced by MTP-Montauk Theatre Productions/Shooting Star Theatre Where: Grand Theatre at The Producers Club, 358 West 44th Street Between Eighth/Ninth Avenues When: July 21-August 10. Various performance times. What: It is outrageous, it is relentless, and it is delicious. Go to the Festival and have some nasty fun. The guilty pleasure is actually cleansing in its own devious way. — NYtheatre.com. The Bad Musicals are back — and with great devilish glee! Just kidding, they’re not bad — they’re really GOOD plays that are delightfully naughty — politically incorrect, political satire, explicit, bad language/ puns, or utterly zany — and don’t we all need that in these times? The Bad Musicals Festival, in its third year, is “movin’ on up” to the Grand Theatre at the Producers Club in the Times Square/Theatre District, July 21-August 10. Mon.-Sat. at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2, musicals are huddled under a theme umbrella for one all-inclusive price per presentation. And, the winners are — drum roll, please: Is That A Gun In Your Pocket? (7/21, 7/26, 7/31, 8/5) featuring: Charlie Chang and the Mysterious Salami, book & lyrics by Anne Berlin, music by Andy Cohen, directed by Tony Spinosa, and Henry & Hyde, book by James M. Eisenman & Thomas Adams, lyrics by James M. Eisenman, music by Thomas Adams, directed by Maryna Harrison. Foreign & Familiar Bodies (7/22, 7/27, 8/1, 8/6) featuring: Falling in Love Again by J. Boyer, directed by Anita Brown, Too Much Love, lyrics by Douglas M. Parker, music by Denver Casado, directed by Tom Amici, and OBGYNia, a Sci-Fi Musical Romp!, book & lyrics by Justine Lambert & Kenneth Nowell, music by Kenneth Nowell, directed by Tom Amici. Politics & Poopsy (7/23, 7/28, 8/2, 8/7) featuring: The Virgin Dictator: A Love Story Starring Kim Jong Il by Itai Grunfeld, directed by Brady Amoon, and Daffodils in Deutschland by Dray Rigg, directed by Kenny Wade Marshall. Criminally Insane Puppets (7/24, 7/29, 8/3, 8/8) featuring: Pinokenstein, music & lyrics by Mark LaPierre, libretto/puppets/puppeteering by Chris McLaughlin, directed by Diane Englert, and The Dependents, book by Bebe McGarry, lyrics by Debra M. Gussin, and music by Michael Paul Girard, directed by Sara B. Ware. It Aint Kansas Anymore! (7/25, 7/30, 8/4, 8/9) featuring: Stranded!, book & lyrics by Raymond Bokhour, music by Ilann Maazel, directed by Leslie C. Nemet, Grimm Late Night, book & lyrics by Mark LaPierre, music by Jodi Eichelberger, directed by Nikki Rothenberg, and The Great Plastic Surgeon of Oz by Zurbon Gish, directed by Robyne Parrish. For descriptions of each play: < http://www.nyartists.org/”>http://www.NYartists.org www.NYartists.org . The Fairies & Phantasies Benefit ($25 additional to attend benefit; $20 if you come in costume) will be after the show on July 25. Legendary actress Marilyn Sokol and Warhol superstar Ultra Violet will be presented with Honorary Golden Pineapples. Benefit attendees are encouraged to come in costume as a wacked-out version of their favorite children’s character, and to bring a toy or book to donate to needy children. There will be costume prizes and raffles. Co-chairing this event are playwright Jean Hart and Kimberly Kopera. In keeping with the bad children’s theatre theme that night, there will be lunchbox specials: assorted finger sandwiches (including P&J!), cupcakes, cake, cookies, penny candy, punch, booze, and more. On August 10, the Carmen Miranda Closing Benefit brings presentation of the Fruit Cup Awards: Golden Pineapple, Silver Tomato, and Bronze Banana (by audience vote). New this year will be the Jack Lemons for best bad actor & actress. Costumes are encouraged and there will be prizes. 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, booze, and lots of fruit! This festival is supported by grants from the Dramatists Guild Fund and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. Proceeds go to support our dedicated mission of taking professional theatre to under-served audiences throughout NYC and the Northeast. Tickets $25 at door; $20 advance sale (deadline July 1); $15 students with ID. Reservations are strongly recommended. Online tix available at < http://www.theatermania.com/ http://www.Theatermania.com or by calling 212-242-6036 (reservations by check/m.o.). Grand Theatre at the Producers Club, 358 W. 44 St., betw. Eighth/Ninth Aves., July 21-August 10. The show runs 1? to 2 hours in toto, including a short intermission. Entertaining between short plays and some intermissions will be Bronze Fondue, the bad house band of wacky NYU professors; Jessica Delfino, who plays and sings naughty original songs, and Zero Boy, a wildly brilliant sound effects comedian.?