Winner of a FringeNYC Award for Excellence in Music and Lyrics

NYCFringeGuide Critic’s Pick

A 9 month run at the improv-centric Magnet Theater has given this zany tongue-in-cheek tuner a chance to refine it’s comedic offerings, and with some fine tuning it could easily be blessed with a successful run outside the festival. Even now, it would be a downright sin to miss the particularly rousing gospel climax of “What would Jesus do?” which is worth the price of admission alone.

The eternal fight between Good and Evil, a vatican sex scandal, an army of killer robot altar boys, and a cheerful score to boot? Hallelujah!
- Dante Amor, NYCFringeGuide

Reviews – What The Critics Are Saying:

“Because of peppy performances…inventive direction…and a promising score…’Pope!’ is a cheerful, zany trifle.”
Backstage

“There is a lot to like, and laugh at, while immersing oneself in Pope! An Epic Musical. Take the journey while you can—you’ll leave the theatre humming to yourself for a change, even if you feel slightly silly while doing it.”
NYTheatre

“It’s wacky. It’s a family affair. And it’s proof that the musical is not dead…this romp is full of smart songs and snappy choreography, with nods to Jerome Robbins and Busby Berkeley. Be prepared for a few good laughs.
Wall Street Journal

Early workshop performance from Sept. ’09

ENCORE SERIES PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Venue: The Lucille Lortel Theater (1h 30m)

9/16 @ 9:30
9/24 @ 7:00
9/25 @ 10:30
9/26 @ 4:00

Winner of the FringeNYC Award for Overall Excellence in Production (Musical)

Original? No. Derivative? You bet. Even so, Bunked! is packed to the rafters with charm. If you are even the slightest bit jaded or cynical when it comes to musical productions this is not the show for you. It’s unabashedly twee, and yet far more polished than 99% of what is generally on offer at the Fringe. If Glee isn’t a four letter word for you, then this production will be a cotton candy confection you’ll gleefully gobble up. - NYCFringeGuide

Reviews – What The Critics Are Saying:

“Bunked!” remains a frothy, giggly delight for its duration”
Backstage (Critic’s Pick)

“a mostly pleasant splash of summer campiness”
TimeOut NY

Trust

ENCORE SERIES PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Venue: The Lucille Lortel Theater

9/19 @ 5:00
9/20 @ 7:00
9/23 @ 7:00
9/25 @ 4:00

Winner of the FringeNYC Audience Favorite Award

Reviews – What The Critics Are Saying:

“The music is mostly wonderfully catchy rock ‘n’ roll, which is certain to get toes tapping…The cast is spectacularly funny, perfectly selling the tongue-in-cheek style…While the script is very funny, the storytelling falters a bit…at times the script feels as though it was written to include a random song that Oliver had on his back burner, instead of letting the music come from the situations. With a tighter structure and perhaps a trimmed second act without an intermission, the show could be a powerful piece of theatre; right now it’s merely one of the funniest shows around.”
BroadwayWorld

“At least there are pistols, sheriffs, and sinister landowners on display in Viva Los Bastarditos!…Much of the script is beyond twee (superheated marshmallows feature as weapons), but it includes at least one genuinely great song (‘Western Mass’) and several other hummable ones.”
Village Voice

“a fun rock musical that doesn’t pretend to have any heavy meaning…It is a welcome silly mix of farce, standard musicals, and rock opera that will slap a smile on your face from the get-go and keep it there ’til the final bows…If you have a penchant for Family Guy and love Rocky Horror, you’ll love this show.”
NYTheatre

“You lose track of who’s winning in the often very winning and wacky rock musical Viva Los Bastarditos, but really, who cares?  It’s too long and too loud, but I give it a long and loud round of applause for its loopiness and off-kilter killer instincts…Not everything works, but you admire the cheekiness…The songs work, but some could use some tweaks and tucks and sharpening to bring them to the level of the wit and slyness and method-to-the-madness in the dialogue…see www.bastarditos.com for more and to hear the songs.  But a word to the wise: these are wise guys and some of the songs can’t be appreciated out of context as regular songs.”
CabaretExchange

ENCORE SERIES PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Venue: Lucille Lortel Theater (1h 50m)

9/19 @ 2:00
9/20 @ 9:30
9/22 @ 7:00
9/26 @ 7:00

Winner of the FringeNYC Award for Overall Excellence in Production (Musical)

Satirizing not only the film, but musical theater itself, this show has garnered acclaim from even the “serious” critics. What it lacks in narrative throughline, it makes up for with abundant ‘Family Guy/South Park’ style zaniness. There are only a few chances left to catch this clever sketch-musical before it becomes extinct.

Reviews – What The Critics Are Saying:

“Not since “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead” has there been such a playful re-imagining as Jurassic Parq: The Broadway Musical…The writing is sharp and satirical…The cast is uniformly terrific…Crisply directed by Pailet, the musical pokes great fun at everything from celebrity to musicals to science and more”
Backstage (Critic’s Pick)

Dancing dinosaurs struggle with issues of gender identity in this oddball but ultimately enjoyable musical.
Wall Street Journal

“surprisingly great, lifting, emotional theatrical moments to be found.
CurtainUp

“I can whole heartedly admit that this is the most fun I’ve ever had at a Fringe show.”
NYTheatre

“a marvelous cast of “chorusasaurus” who really commit to the authors’ crazy vision…(it) doesn’t just parody the 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park…it actually succeeds in telling the story from the dinosaurs’ point-of-view.”
TheaterMania

ENCORE SERIES PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Venue: The Lucille Lortel Theater (1h 20m)

9/9 @ 7:00
9/11 @ 10:30
9/17 @ 9:30
9/18 @ 10:30

A scathingly satirical opera that takes aim at American art, society and culture. Composed by David Chesney, three-time Emmy nominee and current Composer in Residence for the National Symphony of Taiwan.

“Composer-librettist David Chesky takes no prisoners as he goes after the state of American art and culture—particularly the streak of anti-intellectualism that has cursed our country since its founding—with a rapier in his largely delightful satiric comic opera “The Pig, the Farmer, and the Artist.”
Backstage (Critic’s Pick)

“The talented cast, spot-on music and sophisticated direction (by A. Scott Parry) make this a farm you’ll be happy to buy.”
TimeOut NY

“Unless you are an incurable curmudgeon, you will enjoy this show, no matter whether an opera addict or antagonist.”
NYTheatre

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It doesn’t get more archetypally Fringe than this… low budget, no-frills, B movie sci-fi musical laugh fest. Sporting clever lyrics, line up early and sit in the first three rows if you want to make them out over the cheesy recorded backup music.

“the whole show is really funny, intricate, and enjoyable, with its spot on timing and snappy turns of phrase. There’s no pretension of depth here. It’s all warp speed wit and, happily, it’s completely weightless. Well worth seeing.”
CurtainUp

“Light on nerdy references and heavy on loopy fun, this science-fiction musical—which Powell also wrote—has a fast-moving charm similar (but superior) to that of last year’s Toxic Avenger. The ridiculous lyrics are performed with such conviction that you can’t help getting pulled into the interdimensional mayhem”
TimeOut NY

“If you are looking for a light and fun musical to see at FringeNYC, this just may be the ticket.”
NYTheatre

Winner of the FringeNYC Award for Excellence in Directing – James Presson

Winner of the FringeNYC Award for Excellence in Performance – Jake Ahlquist

Modernization of The Bard is always a dicey proposition, yet this young troupe succeeds where so many others fail, and if you think otherwise… they’ll kick your teeth in. A warning though, despite the blurb, don’t come expecting an actual punk score. The performances and art direction might’ve made Sid Vicious proud but the music is more folk/rock than Ramones.

“William Shakespeare’s history plays are hard. Punk rock is fun. And “hard fun” pretty much describes James Presson’s “Richard 3,” a combination of the bloody tale and a live band.”
Wall Street Journal

“There are many odd moments…but with the fun of the overall aesthetic and the sheer bad-assery of Shakespeare’s play itself, it’s hard not to love it all the same.”
NYTheatre

“The Fringe is no place to see Shakespeare, I thought…Turns out, this production is not only Shakespeare, it’s true Fringe…It is grotesque, touching, well put together, and a heavy contender of best of fringe status”
CurtainUp

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With positive reviews to be found on virtually every site covering the Fest, one thing is absolutely clear, any shortcomings there may be in this show are trumped by the Mr. Kendall’s talent and abundant charisma.

“By the time Trent Armand Kendall’s one-man musical ends, he is wrung out and we are infused with the kind of glow that only a superlative performance can kindle.”
Backstage

“what really makes the evening sing is author-star Trent Armand Kendall, who not only has an amazing voice but also moves smoothly and skillfully between comedic and serious moments. The upbeat message of his show is that if the picture is incomplete, it’s because ‘there’s always more to learn.’ It’s a pleasure to hear him teach.”
TimeOut NY ****

“a truly excellent 90 minutes of live theatre and music”
NYTheatre.com

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The first show to earn a “must-see” designation from our staff this year. What SHINE lacks in dramaturgy and originality it more than makes up for with rip-roaring hilarity. The cast is superb, the performances tight, the music is bumping and the hips grinding, albeit with a lot more nod-nod wink-wink than actual erotic heat. Any who appreciate the Rocky Horror brand of bawdy irreverence will welcome this brazen production with open arms, hearts, and legs. - NYCFringeGuide

“polished, extraordinarily well-performed and, often, great fun.”
NYTheatre

“If the book is derivative, however, there is entertainment, and even wit in the musical numbers written in a variety of styles; the lyrics are clever, the choreography is fun, and some of the costumes are hilarious.”
TimeOut NY

“A naughty-licious good time… 42nd St. with tits.”
BroadwayWorld

“The plot may be as old as the oldest profession. But the song and dance numbers sparkle. And there are enough raunchy jokes to keep an entire convent blushing. Even in the permissive 21st century, this is not one for the kids. So leave them at home and have fun.”
CurtainUp

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