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Steven Mitchell brings us Tales from the Bar and the Bed

Hot dates and Cold Drinks are on tap at DATE ME, DO ME, DUMP ME. Where's the action? Broadway Comedy Club @ 10pm, Thursdays through July. A quartet of middle-America ladies convene at their favorite bar to dish the dates - successes (good sex) and failures (bad sex) - all set to new music (maybe some sex).
Creator Steven Mitchell takes the hilarious songs of Two Chicks and a Casio and weaves them into a plot busting with dating stories. You think you got it bad???? Audience interaction and ad-libbing make no two shows the same!
It all happens at the Broadway Comedy Club, 318 W 53rd Street, NYC, http://datemedomedumpme.com/
Steven Mitchell is a lover of playing piano, musical theater, working with kids, and his show going places! His core reflects his acumen - Gospel, Broadway, and American standards. Makes sense that he has two Master's of Music Degrees, and and is a full time pianist at the Met Opera!

Sarah Elisabeth Brown: What They Did For Love

Let's not forget when things were forbidden.
Lovebird Jamboree, by Sarah Elisabeth Brown, a featured event of the special Stonewall50 Fresh Fruit Festival, at The WILD Project 195 East 3rd Street (between Aves. A & B) New York City will run Tuesday 7/9 @ 8:30 pm; Friday 7/12 @ 9:00 pm; Saturday 7/13 @ 2:00 pm and tells the stories of LGBTQ individuals validating their existence and expressing their love ... before the new millennium.
As the recent century turned, gay marriage was still a dream and there were those out there fighting for equality and simply the right to love. Author Sarah Elisabeth Brown met with more than 30 individuals doing just that. These are a composite of their stories. Based on a series of interviews from people in the LGBTQI community, eight very different characters present their defining love stories. Gym junkies, sex workers, academics, softball jocks, and wannabe Jell-O salad aficionados - all get their say in this heartfelt, funny set of monologues. Supported by a story-collecting grant from the Santa Fe Community Foundation, the work premiered at Theaterwork in New Mexico in 2000. Lovebird Jamboree bring this powerful depiction of a moment in recent history and shows us how far we've come and far we still have yet to go. The play asks the questions, "how do you find love when the traditional pathways aren't open to you" or "how does a person reinvent love under those circumstances? Staring us in the face is another question: "What is family, and how can I create one that fits for me?"

Amanda and No Peeking gets their SHIT together and heads for L.A.

NO PEEKING THEATRE is planning its biggest event ... ever. "The Shit Show" By Leelee Jackson is an immersive restructuring of the theatrical experience. Feeling the show NOT seeing it.
NO PEEKING restructures its productions to create a sightless theatre experience. What's left??? You might ask.
A world of feelings, olfactory and audible storytelling, tangible and taste-able moments. Blindfolded, the audience is told the story with the help of rain, wind, sound, smells, taste and so much more. "We couple the audience's imagination with literal 3D effects to create a sensory, immersive, and stimulating experience," says Amanda Levie, artistic director of NO PEEKING. "We are planning on being bi-coastal and non-profit, but we need help!" she exclaimed.
This summer, NO PEEKING plans on taking its acclaimed sensory theatre to Los Angeles where a production will be hosted by the playwright herself, Leelee Jackson. NO PEEKING has plans to bring theatre to visually impaired individuals and so many others who - for physical reasons and difficult locations - are deprived of quality live theatre experiences. NO PEEKING will enable sighted and impaired persons to enjoy an engrossing live theatre experience together. NO PEEKING - through its board of directors and repertory of actors and other artists - has formulated a massive nation-wide funding search. Thanks to generous donations and other offers of assistance, No Peeking will be able to bring its entire cast and crew down to a theatre in Los Angeles this summer. All they need left is $9,000.
NO PEEKING is actively seeking donors and - if monetary gifts cannot be made - individuals willing to spread the word about No peeking, the Shit Show, and the L.A. Campaign. For more information on how you can help, visit 

Maya Avisar gives the globe a spotlight!

The American Dream: a Story of Two Crazy Broke Asians is a musical revue, following the journey of two young women, in a search for happiness - and for themselves. Yanzi, a hopeless romantic, is following her love from Taiwan to New York City, where she reconnects with her old friend Grace, who is struggling with life in the big Apple as she tries to tough it out on her own. Featuring songs from Disney, Kiss me Kate, Wicked, Cabaret, City of Angels, Annie Get Your Gun and more! Follow our heroes in their search of happiness, purpose, and donuts. Will they live The American Dream?
The American Dream: A Story of Two Crazy Broke Asians is produced by Maya Avisar Productions and supported by the Alliance of Alien Artists, an organization founded to empower and support international performers in the pursuit of their career in the Unites States.
Leading the show are Yanzi Ding (Taiwan) and Grace Shih (Malaysia) and it is directed by Kui-Fang Tseng (Taiwan). Appearing as a special guest is Leo Chang (Taiwan), who's currently performing in the off-Broadway musical Revelation.
The American Dream performed at The Duplex on Tuesday, July 3rd, 2019 at 7pm (doors open 6:30).
Maya Avisar is a performer/producer originally from Israel. She is the founder of the Alliance of Alien Artists and dedicated big parts of her work to empower International Artists like herself. Maya is a proud member of The Lambs®. www.mayaavisar.com
The Alliance of Alien Artists is an organization founded to empower and support international performers in the pursuit of their career in the United States. Donations to the organization are tax-deductible, and help the Alliance create more opportunities for international performers in any stage of their career. Read more on www.AllianceofAlienArtists.org

Crazy Talented Asians! Maya Avisar presents The American Dream at the Duplex

We chatted with Yanzi Ding & Grace Shih on their new show chronicling what it means to be an immigrant artist in NYC
https://www.instagram.com/theamericandreammusical/
The American Dream: A Story of Two Crazy Broke Asians is a musical revue, following the journey of two young women, in a search for happiness – and for themselves. Yanzi, a hopeless romantic, is following her love from Taiwan to New York City, where she reconnects with her old friend Grace, who is struggling with life in the big Apple as she tries to tough it out on her own. Featuring songs from some of Broadway’s finest, American dream will premiere at one of NYC’s most historic clubs – The Duplex, 61 Christopher Street. Wednesday, July 3 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets: $15 Ticket in Advance & a 2 Drink Minimum in the Cabaret Theatre; $18 Ticket at the Door (plus service fee) & a 2 Drink Minimum in the Cabaret Theatre.
Follow our heroes in their search of happiness, purpose, and donuts. Will they live The American Dream’
The American Dream: a Story of Two Crazy Broke Asians is produced by Maya Avisar, an ambitious and multi-talented artist/entrepreneur emerging on to New York’s indie scene. The production is also supported by the Alliance of Alien Artists, an organization founded to empower and support international performers in the pursuit of their career in the Unites States.
Featured in the cast:
Yanzi Ding comes from music background as a harpist and composer in Taiwan. As she always tries to experiment with different art forms to convey the essence of story, she became an inter-disciplinary performer on stage as an actor, singer, musical theatre performer, and playwright. In order to pursue the best theatre craft in the world, Yanzi moved to New York and recently graduated from the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), and is featured in the film ‘One More Photo Please’ , Off-Broadway Musical ‘War Lovers’ in Theatre Row 42nd and Off-Broadway Play ‘Flying Tigers Flying Away’ in York Theatre. In April 2019, she presented a one-woman play ‘Rushi: Three reincarnations of a Chinese Woman’ in the Playroom Theatre as a solo performer, playwright and composer, produced by Bagela4Art Production.
Grace Shih is originally from Penang, Malaysia. She holds a BFA in music from National Taiwan Normal University and studied musical theatre in AMDA. She has performed in multiple music productions across Taiwan including a Solo Recital. She relocated to NYC to pursue her career as a performer, and is looking forward to the opportunities to collaborate with other artists in the industry.
https://www.purplepass.com/#187767/The_Duplex-The_American_Dream:_a_Story_of_Two_Crazy_Broke_Asians-The_Duplex_Cabaret_Theatre-July-03-2019.html
 

A sitcom on a dot-com: Ps in a Pod - a new Web-TV-Show

Ps in a Pod, a new web series, created by and starring Alex Pires, co-starring Stephanie Windland and executive produced by Richard Wingert starts on a blind date between Pete (Pires) and Polly (Windland) at a bar in Brooklyn. At first, they seem to be “two peas in a [neurotic] pod” but something is off. After a ton of awkward fumbling – including an uproarious attempt at sex – they simultaneously realize they are perfect as friends.
As luck would have it, Polly is looking for a room and Pete needs a room-mate. A best friendship is born! “Pod follows how funny and real it is to have a close, platonic friendship between a man and a woman,” says executive producer, Richard Wingert.
“By eliminating the “Will they? Won’t they?” dynamic we make room for a ton of very funny and very touching situations that audiences have been deprived of in an episodic sitcom format,” creator and star, Alex Pires, exuberantly exclaimed; while co-star, Stephanie Windland chimed in with “The world is going through a paradigm shift in terms of the roles men and women play separately – this series shows how they come together under this new way of thinking,” she said regarding the evolving friendship the series depicts.
Pod follows the characters through semi-story lined episodes “a day in the life” style. We see them struggle – both comedically and realistically  – with germaphobia, stereotypes, cultural-diversity, identity, romanticizing the past, relationships, depression and so much more.
We learn something new about the Ps – Pete & Polly – every episode. Things that we know or will learn about ourselves as well. It seems the stronger their friendship, the wilder things get. They just want to be happy and healthy but between self-sabotage and the universe who knows what will happen!
NOW’S YOUR CHANCE TO BE A TV CRITIC.
WATCH THE PILOT (ONLY 8 MINUTES LONG)AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK.
SEND YOUR COMMENTS TO JMAE.HAPPENINGS@GMAIL.COMAND WE’LL PRINT THEM ON THIS SITE.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE… WATCH TV.
HERE’S THE LINK TO THE PILOT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb1nHikriIQ
 

The Multi-Talented, Multi-Personas of ROBERT HOFMANN

 
Celebrate Stonewall50 in style at St John’s in the heart of the West Village with the American premiere ofWHAT THE FANDANGO?!A musical-comedy cabaret featuring international performance artist, Robert Hofmann,brilliantly embodying four powerful personas in his stunning blend of comic genius and musical versatilitycreating a wild multi-gendered romp that has already taken Australia by storm.
What the Fandango?! brings visual humor, spicy stand-up, and poignant performances peppered with musical genius. Australian singing celeb, Robert Hofmann and New York-based piano accordionist Will Holshouser will present this tour-de-force for two nights only on Tuesday June 25 at 7:30pm and Saturday on the eve of World Pride New York, Saturday June 29 at 7:30pm at Revelation Gallery, 224 Waverly Place (between W11th ST and 7th Ave.) Proceeds will be donated to Ads-Up (Australian Ex-pats Supporting Refugees.)
Hofmann splits into four distinct personalities to present a cavalcade of musical entertainment:The feisty Helmut Wunderlicher who turns standard love songs into same-sex serenades;Dr Gaye Thyme, a glam goddess with magnificent maracas;The outspoken Sister Virgillious who risks being shut down by the church by presenting …Susan “I know someone just like her” Higgins. the deluded guitar-playing hymn singer.
Hofmann has sung many roles with West Australian Opera including Koko in The Mikado and Dulcamara in The Elixir of Love. He has sung with Opera Australia and performed in two cabarets with DivaLicious at the Sydney Opera House. His award-winning cabaret, Desperately Young at Heart played in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Edinburgh Fringes to rave reviews. Playing the piano accordion is the brilliant New York based Will Holshouser who has played with Ute Lemper, David Krakauer, Antony and The Johnsons, Martha Wainwright, Loudon Wainwright, Andy Statman, Phillip Johnston, Matt Munisteri & Brock Mumford, the Raymond Scott (tribute) Orchestrette, Roberto Rodriguez, Mark Morris Dance, New York City Ballet, Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra, and many others including Ron Horton (trumpet) and David Phillips (bass) in the Will Holshouser Trio.
With decades of dazzling performance experience spanning the globe, Robert and Will unite to create an enthralling hour of musical comedy with quick-change costumes by legendary designer Cherie Hewson. Directed by the internationally renowned Australian opera and music theatre director Stuart Maunder, What the Fandango?! takes adult audiences on a wild ride into high energy cabaret.
Order tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/what-the-fandango-tickets-61358797816
Watch trailer at: https://youtu.be/0oVzsQtMlu4
“Hofmann is a singer and female impersonator without compare.” ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Arts Hub 2019
“Genders range from male to female to the delicious any-man’s-or-woman’s land in between. And it’s all delivered with a luxurious flair for costume, a devout sense of character, and a classically trained operatic voice”. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Fourth Wall Media 2018
“…the pair blow all your cares away with their WTF celebration of being non-conformist”★ ★ ★ ★ Out in Perth 2018
“hilarious, poignant cabaret” ★ ★ ★ ★ The West Australian 2017
Watch trailer at: https://youtu.be/0oVzsQtMlu4

THIS Baron makes his Marc as a Shepherd and a Screenwriter

MARC BARON is a President ("Shepherd" as they are called) of the venerable LAMBS. (SEE BELOW). He is also a respected and decorated Screenwriter. 
Marc first began performing in grade school, and in high school began writing and directing many school projects. He continued acting, singing and directing in Pace University, NYC, where the department head took Marc on as a protégé. Marc was titled the ‘Most likely to succeed’ by the college theatre club.
After service in naval intelligence, Marc continued his studies at Pace, and at NY’s American Academy of Dramatic Arts and H. B. Studios. Fred Kelly, director, choreographer, and brother of Gene Kelly, became Marc’s friend and muse, mentoring him in the early stages of his career. Fred, a well known director of early television, brought Marc into The Lambs, America’s first professional theatrical club, more than 30 years ago. Marc began acting, singing, writing, directing and managing productions for The Lambs; Marc directed the new play, The Gershwin Factor, which sold-out; directed and acted in The President’s Mother, and he now serves as The Lambs’ 35th Shepherd (President). Marc is a multi-term member of the NY Board of SAG-AFTRA. In the summer of 2006 Marc directed two episodes of the California-based cable talk show, Talking Over Coffee, and directed Bookstore – a reading of a new musical for Manhattan’s prestigious York Theater. Marc recently served on the Council of the Episcopal Actors Guild, a charity for actors.
Professionally, some films Marc has appeared in include Mortal Thoughts, Big, The Believer and Bullets Over Broadway. He is known as the stand-in and photo-double to the stars; while on the set of Mickey Blue Eyes Hugh Grant nicknamed him the ‘Lon Chaney of stand-ins’ for his ability to physically imitate numerous actors. He has worked with actors including Dustin Hoffman, Matthew Broderick, Michael J. Fox, Sean Penn, Sean Connery…with directors Sidney Lumet, Andrew Bergman, Woody Allen and Henry Beam…and with cinematographers Carlo DiPalma, Don Thorin, Bill Fraker, Laslo Kovacs and Zhao Fei; each offered filmmaking insights only found by working on a real film set.
It was Matthew Broderick and Dustin Hoffman who first encouraged Marc to write projects, while working together on the set of Family Business. As a writer, Marc has co-authored both the stage musical and screenplay version of Love of a Lifetime; wrote the comedy western screenplay, Don’t Call Me Cisco; co-wrote the police action-drama Blue Shirts; and co-wrote Hot Properties, a romantic comedy screenplay based on a play Marc directed. and wrote the comedy MegaBall$. Marc has had several articles published in local newspapers, and in the Journal of Medical Education. Marc has been a guest judge for the NY Filmmakers’ Festival for three years, and in 2016 will be a guest judge for the GI Film Festival in Washington DC.. Marc is also researching material for Brothers in Stone,  a biography with accompanying documentary and blog on his grandfather and his brother, the Viennese sculptors, Josef Josephu and Florian Josephu-Drouot.
www.MarcBaron.com
HISTORY OF THE LAMBS
HISTORY OF THE LAMBS
The history of The Lambs ® extends back to early 19th Century England when a group of lively folk of theater and arts frequently visited their friends, Charles Lamb and his sister Mary, for dining salons discussing the arts. In the spring of 1869, thirty years after the death of Charles Lamb, a men’s theatrical and dining club was formed in London and named in their honor.
Christmas week of 1874 a companion club was formed in New York by one of the London Lambs and its third Shepherd, English actor Henry J. Montague, who became our first Shepherd. The first meeting was at the original Delmonico’s Blue Room on 14th Street. (To see what 1874 was like, click here.) The Lambs incorporated in 1877 in the State of New York and its journey continues today.
The motto of the Club is Floreant Agni — “May The Lambs Flourish” — which, with many ups and downs, the Club has done for more than 140 years. Changing times in the early 1970’s led to the sale of its landmark building on West 44th Street, now the Chatwal Hotel. Since then, the Fold has been pleasantly situated at 3 West. Originally restricted to gentlemen only, today’s club is attuned to modern sensibilities and has emerged and thrived as a society for both ladies and gentlemen.
The roster of past and living Lambs reads like a Who’s’ Who and include: Fred Astaire, Gene Autry, Red Barber, Maurice Barrymore, and his sons John and Lionel, Ed Begley, David Belasco, Ralph Bellamy, Edgar Bergman, Irving Berlin, Joe E. Brown, Earl Carroll, Howard Chandler Christy, George M. Cohan, Cecil B. DeMille, Dwight David Eisenhower, Douglas Fairbanks, James Montgomery Flagg, Eddie Foy (Sr. & Jr.), Sir Cedric Hardwicke, William S. Hart, Victor Herbert, Ed Herlihy, Bert Lahr, Ring Lardner, Alan J. Lerner, Frederick Loewe, Alan Mowbray, Conrad Nagel, Elliot Nugent, Pat O’Brien, Will Rogers, Charlie Ruggles, Otis Skinner, John Philip Sousa, Fred Waring, David Warfield, Bert Wheeler and Hon. Robert Wagner. A searchable listing of past members is available by selecting the Membership Roster.
The Lambs®, commonly known as The Lambs Club, is proud of its theatrical legacy, and of its continuing contributions to charitable causes which The Lambs Foundation administers and funds. J. Lester Wallack, an early Shepherd of The Lambs, was a leader in the founding of The Actors’ Fund of America; a close association between the Fund and The Lambs continues today. Numerous Lambs have served as Trustees of the Fund. Lambs were also instrumental in the founding of ASCAP, Screen Actors Guild and Actors’ Equity Association (see more below).