Shows for December 2008

3
Rachel Zylstra

She's not just another piano girl. Rachel Zylstra digs into the keys and lays a caramel alto over clear-eyed lyrics to redefine the classic singer-songwriter label. World-weary chanteuse? Sometimes. Love-struck ingénue? On occasion. Powerful, revelatory music? Always. Backed by gifted collaborators Emily Hope Price on cello and Matthew Gelfer on strings, Rachel celebrates the release of her newest CD with a performance that defies all expectations.
UNCHARTED blasts through industry blockades, providing a forum for burgeoning singer/songwriters to perform their original music in front of a live audience. Focusing on emerging talents who have yet to break the Billboard 100, this series sets out to cover a wide range of styles while providing music lovers and industry taste-makers an introduction to exciting new music.

4
Machinebird

Brooklyn-based phenomenon Machinebird brings its hard-rocking, harder-partying and totally unique brand of mayhem to Ars Nova. These five showmen blend Prince, Journey, Guns & Roses, David Bowie, and countless other influences into an electric elixir that you won’t soon forget (read: recover from). Come ready to dance away the December chill!
UNCHARTED blasts through industry blockades, providing a forum for burgeoning singer/songwriters to perform their original music in front of a live audience. Focusing on emerging talents who have yet to break the Billboard 100, this series sets out to cover a wide range of styles while providing music lovers and industry taste-makers an introduction to exciting new music.

12
THE TODD AND MOLLY SHOW

In Everyone’s Pants, There’s a Dance

Come spend a night with the delightfully absurd and disarmingly hilarious sketch/variety/dancing duo Todd and Molly. With original songs by David Pevsner and influences ranging from Mad TV to The Tracy Ullman Show, Todd and Molly promise to leave you with a smile on your face, a song in your heart and a dance in your pants! Directed and choreographed by Karl Warden.

13
THE TODD AND MOLLY SHOW

In Everyone’s Pants, There’s a Dance

Come spend a night with the delightfully absurd and disarmingly hilarious sketch/variety/dancing duo Todd and Molly. With original songs by David Pevsner and influences ranging from Mad TV to The Tracy Ullman Show, Todd and Molly promise to leave you with a smile on your face, a song in your heart and a dance in your pants! Directed and choreographed by Karl Warden.

14
Ruth and Esther’s Egg Nog Revue

Everybody’s favorite southern belles return to Ars Nova to spread some Bulls Gap, Tennessee holiday cheer. Scandalous single gal Ruth (Marya Grandy) and retired schoolteacher Esther (Mark Blankenship) share their signature blend of neighborhood gossip, candid advice, and estimable dance moves. If things get wild enough, Esther might just reveal her secret egg nog recipe.

15
Social Services

By Victor Kaufold
Directed by Sam Gold

Emma, a young person of privilege, finds work at an urban community center. She hopes the new job will give her life direction. Then the sex scandal happens. In its bewildering, complicated aftermath, Emma reaches for answers to questions way out of her depth.
*OUT LOUD* is Ars Nova's play-reading series dedicated to supporting new work from emerging playwrights. OUT LOUD supports the playwright’s process by selecting leading directors and actors to work on each reading; and meeting with each writer before and after the reading to offer feedback and discuss script development. Each reading proves to be an essential step for playwrights in developing new work.

16
BALLADS. ALSO, UPTEMPOS.

East meets Midwest in this evening of songs by Chicago-based composer/lyricist Michael Mahler. Performing material from his critically acclaimed musicals "How Can You Run with a Shell on your Back?" and "Knute Rockne: All-American," as well as never before performed songs, Michael and his talented friends will both delight and rock you with their mix of Midwest charm and New York bravado. Directed by Jessica Redish.
UNCHARTED blasts through industry blockades, providing a forum for burgeoning singer/songwriters to perform their original music in front of a live audience. Focusing on emerging talents who have yet to break the Billboard 100, this series sets out to cover a wide range of styles while providing music lovers and industry taste-makers an introduction to exciting new music.

17
THE JOE ICONIS CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

Join Joe Iconis and his merry band of musical theater punks in an insane celebration of all things red and green, wherein Joe and his friends learn the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring brand new holiday songs, old favorites, tiny elves, enormous reindeer, an inebriated Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and an ungodly number of candy canes, this promises to be the happiest and wildest holiday hoedown you've ever seen. Yes, Virginia - Joe's gonna give you something to wassail about, all right.
UNCHARTED blasts through industry blockades, providing a forum for burgeoning singer/songwriters to perform their original music in front of a live audience. Focusing on emerging talents who have yet to break the Billboard 100, this series sets out to cover a wide range of styles while providing music lovers and industry taste-makers an introduction to exciting new music.