Frigid Festival Previews
Tag: Multimedia
The Black Jew Dialogues
Author: Ron Jones and Larry Jay Tish
Our show is a fast-paced comedy and was written by my dear friend, veteran performer, Ron Jones and me, Larry Jay Tish. The Black Jew Dialogues combines sketch comedy, improv, interactive video, and audience participation. We play a myriad of characters that take the audience on a hysterical and poignant journey through many of our closest held beliefs (and misbeliefs). The Black Jew Dialogues was born from the dialogue that a black man (Ron) and a Jew (Larry) had when they locked themselves in a cheap hotel room for a couple of weekends to try to sort out why American blacks and Jews don't get along like they used to. The show reveals the absurdity of hate, racism, prejudice, bias and why chicken livers are adored by both groups. The show is a rollicking ride through the history of blacks and Jews, from the time of the Pharaohs to Barack Obama.
When times are tough it is especially pertinent to laugh and reveal the humor in being human. Plus, the show not only sheds light on complicated issues in a way that resonates with audiences, but also gives them the opportunity to engage in an open and mature exchange of ideas. A great part of the show's success has been that it deals with sensitive and complicated issues in a unique and engaging way. We use humor to knock down barriers and open the path to an honest and real discussion on race, multiculturalism, and prejudice. Is it political theatre? Maybe somewhat. It does come with a message, which I won't give away, you'll have to come see it. One of my favorite emails we received was from a father who took his 17-year-old son to see the show. He said that he went to grab a bite with his son after the show and they talked for three hours! He said that was more than he had spoken to his son in years. He was very appreciative of our work.
We have just finished performing our 110th show... from Edinburgh, Scotland to New Orleans to Chicago! But never New York City? We have always wanted to present The Black Jew Dialogues in New York City (I was raised in Brooklyn and Queens) and the Frigid Festival has been the best opportunity to do so. (read: it makes the most financial sense so far.) But most importantly we continue to tour the show because we are committed to "changing the world one show at a time." We hope you can make it down to the Kraine Theater to participate in the laughter, ideas, and ongoing dialogue. (Plus, we really can use the money.)
Larry Jay Tish, co-creator/performer
habeas corpus
Produced by the real kim harmon
habeas corpus is a year-long project on the topic of getting rid of things. we have been and are currently soliciting responses from folks on the topic of "what would you get rid of?" and responses are built into a multi-media theatrical performance, incorporating what turned out to be both expected and completely unpredictable themes. habeas corpus invites audience interaction (both during the show and RIGHT NOW at www.therealkimharmon.com), contains original live music, physical theatre elements, a spiraling structure, and is both ridiculously silly and devastatingly sincere. We do not recommend this show for children, though childish adults are particularly welcome!
habeas corpus is as today as it gets — we adapt the show as responses come in, so it is about what is happening, right now, for people across the United States as well as abroad; there are both unique and universal perspectives to each show. What I love most about this show is the fun of the dark, dark comedy inherent in its extremely intimate nature. I don't know of another show like it in New York right now.
Part of the goal of the real kim harmon is about bridging east and west coast styles of performance experimentation together. Our cast for the New York presentation is half New York artists and half San Francisco artists, which creates a particularly dynamic feel. This is part of what inspired our investigation into how people are affected by things, how they feel limited, how they limit themselves, and we are interested in exploring the idea of how to find freedom — basically, to have unlimited access to one's self, one's personal body — habeas corpus.
Kim Harmon, artistic director
Hysteri-KILLY! A One Freak Show
Author: Killer Killy Dwyer
Hysteri-KILLY! is a hilarious, psychedelic, witty wet dream. It's like if Carol Burnett, Andy Kaufman's ghost, the Spice Girls, Sigmund Freud and a banana peel all had the same best friend — that best friend is my freak show. It's a manic-depressive, cockeyed-optimist toy train wreck, with catchy original music that will have your toes tapping, possibly turn you gay and have you leaving the theater with a life changing experience and a brand new car. It's rock and roll meets performance art. It's super heros and super egos. Hysteri-KILLY! Is art imitating art imitating life imitating art.
My show is pertinent to today's times because it is priced for a crappy economy...well, that AND it's a multi-personality, multi-media comment on an over medicated, over stimulated society. It's a silly and surreal observation of ourselves, our stressed and saturated psyches, and our inner children yearning to be free from fear and failure. The audience should expect to be surprised, to laugh at inappropriate things at inappropriate times and to have their inner children experience a play date with Hyster-KILLY!
This show chose to present me. I gave birth to it. It owes me just like any child owes their parent. My parents (its grandparents) don''t approve of my bastard love child and have since disowned us both. That's how bad ass my show is. Good show. Good. (Pats show on head) Good.
Kelly B. Dwyer, writer/director/performer
