BASH'd: A GAY RAP OPERA Aiming For Summer Off-Broadway Run

BASH'd: A GAY RAP OPERA — which played an award-winning run at the Toronto Fringe Festival before being part of the 11th annual New York International Fringe Festival in August 2007 — is aiming for a summer run at an Off-Broadway theatre.

Variety reports that an industry reading of Nathan Cuckow and Chris Craddock's work will be held next month at Off-Broadway's New World Stages. Cuckow and Craddock also appear in the production, which features music by Aaron Macri and direction by Ron Jenkins.

Altar Boyz's Stephen Kocis and Naked Boys Singing's Carl D. White are planning to co-produce the Off-Broadway run, which would be capitalized at less than half-a-million dollars.

Bash'd!, according to press notes for the Fringe Festival production, "is loosely based on the real life spike in hate crimes in Alberta, Canada during the national debate on equal marriage for gays and lesbians. Since this debate, same sex marriage has been legalized in Canada, despite the fervent protests of the religious right. In America the struggle continues. Bash'd! explores the effect of homophobic violence and the emotions associated with being any marginalized population."



http://www.myspace.com/bashd
BASH'd: A GAY RAP OPERA Aiming For Summer Off-Broadway Run

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Updated On: 2/19/08 at 10:23 AM

Sounds really exciting!

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Uh ok.

I saw it...was good, but it's such a simple show, even too small and short for Off-Broadway. Maybe with major re-writes it could work.

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I don't disagree it was a good show for a Festival, but to pay $80 to see it - well, I'd be a bit pissed off.

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honestly? i'd be pissed to pay 80 bucks for *anything* off broadway ...

im married to a CPA -- can i have your theater budget?

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This was my favorite thing at the Fringe Festival last year, so I'm thrilled to hear that it's coming back.

That said, while it's perfect for the Fringe Festival price, it's not quite a full-blown full-price show as others here have indicated. It would do best in a non-traditional venue like a bar or club.

I saw this at the Fringe last year, upon Jerby's recommendation.

It is an absolutely STUNNING piece of theatre.

I'm thrilled they're coming back.

There's a reason it won Best Musical at the Fringe.

It's MUCH more than an SNL sketch.

I hope they get Stage 5 at New World Stages - the 199 seat theatre.

It would work great in that intimate setting.

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There is a dramatic storyline about two young guys who meet, how their relationship flourishes, and a situation they end up in as a result of being gay.

It's a very touching piece. I was laughing throughout and by the end was crying.

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Congrats to the excellent BASH'd, which won the GLAAD Award!!!!


BASH'd wins GLAAD Award

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That's crazy! I had no idea how big BASH'd has gotten. Those guys/that show is from my hometown. I actually saw the show a few years ago at the (now defunct) bar in the poster (in the original post) and was blown away. Congrats to them on the glaad award!

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BASH'd! — the "gay rap opera" that played an award-winning run at the Toronto Fringe Festival before being part of the 11th annual New York International Fringe Festival in August 2007 — will make its Off-Broadway premiere June 12 at the Zipper Factory Theater.

Directed by Ron Jenkins, the production will officially open June 23. Producers are Stephen Kocis, Carl D. White, Paul Boskind and Michael Filerman.

BASH'd was penned by Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow — who star, respectively, as T-BAG and FEMINEM — with music by Aaron Macri.
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BASH'd! is the winner of a 2008 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding NY Theater. It was also named Outstanding Musical of the 2007 NY International Fringe Festival.

Show times are Mondays at 8 PM, Thursdays at 8 PM, Fridays at 7:30 and 10 PM and Saturdays at 8 PM.

Tickets, priced $25-$55, are available by calling (212) 352-3101 or by visiting www.thezipperfactory.com. The Zipper Factory Theater is located in Manhattan at 336 West 37th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues.
BASH'd! to Play Zipper Factory Beginning June 12

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I'm still kicking myself for missing this at the Toronto Fringe Festival (and then AGAIN when it returned) (serves me right for not keeping up).

All I heard was amazing things from people that managed to get tickets here so I'm glad it's getting a longer run in New York!

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