God Loves Tiny Tim

[NYUKULELE]

Posted: 12/4/08 at 4:47pm

If anyone is looking for a unique, very unusual piece of entertainment, look no further than “God Loves Tiny” Tim” at the Richmond Shepard Theater on East 26th Street and 2nd Avenue. It only runs on Sunday nights at 8, and it’s only $20. It’s a one man musical.

I’ve seen it three times now, and it really is a weird but captivating 80 or 90 minutes. It’s gotten some good reviews and notices, most notably in The New Yorker and on Martin Denton’s www.nytheatre.com

I don’t have any financial interest in the show or other involvement. Joe Franklin, the showbiz legend, is the producer. Now, if you’re young and don’t know who Tiny Tim was, please click YouTube and search for Tiny Tim. You will discover one of the weirdest, and at the time, most famous entertainment acts to ever come along.

Spats White is the author and performer. He does a rather amazing impression of the twisted genius that was Tiny Tim later in life, as well as playing a pretty mean ukulele. www.spatswhite.com

As I said, I have no interest in the show but it does deserve an audience, imo. In addition to reviving some very old tunes (circa 1918 – 1920) it’s kind of a ramble thru the Village back in the day when Bob Dylan was still playing for what folks threw in a tip basket.

In the interest of full disclosure, and a bit of self promo, this show was first seen at my annual NY Uke Fest www.nyukefest.com this past spring. I had no idea what it was going to be like. If I had, I might have angled for a piece of it. As it is, I’m still happy to be part of the cheering section.

Uke Jackson