Hurlyburly
Hurlyburly
February 14 - March 1, 2014
Hurlyburly
February 14 - March 1, 2014
by David Rabe
Set in the cocaine-and-sex infused Hollywood Hills of the mid-1980s, HURLYBURLY is a chilling comedy focusing on compelling characters caught in a world of parties, backbiting, lies, and self-obsession in the decade of decadence. But a string of encounters with destiny convinces one of them to dig beneath the surface to discover his soul.
Reviews
“A powerful revival! Variations Theatre Group is one of the very best off off Broadway companies around. Terrific! This is a well-directed and well-performed powerful, gritty play, depicting the levels of depravity to which men (and women) may descend. Not to be missed!”
— A Seat on the Aisle
“Entertaining, unexpected and masterful! Immersive theatre! The protagonist – Eddie – is played by the superbly talented Kirk Gostkowski. He would not be able to achieve his outstanding performance without the support of an impeccable ensemble. Rich Ferraioli’s direction is what allows these talents to shine because he uses every single inch of the stunning set to keep his actors always on the move. Ferraioli has choreographed a piece that flows with energy and clarity and, impossibly, considers every sightline to ensure full audience engagement. This show at The Chain Theatre has not a single weak link!”
— The Public Reviews
“The cast lives up to the demands of the script: Kirk Gostkowski’s Eddie lies at the center of this (sometimes self-inflicted) maelstrom, and often holds back with a dead-eyed coolness that erupts into concentric circles of furious self-absorption; his energy does not flag, and he does the heavy lifting of the piece with eager aplomb!”
— New York Theatre Experience
“Wonderful! The costumes, lighting, props and music are all period specific, and help create an absolute immersive experience into the narcissistic, neutron bomb-fearing, drug-hazed melee that was the mid-1980s. The almost constant consumption of weed, dope and booze is literally right in your face, to the point that you almost get a contact high. Kirk Gostkowski as Eddie, Deven Anderson as Mickey, Brandon Scott Hughes as Phil, and Chris Harcum as Artie, do admirable jobs breathing life into their characters. Each actor finds balance between the vulnerability and the rage that motivates his character.”
— Theatre Is Easy
“First rate ensemble!”
— Theater Pizzazz
“Kirk Gostkowski is well-cast as Eddie, for while likable, he’s not afraid to embrace the awfulness of Eddie either. Deven Anderson is also a standout as Mickey, smooth and cold, with impeccable timing. Christina Elise Perry, Rachel Cora and Jacklyn Collier do strong work.”
— A Work Unfinishing
“Eddie is played by a delightfully manic yet not-over-the-top Kirk Gostkowski. Gostkowski delivers a realistic performance that captures the essence of Eddie’s personal crisis with all its highs and lows. Eddie is confused, angry, hurt and depressed — sometimes all at once — and Gostkowski makes it all very believable. Brandon Scott Hughes also brings a sense of desperate urgency to lost soul Phil.”
— Times Ledger
“The production does a wonderful job capturing the caustic and bombastic feel of the 1980s and nights fueled by drugs and alcohol.”
— Queens Tribune
“Those who have never seen this work done on stage should consider going the ‘extra mile’ to Long Island City and catching this rarely revived play. Playing the central character Eddie, Kirk Gostkowski delivers the right mix of callousness and vulnerability, blending each in equal proportion. R. Allen Babcock’s set and lighting convey the appropriate seediness of the digs nestled in Hollywood Hills. David Rabe’s play, set in a house in the Hollywood Hills ‘a little while ago’ is pertinent to today’s headlines. And it still speaks to the heart.”
— TheaterScene.net
Director: Rich Ferraioli
Associated Director: Greg Chicchino
Production Design: R. Allen Babcock
Costume Design: Samantha Newby
Sound Design: Gregory Russ
Stage Manager: Garrett Guilbeau
Starring
Eddie: Kirk Gostkowski
Micky: Deven Anderson
Phil: Brandon Scott Hughes
Artie: Chris Harcum*
Darline: Christina Elise Perry*
Bonnie: Jacklyn Collier*
Donna: Rachel Cora*
*Actors appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association
Talk Radio
Talk Radio
September 12 - 27, 2014
Talk Radio
by Eric Bogosian
September 12 - 27, 2014
Eric Bogosian’s Talk Radio—his breakthrough 1987 Public Theater hit that was made into a film by Oliver Stone—was revived in 2007 in a “mesmerizing” (Newsday) production on Broadway, with Liev Schreiber playing the role of the late-night shock jock that Bogosian himself originated. The drama is set in the studio of Cleveland’s WTLK Radio over the course of Barry Champlain’s two-hour broadcast, being scrutinized that night by producers with an interest in taking the show national, and fueled as always by coffee, cocaine, and Jack Daniel’s. Barry’s jousts with his unseen callers—ranging from a white supremacist to a woman obsessed with her garbage disposal—are peppered with insights into his character from his ex-deejay pal and his sometime girlfriend/producer, and punctuated with a transformative visit from an embodied voice.
“YOUR FEAR, YOUR OWN LIVES, HAVE BECOME YOUR ENTERTAINMENT.”
Set in 1987 it is a darkly satiric play about a radio announcer, host of a call in program which explores the modern obsession with disembodied advice and conversation.
Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Drama 1988
Eric Bogosian is a writer and actor who over the last twenty years has authored five full-length plays and created six full-length solos for himself, including subUrbia; Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll; Pounding Nails in the Floor with My Forehead; and Drinking in America. He is the recipient of three OBIE Awards and a Drama Desk Award, and has toured throughout the United States and Europe.
reviews
“A taut production… a gut spilling, stomach wrenching performance by the cast. Made me just about forget about Eric Bogosian and Liev Schreiber. Do yourself a favor and take the 7 train to Long Island City.”
— Jim Taylor, CBS Radio Review
“This is the way theatre is supposed to be… Kirk Gostkowski’s Barry is electrifying…Director Greg Cicchino deserves high praise for presenting a brisk, exciting and raw evening of comedy and drama at the lovely Chain Theatre, an intimate space that allowed the audience to be thrust right into the action of the play with the actors, experiencing what they experience…Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to an evening of Talk Radio at The Chain Theatre and you will enjoy an engaging evening of indie theatre at its best, with stellar performances across the board.”
— Why Leave Astoria?!
5 STAR REVIEW: “Riveting…There is nothing better than theatre that gives you ideas to mull over on the way home, and then when you get home, and then the next morning when you wake up. The actors that dispatch these ideas here do so with a talent as elegant as the arc of their story.”
— The Public Reviews
“Champlain is played with unwavering focus… Gostkowski is up to the task, and remains in charge from start to finish. He smokes, drinks, sweats, swears and carries on multiple conversations seemingly simultaneously…Interestingly, it is the unseen callers who are among the most memorable personalities. A small group of actors provides the varied voices splendidly…Under the astute direction of Greg Cicchino, the play remains gripping throughout.”
— Queens Chronicle
“It’s wonderful watching Kirk Gostkowski work his magic. Rewarding and relevant. A fun ride!”
— Theatre is Easy
Director: Greg Cicchino
Production Design: Aaron Gonzalez
Sound Design: Greg Russ
Stage Manager: Sebastian Gutierrez
Starring
Barry Champlain: Kirk Gostkowski
Stu Noonan: Patrick Pizzolorusso*
Linda Macarthur: Christina Elise Perry*
Dan Woodruff: Timothy J. Cox*
Kent: Gordon Palagi
Debbie, Female Caller: Lauren Allison
Dr. Susan Fleming, Female Caller: Kelly Jean Clair*
Ruth, Female Caller: Rebecca Hoodwin*
Chet, Male Caller: Mark A. Keeton*
Bernie, Male Caller: Peter Osterweil
Spike: Sebastian Gutierrez
Sid Greenberg, Male Caller: Doug Shapiro*
Stu Noonan (Select Performances): Nick Fondulis*
*Actors appearing courtesy of Actors Equity Association
Boogie Stomp!
Boogie Stomp
MAY 8 - 31, 2014
Boogie Stomp!
COMING STRAIGHT FROM A SOLD OUT TOUR OF RUSSIA
FOR A RARE EXCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT!
MAY 8-31, 2014
Boogie Stomp! the Stage Play is an evening in the theater with two of the greatest jazz/boogie/stride/blues pianists in the world. Together, they tell the story of boogie woogie, its origins, subsequent history and ongoing development, and how it relates to all of American music.
Boogie Stomp! is the story of relationships. The basic elements of the original American music that came to be called blues, jazz, swing, stride, boogie, rhythm and blues and eventually rock and roll are rhythm, improvisation and syncopation. How these elements are related to the various names given to the music over the last hundred years is talked about, explained, and demonstrated in a thoroughly entertaining and “move you out of your seat” manner.
The story is told by two of the best performers of American piano music in the world, who not only inform but keep the audience smiling and moving with virtuoso performances from beginning to end.
No matter what your musical preferences, you will find something to like in this evening of wide ranging styles that are closely related to each other through their basic elements.
BOB BALDORI
Boogie Bob Baldori has been a mainstay of blues, boogie and rock in the midwest for over 40 years. He has performed hundreds of dates in venues from Detroit to Chicago, LA to New York to the White House for President Clinton. In addition to recording and performing his own material, Boogie Bob has produced and engineered over 200 albums. He also wrote and starred in ALMOST FAMOUS, a rock/musical that had five successful productions starting at the Boarshead Theater in Lansing, Michigan, moving to the Wharton Center at MSU, Les Idee in Grand Rapids, The Apollo Theater in Chicago and in 1998 at The Limelight Theater, Toronto. He also combines a law practice with his recording/performing career, representing many clients including Hubert Sumlin and Chuck Berry in the entertainment field.
Baldori has written a collection of original piano solos that will be published in October of 2005 and is completing an instructional book on improvisational piano and a book of over 250 exercises for jazz/blues/boogie improvisation.
Baldori started his career in the late sixties in Detroit with his group, The Woolies, and soon released a national hit, WHO DO YOU LOVE. In the following years, in addition to touring and performing extensively and recording on his own, he backed up Chuck Berry, playing hundreds of dates and recording two albums with Mr. Berry. In addition to Berry, Boogie Bob has worked and recorded with many other blues and rock legends, playing piano and harmonica. They include Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Luther Allison, Del Shannon, John Hammond, Hubert Sumlin and Bo Diddley. Along the way he developed a style of piano playing heavily influenced by boogie, jazz, and the relentless blues styles of Lafayette Leake, Otis Spann, James Booker and Johnny Johnson. If you like classic, no holds barred rocking piano boogie, this is for you!
ARTHUR MIGLIAZZA
Award winning Blues and Boogie Woogie pianist Arthur Migliazza began playing the piano at age 9. It was through his love of Blues music and his dedication to the piano that he came under the wing of such mentors/teachers as Henry Butler, Ann Rabson and Mr. B. Aside from these direct influences, Arthur spent many years listening to and studying the recordings of piano players such as Otis Spann, Champion Jack Dupree, Jimmy Yancey, Professor Longhair, James Booker, Jay McShann, Katie Webster, and many more.
Arthur has been inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of Fame, was a finalist at the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, and has shared the stage with Albert Lee, John Mooney, Little Milton, Buckwheat Zydeco, Guitar Shorty, Saffire the Uppity Blues Women, Cephas and Wiggins, Robert Cray, Bob Margolin, Elvin Bishop, Tommy Castro, Bob Malone, Bruce Katz, Henry Butler and David Maxwell to name a few, in venues all over the US, Europe and Japan.
In addition to being a performer, Arthur began teaching piano lessons at age 15. During the last 15 years he has frequently been a part of the staff at the internationally famous Augusta Blues Week in Elkins, WV and Centrum Blues Week in Port Townsend, WA.
A common response to watching Arthur perform is “Wow, I didn’t know it was possible to play the piano like that!
Festival Appearances
Festival International de Blues and Boogie – Paris, FR 2012
Southern Arizona Blues Heritage Festival – Tucson, AZ2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012
Cincinnati Blues Festival (Arches Piano Stage) – Cincinnati, OH 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2007, 2009
Blues and Boogie Piano Summit – Newport, KY 2005
Notte Bianca – Voghera, IT 2007
The “Big Gig” – Monroe, MI 2012
Phoenix Blues Festival – Phoenix, AZ 2010
Dragula
Dragula
April 19, 2014
Variations Theatre Group continues its commitment
to develop new and exciting work with
Dragula the Musical
April 19, 2014
The “G” Spot, a cabaret where transvestites come for a night of carefree fun, is the home of the singing and dancing star DRAGULA. Dragula is the stage persona of Peter, a sensitive young man who finds his only true joy in life comes when performing as Dragula. The Right Reverend Bobby Swagger is determined to stop Dragula from spreading his “perverse sexuality”. Using the horrific Ma Daddy and a special formula provided by Tailgate the lesbian fortuneteller and her herbalist assistants, The Three Bitches, Swagger confronts Dragula.
After much soul searching Peter is determined not to be defeated by the bigotry of narrow-minded prejudice and with the support of his sister and his friends at the club, Peter fights back with honesty and a straightforward defiance to prove once and for all that “It’s all right to be a transvestite.” This laughter-filled, yet theme sensitive musical has the important message that if it’s not hurting anyone, people have the right to live any lifestyle they choose.
Written by
John Arthur Long and Theodore Kastrinos.
Music and Lyrics
John Arthur Long, George T. Kastrinos, and Theodore Kastrinos
Additional Music and Vocal Arrangements
Richie Iacona
STARRING
Justin Randolph, David Baldwin, Christina Elise Perry, James Lynch,
Bill Toscano, Alexandra Kopko, Carly Ozard, Victor Albaum, and Luis E. Mora.
Music Direction
Danny Musha
Choreography
Ashley Carter; performed by Ashley Carter, Vanessa Martinez de Baños,
Ariel Miasnik and Kaitlyn Pollock of DoubleTake Dance
Directed by
VTG Co-Artistic Director Kirk Gostkowski
It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Show
It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
December 5 - 21, 2014
It’s A Wonderful Life:
A Live Radio Play
Written by Joe Landry | Directed by Greg Cicchino
December 5 - 21, 2014
In "It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play" adapted by Joe Landry, the treasured holiday film comes to life before your eyes. 1940s radio players perform the story as a Christmas Eve broadcast with music and sound effects. A story of redemption that resonates with all ages, It’s A Wonderful Life has become our American “A Christmas Carol.” This production will be directed by VTG Managing Director Greg Cicchino and VTG Artistic Director Kirk Gostkowski will be playing George Bailey. Enjoy the timeless tale and give your whole family the gift of live theater!
The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe
Written by Jane Wagner | Starring Barbara Rosenblat
The Chain Theatre will be hosting a one night only staged reading benefit of The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe written by Jane Wagner and starring Barbara Rosenblat. Barbara may be best known for portraying Miss Rosa, the no nonsense bank robber and cancer patient on Orange Is the New Black, but she also has had an extremely illustrious career on the stage and as “the Meryl Streep of Audiobooks.” As a moving critique of modern society, this barbed but humane show continues to resonate with truth and accuracy today. Come see this poignant, sharp, and laugh-out-loud funny play.
Santa Claus: In Person!
We are also very honored to have Santa Claus, live and in person on Saturday December 6th at 12pm. He will be reading the Night Before Christmas and listening to your Christmas wishes. Pictures with Mr. Claus will be available.
A Yippie-Ki-Yay Christmas!
21 + | Two drinks included in the ticket price $15
It’s HARD to imagine what would the holidays be like without the magic of ’80s Action Christmas movies. Not a world we want to live in that’s for sure; I think we would just DIE of boredom. Come celebrate the season with a staged reading parody of one of the greatest films ever made. There will be audience participation, trivia, a raffle, and drinking. Welcome to the party pal!
Comedy Christmas Special
An Evening Night of Miracle Christmas Wishes with Johan Blindadorf and Friends
18+ | Join Finnish singing sensation Johan Blindadorf along with his friends in this Holiday spectacular. Come enjoy classic Christmas songs, have a few laughs and maybe even catch a glimpse of everyones favorite Christmas character Kli Kli the broom stealing gnome.
“The best show for families during the holidays”
— The Finland Tribune
“I smell success… and miracles”
— Newspaper Gazette Herald
“I’m not afraid of the dark, stop telling people I’m afraid of the dark”
— Johan Blindadorf