Ars Nova Announces ANT Fest 2010, 10/19-11/20
By: Erica Anker Sep. 30, 2010
Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) proudly announces the lineup for ANT Fest 2010. This year's thirty-show lineup features a range of talent, covering everything from sketch comedy to musical theater to ventriloquist rock, all on the Ars Nova stage! Conceived as a way of offering emerging artists of all kinds a point of entry into the New York arts community, this year's shows were selected from an open submission process that drew nearly 200 applicants. Now in its third year, the festival of All New Talent has quickly established itself as the premier destination to catch an eclectic mix of brand new music, theater and comedy shows. It has also become an important first step in the development process of various projects, such as Seven Minutes in Heaven (ANT Fest 2009; HERE Arts Center Spring 2010), Songs of a Night Owl (ANT Fest 2009, Berkshire Theater Festival Summer 2010 as Pool Boy), Samuel and Alasdair (ANT Fest 2009, 2010 NY Independent Theater Award for Outstanding Production of a Play), and Ithaca (ANT Fest 2008, sold out Joe's Pub run in 2009). In addition to the thirty ANT Fest shows, Ars Nova will also be offering its hit variety show, Showgasm, throughout the Fest. Featuring a mix of current and previous Fest artists, the first installation will be a special ANT Fest Kickoff Showgasm, at 8pm on October 18. The following two will be late night (10pm) on November 5 and 19. As always, all Showgasms are FREE, but reservations are encouraged and can be made at www.arsnovanyc.com/showgasm. ANT Fest 2010 will run Monday-Saturday at 8pm, October 18-November 20 at Ars Nova (511 W. 54 St.) All tickets are $10 and are available at www.arsnovanyc.com or (212) 352-3101.
Bandter: The Show
Created & Performed by Jon Friedman, Jon Murray & Andy Stuckey
Less Rock, more talk! Comedian/author Jon Friedman and comedy/music duo Stuckey & Murray
are forming a band. They've got the banter down... Wednesday, October 20
What Happened to Bill Viola?
Written by Cory Hinkle; Directed by Pirronne Yousefzadeh
Guerilla video, emotional ballad and mindblowingly groundbreaking performance converge in this
inquiry into the life of the GREATEST ARTIST EVER. Thursday, October 21
Rags Parkland
Created & performed by Andrew R. Butler; Directed by Jordan Fein
Interstellar-stowaway and folk singer-songwriter Rags Parkland sings about androids, apocalypse,
robots and love in the year 2250. Friday, October 22
Stir Fry
Performed by Stefan Weiner & Stir Fry
This Brooklyn band concocts their sound from the freshest musical ingredients, including
mandolin, omnichord, autoharp, singing saw and old-fashioned guitar.
Maddy Mann's Bible Storyz - with a Z!
Created & Performed by Ryan Migge, with Andrew Hansen & Brandon Michael Arrington;
Directed by Suzanne Agins
Catholic school sophomores Maddy Mann, Lexi Miller and Noah Little mix pop songs with old
testament stories to serve up the most Godtastic, Biblicious, Good Newsical ever! Bring your
heathen friends! Monday, October 25
antTunes
Phenomenal new musical theater, featuring selections from (if you have to) Close Your Eyes,
Music by Julia Meinwald, Lyrics by Gordon Leary; and Separate: Battle Songs of Youth, Music
and Lyrics by Kyle Ewalt and Michael I. Walker. Tuesday, October 26
The uniVERSE Project
Created & Performed by Clifton Duncan; Directed by Ethan McSweeny
Rap, dance and storytelling blend into a personal narrative mixtape in this virtuosic performance
from theatrical dynamo Clifton Duncan. Wednesday, October 27
Delilah Dix: Showin' My Business
Created & Performed by Amy Albert; Directed by Peter Michael Marino
Boozy, fading cabaret floozy Delilah Dix dishes up salty tales of her life in show business, the
business of show, and showing her business. Thursday, October 28
Campfire
Created & Performed by David Cope, Matt Fisher & Justin Tyler
NY's funniest, rising improv-ers and sketch-ers field personal questions to shape a night of act
outs, standup and the occasional nervous breakdown! Friday, October 29
The Harmonious Pimps of Harmony's Last Show
Created & Performed by Daniel Hartley, Adam Lerman, Joel Perez
For their final show, these absurdly famous hip-hocapella masters showcase their careers, lives and really sexy futures. Fans expected: 68 billion. Saturday, October 30
FAIL: Failures
Written by Sarah Burgess; Directed by Andy Donald
Fifteen forms of failure, demonstrated live by two brave actors. Monday, November 1
Friends in Transient Places
Written by Jonathan Caren; Directed by Kerry Whigham
A handful of passengers end their journeys with new baggage in this wild musical ride through
airports and skies. Tuesday, November 2
Great Dog Almighty
Performed by Great Dog Almighty
Wild backwoods rowdiness and a shot of smooth Southern charm define this Civil War-themed
bluegrass collective full of old Appalachian sound. Wednesday, November 3
Grace McLean Lives In Concert
Created & Performed by Grace McLean; Directed by Timothy Michael Drucker
Somewhere between concert theatre and nirvana, McLean's soulful voice tackles NYC loving and
living in a time of oil spills, volcanoes and Justin Beiber. Thursday, November 4
Sharon Kenny: My Name Is Sharon
Performed by Sharon Kenny
This indie songstress and piano virtuoso uniquely blends classical, pop and musical theatre to
create quirky, witty and unapologetically honest tunes. Friday, November 5
Radio Star
Written & Performed by Tanya O'Debra; Music by Andrew Mauriello; Directed by Peter
James Cook
Watch (but mainly listen) to this radio detective spoof as Miss O'Debra lends her voice to a cast of
characters with help from her trusty soundman. Saturday, November 6
The Continuing Story Of Carla Rhodes
Created & Performed by Carla Rhodes
Rock'n'roll ventriloquist Carla Rhodes' comedic rock opera features Keith Richards (in puppet
form) and live music by The Extravaganzas! Monday, November 8
I Am Frightened of My Body
Written by Laura Jacqmin; Directed by Laura Savia
As children, our bodies were shiny and new. Then came the odors, acne, org*sms... Comic
monologues explore reasons to be very afraid. Tuesday, November 9
She Wants to Sing!
Created & Performed by Jen Kwok; Directed by Juliet Jeske
Jazz chanteuse, You Tube sensation, Ann Curry and Gaga-esque diva: funny girl Jen Kwok
embodies songbirds with dreams of stardom and neuroses to match. Wednesday, November 10
Morning Bash
Created & Performed by Dan St. Germain; Written & Performed by Mike Terry
Pop open a bottle of party for an off-roading excursion through laugh country on America's
Favorite Morning Radio Show; it's the Morning Bash! Thursday, November 11
I'm From Outer Space
Written by Tim Duncheon; Directed by Ashley Rodbro
Meet Jason. Born in a wormhole, now on Earth with a promising future, eccentric girlfriend and
big dreams. But what does it all mean? Friday, November 12
Nuevo Latino - Una Fiesta de Musica
In Conjunction with Latin American Culture Week
La Vie Productions & The Groove Grove present salsa, jazz and rock n' roll - with a South
American flair, starring an electric night of new Latin bands from Nueva York! Saturday, November 13
Mrs. Smith Presents...
Co-Created & Performed by David Hanbury; Co-Created & Directed by Michael Goldfried
Mrs. Smith Presents a Benefit for the Carlyle Foundation Empowerment School for People and
Cats with Severe and Persistent Challenges. Monday, November 15
ANT FEST Double Bill
A Morning with Michael (or I Am My Own Skin)
Created & Performed by Michael Burbach
She's Sleep
Created & Performed by Kristine Haruna Lee
First join Michael Burbach as he power mixes through his morning routine in A Morning with
Michael. Then enter the mind of a Japanese girl aspiring to be the perfect Latina ingénue in She's
Sleep. Tuesday, November 16
Cold Turkey
Created & Performed by Matthew George, Ethan Kuperberg, Will Stephen
When three troubled teens are asked to perform skits, no one expects them to create a musical
extravaganza. No one wanted them to, either. Wednesday, November 17
Love in the Time of Channukah
Written by Joshua Elias Harmon; Directed by Mia Rovegno
College freshman gayboi is celebrating Channukah on his own for the first time. A gay fantasia
(sans Kushner) in praise of Beyonce. Thursday, November 18
We're Really Happy and Have No Problems
Co-Created & Performed by Lauren Blumenfeld and Lucas Kavner; Co-Created & Directed
by Peter James Cook
NYTimes.com "Vows" videos inspire this comedic look at the projection of perfection, as couples
overshare the happiest goddamn day of their lives! Friday, November 19
Supergood Reality
Created & Performed by Stephen Jackson Taylor
Live sound recording and video projecting; an exploration of the contemplation of our perception
of Supergood Reality; a party/show like no other. Saturday, November 20
Cinemediocracy
Created & Performed by Dylan Dawson; Directed by Stephen Brackett
Writer/performer/ex-Kim's Video employee Dylan Dawson and friends invite you into mom's
basement for an unforgettable night with a truly forgettable film.About Ars Nova
Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing theatre, comedy and music artists in the Early Stages of their professional careers. Our unique development programs are designed to support outside-the-box thinking and encourage innovative, genre-bending work. By providing a safe environment where risk-taking and collaboration are paramount, Ars Nova gives voice to a new generation of artists and audiences, pushing the boundaries of live entertainment by nurturing creative ideas into smart, surprising new work. For more information on Ars Nova's programs, visit www.arsnovanyc.com. Ars Nova was founded in memory of Gabe Wiener. Producing credits include: Now Circa Then, Bloodsong of Love, Missed Connections NYC, Sax & Dixon: We Thee Wed, Mel & El: Show & Tell, Two Girls for Five Bucks and the Ten Dollar Heartbreakers, Playlist, Jollyship the Whiz-Bang, Boom, From Up Here, Dixie's Tupperware Party, At Least It's Pink, 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother, Holy Cross Sucks!, Freestyle Love Supreme and The Wau Wau Sisters.
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