Best Little Crackhouse in Philly Stars Pryor Jr., 8/5-8/19

Richard Pryor, Jr., will appear in the role of Pus Bucket in the Golden Pineapple-winning Best Little Crackhouse in Philly on Saturdays from August 5th through August 19th.

The show marks the New York theatrical debut of Pryor Jr., who is the son of the late great actor and comedian. The musical is featured in "Best in Fest" at the International Cringe Festival on the Lower East Side.  In addition, intermission entertainment will be by Master Lee & the Artstars, with local comedy-storytellers Zero Boy, Sue Ball, Mr. Patrick, The Red Bastard, and more.

"Best in Fest" is a command performance of the 3 most popular (and naughtiest) plays of the recent Bad Musicals Festival.  It plays Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., July 27th-August 19th, at Downeast Arts Center in the East Village .

Chris Widney and David Christian Azarow's LOVE.COM opens the show, with Large Marge meeting Leonard the Nerd in cyberspace.  "Inspired by A Confederacy of Dunces, they dream of hooking up in New Orleans … only as Paris in lingerie and Fabio in leather," according to press notes.

In The Sound of Wizards by Canadian playwright K. Knapp, "G Dubya meets Osama Vin Labia (and a senior Bob Dylan) where the bloody red brick meets the yellow brick road.  They bump into Nan the Nun (with a cartload of kids in lederhosen) and drugged-out Dotty, an over-the-hill hippie trying to get back to Woodstock .  Meanwhile, Barbara Bush has been turned into… oh well, let's save that for later."

Best Little Crackhouse in Philly rounds out the evening.  "Subtitled Or, Crackwhore… the Musical!, it is exactly as it sounds:  Pretty Woman meets Best Little Whorehouse -- and gives new meaning to a hoedown.  North Carolina writer-composer Stan Peal adds bouncy satirical tunes to the gritty tale and, believe it or not, comes up with poignant moments and a moralistic finale."

"The festival is the brainchild of artistic director Melba LaRose and the company of NY Artists Unlimited.  They are now all being strung under the banner of The International Cringe Festival.  (There is a rumor that a Bad Films Festival is next).   As in the other festivals, audience members vote for their favorite bad offering of the evening and competition is fierce.  Saturday, August 19, brings presentation of the World (Fruit) Cup:  the coveted Platinum Pineapple, Golden Raspberry and Silver Banana.

In addition, NY Artists Unlimited has put out the call for submissions for their fall/winter 2nd Annual Bad Plays Festival.  The world's first festival sold out, garnered major media attention, and attracted Broadway producers.  What qualifies as a 'bad' play? -- anything campy, risqué, taboo, political satire, politically incorrect, etc., but which keeps the audience laughing/ entertained throughout." Please visit the website for instructions:  www.nyartists.org.  Plays will not be accepted without an application fee and following of guidelines.

"As a side note, like many of its colleagues, NY Artists Unlimited/Downeast Arts Center has been fighting the good fight.  The City of New York is selling the building in which they are located.  Courtesy of Senator Martin Connor, a meeting was facilitated with the organization buying the building, at which Mary Spink & Lower East Side People's Mutual Housing made a reasonable offer for the company to continue in residence.  Nothing is on paper yet, but the deal looks good and they are excited to join with Mary Spink in preserving housing and culture for low-income residents of the Lower East Side .  With a 24-year history of serving under-served audiences throughout NYC, the company plans to continue touring as well as offering an expanded program of the arts to visitors and neighbors of Lower Manhattan .  Currently touring are:  Voices of the Town - A Vaudeville Salute! and Little Red - Girl from the Hood."

NY Artists Unlimited, Inc. is a multicultural nonprofit organization, supported in part by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, National Endowment for the Arts, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Puffin Foundation, and others.  For further information, please visit www.nyartists.org.

"Best in Fest" shows are $20 at door; $15 advance purchase/seniors/students; shows take place at Downeast Arts Center (203 Avenue A between 12 & 13 Streets).  Call the box office at 212-228-2886 for tickets.