Blickenstaff, Blackwell et al. Lead Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular at Ars Nova, 12/19

Ars Nova (Jason Eagan, Artistic Director; Jeremy Blocker, Managing Director) proudly announces the return of The Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular. Joe Iconis and cast members from his musical, Bloodsong of Love, are joined by a merry band of musical theater punks in this third annual insane celebration of all things red and green. Featuring brand new holiday songs, old favorites, tiny elves, enormous reindeer, an inebriated Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and an ungodly number of candy canes, it promises to be the happiest holiday hoedown you've ever seen.

The last performance will be on Sunday, December 19 at 6:30. Tickets are $20 and are on sale now at www.arsnovanyc.com or by calling (212) 352-3101.

Joe Iconis is the writer of Bloodsong of Love: The Rock?N?Roll Spaghetti Western, which had a Drama Desk nominated production at Ars Nova this past Spring. He is the recipient of an Ed Kleban Award, a Daryl Roth Award, and a Jonathan Larson Award. His theatrical rock concert, Things to Ruin, has played two critically-acclaimed engagements, at The Zipper Theater and at Second Stage Theatre, and recently had a cast recording released on Sh-K-Boom/ Ghostlight Records. His garage rock musical, The Black Suits, played SPF at The Public Theater, and his family rock musical for TheaterWorksUSA, The Plant that Ate Dirty Socks, completed a summer run at the Lortel Theater and a national tour. His three-part rock musical Rewrite played Urban Stages and Goodspeed, and is now licensed by Samuel French. In addition to his theater work, Joe has played numerous sold-out gigs with his Rock and Roll Jamboree show, a musical theater/rock'n'roll collective made up his (very talented!) friends. Joe frequently performs at Joe's Pub, The Laurie Beechman Theater, Ars Nova, and Sardi's. For more information visit: www.mrjoeiconis.com.

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: ANT Fest, 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.

The Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular is written and performed by Joe Iconis and directed by John Simpkins. Performers include Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, Liz Lark Brown, Bill Coyne,
Katrina Rose Dideriksen, Melanie Field, Annie Golden, Molly Hager, Laura Hartle, Natalie Hinds, Matt Hinkley, Ian Kagey, MK Lawson, Lorinda Lisitza, Lauren Marcus, Eric William Morris, Jeremy Morse, Ray Munoz, Ashley Rodbro, Lance Rubin, Katie Schorr, A. J. Shively, Brent Stranathan, Rachel Sussman, Jared Weiss, Jason "Sweettooth" Williams, and Ross Wolkenbrod.

Photo Credit: Monica Simoes