SHOWGASM, TOE PICK!, ON THIS ISLAND and More Set for Ars Nova, Feb-March 2014

Ars Nova announces a February and March lineup featuring exciting new comedy, music and theater programming.

Coming up in February and March:
(All shows are at 8pm unless otherwise noted)

Showgasm. Valentine's Day Edition! (Thursday, 2/13; $5)

What is Showgasm you ask? It's a character actress fever dream, inherently knowing the choreography to Rhythm Nation, the anti-messy bun. Or more simply put, a raucous variety show with performances ranging from hilarious to titillating to utterly inappropriate. Come. You've never looked better!

Hosted by John Early. Featuring DJ Hamm Samwich and performances by Bruce Bundy, Claywoman, Katina Corrao, Adam Feldman and additional performers to be announced.

TOE PICK! The Complete Ice Capades of Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding (Friday, 2/21; $15)

Created & Performed by Zackary Grady
Directed by Zackary Grady and Kevin Cahoon
All text transcribed from print and televised media
Featuring Lauren Blumenfeld, Kevin Cahoon, Jenny Donheiser, John Early, Janna Emig, Jessica Frey, Stephanie Hsu, Sunita Mani, Tallie Medel, Isaac Oliver, Nicole Spiezio and Eric Williams

In 1994, one whack propelled figure skaters Nancy Kerrigan and Tonya Harding into a tabloid frenzy that still captivates twenty years later. Who attacked Nancy? What did Tonya know? And most importantly, why?!?! Relive every moment as we put on our scrunchies and land our best triple axels in the greatest story ever to write itself.

UNCHARTED 2014: Kickoff Concert! (Monday, 2/24; $15)

Join us in welcoming the new members of our 2014 Uncharted Group with this celebratory kickoff concert! Throughout the year, music/theater makers Cesar Alvarez, Andrew R. Butler & Andrew Farmer, EllaRose Chary & Brandon James Gwinn, Cory Finley & Jeremy Lloyd and Landon Marcus & Chas LiBretto will come together with their peers from the founding group to support each other in the creation of brand new musicals. This intimate evening will feature selections from their songbooks and vibrant new tunes, paving the way for a banner year of creativity!

On This Island: Episode 8 (Tuesday, 2/25; $15)

Hosted by Adam Knight

Featuring folk singer Jay Brannan, author Jen McGuire, resident musician Phil Pickens, actor-writer Jiehae Park, opera sensation Anita Rachelishvili, filmmaker Jeff Seal and additional performers to be announced!

Join us for episode 8 of Slant Theatre Project's live-theatrical podcast, a night of New York City-inspired storytelling locals are bound to love! In this episode, Siren Song, musicians, writers and theater artists unite to explore their long-term relationships with this seductive port of call and question whether its allure ought to be trusted.

Dis' Bitch: An Evening with Michelle Buteau (Thursday, 2/27; $15)

You might recognize comedy superstar Michelle Buteau from Enlisted, Best Week Ever or The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. Unless you don't have a television, then just take our word for it - she's very famous. Prepare to have your life changed in a night of light-skinn'd-Caribbean-Jersey wonderment that you didn't even know existed. Seriously, have a good time, because there are no refunds. Trust.

This show comes to you as part of Ars Nova's Showgasm Spotlight series, designed to give artists working in the same adventurous vein as Ars Nova's monthly variety show, Showgasm. a chance to try out a full-length evening of work in front of a live audience.

You Like Me: An Evening of Classic Acceptance Speeches (Saturday, 3/1, $15 **7pm and 9:30pm shows**)

Created by Rachel Shukert & Michael Schulman
Directed by Peter James Cook
Featuring Mike Albo, Jackie Hoffman, Erin Markey, Michael Musto, The O'Debra Twins, Molly Pope, Justin Sayre and Varsity Interpretive Dance Squad

Spend Oscar Eve with some of downtown's funniest performers as they reinterpret classic speeches from award-show history, from Meryl Streep to Angelina Jolie. No celebrity is safe in this merciless send-up of self-congratulation!

About Ars Nova: Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing theater, comedy and music artists in the early stages of their professional careers. Its 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: Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy, directed by Rachel Chavkin (now in an Off-Broadway transfer production at Kazino); Eager to Lose, created by Matthew-Lee Erlbach, Wes Grantom, Portia Krieger and Tansy; ANT Fest; Core Values by Steven Levenson, directed by Carolyn Cantor; The Lapsburgh Layover by The Berserker Residents, directed by Oliver Butler; Be a Good Little Widow by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Stephen Brackett; Now Circa Then by Carly Mensch, directed by Jason Eagan; Bloodsong of Love by Joe Iconis, directed by John Simpkins; Sax & Dixon: We Thee Wed by John Dixon, Peter McNerney and Matt Sax, directed by Peter McNerney; Mel & El: Show & Tell by Melanie Adelman and Ellie Dvorkin, directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel; Two Girls for Five Bucks and the Ten Dollar Heartbreakers by Cathleen Carr and Daiva Deupree, directed by Andy Donald; Jollyship the Whiz-Bang by Nick Jones and Raja Azar, directed by Sam Gold; boom by Peter Sinn Nachtrieb, directed by Alex Timbers; From Up Here by Liz Flahive, directed by Leigh Silverman; Dixie's Tupperware Party by Kris Andersson, directed by Alex Timbers; At Least It's Pink by Bridget Everett and Kenny Mellman, directed by Michael Patrick King; 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother by Kate Moira Ryan with Judy Gold, directed by Karen Kohlhaas; Holy Cross Sucks! by Rob Nash, directed by Jeff Calhoun; Freestyle Love Supreme by Anthony Veneziale and Lin-Manuel Miranda, directed by Thomas Kail; and The Wau Wau Sisters, by Tanya Gagné and Adrienne Truscott, directed by Trip Cullman.

Tickets are on sale at www.arsnovanyc.com, 212-352-3101, or the Ars Nova box office starting 30 minutes prior to each show. Ars Nova is located at 511 West 54th StreetNew York, NY 10019.