Kathleen Turner, Isaac Oliver, Justin Sayre and More Set for Fall 2015 at Joe's Pub
By: BWW News Desk Sep. 11, 2015
This fall, Joe's Pub at The Public welcomes a slate of shows that redefine entertainment. Ranging from comedy to literary to music, and often combining all three, these shows and series will make audiences think twice or not at all.
Family favorites The Meeting * Hosted by Justin Sayre, Never Sleep Alone, The Employee of the Month Show w/ Catie Lazarus and Women of Letters return for full seasons of their beloved shows.
The Talent Show w/ Elna Baker & Kevin Townley makes its debut at Joe's Pub, which will also become their new performance home.
Monday, September 14 at 9:30PM
$12
Remarkable performer Ikechukwu Ufomadu, described as the son that Woody Allen and Frank Sinatra never had, invites you to an intimate evening of choice comedic fare; a singular mélange of wry humor, special guests and musical interludes. Ufomadu is an actor, comedian and entertainer. His original, live talk show IKE AT NIGHT has played sold out runs at JACK and the Public Theater's Under the Radar Festival.
THE MEETING* HOSTED BY JUSTIN SAYRE
Sundays, September 27, October 25, November 22 & December 20 at 9:30PM;
Monday, December 21 at 7:00PM
$15-$20
The Meeting* hosted by Justin Sayre, the acclaimed comedy/variety show hailed as "rambunctious, uproarious and unpredictable" by The Wall Street Journal, has returned to its downtown roots this year for another season of shows. Each month, Sayre's International Order of Sodomites (I.O.S.) gathers to honor an artist or a cultural work that is iconic to the gay community. Sayre is the show's creator, writer and host, serving as the Chairman of the Board of the I.O.S. The September show will be a celebration of Whitney Houston, with special guests to be announced. The season features tributes to the cult film "Practical Magic" for Halloween (October 25), legendary composer Billy Strayhorn (November 22) for his centennial and the 7th annual Holiday Spectacular (December 20). Tracy Stark serves as the show's Music Director.
THE EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH SHOW W/ CATIE LAZARUS
Thursday, September 24; Thursday, October 29; & Friday, November 20 at 9:30PM;
Thursday, December 17 at 7:00PM
$20 Adv / $25 Doors
Ever wonder what it's like to have a dreamy job? Comedian Catie Lazarus did too, so she created a candid, fun talk show about work. Come see why The New York Times calls Employee of the Month "beloved" and The New Yorker says, "her line of inquiry is decidedly unorthodox." Her February 2015 show featured Jon Stewart's first interview following his announcement that he was leaving The Daily Show. Lazarus builds each show with great care, inviting guests from every walk of life, like Gloria Steinem, Paula Pell, Taylor Schilling, Stephen Dubner (Freakonomics), Lewis Black, Jill Abramson, Jonathan Ames, Rachel Maddow, Josh Katz (former CIA agent), Lin-Manuel Miranda and Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog. Her shows also feature musical guests, original videos and live band (Beyondo, Shockwave and Jelly Donut of Freestyle Love Supreme).
Wednesdays, October 7, November 4 & December 9 at 7:00PM
$20
Women of Letters is everyone's favorite literary salon! Every month, New York's best and brightest women come together on stage to celebrate the lost art of letter writing. For the October installment, expect laughter, tears, and camaraderie as host Sofija Stefanovic welcomes guests reading "a letter to my 80-year-old self." The lineup is Kathleen Turner, Lisa Kron, Mara Wilson, Margaret Colin, Susannah Cahalan and Elyssa East.
Letters veterans include: Molly Ringwald, Edie Falco, Susan Orlean, Martha Wainwright, Siri Hustvedt, Amanda Palmer, Melissa Auf Der Maur, JD Samson, Tavi Gevinson, Stoya, Ophira Eisenburg, Yael Stone, Jena Malone, Jenny Eliscu, Jean Grae and more. Proceeds are donated to charity, with over $750,000 being raised globally to date. NYC events benefit the New York Women's Foundation. Women of Letters is produced by Trish Nelson's BanterGirl.
THE TALENT SHOW W/ ELNA BAKER & KEVIN TOWNLEY
Tuesday, October 13 & Monday, November 16 at 9:30PM; Wednesday, December 16 at 7:00PM
$15
The Talent Show creates an entirely new event each month based on a theme. Embracing the inherent danger of live performance, they create shows that challenge and surprise both the audience and performers alike. New York Magazine called The Talent Show, the "Best Variety Show." For their Joe's Pub debut in October, hosts Elna Baker and Kevin Townley will tackle the theme of Mysteries of the Unknown with comedians Maeve Higgins, Dave Hill and more to be announced.
Friday, October 30 at 7:00PM
$30
Legendary composer David Amram and his quintet perform Beat-era classics, and accompany actor John Ventimiglia (The Sopranos), poets Bob Holman and Frank Messina, and guitarist Lee Ranaldo (Sonic Youth) as they read the works of Jack Kerouac. The show will feature guest speaker, author and biographer Joyce Johnson, as well as musical guest, Tyrone Cotton. Proceeds support the Jack Kerouac Writer-in-Residence Project of Orlando, home to more than 50 writers since 2000.
Saturday, October 31 & November 21 at 9:30PM
$30-$40
Never Sleep Alone is an interactive comedy and music show starring sex and dating coach Dr. Alex Schiller. "Singles" mix in the front and become active participants in the show, joining Dr. Alex on stage for blind dates and interactive demonstrations "Voyeurs" watch from the back, and everyone sings along as the provocative and irreverent Dr. Alex leads her audience through a deliriously funny and wildly entertaining evening. The night continues at an after-party at a nearby club, giving you the opportunity to apply the lessons you've learned at the show on sexy strangers. The October 31st show will be a special Halloween Costume Party including a very special prize for the sexiest and most intriguing costume.
Thursday, November 5 at 7:00PM
$20
Writer Isaac Oliver, hailed as a "monstrous new talent" by New York Magazine and recently named one of The Advocate's "People to Watch in 2015," returns to Joe's Pub following the release of his celebrated book, Intimacy Idiot, a hilarious and heartfelt collection of true stories about sex, love, and connection in New York City. Oliver will read excerpts from his book as well as his other works. Jesse Tyler Ferguson has said, "Isaac Oliver is one of the funniest, sharpest and smartest writers I have ever encountered ... on Grindr. His book is pretty hilarious too."
For tickets, visit joespub.com, call 10AM-7:00PM daily at 212-967-7555, or in person at The Public Theater Box Office, 425 Lafayette Street, NYC (Opens daily at 2PM). There is a $12 food / two (2) drink minimum per person per show, unless otherwise noted.
Named for Public Theater founder Joe Papp, Joe's Pub at The Public opened in 1998 and plays a vital role in The Public's mission of supporting young artists while providing established artists with an intimate space to perform and develop new work. Joe's Pub presents the best in live music and performance nightly, continuing its commitment to diversity, production values, community and artistic freedom. The organization also offers unique opportunities like New York Voices, an artist commissioning program that provides musicians the resources and tools needed to develop original theater works. Commissioned artists have included Ethan Lipton, Toshi Reagon, Bridget Everett, Allen Toussaint and more. In 2011, the Pub received a top-to-bottom renovation, leading to improved sightlines, expanded seating capacity and a new menu from acclaimed Chef Andrew Carmellini. With its intimate atmosphere and superior acoustics, Joe's Pub presents talent from all over the world as part of The Public's programming downtown at its Astor Place home, hosting approximately 800 shows and serving over 100,000 audience members annually.
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, The Public Theater is the only theater in New York that produces Shakespeare and the classics, musicals, contemporary and experimental pieces in equal measure. The Public continues the work of its visionary founder, Joe Papp, by acting as an advocate for the theater as an essential cultural force, and leading and framing dialogue on some of the most important issues of our day. Creating theater for one of the largest and most diverse audience bases in New York City for nearly 60 years, today the Company engages audiences in a variety of venues-including its landmark downtown home at Astor Place, which houses five theaters and Joe's Pub; the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home to its beloved, free Shakespeare in the Park; and the Mobile Unit, which tours Shakespearean productions for underserved audiences throughout New York City's five boroughs. The Public's wide range of programming includes free Shakespeare in the Park, the bedrock of the Company's dedication to making theater accessible to all, new and experimental stagings at The Public at Astor Place, and a range of artist and audience development initiatives including its Public Forum series, which brings together theater artists and professionals from a variety of disciplines for discussions that shed light on social issues explored in Public productions. The Public Theater is located on property owned by the City of New York and receives annual support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. The LuEsther T. Mertz Charitable Trust provides leadership support for The Public Theater's year-round activities.
Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos
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