Ars Nova Announces December Lineup

Ars Nova has announced their December lineup, featuring the "Uncharted" series as well as series of special events.

UNCHARTED

UNCHARTED blasts through industry blockades, providing a forum for burgeoning composers, singer/songwriters and bands to perform original music. Embracing an eclectic range of styles, this series serves as an incubator for groundbreaking musical talent.

Wednesday, December 3rd 8pm- Rachel Zylstra

She's not just another piano girl. Rachel Zylstra digs into the keys and lays a caramel alto over clear-eyed lyrics to redefine the classic singer-songwriter label. World-weary chanteuse? Sometimes. Love-struck ingénue? On occasion. Powerful, revelatory music? Always. Backed by gifted collaborators Emily Hope Price on cello and Matthew Gelfer on strings, Rachel celebrates the release of her newest CD with a performance that defies all expectations. www.rachelzylstra.com

Thursday, December 4th 8pm- Machinebird

Brooklyn-based phenomenon Machinebird brings its hard-rocking, harder-partying and totally unique brand of mayhem to Ars Nova. These five showmen blend Prince, Journey, Guns & Roses, David Bowie, and countless other influences into an electric elixir that you won’t soon forget (read: recover from). Come ready to dance away the December chill!  www.myspace.com/xmachinebirdx

Tuesday, December 16th 8pm- Michael Mahler: Ballads. Also, Uptempos.

East meets Midwest in this evening of songs by Chicago-based composer/lyricist Michael Mahler.  Performing material from his critically acclaimed musicals How Can You Run with a Shell on your Back? and Knute Rockne: All-American, as well as never before performed songs, Michael and his talented friends will delight and rock you with their mix of Midwest charm and New York bravado.  Directed by Jessica Redish. www.michaelmahler.com

Wednesday, December 17th 11pm- The Joe Iconis Christmas Spectacular

Join Joe Iconis and his merry band of musical theater punks in an insane celebration of all things red and green, wherein Joe and his friends learn the true meaning of Christmas. Featuring brand new holiday songs, old favorites, tiny elves, enormous reindeer, an inebriated Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and an ungodly number of candy canes, this promises to be the happiest and wildest holiday hoedown you've ever seen.  Yes, Virginia - Joe’s gonna give you something to wassail about, all right.

Special Events

Friday & Saturday- The Todd and Molly Show: In Everyone’s Pants, There’s a Dance
December 12th & 13th 8pm 
Come spend a night with the delightfully absurd and disarmingly hilarious sketch/variety/dancing duo Todd and Molly.  With original songs by David Pevsner and influences ranging from Mad TV to The Tracy Ullman Show, Todd and Molly promise to leave you with a smile on your face, a song in your heart and a dance in your pants!  Directed and choreographed by Karl Warden.
 
Sunday, December 14th 7pm- Ruth and Esther’s Egg Nog Revue
Everybody’s favorite southern belles return to Ars Nova to spread some Bulls Gap, Tennessee holiday cheer. Scandalous single gal Ruth (Marya Grandy) and retired schoolteacher Esther (Mark Blankenship) share their signature blend of neighborhood gossip, candid advice, and estimable dance moves.  If things get wild enough, Esther might just reveal her secret egg nog recipe.

The inaugural A.N.T. FEST continues through November 24th. Tickets are only $10.

As New York’s premiere hub for emerging artists and new work, Ars Nova is committed to developing and producing eclectic theatre, comedy and music to feed today’s popular culture.  To that end, Ars Nova strives to create daring collaborations, meld disciplines and give voice to a new generation of artists.  Past productions include Jollyship the Whiz-Bang, Boom, 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.  In addition to its featured productions, Ars Nova supports and develops new work from the most promising emerging artists through its alternative comedy series (Tragedy Tomorrow), music series (Uncharted), public play-reading series (Out Loud), writer's group (Play Group) and artist-in-residence program.  Ars Nova was founded in memory of Gabe Wiener. 

For more information, visit www.arsnovanyc.com.

All tickets to Uncharted are $15.  Tickets to Special Events vary. All tickets can be purchased at www.smarttix.com or by phone at (212) 868-4444. Box Office opens 30 minutes prior to performance. Ars Nova is located at 511 West 54th Street.

Photo of Joe Iconis by Mark Rupp

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