Theater Review: Henson's Stuffed and Unstrung

We all grew up on the Muppets and now in a small theater in Union Square, the Muppets have grown up too (and man do they have filthy mouths and dirty minds) as Henson Alternative presents Stuffed and Unstrung, a live, adult orientated improv puppet show. First off, no, it’s not actually the Muppets but there are a wide variety of Henson puppets performed by amazing puppeteers including Jim Henson’s son Brian and the show brings improv comedy to a new level as the audience sees the puppeteers on stage creating the work as a cropped video feed above the stage gives the crowd a glimpse of the act with just the puppets.

The result is both fascinating and thoroughly entertaining and the actual show might well be the best improv of any kind you’ll find in New York right now. The sheer wit, timing, and craft of the performers aids in nullifying the lulls that one might find in a typical improv show. Brian Henson said he felt that part of the success was because in improv there are traditional scenarios such as a bad date and “when your actors doing it that’s one thing, but a bad date between a fish and a goat adds a whole new layer of outrageousness.”

The piece is hosted by actor Patrick Bristow who is well known from his roles on “Ellen” and “Who’s Line is it Anyway” and there is an enormous amount of audience participation ranging from the expected input via yelling out character names or occupations to be used in the sketch to pulling up audience members for a shotgun lesson in puppeteering and getting thrown into a skit. The show is a perfect New York experience and not to be missed so grab a ticket while you can because the engagement only runs through May 29th at the Union Square Theatre. For more information go to: www.stuffedandunstrung.com

For: Short&SweetNYC

DVD Review: Copyright Criminals

Copyright Criminals from IndiePix on Vimeo.

Sampling has become a mainstay in music and it’s come a long way from the straight-up sound clips of early hip-hop, establishing itself as an art unto itself. The new documentary Copyright Criminals takes a look at the legality and the evolution of recontextualizing music along with all the questions that it generates.

Director Benjamin Franzen manages to outline both sides of the issue and presents a tremendous amount of information in a tight 54 minute piece, giving a range of viewpoints from artists famed for sampling such as: De La Soul, Chuck D, and Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys to those who have been sampled the most such as: George Clinton and James Brown’s drummer Clyde Stubblefield. The film follows the timeline of the practice, hitting on major lawsuits and outlining copyright law with interpretations from lawyers and business perspectives from producers and record company executives.

The film is as interesting and entertaining as it is relevant and is a must see for the modern musician but it also manages to entertain with wonderful clips by the Eclectic Method, a group that samples music paired to video clips making their sources overt while creating a much more sensory experience. The film rhetorically asks the provocative question “can you own a sound?” To get a glimpse or to purchase the DVD check out www.copyrightcriminals.com

For: Short & Sweet NYC

David Byrne's "Playing the Building"

The Talking Head's were the group that helped mead me to art school and David Byrne continues to work creatively in a variety of media with interesting new works. Here's a short video from the BBTV introducing the installation "Playing the Building" that was in the Battery Maritime Building in New York recently. This summer it will open in London. It was a wonderfully interactive and creative installation and so cool it's not to miss!

U900, Cuteness overload

Okay, I know this is a little overboard but this Japanes duo's amigurumi animated videos are the "crack cocaine of cute" and I can't stop watching. U900 takes kawaii to a new level.

DVD Review: Artie Lang's Jack and Coke

For 9 years comic Artie Lang has held an esteemed seat on the Howard Stern Show endearing himself to fans with his down to earth blue collar demeanor and despite his recent brutal suicide attempt the New Jersey native has recently released his second standup special Jack and Coke on DVD.

The show which was filmed at New York’s own Gotham Comedy Club runs about an hour and a half and shows what a confident performer Lange is despite his insecurities. The best material in Artie’s set is his most personal and many of the funniest jokes will be familiar to fans of the radio show. Unfortunately, Artie’s best bits are few and far between and the comic often veers from the heartfelt and lands in the more predictable territory of gay and hooker jokes for much of the show, pulling from a seemingly never-ending bag of hack.

The best comedy often stems from personal trauma and rage and nothing says that more than 9 stab wounds to the abdomen so it’s a shame Lange doesn’t get real in his set. He ends up appearing like any number of stage vets who go through the motions and he never feels in the moment. When he does occasionally break from the mold it’s thoroughly interesting and funny and a few examples can be found on the DVD extras. Lange has proven he has great ability in his time on the Stern show so hopefully he sticks around long enough to reach his potential onstage.

For: Short & Sweet NYC

Elvis Perkins- Stay Zombie Stay acoustic

Elvis Perkins is one of my recent favorites since his In Dearland album came out a while back and I stumbled on this fantastic version of "Stay Zombie Stay" from his most recent EP recorded acoustic at Lake Fever. Not bad for a bunch of white guys who look like they were bumped from Blind Melon!

Saints Superbowl Song: "Glory Bound"

Who would've guessed that Aaron Neville would out do Prince in creating a football team theme song (or even that either would try) but with the newly released"Glory Bound" it's a hands down knock-out. The song blends together a portion of "Who Dat?" which was created back in 1983 by New Orleans producer Carlo Nuccio along with a portion of "When the Saints Go Marching In" and features hometown musicians such as: Theresa Andersson, Carlo Nuccio, Matt Perrine, Jon Cleary, and Aaron's son Ivan Neville on organ.

“Glory Bound” is available for download at TeamGloryBound.com, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the track will go to The New Orleans Musicians Clinic, a not-for-profit occupational medicine and wellness partnership offering affordable, comprehensive health care to New Orleans musicians.