Symphony Space has some excellent concerts and events lined up for their 2009-2010 Family Season including mega kiddie acts like Ralph’s World and Brooklyn favorites such as, Randy Kaplan, Astrograss and Gustafer Yellowgold, just to name a few. The new season kicks off on Saturday, October 3 with the Woodstock based folk-rock singer Elizabeth Mitchell who will charm both children and adults alike with her renditions of songs by artists ranging from Bob Dylan to Bob Marley. In celebration of the new season, (and because I love giveaways), I’m giving away family four-pack of tickets to Elizabeth Mitchell at Symphony Space to one lucky reader who emails me at contests@bumpershine.com and tells me the name of their favorite family/kids album. A random winner will be chosen and notified on Wednesday, September 30. View the entire 2009-2010 Symphony Space season of family programming over here.

It’s officially fall now, and not only does that mean back to school, but it also means that there is a bumper crop of children’s fare available on home video, at the movie theatres and even at the record store (if they still have a record store where you live, that is). This Tuesday (September 22) marked the release of The Fine Friends Are Here, the latest DVD from venerable Brooklyn entertainer Dan Zanes (his first DVD in four years, and his first release for Razor and Tie). The new DVD, recorded live at The Jalopy Theatre in Red Hook, Brooklyn, contains 13 live tracks, 3 new videos and a four-song bonus cd of late-night (read “lullaby”) music. The songs and videos on the new disc draw from Zanes’ fine back catalog, with over half the tunes coming his most recent albums, Catch That Train and Nueva York and the rest being drawn from Family Dance, and a few of his various older releases. The new DVD is a huge step up from his previous wildly successful video release, All Around The Kitchen (which I watched until it was etched in my brain) in terms of production quality. The transitions between songs are seamless and clever, the band is well lit for the entire performance (a real fault of the first video if you ask me), the direction is well thought out, the camerawork is solid (not shaky), and the image you see on your screen just looks about 100 times better than the last DVD, in fact, it looks like the show was captured on film (though I suspect it was probably some form of HD video). Sure it’s a much slicker package this time around, but when all is said and done, it’s really the songs and the performances that make this new video a winner. Though Dan has assembled an almost completely new band since Kitchen was released (long time drummer Colin Brooks remains), the new players can still “bring the party”, and the joy and enthusiasm taken in the rendition of each song is directly reflected on the faces of the audience members at the Jalopy and should carry over to those viewing at home too. On a final note, it was nice to see that they got rid of the cookie cutter Noggin videos that were included in the last DVD and created some cute original videos for this new release. Like you might expect, Dan has a few DVD release shows lined up in the near future, he’ll be playing on Friday, September 25 (tomorrow) at the Housing Works Bookstore and Cafe and then again at the 92Y Tribeca on September 30 at 4PM. View all of Dan Zanes upcoming tour dates and the track list for the The Fine Friends Are Here over here.

In TV soundtrack news, on October 20, 2009 the gang from Yo Gabba Gabba, one of the most indie savvy kids programs on TV, will release a new album full of songs from the show as performed by some of your favorite artists including: Of Montreal, Mark Kozelek, The Shins, The Roots and many more artists you wouldn’t expect to find on the Nickelodeon Channel. In celebration of this release, the YGG stars (DJ Lance Rock, Lance Robertson; Brobee, the little green one; Foofa, the pink flower bubble; Muno, the red Cyclops; Toodee, the blue cat-dragon; and Plex) are headed out on a small three city tour which will make its way to the Beacon Theatre in NYC on November 21, 2009, tickets for that show go on sale on October 9. View the track list for Yo Gabba Gabba! Music is Awesome! over here. One last thing, YGG Live isn’t DJ Lance’s only upcoming local appearance, he’ll be appearing this Saturday, September 26 at Riverside Park as part of the RBC Race For The Kids, and then again on Sunday, October 4 at the New York Times Great Children’s Read at Columbia University.

Last but not least, Spike Jonze’s long delayed, yet much anticipated movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s book Where The Wild Things Are will be released in theaters nationwide on October 16, with the official soundtrack dropping on September 29. The soundtrack features original songs by Karen O and The Kids (”The Kids” includes Tristan Bechet, Tom Biller, Bradford Cox, Brian Chase, Dean Fertita, Aaron Hemphill, Greg Kurstin, Jack Lawrence, Oscar Michel, Imaad Wasif, Nick Zinner and an untrained children’s choir) and to celebrate the new release in style, Karen O and her other band, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs will be performing an intimate show at The Music Hall of Williamsburg on September 29, 2009.

Tons more fall and winter family events from The New York Times, 92Y Tribeca, New Victory Theatre, The Bell House, Brooklyn Center For The Performing Arts, The Jewish Museum, Symphony Space, Kidrockers and other fine NY institutions after the jump.

Housing Works Bookstore Cafe Family Events
09/25/09 at 4 pm Dan Zanes DVD Screening with Live Dan Appearance

Riverside Park (72nd St & Riverside Drive)
09/26/09 RBC Race For The Kids (4K Run/Walk) w/ Nick Cannon, DJ Lance Rock, the Cast of Degrassi Junior High, Sponge Bob, Dora The Explorer and Tiki Barber

Columbia University (Broadway & 116th Street)
10/04/09 10 am – 5 pm The NY Times Great Childrens’ Read featuring Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players, Peter Yarrow, Playhouse Disney’s “Choo-Choo Soul”, John Carter Cash, Hip Hop Harry, and DJ Lance and Brobee of Yo Gabba Gabba, Bernadette Peters and more

Symphony Space 2009-2010 Season
10/03/09 at 11 am Elizabeth Mitchell
10/04/09 at 1 pm Judy Blume’s The Pain and the Great One series
10/10/09 at 2 pm Bubble Do Beatles: Magical Mystery Tour
10/17/09 at 11 am Randy Kaplan
10/18/09 at 1 pm Trenton Lee Stewart’s The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoner’s Dilemma
10/24/09 at 11 am Ezra Jack Keats in Story and Song
10/25/09 at 1 pm Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s Peter and the Sword of Mercy
11/07/09 at 11 am and 2 pm Cats Paying Dues
11/08/09 at 1 pm Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan
11/14/09 at 2 pm National Dance Institute’s Celebration Team
11/21/09 at 11 am Brady Rymer and the Little Band that Could
12/11/09 at 8 pm The Christmas Revels
12/12/09 at 2 pm and 8 pm The Christmas Revels
12/13/09 at 3 pm The Christmas Revels
12/26/09 at 11 am and 2 pm The Muppets Christmas Carol
01/02/10 at 11 am and 2 pm The Muppets Take Manhattan
01/09/10 at 11 am and 2 pm Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny
01/16/10 at 11 am The Jimmies
01/24/10 at 1 pm Jon Scieszka’s Robot Zot
01/31/10 at 1 pm Walter Dean Myers’ Riot
02/06/10 at 11 am and 2 pm Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
02/13/10 at 11 am Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
02/20/10 at 11 am and 2 pm Ralph’s World
02/27/10 at 11 am Astrograss
02/28/10 at 1 pm Kristin Cashore’s Fire (the companion to Graceling)
03/07/10 at 1 pm Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House series
03/27/10 at 11 am The Sippy Cups
04/10/10 at 11 am and 2 pm Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players
04/11/10 at 1 pm David Levithan and John Green’s Will Grayson, Will Grayson
04/17/10 at 11 am The Gustafer Yellowgold Show

New Victory Theater 2009-2010 Season
09/18/09 – 09/27/09 Cinderella (Ages 4 – Adult)
10/02/09 – 10/18/09 My House (18mo – 3yrs)
10/02/09 – 10/11/09 The Man Who Planted Trees (Ages 7 – Adult)
10/15/09 – 11/01/09 Hansel and Gretel (Ages 8 – Adult)
11/13/09 – 11/29/09 Peter and the Wolf (All Ages)
12/04/09 – 01/03/10 Chestnuts Roasting On The Flaming Idiots (All Ages)
01/08/10 – 01/17/10 Once and For All We’re Gonna Tell You Who We Are So Shut Up and Listen (13 – Adult)
02/05/10 – 02/21/10 The Enchanted Pig (Ages 7 – Adult)
03/05/10 – 03/14/10 The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)
03/19/10 – 04/04/10 46 Circus Acts in 45 Minutes
04/09/10 – 04/18/10 Time Step (Ages 6 – Adult)
04/23/10 – 05/02/10 Elephant (Ages 7 – Adult)
05/07/10 – 05/23/10 Pagagnini (Ages 6 – Adult)
05/14/10 – 05/23/10 The Butterfly Garden (Ages 3 – 8)

92YTribeca B.Y.O.K. Events
09/30/09 4 pm Dan Zanes: The Fine Friends Are Here!
10/11/09 11 am Astrograss Country Bluegrass Brunch
10/18/09 11 am The Dream Jam Band
10/25/09 11 am Robbi K & Friends present Lumpy Bumpy Pumpkin Rock! A Storytelling-Dance Party
11/01/09 11 am The Suzi Shelton Band
11/08/09 11 am Shana Barry And The Fofers
11/15/09 11 am Billy Kelly & The Blahblahblahs
11/22/09 11 am Elizabeth Mitchell
12/06/09 11 am Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem
12/13/09 11 am Princess Katie & Racer Steve
01/10/10 11 am Asylum Street Spankers

Little Orchestra Lolli-Pops Fall Series at Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College
10/03/09 10:30am & 12 pm Peter and the Wolf
10/04/09 1 pm & 2:30 pm Peter and the Wolf
10/24/09 10:30am & 12 pm Animal Tales
10/25/09 1 pm & 2:30 pm Animal Tales
12/05/09 10:30am & 12 pm Things That Go Bang!
12/06/09 1 pm & 2:30 pm Things That Go Bang!

Little Orchestra Lolli-Pops Spring Series at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College
02/06/10 10:30 am & 12 pm The Orchestra A Happy Family
02/07/10 1 pm & 2:30pm The Orchestra A Happy Family
03/06/10 10:30 am & 12 pm A Musical Toy Store
03/07/10 1 pm & 2:30pm A Musical Toy Store
05/15/10 10:30am & 12 pm Music Tells a Story feat. Guest Artist Peter Reynolds
05/16/10 1 pm & 2:30pm Music Tells a Story feat. Guest Artist Peter Reynolds

Little Orchestra Happy Concerts at Avery Fisher Hall
12/19/09 11 am and 1 pm Babes in Toyland
01/30/10 11 am and 1 pm Magic, Music and Mystery feat. Guest Artist Lyn Dillies
04/17/10 11 am and 1 pm Aerialists, Athletes and Arpeggios feat. Guest Artists AntiGravity

Jewish Museum Fall Family Concerts
10/18/09 Funkey Monkeys 11:30 am and 2 pm (Ages 2 – 6)
11/15/09 Gustafer Yellowgold 2 pm (Ages 3+)
12/13/09 Chanukah Concert: Shirlala 2 pm (Ages 3 – 8)
12/25/09 Family Celebration 11:30 am – 3 pm (Ages 3+)

Brooklyn Center For The Performing Arts
10/11/09 2 pm Harold and The Purple Crayon (Ages 4+)
12/13/09 4 pm The Colonial Nutcracker (Ages 4+)
03/14/10 2 pm Sleeping Beauty (Ages 6+)
04/11/10 2 pm Dirty Sock Funtime Band (Ages 4+)
04/25/10 2 pm Tap Kids (Ages 6+)

The Bell House Family Events
10/24/09 11 am Ralph’s World (under age 2 FREE)
Sundays in Jan & Feb 2010 – The Bell House Rocks (Schedule TBA)

Kidrockers at The Living Room
10/25/09 1 pm Neon Indian and Real Estate. Hosted by Seth Herzog and Craig Baldo.

“Yo Gabba Gabba Live: There’s A Party In My City” Tour Dates
11/14/09 Yo Gabba Gabba Live, Shrine Expo Hall, Los Angeles, CA (Buy Tickets Oct 9)
11/21/09 Yo Gabba Gabba Live, Beacon Theatre, New York, NY (Buy Tickets Oct 9)
12/05/09 Yo Gabba Gabba Live, Rosemont Theatre, Chicago, IL (Buy Tickets Oct 9)

Yo Gabba Gabba!: Music Is Awesome! Track Listing:
1. Yo Gabba Gabba! Theme
2. Yo Gabba Gabba! – Party In My Tummy
3. The Shins – It’s Okay, Try Again
4. Yo Gabba Gabba! – I Like To Dance
5. Money Mark – Robo Dancing
6. Yo Gabba Gabba! – Get The Sillies Out
7. Biz MArkie – Biz’s Beat Of The Day #1
8. Chromeo – Nice ‘N’ Clean
9. Yo Gabba Gabba! – Try It, You’ll Like It
10. The Roots – Lovely, Love My Family
11. Yo Gabba Gabba! – Don’t Be Afraid
12. I’m From Barceleona – Just Because It’s Different Doesn’t Mean Scary
13. Yo Gabba Gabba! – Bubbles
14. Of Montreal – Brush Brush Brush
15. Yo Gabba Gabba! – Nice & Easy
16. The Little Ones – Hey, Won’t Somebody Come And Play
17. Weird Science – Go Crazy Remix
18. Yo Dazzlers – You Can’t Always Get What You Want
19. Mark Kozelek – Bedtime Lullaby
20. Yo Gabba Gabba! – Goodbye Song
21. Yo Gabba Gabba! Closing Theme

Dan Zanes 2009 Fall Tour Dates
09/25 new york, ny housing works bookstore cafe
09/27 des moines, ia every family rocks!
09/30 new york, ny 92y tribeca
10/03 asbury park, nj paramount theater
10/04 westbury, ny capital one bank theatre at westbury
10/10 newark, nj nj performing arts center
10/11 roanoke, va shaftman performance hall
10/23 amherst, ma umass fine arts center
10/24 boston, ma halloweentown
10/25 boston, ma halloweentown

Fine Friends Are Here Track Listing:
Let’s Shake *CTT
Fine Friends *CTT
Wabash Cannonball *HP
Water For the Elephants *FD
Jump Up (with David Alan a.k.a. Cyclone) *FD
Cape Cod Girls *SM
El Canario *NY
The Welcome Table (with Caridad de la Luz a.k.a. La Bruja) *CTT
Thrift Shop *FD
Monkey’s Wedding *FFAH
Catch That Train *CTT
Colas *NY
Walking the Dog (with David Alan a.k.a. Cyclone) *CTT

Music Videos:
Wonder Wheel *FD
Pollito Chicken (with Caridad de la Luz a.k.a. La Bruja) *NY
Night Owl *NT

Tickets to A Streetcar Named Desire, featuring Cate Blanchett, and directed by Liv Ullmann, will go on sale to the general public on Sep 21. This limited engagement is sure to sell out, so purchase your tickets early.

Buy Tickets

Just a reminder, single tickets for the BAM Next Wave Festival go on sale to the general public starting today (September 8).

BAM 2009 Next Wave Festival
Next Wave Single Tickets
On sale to the public starting Tue, Sep 8

Many of this year’s Next Wave productions are sure to sell out so buy early. This season’s artists include Juliette Binoche, William Forsythe, Isabelle Huppert, Robert Wilson, the Dessner brothers (of The National), and DJ Spooky. Single tickets go on sale to the general public on September 8. See video previews at BAM.org.

Fela!, the story of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo Kuti, played to packed houses and rave reviews when it debuted Off Broadway in 2008, and since nobody loves a hit like Broadway, they’re bringing the show back on the boards starting this fall. Previews for Fela! begin on October 19, 2009 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, in advance of a November 23 opening. Brooklyn’s Antibalas afrobeat ensemble will once again supply the music for Fela!, and Sahr Ngaujah will reprise his role as Fela Kuti.

Here’s how to get discount tickets for Fela! On Broadway:

SAVE NOW WITH CODE FENYT817
Buy Tickets

10/19/09 – 11/21/09
$52 (reg. $97)

12/1/09 – 01/31/10
$67 (reg. $110-$120)

Enter the extravagant, decadent, rebellious world of Afrobeat
legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

THREE EASY WAYS TO SAVE!
1) CLICK HERE TO BUY ONLINE NOW
2) CALL (212) 947-8844 AND MENTION CODE FENYT817
3) VISIT THE EUGENE O’NEILL BOX OFFICE AT 230 W 49TH ST
(PREVIEWS BEGIN OCTOBER 19, BOX OFFICE OPENS SEPTEMBER 28)

Check out NY Mag’s “Fall Preview” article on Fela! over here.

If you’re a Friend of BAM, starting on Monday, August 17, you can get early access single tickets to In-I featuring Juliette Binoche and Akram Khan. All other Next Wave Festival single tickets go on sale for Friends of BAM starting Monday, August 23. Check out the cheat sheet below:

Important Friends of BAM priority access on-sale dates

Aug 17 – In-I single tickets
Aug 31 – All other Next Wave Festival single tickets (The Long Count, Imaginary City, Songs of Ascension, Terra Nova: Sinfonia Antarctica and more)
Aug 31 – Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD
Sep 14 – A Streetcar Named Desire single tickets

Just a little reminder that the second production of the Public Theater’s 2009 Shakespeare In The Park Season is currently underway. From now until August 30 you can catch The Bacchae by Euripides with original music by Philip Glass at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.

The Bacchae is performed Tuesday-Sunday at 8pm and traditionally ticket distribution begins each performance day at 1pm at the Delacorte Box Office in Central Park. This year, however, there are two other ways to get tickets (without waiting in line):

1) Become a Summer Supporter by making a $170 tax-deductible contribution and receive a reserved seat for a performance of The Bacchae, or

2) Make a request for tickets through the in the “Virtual Line” at vline.publictheater.org. Recipients selected for a pair of tickets through the Virtual Line will receive an email shortly after 1PM on the day of the performance, informing them of their good fortune.

This virtual line option is brand new (and totally awesome I might add) and as far as I know The Public hasn’t been promoting it all. (I got an email from them on August 14 about Shakespeare In Park and oddly there was no mention of it at all.)

A statement on Sunday from the publicists for Hello Entertainment, one of the producers of “Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark,” said work had been suspended on the musical because of “an unexpected cash flow problem.” The statement went on to say: “The plans necessary for this correction are in hand now, and it is expected that activities, including work in the theater, will resume within the immediate future and with no material impact upon the planned production schedule.” No date for resuming production work was given. [NYTimes.com]

“An unexpected cash flow problem” certainly has to be one of the best lines in the history of show business. However, despite the “cash flow problem” tickets for the musical are currently still on American Express presale via Ticketmaster, with a public on sale date set for September 12, 2009. As you may recall, Spider-Man Turn Off The Dark will star Evan Rachel Wood and Alan Cumming and features music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge of U2.

Subscription tickets for the 2009 BAM Next Wave Festival (which includes The Long Count and Imaginary City among other offerings) go on presale for Friends of BAM and subscribers (2008 Next Wave Festival and 2009 Spring Season) on Monday, June 15 (today). Public Next Wave Festival subscriptions go sale Monday, June 22. Also, tickets for the BAM Special Winter Presentation of a A Streetcar Named Desire starring Cate Blanchett and Liv Ullmann may be added to a 2009 Next Wave Festival subscription (of 4 or more events) starting June 15 as well (8 ticket limit per household).

Video preview of The Long Count after the jump. (It looks pretty cool.)

The New Is Land Festival (or is it “Island” or “IsLand”?) will run from Sept. 10 to 13 and Sept. 17 to 20 on Governor’s Island, and will include DJ sets, visual arts, provocative theatre, and site specific performances by over 150 Dutch and New York artists. The festival lineup, though not fully announced yet, will include an unspecified production from director Ivo van Hove and Toneelgroep Amsterdam, an outdoor “spectacle” called “Salto Vitale” and the US premiere of “Silent Disco,” a dance party in which all participants wear headphones. A full listing of free and paid events is expected in the coming weeks.

The New Is Land Festival is part of the NY400, which celebrates the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s voyage from Amsterdam to New York Harbor.

Twelfth Night, the first show of the annual New York tradition, Shakespeare In The Park, begins previews this Wednesday, June 10 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Hollywood actor Anne Hathaway brings the star power to this Daniel Sullivan production, so better start lining up now folks (well, on second thought, I think you’ve still got some time).

TWELFTH NIGHT
JUNE 10 – JULY 12
By WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Directed by DANIEL SULLIVAN

With Charles Borland, Andrew Crowe, Michael Cumpsty, Steve Curtis, Clifton Duncan, Raúl Esparza, Herb Foster, Leslie Harrison, Anne Hathaway, Slate Holmgren, Kevin Kelly, David Kenner, Christopher Layer, Robin LeMon, Hamish Linklater, Dorien Makhloghi, Audra McDonald, David Pittu, Ray Rizzo, Jay O. Sanders, Julie Sharbutt, Stark Sands, Baylen Thomas, Zach Villa, Jon Patrick Walker, Julie White

Performances of Twelfth Night will be Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm

Details of the second show in the 2009 Shakespeare In The Park season after the jump.

Euripides‘ tragedy, The Bacchae, featuring the original music of Philip Glass, will begin previews at the Delacorte Theater on August 11, 2009.

THE BACCHAE
AUGUST 11 – AUGUST 30
By EURIPIDES
Directed by JOANNE AKALAITIS
Original Music by PHILIP GLASS
Translated by NICHOLAS RUDALL

With George Bartenieff, André De Shields, Marisa Echeverría, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Jonathan Groff, Jennifer Ikeda, Karen Kandel, Jennifer Nikki Kidwell, Alexa Kryzaniwsky, Vella Lovell, Joan MacIntosh, Nana Mensah, Steven Rishard, Ereni Sevasti, Elena Shaddow, Rocco Sisto, Han Tang

Performances of The Bacchae will be Tuesday through Sunday at 8pm

The always eclectic BAM Next Wave Festival revealed its 2009 schedule today and while there are no huge indie rock concerts at the Opera House this time, there is still plenty of interesting stuff happening this year, including pieces by Meredith Monk, DJ Spooky, Sō Percussion, and a world premiere of “The Long Count” by Bryce Dessner, Aaron Dessner, and Matthew Ritchie featuring guest vocalists Kim and Kelley Deal (The Breeders), Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), and Matt Berninger (The National) . Here’s a little more information on the “The Long Count”:

The Long Count

In an inspired collision of creative worlds, three inexhaustibly original artists—brothers Bryce Dessner and Aaron Dessner of indie rock royalty The National and omnivorous visual art phenomenon Matthew Ritchie—combine talents to create a song-filled myth about the beginning of time. A feast of images, instrumentals, and songs thick with primordial mystery, The Long Count pairs Ritchie’s protean forms with a twelve-piece orchestra and the Dessners’ gothic mix of electric and orchestral sounds.

Note: Subscriptions go on sale to Friends of BAM on Mon, Jun 15. Public sale starts Mon, Jun 22.

View the complete BAM Next Wave Schedule over here.

This week, Bumpershine is pleased to welcome back theatre guru Robert Jaimes for a special review of The Toxic Avenger Musical, which is now playing at the New World Stages Theatre. -ed.

THE TOXIC AVENGER: TOXIE Has Moxie, Thanks To Strong Cast
By Robert Jaimes

When I first sat down to enjoy a recent performance of THE TOXIC AVENGER at New World Stages (340 West 50th Street), my first thought was that the very serviceable toxic waste dump set eerily reminded me of the “tired” garbage dump set from Broadway past. I thought, “A nod to CATS? Perhaps tonight’s show will pay some tongue-and-cheek homage to Broadway’s staple spectacles.” Given the musical’s not-so-standard subject matter, the brainchild of LLOYD KAUFMAN— boy meets blind librarian girl, boy falls into barrel of nuclear waste, loses face and blind librarian girl (after decapitating polluters), boy gets blind librarian girl— at most I was expecting comic toxic science, not rocket science.

What I learned is that just as toxic waste can seep dangerously into our water supply, derivative music seeps unawares all too often into the writers’ creative waters. TOXIC’s writers, JOE DiPIETRO (Book & Lyrics) and DAVID BRYAN (Music & Lyrics) lightly pepper the performance with nods to other Broadway shows, such as PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. In general, when it’s intentional, it works. The problem, however, is that from the very first note and throughout the show, the music frequently sounds derivative of, and harkens to, established Broadway and popular music, and more often than not, this type of peppering seems unintentional, more of a kitchen mishap or failed experiment than a carefully-added ingredient. The show’s lyrics, too, are memorable, mostly for the same wrong reason.

So let’s get this reviewer’s most obvious wink-wink opportunity out of the way: Is the show toxic? No. (Sorry, Britney) THE TOXIC AVENGER has a lot going for it, despite its so-so score and New Jersey locale. Like the Toxic Avenger himself, the cast has superhuman strength… and great chemistry. While toxic fumes are aerated onstage, the cast of just five— 5!— deeply breathes life into the mythical and heavily-populated town of Tromaville, Exit 13B off the New Jersey Turnpike.

More of Robert’s review after the jump.

As Melvin Ferd the Third, NICK CORDERO transitions well from the lanky, bullied nerd whose passion against pollution becomes energized when he morphs into our misguided, eco-friendly superhero. As Melvin and Toxie, CORDERO sings with a voice that is both sincere and powerful. (Think Seymour from LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.) Being a sensitive human being, I found it difficult to applaud at the end of “Everybody Dies,” a hilarious musical number reminiscent of JEKYLL AND HYDE’S “Murder, Murder,” during which internal organs abound as Toxie slays a slew of Tromaville townspeople. However, in his subsequent number, the truly ironic “You Tore My Heart Out,” CORDERO skillfully exhibited a troubled, more tender Toxie.

As Sarah, the blind librarian who couldn’t re-shelf a book if her life depended on it, SARA CHASE is a delight to watch. While Sarah is no Maria from WEST SIDE STORY, SARA CHASE’s non-P.C. performance is altogether witty and slitty and bright. With her retro rendition of “My Big French Boyfriend,” CHASE reminded me of Lesley Gore and Annette Funicello. In “Hot Toxic Love,” CHASE aptly and metaphorically drops the promise ring persona and breaks out the lube.

NANCY OPEL is a comical and vocal tour-de-force. When she sings as the money-for-toxic-dumping-driven, evil mayor of Tromaville, it should surprise no one that OPEL served as a standby for Patti Lupone in the original Broadway cast of EVITA. OPEL is funny and fearless; she brings to THE TOXIC AVENGER the necessary bravado and commitment to each of her roles. The over-the-top, Sybil-like performance required in “Bitch/Slut/Liar/Whore” is OPEL’s opportunity to let her nuclear-powered acting and vocal chops shine… and she does. With cleaner direction, however, the frenzied number itself could shine almost as brightly.

Finally, as White Dude and Black Dude, respectively, MATTHEW SALVIDAR and DEMOND GREEN kick some toxic ass. They are the heart of Tromaville, brilliantly bringing the bulk of its offbeat townspeople to life. SALIDAR is particularly noteworthy as the witless but cocky local Jersey cop. As diva Shinequa, GREEN sashays, shantes, shantes, shantes, shantes like a worthy RuPaul rival who remains true to her Jersey roots… and weave. She—I mean, he— brings sheer delight to the audience.

THE TOXIC AVENGER may not be flawless, but neither is New Jersey… or New York, for that matter. All still deserve an audience. The message: We could all clean up our act a bit. - Robert Jaimes

Special $45 Ticket Offer for The Toxic Avenger
Valid on Performances: Now – July 31, 2009
Code: TOBLOG409
Regular Price: $71.50 / $51.50
Discounted Price: $45 (includes $1.50 facility fee)

Today the Tony nominations were announced and Billy Elliot: The Musical garnered 15 nominations, tieing the record set by The Producers in 2001. Here are all of the 2009 Tony nominees in the “top categories”:

Best Musical
Billy Elliot, The Musical
Next to Normal
Rock of Ages
Shrek The Musical

Best Book of a Musical
Billy Elliot, The Musical
Next to Normal
Shrek The Musical
[Title of Show] Hunter Bell

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Billy Elliot, The Musical Music: Elton John Lyrics: Lee Hall
Next to Normal Music: Tom Kitt Lyrics: Brian Yorkey
9 to 5: The Musical Music & Lyrics: Dolly Parton
Shrek The Musical Music: Jeanine Tesori Lyrics: David Lindsay-Abaire

Best Play
Dividing the Estate Author: Horton Foote
God of Carnage Author: Yasmina Reza
Reasons to Be Pretty Author: Neil LaBute
33 Variations Author: Moisés Kaufman Billy Elliot, The Musical

In other theatre news, yesterday the New York Times ran a piece on the new Henry Miller’s Theatre, which will open in September 2009 with the Roundabout Theatre Company’s production of “Bye, Bye Birdie“:

The 1,055-seat theater, on 43rd Street between Avenue of the Americas and Broadway, was built on the site of a theater planned by the actor Henry Miller, which opened in 1918. Over the decades, the original theater fell into disrepair and was used as a movie house and a disco before Roundabout produced the musical “Cabaret” there in 1998, followed by a run of “Urinetown.”
…
The 50,000-square-foot theater, which includes a spacious women’s restroom with 22 stalls, three times the number required by code, is built behind the preserved and restored neo-Georgian facade of the original 1918 theater. During the construction, braces held the facade in place, and vibration monitors were attached to ensure that the facade was not damaged. [NYTimes.com]

The rest of the 2009 Tony nominees after the jump.

Best Revival of a Play
Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Mary Stuart New Version: Peter Oswald
The Norman Conquests
Waiting for Godot

Best Revival of a Musical
Guys and Dolls
Hair
Pal Joey
West Side Story

Best Special Theatrical Event
Liza’s at The Palace
Slava’s Snowshow
Soul of Shaolin
You’re Welcome America. A Final Night with George W. Bush

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play
Jeff Daniels God of Carnage
Raúl Esparza Speed-the-Plow
James Gandolfini God of Carnage
Geoffrey Rush Exit the King
Thomas Sadoski Reasons to Be Pretty

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play
Hope Davis God of Carnage
Jane Fonda 33 Variations
Marcia Gay Harden God of Carnage
Janet McTeer Mary Stuart
Harriet Walter Mary Stuart

Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical
David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik, and Kiril Kulish Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gavin Creel Hair
Brian d’Arcy James Shrek The Musical
Constantine Maroulis Rock of Ages
J. Robert Spencer Next to Normal

Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical
Stockard Channing Pal Joey
Sutton Foster Shrek The Musical
Allison Janney 9 to 5: The Musical
Alice Ripley Next to Normal
Josefina Scaglione West Side Story

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play
John Glover Waiting for Godot
Zach Grenier 33 Variations
Stephen Mangan The Norman Conquests
Paul Ritter The Norman Conquests
Roger Robinson Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play
Hallie Foote Dividing the Estate
Jessica Hynes The Norman Conquests
Marin Ireland Reasons to Be Pretty
Angela Lansbury Blithe Spirit
Amanda Root The Norman Conquests

Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
David Bologna Billy Elliot, The Musical
Gregory Jbara Billy Elliot, The Musical
Marc Kudisch 9 to 5: The Musical
Christopher Sieber Shrek The Musical
Will Swenson Hair

Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical
Jennifer Damiano Next to Normal
Haydn Gwynne Billy Elliot, The Musical
Karen Olivo West Side Story
Martha Plimpton Pal Joey
Carole Shelley Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Direction of a Play
Phyllida Lloyd Mary Stuart
Bartlett Sher Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Matthew Warchus God of Carnage
Matthew Warchus The Norman Conquests

Best Direction of a Musical
Stephen Daldry Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Greif Next to Normal
Kristin Hanggi Rock of Ages
Diane Paulus Hair

Best Choreography
Karole Armitage Hair
Andy Blankenbuehler 9 to 5: The Musical
Peter Darling Billy Elliot, The Musical
Randy Skinner Irving Berlin’s White Christmas

Best Orchestrations
Larry Blank Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Martin Koch Billy Elliot, The Musical
Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt Next to Normal
Danny Troob and John Clancy Shrek The Musical

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Dale Ferguson Exit the King
Rob Howell The Norman Conquests
Derek McLane 33 Variations
Michael Yeargan Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Robert Brill Guys and Dolls
Ian MacNeil Billy Elliot, The Musical
Scott Pask Pal Joey
Mark Wendland Next to Normal

Best Costume Design of a Play
Dale Ferguson Exit the King
Jane Greenwood Waiting for Godot
Martin Pakledinaz Blithe Spirit
Anthony Ward Mary Stuart

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Gregory Gale Rock of Ages
Nicky Gillibrand Billy Elliot, The Musical
Tim Hatley Shrek The Musical
Michael McDonald Hair

Best Lighting Design of a Play
David Hersey Equus
David Lander 33 Variations
Brian MacDevitt Joe Turner’s Come and Gone
Hugh Vanstone Mary Stuart

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kevin Adams Hair
Kevin Adams Next to Normal
Howell Binkley West Side Story
Rick Fisher Billy Elliot, The Musical

Best Sound Design of a Play
Paul Arditti Mary Stuart
Gregory Clarke Equus
Russell Goldsmith Exit the King
Scott Lehrer and Leon Rothenberg Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Acme Sound Partners Hair
Paul Arditti Billy Elliot, The Musical
Peter Hylenski Rock of Ages
Brian Ronan Next to Normal

Lifetime Achivement Award
Jerry Herman

Regional Theatre Award
Signature Theatre, Arlington, Va.

Isabelle Stevenson Award
Phyllis Newman

Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre
Shirley Herz

As I mentioned previously, the MCC Theater is bringing Neil Gaiman’s Coraline to the stage featuring the music and lyrics of Magnetic Fields‘ Stephin Merritt. Tuesday night (April 21) there will be a talk back event at the Lucille Lortel Theater featuring Merritt and the creators of the musical:

This event gives our audience a unique opportunity to go behind the creative curtain and expolore the process of bringing Neil Gaiman’s wildly popular novel, Coraline, to the stage. Bill Goldstein, of the New York Times and WNBC’s “Saturday Today” in New York, will moderate a discussion between the creative team of Stephin Merritt (composer), David Greenspan (book writer), Leigh Silverman (director), and Jayne Houdyshell (Coraline), and take questions form the audience.

The evening will conclude with a first-ever public performance of one of Coraline’s songs; performed on the ukulele and sung by composer/lyricist Stephin Merritt.

$25 General admission and $35 premium reserved tickets are now available by visiting www.mcctheater.org
Use the code MCC1 to purchase general admission tickets for $10

Having trouble keeping track of all the music festivals happening this summer? Well, I am too, but here’s a new one you won’t want to miss, it’s The Deli’s Best of NY Festival which is happening May 6 – 10, 2009. The festival features some of The Deli’s (and NYC’s) favorite bands performing over three days at The Bell House, Southpaw and Joe’s Pub, and to top it off, it’s sponsored in part by the good folks at After The Jump Festival.

Full “Deli Best of NYC Fest” lineup after the jump.

Sunday 05.10 (sponsored by ASCAP)
- The Bell House, 21+, $12 -
10.00 Chairlift
9.00 TBA
8.10 The Secret Life of Sofia
7.20 Takka Takka
6.30 TBA
BUY TICKETS

Saturday 05.09
- Joe’s Pub, $15 -
9.30 The Lisps’ FUTURITY Musical
FUTURITY is an original indie-rock musical by Brooklyn band The Lisps. A theatrically staged song cycle, FUTURITY tells the story of a Union soldier in the Civil War who is an aspiring science fiction writer. The work fuses traditional Americana, found text, experimental music, and The Lisps’ own brand of quirky co-ed pop.
BUY TICKETS

Friday 05.08
- The Bell House, 21+, $15 –
12.00 Crystal Stilts
11.00 Blank Dogs
10.00 Religious Knives
9.00 Dinowalrus
BUY TICKETS

Wednesday 05.06 (sponsored by BMI)
- Southpaw, 21+, $10 –
11.10 Lowry
10.30 Elizabeth and the Catapult
9.40 The King Left
8.50 April Smith
8.10 KaiserCartel
7.30 Mia Riddle