I WAS A TEENAGE SHE-DEVIL at Edinburgh Fringe

To anyone in Edinburgh for the Fringe Festival this year, I must wholeheartedly recommend I WAS A TEENAGE SHE-DEVIL (from writer-composer Sean Matthew Whiteford and director Rachel Klein), a horror-comedy-rock musical and true love letter to the VHS era. A Faustian romp, chock full of demonic hair metal, dances to the death, teenagers making bad decisions, and extremely catchy tunes... it's giving PROM NIGHT 2, CARRIE, BLACK ROSES, and NIGHT OF THE DEMONS, just one of the tightest, leanest, meanest pieces I've seen in a while. This spooktacular fugue of '80s excess opens tonight (August 3rd) and runs through August 22, nightly at 10:30p at theSpaceUK @ Niddry Street – Upper Theatre. Tickets here!

GIRLFRIEND FROM HELL––The Musical!

There's a new theatrical musical coming soon from my compatriots Sean Matthew Whiteford (writer), Rachel Klein (director), and Brian Campione (producer) that I must plug: it's called GIRLFRIEND FROM HELL, and it's the Real McCoy, the '80s throwback VHS madness that you deserve, equal parts ROCK N' ROLL NIGHTMARE/DEMON KNIGHT/BLACK ROSES/HELLO MARYLOU: PROM NIGHT 2/NIGHT OF THE DEMONS/etc. and some of the most fun I've had at the theater!

"Dreams of the Clockmaker" Radio Drama in Cleaver Magazine

Some longtime readers may remember my spooky play "Dreams of the Clockmaker," which starred Jillaine Gill and ran in New York City (first at The Duplex, then at The Wild Project) in 2010 and 2011. Time Out New York described it as a "dystopian metatheatrical fantasia," and The Huffington Post said of it, "...there is something primitively human in listening and watching as a story unfolds, and if you are lucky enough to be in the presence of someone who is truly talented in this regard, allow yourself to imaginatively engage and enjoy the experience."

Five years later, playwright Grace Connolly has abridged, adapted, and realized the play as a full-on radio drama (starring Kelly Chick) for Cleaver Magazine. You can listen to it here (it runs about eighteen minutes), and read an interview (with yours truly) about the play here.

10 Years of Junta Juleil!

 
 Photo by Ashley Kate Adams.

A big thank you to all who performed and for those who came out to celebrate ten years of Junta Juleil!
For those who couldn't– enjoy this montage, entitled simply "Take My Breath Away":


10 Years of Junta Juleil: "Take My Breath Away" from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

10 Years of Junta Juleil This Friday!

This Friday, Junta Juleil Productions celebrates its Ten Year Anniverary!  In honor of the occasion, I'll be hosting a celebration at the Wild Project (195 E. 3rd St between Avenues A & B) in Manhattan on Friday, January 17th at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets will be $15 and are available here for pre-sale.  The evening will include screenings of short films, excerpts from features, live theatrical performances, crazed readings, a roast, and rare, never-before-seen material from the musty, dusty archives of Junta Juleil!


Junta Juleil's 10 Year Anniversary from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

MAKIN' A MARTINI and Sean Gill live at the PIT, December 19th

As a part of Amie Amis and Zahra Hashemian's Le Petit Autobus, I will be presenting my celebrated short film Makin' a Martini and doing a live, "twisted astrological reading" on December 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the People's Improv Theater (123 E. 24th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues).

Tickets are only $5 and are available here!

Coming in January 2014: 10 Years of Junta Juleil Productions

Most of my longtime readers will know that Junta Juleil's Culture Shock is not my only creative outlet. Though this blog celebrated its five-year anniversary this fall, my film and theater production company– Junta Juleil Productions– has been around for quite a bit longer, and this January it will be celebrating its ten-year anniversary.  In honor of the occasion, I'll be hosting a celebration at the Wild Project (195 E. 3rd St between Avenues A & B) in Manhattan on Friday, January 17th at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets will be $15 and are available here for pre-sale.  The evening will include screenings of short films, excerpts from features, live theatrical performances, crazed readings, and rare, never-before-seen material from the musty, dusty archives of Junta Juleil!

So if you're interested in seeing what I'm up to when I'm not writing about Charles Bronson, break-dancing, Van Dammage, or Carpy-mania (as a side note, the Poor Man's Carpy series ain't over yet!), then you should come out and see the show– or at least watch this 10 Year Anniversary video I've put together:

Junta Juleil's 10 Year Anniversary from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

Thanks to you all for your support through the years!

DEAD DREAM MACHINE on NY1

Everyone's favorite local channel has been running a feature plugging my latest theatrical endeavor, THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!  

Time Warner Cable customers can watch the clip here.

This is the last weekend you can see THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE: get your tickets here, watch the trailer I made here, and get more information here!

New Trailer for THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE

Dead Dream Machine: Trailer from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

There are still two more weekends to go– get your tickets here, watch the other trailer I made here, and get more information here!

More praise for THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!

More reviews are in!

New York Magazine names it a "Critics' Pick" and says: "In this very strange play, a mad scientist has built a machine that extracts dreams from a young woman’s brain. At the finale every night, a crew of alt-venue stars—drag queens, born-to-showbiz kids, burlesque artists— all join in on a goth performance of a Nick Cave tune."

Downtown Traveler says:  "New York City has no shortage of Halloween attractions...but if you are looking for more high-brow entertainment– with a decidedly anti-Wall Street bent– head to Brooklyn for Dead Dream Machine.  This off- off- off- Broadway show features a talented cast and scenes that range from hysterical to bizarre... a uniquely Brooklyn production that combines elements of burlesque, acrobatics, puppetry and bondage. ... so hysterical, offbeat and downright bizarre [some segments] played over and over in my mind throughout the weekend.  ...You’ll feel trendy just for attending this show."

Brooklyn Spaces says:  I was lucky enough to catch a press preview of ...the incredible Dead Dream Machine... and it RULES. Go!"

Courtesan Macabre says:  "I had the pleasure of trekking out to East Williamsburg (Bushwick) NY last night to experience the new production, The Dead Dream Machine... It was disturbing and made you squirm... [director Rachel Klein] mixes style and sensuality into her visual storytelling."

My Entertainment World says:  "Consistently entertaining. ...a series of both horrifying and comedic skits.  ...the ensemble of The Dead Dream Machine was remarkable.  ...I enjoyed living the nightmares produced by the The Dead Dream Machine."

There are still two more weekends to go– get your tickets here, watch the trailer I made here, and get more information here!

Praise for THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!

The reviews are in!

Flavorpill says: "The Dead Dream Machine is a thoroughly entertaining compendium of dark skits ranging from a teenage horror spoof to a hilariously foul-mouthed puppet show to gothic burlesque ballets and aerialists... [Sean Gill's] creepy projections on an old red velvet curtain complete the Silencio-scene-in-Mulholland-Drive vibe."

Time Out New York names it a "Good Odds" pick: "a boundary-dissolving horror show, which includes magic, puppetry, aerialism and live song and dance... the imaginative Rachel Klein directs and choreographs."

Black Book Magazine says: "The show stars various luminaries from the alternative stages of New York City... The whole shebang is directed and choreographed by the amazing Rachel Klein... this is amazing. You must go."

City Guide says:  "...this Brooklyn-based show pumps the horror genre through a mad-scientist’s dream-extracting device, spinning out musical numbers, a zombie dance, aerialists, puppetry and assorted luminaries from the City’s alternative stages – all profoundly nightmarish."

Broadway Spotted says: "... the best parts of old school horror movies [are] the comedy, and when Machine connected to that, it was gold... with Halloween coming up it is just the right kind of show to get you into the spooky spirit!"

There are still three more weekends to go– get your tickets here, watch the trailer I made here, and get more information here!  Our luminary guest shamans for this weekend include Mx Justin Vivian Bond (September 26th), Lady Rizo (September 27th), and Michael Musto (September 28th)!

DEAD DREAM MACHINE opens to previews tonight, September 18th!

Details HERE and tickets HERE!  I hope some of you can make it out.

(More reviews forthcoming– it's been a busy couple of weeks.  Don't worry, I have plans for the Halloween season!)

DEAD DREAM MACHINE opens next week (September 18th)

Here are the details for my latest show, THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, for which I did the sound and video art design.  Tickets can be purchased HERE and more info is available HERE!

RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER
present
Jake Thomas’ THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE

with video art & sound design by Sean Gill, and directed & choreographed by Around the World in 80 Days’ Rachel Klein, who has been called “clever” by the New York Post, “inventive” by Theatermania, and “a new generation’s Julie Taymor” by Woman Around Town.

La Luz (135 Thames Street, Brooklyn, NY)
Wednesday, September 18–Sunday, October 13
Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 p.m.

In an abandoned theater on the outskirts of town, an experiment is being conducted--one which extracts dreams. But if this insane enterprise works, what dreams may come? Mad scientists, monstrous killers, tyrannical royalty, government witches and nightclub occultists (and not one damn vampire or zombie) explode forth in this crazed horror anthology that incorporates song, dance, puppetry, aerial, magic and more to build an out of body theatrical experience.

Dead Dream Machine: Teaser from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

Forthcoming: THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE!

Attention, ladies and germs–  coming this fall to Brooklyn is a horrific theatrical horror anthology called THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE.  I'm designing the sound and doing some freaky video art transitions for it, and I also made the official trailer, which I have linked to below.

Dead Dream Machine: Teaser from Sean Gill on Vimeo.

Here's the skinny from the press release:
RAGING SQUID INK and ERIC SCHMALENBERGER are pleased to announce the world premiere production of Jake Thomas’ THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE, directed and choreographed by Rachel Klein with video art directed by Sean Gill. THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE will play a limited engagement at La Luz (135 Thames Street, Brooklyn, NY). Performances begin with previews Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19th and continue through Sunday, October 13.

In an abandoned theater on the outskirts of town, an experiment is being conducted--one which extracts dreams. But if this insane enterprise works, what dreams may come? Mad scientists, monstrous killers, tyrannical royalty, government witches and hipster occultists (and not one damn vampire or zombie) explode forth in this crazed horror anthology that incorporates song, dance, puppetry, aerial, magic and more to build an out of body theatrical experience.

The production stars Darlinda Just Darlinda (NYC Burlesque icon, Taylor Mac’s Lily’s Revenge) , Michael Cavadias (Wonderboys, The Citizens Band, Claywoman), Jillaine Gill (Makin' a Martini, Cut to Black), Chris Cipriano (Russell Curtis, Escape from Staten Island),  Elena Delgado (House of Yes aerialist), Arden Leigh (“The Rules of Attraction: How to Get Him, Keep Him, and Make Him Beg for More”), Eric Schmalenberger (BANZAI!!!!!, Blunderland), David F. Slone, Esq. (The Love Show), and Ashley Springer (Teeth, Dare), and many more!

THE DEAD DREAM MACHINE plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, October 13:
Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 8 p.m.
The show opens Friday, September 20. There are additional preview performances Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19, and a special closing night performance Sunday, October 13 at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $15-$25 and are now available online at DEADDREAMMACHINE.EVENTBRITE.COM. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theater ½ hour prior to performance.

The Facebook page can be found HERE.

Post-Hurricane Theater Round-up

For our New York City-based brethren:  there are a number of Halloween and seasonal-related performances from friends and colleagues that were delayed or extended because of the hurricane: 

Through November 18th:

•CONEY

From Blue Coyote Theater Group comes a vibrant, humanist, Altman-style tapestry of characters interwoven with their eponymous locale, Coney Island.  It is a place which has changed substantially even in the six short years since my first visit, a place which has endured an unfortunate thrashing from the corporate elements and more recently, Mother Nature.  It's a strong piece, carefully crafted, meticulously staged, and fervently acted. For cult film fans, there are shades of the carny subculture from FREAKS to NIGHTMARE ALLEY, and there's plenty of WARRIORS references in there, too. 

Directed by Gary Shrader, written by David Johnston, and starring Frank Anderson, Eboni Booth, Alex Carmine, John DiBenedetto, Andrea Gallo, Tracey Gilbert, (Junta Juleil's own!) Jillaine Gill, George C. Hosmer, Boo Killebrew, David Lapkin, PJ Sosko, Stephen Speights, and Amy Staats.

Final performances are Thursday, November 15th at 8:00 p.m.; Friday, November 16th at 8:00 p.m.; Saturday, November 17th at 8:00 p.m.; and Sunday November 18th at 2:00 p.m.  Tickets are $25.00 and are available HERE.

On November 18th:

•BEDTIME STORIES OF BAKERY, BUTCHERY, AND BASTARDS

From the makers of MR. LONG SPINDLY FINGERS: STORIES OF MURDER AND MADNESS, comes an evening of spine-tingling tales from author Kristen Lee, whose work combines a genuine, spooky charm with an escapist's sense of nostalgia– your own morbid childhood, revisited!  It is described as "Dr. Seuss meets Edward Gorey meets a blender" and will be featuring readings by Peter Aguero, Brad Lawrence, Julia Young, and Rory Scholl.   It shall be presented at the Red Room, upstairs from the Kraine Theater (85 E 4th Street between Bowery and 2nd Avenue) at 9:30 p.m. on November 18th.  Tickets are $10 at the door.  There will be treats also!

On November 29th & 30th:

•DANCE MAYHEM: A GRINDHOUSE BALLET

From David F. Sloan, Esq. and the Love Show comes an action-packed homage to the gritty films that Hollywood didn't want you to see. Combining the ballet and jazz infused choreography of underground favorite Angela Harriell with the pop and lock b-boy style of street dancer Nobuya Nagahama, Dance Mayhem tells the tale of a louche nightclub, owned by a beautiful yet ruthless drug dealer who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, and the man she pushes one step too far. Intrigue lurking at every turn. Sex! Murder! Horror! Not a ballet for quiet contemplation, this show will have you on the edge of your seat from the opening number to the curtain call.

Directed and choreographed by Angela Harriell.  Additional choreography by Nobuya Nagahama.  Featuring Dorian Cervantes, Duane Gosa, Angela Harriell, Atsunori Hayamizu, Miku Kawa, Rachael Ma, Takushi Minami, Nobuya Nagahama, Toshihiko Nakazawa, Tsubasa Ogawa, Julie Megan Smith.

It shall be presented Thursday, November 29 at 8:00 p.m. and Friday, November 30 at 8:00 p.m. at Theater 80 (80 St. Marks Place between 1st and 2nd Avenue).  Tickets are $20 in advance here, or $25 at the door.  

Theatrical Halloween Happenings in NYC!

For our New York City-based brethren:  there are a number of Halloween-related performances that I must bring to your attention: 

On October 26th & 30th:

•DANCE MAYHEM: A GRINDHOUSE BALLET

From David F. Sloan, Esq. and the Love Show comes an action-packed homage to the gritty films that Hollywood didn't want you to see. Combining the ballet and jazz infused choreography of underground favorite Angela Harriell with the pop and lock b-boy style of street dancer Nobuya Nagahama, Dance Mayhem tells the tale of a louche nightclub, owned by a beautiful yet ruthless drug dealer who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, and the man she pushes one step too far. Intrigue lurking at every turn. Sex! Murder! Horror! Not a ballet for quiet contemplation, this show will have you on the edge of your seat from the opening number to the curtain call.

Directed and choreographed by Angela Harriell.  Additional choreography by Nobuya Nagahama.  Featuring Dorian Cervantes, Duane Gosa, Angela Harriell, Atsunori Hayamizu, Miku Kawa, Rachael Ma, Takushi Minami, Nobuya Nagahama, Toshihiko Nakazawa, Tsubasa Ogawa, Julie Megan Smith.

It shall be presented Friday, October 26 at 11 p.m. and Tuesday, October 30 at 8:00 p.m. at Theater 80 (80 St. Marks Place between 1st and 2nd Avenue).  Tickets are $20 in advance here, or $25 at the door.  

On October 30th:

•BEDTIME STORIES OF BAKERY, BUTCHERY, AND BASTARDS

From the makers of MR. LONG SPINDLY FINGERS: STORIES OF MURDER AND MADNESS, comes an evening of spine-tingling tales from author Kristen Lee, whose work combines a genuine, spooky charm with an escapist's sense of nostalgia– your own morbid childhood, revisited!  It is described as "Dr. Seuss meets Edward Gorey meets a blender" and will be featuring readings by Peter Aguero, Brad Lawrence, Julia Young, and Rory Scholl.   It shall be presented at the Red Room, upstairs from the Kraine Theater (85 E 4th Street between Bowery and 2nd Avenue) at 9:30 p.m. on October 30th.  Tickets are $10 at the door.  There will be treats also!

On November 4th:

•A one-night only remount of the now-classic TRAGEDY OF MARIA MACABRE!

Back from the dead (sort of), the RKP theater ensemble will resurrect their whimsically morbid dance drama on the prestigious LaMama stage.  Conceived, designed, and directed by Rachel Klein.  Story by Rachel Klein, Sean Gill, & the ensemble.  Sound design by Sean Gill and Rachel Klein.  Choreographed by Rachel Klein and the ensemble.  Starring Elizabeth Stewart, Michael Porsche, Danielle Marie Fusco, Preston Burger, Megan O'Connor, Eric Schmalenberger, Freddy Mancilla, Brian Rubiano, and special guest the Love Show's Angela Harriell as Maria Macabre!

THE TRAGEDY OF MARIA MACABRE has played to sold-out houses and critical acclaim at Dixon Place, the Access Theater, the Wild Project, the Kitchen, DUMBO Dance Festival, the LES Festival at Theater for the New City, the House of Yes, the premiere of Banzai! at the Red Lotus Room, and the Bushwick Site Fest at 3rd Ward.

The remount performance shall be at November 4th at 5:30 p.m. at the Club at LaMama (74A E 4th Street, between Bowery and 2nd Avenue).  Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here.  Proceeds go to the Howl Emergency Life Project.

Further Praise for SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS

Photo by Michael Blase.
Graphic Design by Sean Gill.

A few more  press responses to SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS (a description of which can be found here):

Flavorpill says:  "[SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS] depicts two familiar worlds– the workplace and dreams– only this symphony in shadows is far more exhilarating and terrifying than the norm or even Freud... Klein's Sleeper and her pesky Shadows move gracefully through the realms of modern dance, burlesque, gymnastics, and Romantic-era ballet.  The erotic dreams may be too much for the delicate heroine, but they are stunning stage pictures that are a genuine and refreshing reality." 

The New York Theater Review says: "Rigorous and dangerous... I could fully relate to the experience of dreading sleep... the company of dancers, aerial acrobats, clowns, and contortionists take on many roles and costumes, each one more arresting than the last."


New York Nearsay says:  "Dive deep into the Bowery for this sexy, macabre performance... don't miss this one!" 
 
SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS runs for just one more weekend– more information is available here and tickets are available here.

The Village Voice on SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS

Photo by Michael Blase.
Graphic Design by Sean Gill.

Some excerpts from the Village Voice review of SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS (a description of the show can be found here):


"A lively and fantastical depiction of how we hide from our own issues, pushing them down in our daily lives until they have no other choice but to come after us in the night...  one of Symphony's greatest strengths  is its ability to depict a setting that's no so much unlike ours, yet one that's just cloudy enough to play with the performance's levels of reality...  a charming commentary on the pressures we hide from every day in our world– and the ones we discover with our head on the pillow."


SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS runs for one more weekend– more information is available here and tickets are available here.

More praise for SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS

Photo by Michael Blase.  Graphic Design by Sean Gill.

More reviews of SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS (a description of which can be found here):


Backstage says:  "The world that the dancers craft is visually sumptuous. Klein's staging fills the theater from floor to ceiling, and each of the fantasy sequences allows a different dancer to perform a virtuosic set piece in one of many worlds sensuously imagined..."


Courtesan Macabre says:  "The production is an extravaganza of ballet, aerialists, musicians, surreal costumes, acrobats, burlesque and dancers telling a dark, but beautiful story...The eerie violin concerto is a sensuous score to this seamless, elaborate production.  Creator Rachel Klein started with a concept of the horrors of sleep paralysis.  She worked with co-story writer Sean Gill on how to portray the different nightmares... If you are in NYC the next few weeks, definitely make the time to enjoy this show!"


Black Book Magazine says:  "Every so often these "I've seen it all” eyes see something that flabbergasts me...so mark this on your calendar, get a babysitter, empty the cookie jar, and if necessary kick the reluctant lover to the curb and attend the world premiere!"


SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS runs for two more weekends– more information is available here and tickets are available here.

Praise for SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS

Photo by Michael Blase.  Graphic design by Sean Gill.

A few early press responses to SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS (a description of which can be found here):

Call Me Adam says:  "A show that will stay with me for years to come! One of the best performance pieces I have seen...The extremely talented cast of performers engulfed the audience with their artistry."

Theater for Nerds says: "Eye-catching and exciting, with a very wide range of performance styles... spider women will swing over the stage, ballerinas dance en pointe, and busty burlesque queens strut in skimpy outfits...  the cast (A whopping 25 of ‘em) is quite talented and athletic."

SYMPHONY OF SHADOWS runs for two more weekends– more information is available here and tickets are available here.