Funny, Funny, Funny

So my staff wanted me to write something about our education and outreach programs at the theatres.  Afterall, the holidays are coming and we really do hope you are considering making a donation to the theatres.   My telling you about the wonderful things we do with children – like the 3,000 school children who came last week to see The Incredible Speediness of Julie Cavanaugh, a play that dealt with bullying, violence, peer pressure, learning disabilities and the struggle to fit in - should put you in the mood to consider a donation so we can do more things like that.   And that really  is what I should be writing about.  I should tell you about the 3rd graders at Hart Elementary who are right now working with professional teaching artists as part of our Literacy to Life program because what we are doing there really is giving children a voice.  I should.  I know I should because the work we do each year with over 20,000 kids is important.  But…

All I can think about right now is how much fun I had at Louis C. K. on Friday night and then again with John Oliver on Saturday night and how much fun I am going to have all this week with Jaston and Joe in A Tuna Christmas.

Louis C.K. was funny as shit.  I have no other way to put it.   He was oh so funny and oh so nasty and oh so damn over the line… and I loved every second of it.  I laughed so hard, the way I laugh has forever changed.

And then there is John Oliver from the Daily Show.   As my good friend Janis Pinnelli said,  “I thought John Stewart was the funny one.  I had no idea how funny John Oliver was.”

And now we have Jaston and Joe.  What can I say?  A few of the residents from Tuna, Texas stopped by to visit today.  The show opens Tuesday and runs through the Thanksgiving weekend…

Long-time Friends

Jaston Williams and Joe Sears were at the theatre most of today running through some of the new material they’ve worked into their current show, Tuna Does Vegas.  They head off to Washington DC next week for a run at the Warner Theatre.  They’ll be back in Austin for an encore performance over the Thanksgiving weekend.  I can’t wait to see what new material they introduce.  It’s hard to believe these Tuna characters have been hanging around the Paramount for nearly 30 years.

I visited with Jaston briefly to discuss a possible event honoring Cactus Pyror that is in the works.   Cactus is a long-time friend of theatre and our youth outreach program (Skinny’s Gallery) is named in honor of his father, Richard “Skinny” Pryor.  Skinny owned a movie  theatre in Austin and was known for his generosity with the children of Austin.

The event planning committee includes KLBJ’s Don Pryor and Mark Ceasar.

Jaston Williams is a nut (in a good way)…

…but you already knew that.  He is back at the Paramount tonight with the world premiere of his one-man-show Cowboy Noises.  I didn’t get to see his last show (I’m Not Lying) but I hear it was terrific.  Jaston assures me that you didn’t need to see that one to enjoy this one.  I’ll know tonight.  Here is the discription of the show:

 He’s at it again! Voyaging east to adopt a 7-year old boy, Jaston’s latest solo effort offers a journey through time, space and memory. Watch the Beatles burst into a Panhandle parlor full of astonished cowboys and their kin. Ride a haunted Argentine taxi to an enchanting midnight epiphany. Get the real skinny about cheerleaders. And meet the captivating child who, inexplicably, chirps. It’s laughter, tears and outrage anew from the Tuna star and acclaimed creator of I’m Not Lying.

The Big Apple Review

  

Am off to NYC to see what shows are available for next season.  Among others I plan to see Spamalot (will miss Clay Aiken’s debut by a week), A Bronx Tale starring Chass Palminteri, The Gazillion Bubble Show and Matt Dusk.  Do you have a favorite show or entertainer?

 Back in Austin, we have added a second show of Cowboy Noises starring Jaston Williams.

Standing O

While you are in the audience giving Jaston and Joe a much deserved standing ovation, I am quietly in the lobby doing the same for my wonderful staff and volunteers.  Encore!  Encore!  Lots of work goes on behind the scenes as well as on the stage and I am delighted it has all come together for a show as fantastic as Tuna Does Vegas.

They’re back…

  

… with a brand new show!  Opening night of Tuna Does Vegas is finally here.  Even if you haven’t seen the others, you will still love this one.  You absolutely cannot live in Austin, Texas and remain a Tuna virgin!!!  Get a ticket and come see Jaston and Joe take on Vegas.  Opening week festivities include a band with a female Elvis impersonator as well as the “Winningest Wheel in Austin!”

Bringing Sexy Back… on the radio

   

Well, if I am going to bring sexy back, I guess I’ll have an easier time at it on the radio!  Here is a link to the show with KUT‘s John Aielli.  It was a fun morning with Jaston and John.

Sunday I take the stage with Shirley MacLaine.  If you have a question to ask her, post it here as a comment so I can ask it on stage.  In the radio interview I mistakenly called her movie The Evening Star by the wrong name… James Lipton would be ashamed.

Looking at the pictures above, I remain amazed at how much Justin Timberlake looks just like me…

Download: justintimberlake_sexyback_bmg_a_dl.mov

Rock ‘N Roll Honor Roll

  

Sunday afternoon we opened the Paramount for a free show featuring the winning bands from the Texas Music Project 10 Under 20 talent contest.  The contest identifies the hottest, young music talent in Texas with contests currently in Dallas and Austin – with plans to expand.  The Texas Music Project asked my Programming Director, Lietza Brass, to judge the Austin competition.  Both Leitza and I were so impressed with the level of talent that we decided to invite the top three bands (High On Hotdogs, IMBiBE, Joker) to play the Paramount.  They put on a fantastic show for the 400-ish in the audience.   Let’s hope they all make it back to our stage one day in a “paying gig”…

The Texas Music Project raises funds for music education programs in public schools – an area which is sorely lacking when it comes to funding.

 This morning I joined Jaston Williams at the KUT studios for an interview with John Aielli.  Jaston was supposed to talk about Tuna Does Vegas while I talked about the rest of our season, but Jaston knows pretty much everyone and was able to join me in conversations about Shirley Maclaine, Olympia Dukakis and Dame Edna - three “women” we both adore on our season this year.  You can hear the interview on Aielli Unleashed at the KUT website.

$350 per hour and then some Tuna…

       

I just got the show notes for Wynton Marsalis and we are in for a real treat.   He is planning almost two hours of music for us. So now the high bid from Roxann seems like a bargain to me.  Tell you what, in addition to the 4 front row seats to Wynton (and the free drinks), I’ll throw in two seats to the October 23 opening night of Tuna Does Vegas to the winning bidder….  just leave a comment with your bid before 5:00 Wednesday.  I wanna see this thing get to a $1,000.

Speaking of Tuna, Jaston and Joe thrilled the downtown crowd that showed up today for the press conference announcing a two-week extension for the new show.  We were treated to a visit from two of the old characters (Vera and Pearl) as well as two of the new characters (Anna Conda and Schotz).  Both stayed afterwards to visit and give autographs to fans.  

By the way, Joe, per your question: it was a few years ago (before me) but he threw a quarter at a patron because he thought 25 cents was a lousy tip! I believe he said “You need this more than me” as he threw it.  Wish I had been there…

Tonight Century Club members were treated to a private party on stage and I have to say, with the fire curtain down, the backstage transformed into a really cool, hip, clubby ( is clubby a word???) space.   We should do that more often….pictures coming soon…

So Kathy Griffin told Jesus to “suck it”… well I guess I should get ready for the negative emails if she returns to the Paramount.

Remember, to bid on the Wynton tickets, simply leave your bid amount as a comment. High bid on Wednesday at 5:00 wins. Bid must be confirmed before tickets are issued. Winner notified by email. Bid is for 4 front row seats to Wynton Marsalis at the Paramount on September 20. Free drinks included so plan to cab it!  Also 2 tickets to Tuna…

$700 seats and Free Entertainment

 

Roxann, your bid still stands.  The seats will be yours unless someone does one of those nasty little EBay last second bids that prevents me from getting that rare, limited-edition Beanie Baby every time…  Ooops.  Sorry this isn’t about me is it?

Just wanted to let everyone know that the cast of Tuna Does Vegas (both of them) will be hosting a free press conference and performance in front of the Paramount tomorrow at 11AM.  If you are downtown, it will be worth the trip to get a glimpse of Austin’s own Jaston Williams and Joe Sears doing what they do best!  It looks like we will be extending the run of their new show – you heard it here first.

Remember, if you want to get in on the bidding for Wynton Maralis front row tickets, simply leave your bid amount as a comment to this post.  High bid on Wednesday at 5:00 wins.  Bid must be confirmed before tickets are issued.  Winner notified by email.   Bid is for 4 front row seats to Wynton Marsalis at the Paramount on September 20.  Free drinks included so plan to cab it!

Comments now closed on this post.  To bid, go to the most recent post.