"I Feel Pretty" Joshua Silverstein

Beyond the Usual and Bootleg Theater Proudly Present

The World Premiere of Joshua Silverstein’s

Tell Me I’m Pretty

A Hilarious and Raw New Solo Show

Tackling Race, Gender and Poverty in America

Bootleg Theater

April 8 – May 7, 2016

Directed by Diana Wyenn

Award-winning Actor, Comedic Writer & Beatboxer Silverstein is Joined By

Musicians Damian Curry, Gerry Doot and Erik Hallsey

“Joshua is a beautiful and incredibly talented young man.” – Anjelica Huston

“That boy is FRESH!” – Queen Latifah

My Pretty, Pretty...

Beyond the Usual and Bootleg Theater proudly present the World Premiere of Tell Me I’m Pretty, a hilarious and riveting new solo show – written and performed by Joshua Silverstein and directed by Diana Wyenn. Tackling race, gender, and poverty in America through storytelling, spoken word, vocal percussion, and hip hop, Tell Me I’m Pretty opens its five-week run at Bootleg Theater on Friday, April 8, 2016. Performances run Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm through Saturday, May 7, 2016. Bootleg Theater is located at 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057 (213-389-3856). General admission tickets are $20 in advance online and $25 day-of online and at the box office. Student and senior admission tickets are $15 in advance online and $20 day-of online and at the box office. For more information please visit http://www.joshuasilverbat.com/tell-me-im-pretty.

With side-splitting humor and raw power, award-winning actor, comedic writer, spoken word artist, and beatboxer Joshua Silverstein delivers an explosive mix of storytelling, spoken word, vocal percussion, and hip hop. Backed live by a three-piece band, Silverstein layers playful and riveting narratives grounded in personal experience, and nuanced by the complexities and contradictions surrounding race, gender and, poverty in America. Plus, he reveals what it would have been like if Buster Keaton could beatbox!

Of a recent work-in-progress showing at REDCAT’s Studio Series featuring fifteen minutes of the production’s seventy minutes of material, Culture Spot LA proclaimed, “Silverstein set the bar high by opening the show with this high-octane one-man-show... He quickly builds upon the gimmick of entertainment by transfusing an emotionally charged narrative with captivating confessionals and spot-on cultural commentary.” Read the full review here.

Tell Me I’m Pretty is written and performed by Joshua Silverstein, and directed by Diana Wyenn. Live music is performed by musicians Damian Curry (guitar), Gerry Doot (drums), and Erik Hallsey (bass). The production team includes: Diana Wyenn (scenic design), Matt Hill (video design), Joey Guthman (lighting design), Mark Holden (sound design), and Joshua Silverstein (costume design). Additional credits include: Aaron Saldaña (stage manager), Diana Wyenn (choreography and dramaturgy) and Jamais Vu (graphic design).

LINKS:

• Joshua Silverstein - http://www.joshuasilverbat.com

• Tell Me I’m Pretty (TMIP) - http://www.joshuasilverbat.com/tell-me-im-pretty

• Joshua Silverstein Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/joshuasilversteinproductions

• TMIP Facebook Event Page - https://www.facebook.com/events/436202663252486

TV Watch: It's a "Smash" !

Although I enjoyed Season One of "Smash" and sure I was going to watch the Second Season. I was not one of those people who was totally blown away by it.

Sure it had one of the best ensemble casts on TV and some knock out musical numbers, but there was something that did not quite push it to the greatness that it could be, very entertaining for sure, but that extra something just was not completely there that matched the ambition of the show.

Well, jump back! Season Two is off to an amazing start! With a two hour premiere that is already more dynamic and stakes claim to the ambition that was almost realized from Season One.

Things I loved:

1) Jennifer Hudson as "Veronica Moore" - J-Hud is a great addition to the show and, was great herself in it.

2) Katherine McPhee's "Karen Cartwright" - new found jaded and world weariness, is a much needed change from that wide eyed girl from Season One.

3) The new opening credit sequence, slick and jazz hot!

4) Julia (Debra Messing) shacking up with her writing partner Tom (Christian Borle) - so "Will & Grace" with a twist and an edge.

5) Jeremy Jordan as "Jimmy/Danny", hey bad boys are fun boys, especially in a nighttime drama/musical.

6) Liza Minnelli as an upcoming guest star and the return of Bernadette Peters. Enough said.

7) Visibly higher production values, they added greatly to a show that is as big as this.

8) Jack Davenport (Derek Wills) this is a personal thing, ahem.

9) Megan Hilty (Ivy Lynn) - always a spot on singer/actress

10) Anjeica Houston, Anjelica Houston, Anjelica Houston...ever since I saw her in "Prizzi's Honor" I have been hooked, one of my favorite actresses.

The funniest thing that happened to me whilst watching the "Smash" Season Two premiere was I had totally forgotten, until I saw them duet together that J-Hud and K-Mc had both been on "American Idol" they have both risen so far above their humble beginnings they no longer need to list the show on their resume'...

Looking forward to the next episode, bravo everyone !

Get "Smash"'d at: http://www.nbc.com/smash/