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Capital City Theatre’s latest, "Shining in Misery," is a hysterical paean to the Master of Horror.
It’s been said that the line between horror and comedy is razor thin, but it’s a lot less difficult to navigate it you just embrace the chaos and ignore it completely. That’s the key to the rollicking success of “Shining in Misery: A King-Sized Parody,” Capital City Theatre’s uproarious musical skewering the Master of Horror — and a hell of a lot more besides. You can’t successfully send something up if you don’t know it and love it, and it’s clear that writers Mark-Eugene Garcia and Colleen Duvall, as well as composer and Cap City Artistic Director Andrew Abrams have been steeping in King’s particular brand of horror for decades. This show has more clever puns than “It” and “The Stand" have pages, and almost all of them land directly on your bag of (funny) bones.
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Late in the extraordinarily entertaining, two-plus hour laugh fest Shining in Misery – the just-opened Capital City Theatre entry in the World Premiere Wisconsin festival – its evil genius makes clear just how dire things are for the poor souls trying to escape. “My best ghouls are just over there,” he crows with glee.
We can only see one such ghoul, but no matter. When reading Stephen King – or, in the case of Shining in Misery, watching a parody of Stephen King – the underland we’re afraid to see is always teeming with vampires and ghosts, demonic clowns and monstrous pets, the beasts we fear we are and the terrors that keep us awake. “There’s more of them,” the devilish Randall Flagg says of his ghouls. “I can’t bring them over here because of limits of actors and costuming but trust me when I say, they’re there.” Shining in Misery, a production of Capital City Theatre directed and choreographed by Donald Garverick, is part of World Premier Wisconsin, a festival of local professional shows. It bodes well for other shows in the festival.
The show begins with the Torrance family from The Shining, Stephen King/Stanley Kubrick's enduring tale of a haunted Overlook Hotel, checking in to the apparently deserted hotel. They are to look after it over the winter. There are Jack, the father (Jonathan Wagner); mother Wendy (Madeline Glenn Thomas); son Danny (Benji Heying); and Nanny Annie (Gail Becker).This musical is so over the top it hurts. The top line is that the family take in the burned-out novelist kidnapped in Misery, King's tale (and Rob Reiner-directed film) of a writer kidnapped by his biggest fan. He (Cody Gerszewski) inhabits Room 217, where Nanny Annie keeps him captive so she can get him to write a new novel in his "Misery" series, which he has abandoned in favor of a new idea, one that doesn't include Annie's favorite character. (He also plays the vampire Barlow, with a pasted-on face and lovely prosthetic fingers.) The best thing under the dome-see it from Feb 23-March 5. by Scott Rawson Feb. 25, 2023 From "Carrie" to "The Bazaar of Bad Dreams", Shining in Misery a King Sized Parody, covers it all. People from Castle Rock, Derry, and even as far away as Jerusalem's Lot, are raving about this amazing show! Sponsored in part by World Premier Wisconsin, Capital City Theatre, has really embraced their desire to give voice to new works. This fun frolic (Book by Colleen Duvall, Music by Andrew Abrams and Lyrics by Mark-Eugene Garcia) takes a look at the goings on in the famed Overlook Hotel. Here we find our caretaker Jack (Jonathan Wagner), his wife Wendy (Madeline Glenn Thomas), their son Danny (Benji Heying) and Danny's nanny Annie (Gail Becker) have just run a 1958 Plymouth Furry off the road and rescued its occupant, Writer Paul Sheldon (Cody Gerszewski). Having to deal with everything from a cat that keeps reanimating to a rambunctious St. Bernard, this cast takes you on a romp through so many Stephen King references even this die hard fan lost count. And all the while never taking itself too seriously. The show pokes fun at itself and its own campiness numerous times, giving just enough of a knowing nod to the audience to not quite break that fourth wall. Review- Cap City Times- Stephen King parody 'Shining in Misery' can really 'Carrie' a tune2/25/2023 By Rob Thomas
In addition to the program they hand you when you walk into the Overture Center Playhouse to see the world premiere of Capital City Theatre’s “Shining in Misery: A King-Size Parody,” they should hand you a reading list. The musical parody of Stephen King’s oeuvre crams in so many references and in-jokes to the books, short stories, movies and TV shows of the horror master that it’s impossible to keep up. Sure, there’s Pennywise the clown and Cujo the dog, but when “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon” made an appearance, I knew the show was created by the sort of obsessed people who read “Christine” cover to cover in the school library when they were supposed to be doing their homework. (Not that I'm speaking from personal experience, of course.) But even if your only encounter with Stephen King is watching half of “Carrie” through your fingers, “Shining in Misery” is a broadly accessible good time at the theater, more bawdy than bloody. You can very easily see this show going on the road like other parody musicals, or becoming a staple of late-night theater. “Shining in Misery,” written by Colleen Duvall and Mark-Eugene Garcia with music by Andrew Abrams and lyrics by Garcia, runs through Sunday, March 5 in the Playhouse.  MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - It’s a new festival that celebrates Wisconsin’s active theater scene.
World Premiere Wisconsin is a statewide festival that is celebrating new plays and musicals. NBC15′s Leigh Mills sat down with Jen Gray, the artistic director of Forward Theater Company, and Andrew Abrams of Capital City Theatre. To watch the full interview and learn more, watch the video attached to this story. “Shining in Misery” will run Feb. 23 through March 5 in the Playhouse at Overture Center. For more information, visit capitalcitytheatre.org. For more click here
When a company that produces a sexual enhancement drug relocates to a religious factory town in northern Minnesota, and its fumes begin to enter the air, the puritanical beliefs of the townspeople begin to waver. Long held inhibitions release and untold secrets spurt forth as the town spills into debaucherous revelry. For the pious Pastor Johnson, it means the arrival of the devil. For the tempting Dr. Corazon De La Fuente, who runs the factory, it is a wonder to be studied. Stuck in the middle is Mayor Frankie, anxiously watching as his town populace begins giving into wildest urges. Fargo meets Frankenfurter in this wacky comedy that is based on true events until it’s not.
EIGHT TALES OF PEDRO A Play With Music
by Mark-Eugene Garcia Music by Luis D’Elias In EIGHT TALES OF PEDRO, two sets of storytellers, some now and some in 17th century Mexico, cross a country - risking everything for a new life. As they tell their tales, their lives and plots combine and intertwine into the same conclusion. Purchasing and Licensing can be done here. “Eight Tales of Pedro” A play with music by Mark-Eugene Garcia Music by Luis D’Elias Directed by Rodrigo Bolaños Friday, April 21 – Sunday, May 7 Tickets: $20, four for $75 “Eight Tales of Pedro” begins in 17th-century Mexico, as Pedro and his companion travel from a small port town into the fabled Veracuz, telling stories while following Pedro’s one true love. Meanwhile, in the present day, in a van full of Mexican immigrants, Peter crosses a border into an unfamiliar country, while his companions tell him stories to chase away his fears. The two storytellers risk everything, as their lives and plots intertwine. Find out more here.
 By Andrew Abrams, Colleen DuVall and Mark-Eugene Garcia
Part of the World Premiere Wisconsin theatre festival. Experience a musical parody of King size proportions! During the Misery of a blizzard, five people are drawn to the Shining lights of the Overlook Hotel. The group includes Jack: the hotel’s new caretaker, Wendy: his unhappy wife, Danny: their clairvoyant son, Annie: a quick to anger nurse, and Paul: the mysterious unconscious man she drags up to room 217. As the storm grows so do the mysteries of the hotel and the new guests sing and vocalize while hacking an onslaught of visitors — human, animal, and supernatural. Will this group be able to harmonize through IT, take a Stand, or fade into The Mist?  Eight Tales of Pedro has signed with TRW plays for publishing and licensing. When the script is available for purchase and is available for licensing it will be found here.
 Photos: Kevin Yatarola By Marilyn Lester .
Lincoln Center’s long-running American Songbook series has dedicated this Spring season to “the significance of globalization in today’s music and the incredible exchange of cultures, American and beyond, that plays a part in music-making.” That box was assuredly ticked with Jaime Lozano’s Songs by an Immigrant. In a generous set, the songwriter presented an eclectic mix of his work, most from his album of the same name, a song-cycle of the challenges of the first – and second – generation newcomers to the USA, particularly in finding a new home, learning a new language, dealing with discrimination, pursuing the American Dream and searching for ways to build bridges.  Jaime Lozano, Mauricio Martinez, Florencia Cuenca, Javier Ignacio, and Shereen Pimentel. Photo by Kevin Yatarola. For his headliner debut at the legendary Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the tremendously talented, always effervescent, Mexican-born musical multi-hyphenate Jaime Lozano brought his signature humor and heart, along with members of his all-Latinx all-star “Familia” of artists, to the lofty Kaplan Penthouse for a sensational evening of his original Songs by an Immigrant. The sold-out one-night-only concert, presented as part of Lincoln Center’s American Songbook: A World of Voices series, featured a set list of thirteen numbers from his popular eponymous album and new works performed publicly for the very first time, all of which hit the heights and filled the room with a spirit of joy, compassion, and camaraderie.
 Queens Theatre announces the 2022 season of its New American Voices in-person play readings reading series, featuring three evenings of performances.
"EIGHT TALES OF PEDRO" by Mark-Eugene Garcia on Saturday, March 5th at 8pm ET, AS I WAS NOT AS I AM by Alice Hakvaag on Saturday, March 26th at 8pm ET, and TUMBLEWEED by Marcus Scott on Saturday, April 23rd at 8pm. The series marks the first time playwrights Garcia, Hakvaag and Scott will have their work presented at Queens Theatre.  What if Sex in the City was taken from a male point of view … a gay male point of view? You would have Modest Male Exposure. A new short film from Jed Ryan and Clover Welsh.
Shamrock Moon Media and Lavender After Dark Films take us to nudist colonies and locker rooms to discuss the male form and how the 21st century might be altering our perception of it. Done in vignettes with over-the-top (or bottom, in some cases) humor, A reporter talks to athletes and nude bathers about what men think of their bodies. Lots of, um, “accidental nudity” pervades this lampoon of commercial investigative journalism and pure satire of male social mores.  Short film Modest Male Exposure, which examines male nudity in the media, gets a screening at popular Bear spot, Rockbar NYC.
Modest Male Exposure is a comedic take on the changing attitudes towards male modesty and nudity. The film will be presented at a free screening at popular New York City Bear hangout Rockbar on Thursday, January 22nd. In the film, TV reporter Sam Derrick wonders about male modesty and exposure in public places. He also wonders about gender-segregated bathroom facilities, while blogging about some of his recent news segments. From a live post-game locker room interview that accidentally broadcasts naked baseball players, to a segment about a nudist resort where no one is shy; From male high school students who won’t use showers after gym class or open urinals, to concerns about openly LGBTQ people and women in the facilities… The question is: Will hitting the showers with his rugby buddies after games ever be the same?  So honored and humbled to announce this! Thank you British Web Awards!
Photo by Catalin Stelian
Dueling Pianos: A Skeleton Crew Musical follows the twin journeys of Hunter and Anthony as they seek a way to reconnect with one another after so many years apart. Using the virtual technology of their adult baby friend, Simon, the couple embark on their most melodic adventure yet.
While Hunter finds himself in a twisted asylum, Anthony bounces between lessons as the digital facsimiles of his friends sing their way to his reunion with his husband. Meanwhile, in the real world the rest of the crew find themselves singing their hearts out too as MoneyShot$ hosts an open mic night. Dueling Pianos: A Skeleton Crew Musical
(Original Cast Recording) Joshua R. Pangborn and Nakia Dueling Pianos: A Skeleton Crew Musical follows the twin journeys of Hunter & Anthony as they seek a way to reconnect after so many years apart. Using the VR tech of their adult baby friend, Simon, the couple embark on their most melodic adventure yet. Get your Copy at distrokid.com/hyperfollow/joshuarpangbornandnakia/dueling-pianos-original-cast-recording  I recieved a "Best Actor" Nomination from the British Web Awards for Demon Doctor for our Holiday Special! Sidekick Productions has been one of the best journeys ever!
 With authors from New Zealand to New Jersey, and Canada to Costa Rica, this rich collection of stories captures life’s unique moments through the eyes of lovers, dreamers, and serial killer sock puppets.
Since 2004, Gi60 has dedicated itself to the creation and support of one minute plays to provide opportunities for playwrights and theater artists from the global community. Gi60 produces 100 new plays annually – 50 in the US and 50 in the UK - and has premiered over 2000 plays written by a diverse range of voices from around the world, available for viewing on the Gi60 YouTube Channel. Our deepest thanks to everyone at The Tank NYC – they’ve given so much to the community during these challenging times, and Gi60 is proud to support them with this fundraising event. For more information about Gi60 and one minute plays visit www.gi60.com
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Mark-Eugene GarciaWriter/Actor/Storyteller. Theatre Maker. Husband. Bad Hombre. Cat Taunter. ContentsArchives
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