Category: theater

GIG: March 29 & 30, 2016, 7:30pm: Philly’s Primary Stages (Bonus: Jill is acting in one of Matt’s plays!)

Post author By Ji11
Post date March 20, 2016
No Comments on GIG: March 29 & 30, 2016, 7:30pm: Philly’s Primary Stages (Bonus: Jill is acting in one of Matt’s plays!)

The theme for this batch of 12 plays: “Ch-ch-ch-changes.” Appropriately bittersweet, right?

Philadelphia is known for having a great underground theater scene, and one of the driving forces is Philly’s Primary Stages. PPS is a “down and dirty script-in-hand staged reading series of new 10 minute plays” where playwrights get to see their new works up on their feet, and actors and directors get a fun, short project to jump into. Audience members are bribed with beer, wine, sodee pop, bottled water, assorted chips, dips, vienna sausages and puddin’ packs (of which Jill is a fan).

Philadelphia Dramatists Center; purveyors of fine Philadelphia theater since… well… a while ago.

The format of these events is that the PDC gives area playwrights a theme or topic, and then they write a 10-minute play based on that theme. Then we all get together to watch them! This batch’s theme is “Ch-ch-ch-changes,” and playwrights can interpret and apply that theme to their new play in whatever way they like. If you’re feelin’ theatery, you could come both nights and see a dozen morsels of fresh, original theater. We can’t promise we won’t repeat any songs between the two nights, however… 🙂

This month’s shows are happening on Tuesday March 29th & Wednesday March 30th. . We play a 30-35 minute set beginning at 7:30pm, and then a 15-ish minute set at intermission. We also play the outro music for each play– songs that are hand-picked by the directors. (The directors love to test us, so we’ve been asked to do everything from rap, Led Zep, play Sousa marches on kazoos, and even play TV theme songs. We never know what we’re gonna be asked to do for the out-tro music, but we have a blast retrofitting these songs for our dork-rock-duo instrumentation.)

And there’s gonna be a special treat one of the nights: Jill will be acting in one of the plays… and it happens to be a play that Matt wrote, called “Ernie is a Damn Hero.” You’ll get to see another side of Hot Breakfast! HOLY CRAPBALLS.

DEETS:

WHERE: The Meetinghouse Theater inside the Community Education Center: 3500 Lancaster Ave. (sorta by 30th St Station) Philadelphia, PA 19104-4916

WHEN: Tuesday March 29th & Wednesday March 30th. Doors open at 7:15ish, HB! plays at 7:30 sharp, the plays start at 8pm. Six different plays both nights, for a total of 12 plays over 2 plays.a
CASH: $5 suggested donation, but nobody would be upset if you tossed in a few extra pennies.
FACEBOOK EVENT: https://www.facebook.com/events/1201529906538846″ target=”_blank”

For a measly five buckeroos ($5!), you get a night of terrific theater, snackies, pudding packs (Jill’s favorite!), beverages, and music. What better way to spend a mid-week, springish evening, AMIRITE?

See you then!

Your pals,

Suburban Legend and Ji11
(a.k.a. Matt and Jill)

Tags Ft Young y

Awesome-sauce Uncategorized theater

GIG: Philly Primary Stages: Oct 7 & 8, 7:30pm, Philadelphia

Post author By Ji11
Post date October 4, 2014
No Comments on GIG: Philly Primary Stages: Oct 7 & 8, 7:30pm, Philadelphia

It’s time to sing “Happy Birthday!” (but only half of it so you don’t have to pay royalties) to Philly’s Primary Stages which turns 10 years old this month. Look at our little Primary Stages, growing up so fast! Soon it’ll be in 5th grade, trying to steal Dad’s Playboy magazines, playing video games, climbing trees, and eating boogers, like all 10 year olds do.

I stole this from Google Images. I have no idea what it means, but it somehow seemed surreal/appropriate.

Philadelphia Dramatists Center; purveyors of fine Philadelphia theater since… well… a while ago.

The format of these events is that the PDC gives area playwrights a theme or topic, and then they write a 10-minute play based on that theme. Then we all get together to watch them! Because this is the 10th anniversary of the Primary Stages, they’ve chosen the theme of “X,” and playwrights can interpret and apply “X” to their new play in whatever way they like (X-rays, XXX-rated, ex-boyfriends, ex-girlfriends, etc.!). If you’re feelin’ theatery, you could come both nights and see a dozen morsels of fresh, original theater. We can’t promise we won’t repeat any songs, however… 🙂

This month’s shows are happening on Tuesday October 7th & Wednesday October 8th. . We play a 30-35 minute set beginning at 7:30pm, and then a 15-ish minute set at intermission. We also play the outro music for each play– songs that are hand-picked by the directors. (The directors love to test us, so we’ve been asked to do everything from rap, Led Zep, play Sousa marches on kazoos, and even play TV theme songs. We never know what we’re gonna be asked to do for the out-tro music, but we have a blast retrofitting these songs for our dork-rock-duo instrumentation.)

DEETS:

WHERE: The Meetinghouse Theater inside the Community Education Center: 3500 Lancaster Ave. (sorta by 30th St Station) Philadelphia, PA 19104-4916
WHEN: Tuesday October 7th & Wednesday October 8th. Doors open at 7:15ish, HB! plays at 7:30 sharp, the plays start at 8pm. Different plays both nights!
CASH: Because this is their fundraiser, this round is $10 each.
FACEBOOK EVENT: http://www.facebook.com/events/658386820941317/

For a measly ten bucks ($10!), you get a night of terrific theater, snackies, beverages, and music. What better way to spend a mid-week, autumnal evening, AMIRITE?

See you then!

Your pals,

Suburban Legend and Ji11
(a.k.a. Matt and Jill)

Ass-kicking Gigs Uncategorized theater

GIG: Philly’s Primary Stages, Feb 11 & 12, 2014, 7:30pm, Philadelphia

Post author By Ji11
Post date February 3, 2014
No Comments on GIG: Philly’s Primary Stages, Feb 11 & 12, 2014, 7:30pm, Philadelphia

Boy oh boy, winter is in full swing, isn’t it? And sometimes the only way to prepare for being snowed in for a few days is to get out of the house while you can! On your way to get yet another round of milk, bread, and eggs, why not swing by the Meetinghouse Theater (it’s over by 30th St. Station) and see five brand-new 10-minute plays? Sure as hell beats watching Diners, Drive-ins and Dives on your couch, which is what you’ll be stuck doing after this storm hits. Get out while you can! And just in time for Valentine’s Day, the theme of this batch of plays is “Heart Attacks, Too” which celebrates the bumpy side of love.

Ow ow ow ow ow ow ow ow... (Don't stop!)

Just as Delaware is known for having a great acoustic dork-rock power duo scene (if you consider Hot Breakfast! a scene) (as we certainly do), Philadelphia is known for having a great underground theater scene, and one of the driving forces is Philly’s Primary Stages. PPS is a “down and dirty script-in-hand staged reading series of new 10 minute plays” where playwrights get to see their new works up on their feet, and actors and directors get a fun, short project to jump into. Audience members are bribed with beer, wine, sodee pop, bottled water, assorted chips, dips, vienna sausages and puddin’ packs (of which Jill is a fan).

Philadelphia Dramatists Center; purveyors of fine Philadelphia theater since… well… a while ago.

We Hot Breakfastians come from pretty strong theater backgrouns ourselves, so we love getting to split our time between being on stage as pre-show and back-stage as the house-band/soundtrack.

This month’s shows are happening on Tuesday, February 11th and Wednesday, February 12th. We play a 30-35 minute set beginning at 7:30pm, and then a 15-ish minute set at intermission. We also play the outro music for each play– songs that are hand-picked by the directors. (The directors love to test us, so we’ve been asked to do everything from rap, Led Zep, play Sousa marches on kazoos, and even play TV theme songs. We never know what we’re gonna be asked to do for the out-tro music, but we have a blast retrofitting these songs for our dork-rock-duo instrumentation.)

We’re trying something a bit new this time around! For our Wednesday night show, we’ll be completely unplugged… no amplification at all, as we get back to our theatrical roots and fill the room with our voices and a guitar… no mics, old-skool. (If you ever want to hear Jill get on a mighty rant, ask her how she feels about schools giving student actors mics during their musicals. A teaser: “How about maybe you teach students proper singing and voice projection technique instead? ARGH!”)

There are five or six different 10-minute plays each night, so if you’re feelin’ theatery, you could come both nights and see a dozen morsels of fresh, original theater. We can’t promise we won’t repeat any songs, however… 🙂

DEETS:

WHERE: The Meetinghouse Theater inside the Community Education Center: 3500 Lancaster Ave. (sorta by 30th St Station) Philadelphia, PA 19104-4916
WHEN: Feb 11th & 12th. Doors open at 7:15ish, HB! plays at 7:30 sharp, the plays start at 8pm. Different plays both nights!
CASH: Five bucks donation… feel free to give more if you’re so moved.

For a measly five bucks ($5!), you get a night of terrific theater, snackies, beverages, and music. What better way to spend a mid-week, mid-winter night?

See you then!

Your pals,

Suburban Legend and Ji11
(a.k.a. Matt and Jill)

Awesoming Uncategorized theater

GIG: Philly’s Primary Stages, April 23 & 24, 7:30

Post author By Ji11
Post date April 1, 2013
No Comments on GIG: Philly’s Primary Stages, April 23 & 24, 7:30

Philadelphia Dramatists Center; purveyors of fine Philadelphia theater since… well… a while ago.

We Hot Breakfastians come from pretty strong theater backgrounds ourselves, so we love getting to split our time between being on stage as pre-show and back-stage as the house-band/soundtrack.

This month’s shows are happening on Tuesday, April 23rd and Wednesday, April 24th – right after Jill’s birthday. We play a 30-35 minute set beginning at 7:30pm, and then a 15-ish minute set at intermission. We also play the outro music for each play– songs that are hand-picked by the directors. (The directors love to test us, so we’ve been asked to do everything from rap, Led Zep, play Sousa marches on kazoos, and even play TV theme songs. We never know what we’re gonna be asked to do for the out-tro music, but we have a blast retrofitting these songs for our dork-rock-duo instrumentation.)

There are six different 10-minute plays each night, so if you’re feelin’ theatery, you could come both nights and see a dozen morsels of fresh, original theater. We can’t promise we won’t repeat any songs, however… 🙂

DEETS:

WHERE: New Location! Community Education Center: 3500 Lancaster Ave. (sorta near 30th St. Station) Philadelphia, PA 19104-4916
WHEN: April 23rd and 24th, 2013. Doors open at 7ish, HB! plays at 7:30 sharp, the plays start at 8pm. Different plays both nights!
CASH: Five bucks donation… feel free to give more if you’re so moved.

For a measly five bucks ($5!), you get a night of terrific theater, snackies, beverages, and music. What better way to spend a mid-week night?

See you then!

Your pals,

Suburban Legend and Ji11
(a.k.a. Matt and Jill)

Ass-kicking Gigs Awesoming Rocking Uncategorized theater

HUGE GIG: APRIL 6, 2013, 8PM: PINK FLOYD’S THE WALL at World Cafe Live at the Queen, Wilmington DE

Post author By Ji11
Post date March 25, 2013
No Comments on HUGE GIG: APRIL 6, 2013, 8PM: PINK FLOYD’S THE WALL at World Cafe Live at the Queen, Wilmington DE

Lurking deep inside each and every one of us is an angsty 16 year old (or, maybe lurking not-so-deep?). Sometimes it feels really good to let that inner-kid out and get your Pink Floyd on, y’know? Except now you’re old enough to drink legally instead of sneaking into your parents’ liquor cabinet.

The Wall

No, you’re not looking into the future… this is a shot from the last time we did The Wall back in 2010.

On April 6, 2013, the.COMPANY will be resurrecting, for one final time, our big-ol’ production of The Wall, in its entirety. Yes, we’re building a wall, and yes, we’re gonna crash that sucker!

Who is the.COMPANY? It’s a strangely-capitalized 11-piece band that Matt and Jill are a part of– we sing, and Matt also plays sax. The other eight musicians are people you know: Joe Trainor (lead vocals / piano) and Kevin Niemi (bass) from the Joe Trainor Trio, Joe Testa (of Noelle Picara’s band) on guitar, Chuck Kuzminski (of CKuz Guitars and also from our Billy Joel tribute show) also on guitar, Shawn Trainor (formerly of Cubane) on vocals, mandolin, and SFX, Steve Kuzminski on HOLY CRAP ALL THE KEYBOARDS, Genevieve van Catledge and Steven We also on vocals, and coming in from Colorado because it’s not the.COMPANY without him: Ben E King (formerly of Apex Watson).

This show is gonna be great. We’re sad to hang it up, but we know it’s time. So please come bid farewell to the show, and also to Jill’s midriff because this is the last time that bizzle is gonna be on display. (One must age gracefully.) 🙂

DEETS:
WHO: the.COMPANY — an 11-piece all-star band, of which we’re a part
WHAT: All of Pink Floyd’s epic double-album, THE WALL
WHEN: Saturday April 6, 2013. Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm. There is no opening band.
WHERE: World Cafe Live at the Queen, downstairs.
TICKETS: Tickets are $20. Buy them at the Queen website here. Please note: The balcony is already sold out– these puppies are going fast!
PARKING: There’s a very nice parking garage on 5th between King and Market. (Enter from the King Street side, since 5th is a one-way.) Say hello to Cassondra the parking attendant– she is awesome.
FOOD: There is food upstairs in the restaurant before the show. (Get reservations. A concert ticket is not the same thing as a dinner reservation.)
BOOZE: There is a full-service bar downstairs where we’re performing. Rumor has it you can also order noshy-food at the bar, but I can’t confirm this, so don’t bank on it.
WEED: You’re on your own, son. Drugs are bad, m’kay?

We hope to see you there!

Your pals in rock,

Ji11 and Suburban Legend

Uncategorized theater

SHOW: 3/1 and 3/2 8PM: “On The Air” at City Theater Company, Wilmington DE

Post author By Ji11
Post date February 25, 2013
No Comments on SHOW: 3/1 and 3/2 8PM: “On The Air” at City Theater Company, Wilmington DE

For the last few months, Kevin Regan (of popular webserieseseses The League, The Clink, and The Cheap Seats) and Joe Trainor (of the Joe Trainor Trio) have been writing a new musical called “On The Air.” It’s set in New York City in late 1941, just a week before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The cast of “Sunshine Days,” a radio soap opera, is going through some turmoil as they wait to hear if they’re going to be moved to California at the request of their corporate sponsor. It’s a funny, fast-paced play with a lot of heart, and the music has that classic Joe Trainor sound. I love how the play is set in the 1940s but the music is very modern; I really dig the juxtaposition.

I purposely left Matt out of this photo. Only people who see the show get to see Matt without his hat.

When Kevin and Joe approached us about being in the show, our first thought was “No thanks.” But in their typical persuasive way, they asked us to “just sit in on the read-through,” and we just fell in love with the show.

On The Air is presented as a workshop, which means it’s a work in progress. We were given new songs and scenes as recently as two weeks ago, and new blocking just a few days before we opened… that’s the beauty and excitement of doing a workshop. Matt and I are both really, sincerely honored that we were asked to be involved in this show, and thrilled that we were smart enough to say yes! It takes a lot for us to take time away from Hot Breakfast, but this experience has been very fulfilling, inspirational, and FUN.

Doing this show has rekindled my love of theater, and I’m sad that there are only four performances. The first two performances were last weekend, and this coming weekend (March 1 and 2) is closing weekend: March 1st and 2nd (Fri and Sat), both shows at 8pm.

If you’re interested in coming to see the show, GET TICKETS NOW. THEY WILL SELL OUT. (ALL CAPS!) Tickets are general admission, so try to sit closer to the front if you can, though it’s no biggie if you can’t; it’s a small space.

But seriously… come. You’ll dig it.

DEETS:
WHAT: “On The Air” – a brand-new musical by Kevin Regan and Joe Trainor
WHO: City Theater Company. Matt and I are part of a cast of nine people.
WHERE: Opera Delaware Studios, 4 South Poplar St Wilmington, DE 19801. There’s a parking lot.
WHEN: Friday and Saturday 2/22 and 2/23, Friday and Saturday 3/1 and 3/2. 8PM.
TICKETS: http://city-theater.org/tickets/ If you need to buy with a credit card, you need to buy your tickets online. If you’re buying tickets at the door, it’s cash only. But seriously… buy them online because they’re going to sell out.
FACEBOOK EVENT: http://www.facebook.com/events/129489870553887/

Hope to see you there!

Your pals,

Ji11 and Suburban Legend