Max Bialystock, call your office
[A press release, from the Outsider Music e-list]
“THE SHAGGS” EXTENDS THROUGH DECEMBER 20.
STORY OF THE WORST GIRL BAND IN ROCK ‘N ROLL HISTORY
BREAKS BOX OFFICE RECORD AT [INSIDE] THE FORD.
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Powerhouse Theatre Company extends its world premiere
production of The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World, part of the Hot
Properties series at [Inside] the Ford, for one week, through December 20.
The Shaggs is the strange but true story of one of the worst bands in rock
’n roll history—a so-called “outsider” girl group that played in their home
town of Fremont, New Hampshire during the late ’60s and early ’70s. The
three Wiggin sisters: Dot (guitar, vocals), Betty (guitar, vocals) and
Helen (drums) recorded two albums before their father, Austin, died and the
band died along with him. The Shaggs’ first album, “Philosophy of the
World”, was recorded before the girls knew how to play their
instruments. With the attention of Frank Zappa and NRBQ, it has since
become a cult classic.
“This production has an incredible momentum and a life of its own,”
comments producer Andrew Barrett-Weiss. “Shaggs fans are flying in to see
it from other cities. Last weekend, the fourth in the run, The Shaggs
broke the box office record for productions in the Hot Properties series at
[Inside] the Ford.”
The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World has been acclaimed by fans and theater
critics alike. Rob Kendt wrote in the Los Angeles Times, “[A] terrific new
musical...The cast is flawless... By turns hilarious and troubling,
celebratory and darkly ironic, ‘The Shaggs’ moves on its feet as surely as
it moves us. Seldom has so-called ‘outsider art’ struck so close to home...
Critic’s Choice!!” James C. Taylor of radio station KCRW called The
Shaggs “an important world premiere for Los Angeles,” and Jeff Favre of the
Daily Breeze said, “those who attend this world premiere will be able to
say they saw it first.” Fred Shuster summed it up in the Daily News: “The
show is funny, touching, completely wacky and highly entertaining,”
The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World is written by Joy Gregory with music by
Gunnar Madsen. John Langs directs, musical direction is by David O., and
choreography is by Ken Roht. Featured in the cast are Hedy Burress, Joe
Fria, Sarah Hays, Jamey Hood, Hubert Hodgin, Laura Lamson, Rob Moore, and
Steven Patterson.
Hot Properties series is a collaboration of the Los Angeles County Arts
Commission and A.S.K. Theatre Projects, made possible in part by a generous
grant from The James Irvine Foundation.
The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World continues Thursday, Friday, Saturday
at 8 pm and Sunday at 7 pm, through December 20. Tickets on Thursdays and
Sundays are $20.00; Fridays and Saturdays are $22.00; student and senior
tickets are available for $18.00. [Inside] the Ford is located at 2580
Cahuenga Blvd. East in Hollywood, off the 101, across the freeway from
the Hollywood Bowl and south of Universal Studios. Free, non-stacked
parking is available on-site. For reservations and information, the public
should call the Ford Theatres Box Office at (323) 461-3673 or go to
www.fordamphitheatre.org.
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