‘CLOWNS, GODDESSES & TOUGH GUYS’ REVIVED AFTER 15 YEARS FOR L.A. PREMIERE AT THEATRE ASYLUM LAB FOR THE HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FEST

Hollywood, CA (May 26, 2012)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
James Schneider, Producer, Writer/Performer
james (at) jsair.net
www.jamesschneider.com

‘CLOWNS, GODDESSES & TOUGH GUYS’ TO BE REVIVED FOR L.A. PREMIERE AT THE 2012 HOLLYWOOD FRINGE FEST

Original bluesy-pop songs punctuate soulful monologue on how, in 1977, a boy rebuilds himself from tragedy with the help of some very famous strangers. How? By showing up at their front door, of course.

Knock Knock.
Who’s There?
A 12-year-old kid who loves your work, and would really like your autographed picture.

Groucho. Lucy. Kojak. The Tin Man & The Scarecrow. Plus, another legendary TV cop who, in real life, sends the kid on a lifelong quest. This true, family-friendly story is told by a man and his piano, and directed by David Razowsky.

‘That always interesting musician-actor’ states The Chicago Tribune, James Schneider premiered C.G.T.G. in the late 1990s, garnering acclaim for his theatrical run at Live Bait Theatre, in Chicago. The show also played Seattle’s Bumbershoot Festival as well as in Brussels, Belgium.

‘On my dad’s business trip at the end of the summer, I had nothing to do in L.A.,’ Schneider said. ‘My mom had recently passed away and I found an unconventional way to entertain myself, I guess. Some of these stars actually invited me into their homes to chat. Can you imagine that today?’ *

Schneider began writing and performing original songs and monologues after a sanctioned but short-lived workshop production of Elvis Costello’s Imperial Bedroom, in 1994, at Famous Door Theatre in Chicago. This was adapted and performed by Schneider and his childhood friend, Scott Bennett. (Bennett is, and has, been Brian Wilson’s collaborator on stage, and in the studio, for the last ten years) Schneider and Bennett’s landmark stab at transforming an Album for the stage took place years before the idea took hold on Broadway and beyond. But, after failing to secure the rights to carry on (‘We simply couldn’t afford it’ ), Schneider began work on his own material. Bennett joined Schneider for the 1997 Chicago production of Clowns, which featured a small funky combo; he also produced the CD, and co-authored a song on there with Schneider (No Offense).**

Schneider’s songs evoke the flavors of Joe Jackson, Randy Newman, and Ben Folds.

Schneider premiered FULL FRONTAL MUSIC, a solo show with original songs and monologues, at last year’s Hollywood Fringe Festival. An adult look at the changing role of Modern Man, it played Theatre Asylum Lab last June.

Additionally, he has premiered new songs and monologues with The Write Club at iO West and other venues, under the direction of Paula Killen. He performs ALL MY PRESIDENTS on occasional Tuesdays, at iO West. Schneider moved from Chicago with his family in 2006, where he had been a successful voiceover artist and writer/performer. In Chicago, Schneider performed with several companies such as: Remains, Famous Door, American Blues, and Victory Gardens. He has worked with Steven Soderbergh, appearing in Oceans 12.

David Razowsky (Director) is the former artistic director of The Second City Training Center and has worked with Dreamworks, Steppenwolf, The Reduced Shakespeare Company, Steve Carrell, Stephen Colbert and Amy Sedaris. David’s a master improvisation teacher, actor, director, and performs Razowski and Clifford with his improv partner, Carrie Clifford.

CALENDAR DETAILS
Theatre Asylum Lab
6320 Santa Monica Blvd, a block west of Vine.
Tickets: 323-455-4585
http://hff12.org/784

Sat. June 9th, 5:30pm
Thur. June 14, 7pm
Sun. June 17, 5:30pm
Thur. June 21, 10pm
Sat. June 23, 4pm
Sun, June 24, 5:30pm

Theatre Asylum is located a block west of Vine on Santa Monica Blvd, and this year, is directly next to Fringe Central. Fringe Central is the hub where people convene before and after shows, enjoy a drink, and sample the Food Trucks that show up to sell their wares.

*To see some of the actual autographed pictures, go to: http://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/784

**To see and hear a live performance of the song, No Offense, from the 1997 Chicago production, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=jSt0iB_nYLI
Also available on the Hollywood Fringe page for Clowns, Goddesses & Tough Guys — clicking on the image