A spectacular world premiere at Queens Theatre in the Park (QTIP) entitled “One-Ride” and a cult comedy at the Greek Cultural Center (GCC) called “The Mystery of Irma Vep” are anchors in this week’s entertainment round up.
Rodeo legend Chris LeDoux is the inspiration for the brand new musical, “One Ride,” which is kicking up plenty of excitement for its national tour beginning in Queens. It features 10 remarkably agile dancers, an outstanding six piece band known as the Western Underground and one sensational lead singer/guitarist, Lane Turner.
The dancers offer energetic interpretations of more than a dozen songs. They tell a story of a starry eyed young cowboy who hopes to buck broncos in the modern west. He meets and matches men and women from all corners of the rodeo world. Songs including “Hooked on an Eight Second Ride,” and “It Ain’t the Years, It’s the Miles,” reveal the glamorous and difficult roads a rodeo cowboy travels. Stunning visuals on a huge screen, great costumes and a stylized “bare back bronco” are important tools in the storytelling.
The project is more than a labor of love for creator/director/choreographer Robert Royston and his wife Nicola. Portions of the proceeds are earmarked for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund.
QTP’s executive director, Jeff Rosenstock, urges theatergoers to make this world premiere a must see. Call 718-760-0064 or go to www.queenstheatre.org for tix.
The Greek Cultural Center is a charming venue in Astoria at 26-80 30th Street. Their current production is a cult favorite that combines comedy, satire and melodrama. Two actors portray all the characters with countless costume changes, clever humor and broad physical comedy.
“The Mystery of Irma Vep” by Charles Ludlam is performed entirely in Greek, but don’t let that stop you. There are English “supertitles” projected overhead. The intimate theatre puts you right next to the performers, creating an even greater level of shared emotions.
The play is directed and performed by Evangelos Alexiou and Christos Alexandridis, both are absolutely incredible. A sense of comic timing and absurdity is amply demonstrated by the twosome. There are a large amount of special effects that provide a challenge for the crew and delight to the audience.
Call 718-726-7329 or go to www.greekculturalcenter.org.
Shorter days mean brighter nights onstage in Queens. As always, save me a seat on the aisle.
