BASH'd: A Gay Rap Opera

BASH'd featured on CBS News (Logo)

2008-08-14T19:49:00.001-06:00

Chris and Nathan on FOX News

2008-07-25T13:41:00.001-06:00

What the Critics are Saying...

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“Audiences should be impressed by the passion of its convictions. The production, clocking in at an hour and change at the Zipper Factory Theater, is deftly directed by Ron Jenkins. BASH'd shows its rage, its grief and its driven, heartfelt determination.”
-New York Times

“BASH'd, a furious, fast-moving, hip-hop entertainment! The show expertly expands the boundaries of musical theatre while championing a defiant call for gay civil rights and an end to prejudice and violence. As one of the lyrics proclaims, 'it's Romeo meets Romeo,' complete with an ample supply of scatological
language, swaggering attitude and a keen, often hilarious sense of observation about gay life.”
-Associated Press

“The idiosyncrasies of gay life are displayed vividly (and sometimes in raunchy detail) as Craddock and Cuckow snap from character to character, creating a world full of aggressive drag queens, disdainful lesbians, macho conservative dads, wayward straight boys and one pitch-perfect, loving-but-cringing mother.”
-New York Daily News

“Gays get a good rap! The story is not only moving but also hilarious.”
-New York Post

"More amusing than anything else in musical theater’s avant-garde. They’re also carrying on Missy Elliott and Lil’ Kim’s mission of extending the rapping-inappropriately-about-sex franchise to a group other than straight men."
-New York Magazine

“When Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow—two white Canadians who look more like character actors than rappers—strut onto the Zipper stage in off-pink duds to a big, stomping beat and throw down multi-syllabic rhymes like hip-hop pros, it's not just their formidable mastery of the style that convinces, but the balls-out content. BASH'd is a triumph on many other levels, but its most unlikely, and profound, victory is this potent, transformative pop-culture hybrid: gangsta queer. This alternately joyous and
angry style fits the show's sweet, archetypal love story, which comes with a cautionary kick. With Aaron Macri's bright, deep beats and Ron Jenkins's relentless direction, Bash'd is, in all senses, a deeply moving shout-out.”
-Village Voice

“Joyful and engaging ... satisfying entertainment! Their 65-minute concert-cum-musical, not only puts a smart spin on gay rights but also delivers some radio-worthy hip-hop. A song about the various
stereotypes in a gay club becomes a satirical tour de force. The music is so joyful and engaging that it seems like the perfect soundtrack for falling in love.”
-Variety

“And while it may initially seem strange to see two white boys performing gay rap, any misgivings soongive way thanks largely to the duo's high-energy performance, which is oftentimes simply explosive. Craddock and Cuckow's clever rhymes and strong storytelling skills provide a potent mixture of comedy
and drama.''
-Theatre Mania

“BASH'd is a masterpiece! The power of the 75-minute piece as written is undeniable. The rap poetry is alternately sexy, angry, exciting, and devastating, and the subject of anti-gay violence is handled in a deeply affecting yet non-sensational way. Skillfully directed by Ron Jenkins, the show is also praiseworthy for its costume design (Chase Tyler) and lighting (Bradley Clements), not to mention its all-important sound design (Kris Pierce). BASH'd is a must-see.”
-AfterElton.com

“A tightly-written, fully-integrated, and ferocious production! BASH'd is flipping the conventions of musical theatre and gay culture on their heads. A production that packs a powerful punch in just over an hour! BASH'd has done the impossible. Its shape and arc have convinced this jaded show queen that there is a solid, gleaming bridge between the wordplay and rhyme schemes of classic musical theatre writing and those of the rap genre. Suffice to say the lyrics and performances are relentlessly thrilling,
touching, and hilarious. The romance unfolds like a Shakespearean drama and the tragedy skewers like the finest of Euripides's offerings. If you don't believe that a "rap opera" can live up to these zealous compliments, you've got quite an enjoyable journey ahead of you.”
-NYTheatre.com

“A musical that actually gets away with combining the words ‘gay,’ ‘rap’ and ‘opera’”
-Jossip.com

“BASH'd is funny, clever, poignant and surprisingly serious in tone. I was left with my mouth agape by the performance.”
-Pinkisthenewblog.com

“Their rhymes are clever, their flow is tight and their stage presence borders on superhuman.”
-HX Magazine

“(BASH'd) deserves a place at the top of your must-see list. It's not merely that it's a creative adaptation of the rap idiom to tell the story of a gay love and a tragedy born out of bigotry and rage. It's
not merely wonderfully performed by two white guys completely at home in their adopted rap personas. Nor is it that it is a sensitive piece that balances satire and seriousness, silliness and intelligence. In fact, it is the confluence of all of these factors that makes this show outrageously funny, profoundly touching, and thoroughly entertaining. If any show could in 75 scant minutes capture so much of the gay experience, this is it. This dazzling and original show stands out as an evocation of the gay experience, all its joys and sorrows and it does so with a confidence and commitment that is beyond impressive. Don't miss this.”
-Gay City New

BASH'd Opening Night to Benefit the Anti-Violence Project

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The Opening Night for BASH'd, the acclaimed Gay Rap Opera, will benefit AVP, Anti-Violence Project. The Off-Broadway premiere will be at The Zipper Factory Theater (336 West 37th Street between 8th & 9th Avenues) on Monday, June 23rd. In addition to the opening night benefit, premium tickets will be available for purchase throughout the run and will continue to benefit AVP. Previews begin Friday June 13th.

To purchase tickets, call 212-352-3101 & mention code AVP or click here http://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/47571/prm/AVP to order online.

Founded in 1980 by community activists as a grassroots response to anti-gay bias attacks occurring in Chelsea, today the Anti-Violence Project is the largest LGBT community-based anti-violence program in the United States, as well as the coordinator of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Projects (NCAVP).

Increased visibility is escalating both the incidence and severity of violence against LGBT people across the country. The Anti-Violence Project receives a call about an anti-LGBT incident on average every 12 hours, and a call about an anti-LGBT assault every 36 hours. NCAVP's Hate Violence Report documented an alarming 24% increase in total number of victims reporting incidents of anti-LGBT violence in 2007.

AVP meets it promise to the community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you, or someone you know have been a victim of abuse please call AVP's 24-hour Bilingual Hotline 212-714-1141. All services are free and confidential.

Off Broadway debut at The Zipper Factory Theatre!

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Stephen Kocis, Carl D. White, Paul Boskind, and Michael Filerman are proud to present the Off-Broadway Premiere of BASH’d!, the acclaimed Gay Rap Opera. Performances will begin June 13th at The Zipper Factory Theater (336 West 37th Street between 8th & 9th Avenues) with Opening Night set for Monday, June 23rd.

Show times:
Mondays at 8pm
Thursdays at 8pm
Fridays at 7:30pm and 10pm
Saturdays at 8pm

Tickets ($25 - $55) are available by calling (212)352-3101 or by visiting www.thezipperfactory.com

The Zipper is located in Manhattan at 336 West 37th Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues.

Come out to see the Off Broadway run!

GLAAD Media Awards

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The 19th Annual GLAAD Media Awards were held in New York on Monday March 17th, and BASH'd won the GLAAD Award for New York Theatre - Off-Off-Broadway production.

Thank you GLAAD!

BASH'd to Premiere Off-Broadway this Summer

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BASH'd is coming back to NYC in Summer 2008!

GLAAD Media Award Nomination

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The GLAAD Media Awards recognize and honor media for their fair, accurate and inclusive representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the issues that affect their lives.

The Award Nominations were announced in Park City, Utah on Sunday January 20th, 2008.
BASH'd was nominated in the category: New York Theatre - Off-off-Broadway.

The BASH'd boys are honored by the nomination, and very excited about the upcoming Awards Ceremony.

Other major recognition from the BASH'd 2007 tour:

Theatremania.com listed BASH'd as one of the Top NYC Productions of 2007

Backstage.com listed BASH'd as one of the top "Performances to Remember" in NYC for 2007

Gay City News (NYC) honoured BASH'd with an "Aggie Award" for Best Live Performance of 2007 (10 awards were given out, other recipients included Mary J Blige and Usher!)

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BASH'd! chronicles the tale of a pair of lovers, one of whom is bashed, prompting the other to take revenge. It is told entirely through rap, spoken word and poetry, turning the often homophobic musical genre to our own purpose.

BASH'd! is loosely based on the real life spike in hate crimes in Alberta, Canada during the national debate on equal marriage for gays and lesbians. Since this debate, same sex marriage has been legalized in Canada, despite the fervent protests of the religious right. In America the struggle continues. BASH'd! explores the effect of homophobic violence and the emotions associated with being any marginalized population. Though the topic is serious, the play itself is fast paced, high energy and full of laughs.

BASH'd in 2008

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BASH'd will run Tuesday January 22 through to Saturday January 26 as part of One Yellow Rabbit's High Performance Rodeo!

One Yellow Rabbit is a world renowned theatre company based out of Calgary. Their annual High Performance Rodeo is Western Canada's premier showcase for creative new work. Check out the OYR website for full details on the 2008 High Performance Rodeo.

One Yellow Rabbit
High Performance Rodeo Schedule

Tuesday, January 22 at 9:30 - $22

Wednesday January 23 at 9:30 PM - $22

Thursday, January 24 at 7:30 PM - $25

Friday, January 25 at 9:30 PM - $30

Saturday, January 26 at 7:30 PM - $30

At The Big Secret Theatre
2nd Floor Centre Court: 225 - 8 Ave. S.E.

Tickets

call OYR at 264.3224

buy online at Ticketmaster

BASH'd was showcased in Toronto as a part of the Next Stage Theatre Festival from January 3rd until January 13th.

The Next Stage Theatre Festival is a new, juried festival from the producers of the Fringe of Toronto Theatre Festival. See some of the press from Next Stage on the left side of the page under "Hot Press".

BASH'd boys on the cover of Toronto's EYE WEEKLY magazine!

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BASH'd was such a hot show at the Toronto Fringe that EYE WEEKLY decided to set up a photo shoot to put T-BAG and FEMINEM on the cover of their weekly magazine!

To see more BASH'd media, click on any of the HOT PRESS links on the left side of this page.

What the Critics are saying about BASH'd

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“One of the strongest Fringe entries I've seen in the 11 years of the festival”
-THEATRE MANIA, NYC

“BASH’d is Brilliant…this is a show you don’t dare miss”
-Richard Ouzounian, TORONTO STAR

“BASH’d has already proven itself a hit”
-VARIETY MAGAZINE

“Kudos to these audacious Canadians for confronting one of the last great civil rights issues of our time so fearlessly in a show that audiences can really respond to”
-Martin Denton, NYTHEATRE.COM

“I doubt that I will see a better show than this all year... [BASH'd] brilliantly fuses music, words, superb acting, and political vigor into great theater.”
-Gay City News

“one of the best Fringe shows I’ve seen in 10 years of Fringing”
-NOW MAGAZINE

“Give these gay rapping angels a record deal”
-EYE WEEKLY

“a fast paced, witty, intricate and exceptionally poignant piece of theatre”
-SEE MAGAZINE

“a clever little stinger of a show”
-EDMONTON JOURNAL

“Employing rap, a genre known for its homophobia, sizzling writer/performers Craddock and Cuckow explore young queer life, gay marriage and violence with jaw-dropping energy, imagination and utter ballsiness. Aaron Macri's beats are sophisticated and catchy, while the smart rhymes deliver every single time. Unabashedly political, proud and even moving, it's one of the strongest Fringe shows I've ever seen.”
-Glenn Sumi, NOW MAGAZINE

To see the articles that these quotes have been drawn from, please see our "Hot Press" links on the left side of the blog

Recent Accolades

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BASH'd was awarded Outstanding Musical at the 2007 New York International Fringe Festival.

BASH’d was honoured as NOW Magazine’s “Pick of the Fringe” at the 2007 Toronto Fringe Festival.

BASH’d received the Toronto Fringe Festival’s coveted “Patron’s Pick” award.

BASH'd was honoured with the 2007 Sterling Award for Outstanding Independent Production. The Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards are presented annually to recognize excellence in the Edmonton, Canada Theatre Community. BASH’d received three additional Sterling Award nominations: (Outstanding Production of a Musical,
Outstanding New Play,
Outstanding Score of a Play or Musical)

The BASH'd boys were recognized by Edmonton's Pride Awards Committee at the launch of Edmonton's 2007 Pride Week festivities. They received a Certificate of Achievement for their contribution to Edmonton's LGBT communities.

BASH'd love (what Toronto audiences had to say about the show)

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“it’s one of the best shows i’ve seen in the last few years, Fringe or otherwise”

“Great show, great rap, great energy!!!”

“Fabulous! It is a must see. The two actors are incredible, the music is great, the story is compelling and the message heart felt. There is nothing bad to say about this show. They received a deserved standing ovation at the performance I saw.”

“This is an outstanding production. These guys are pure genius! I think you’ve got yourselves a hit boys.”

“BEST show ! I laughed and cried! Great original lyrics, awesome choreography and an important story that many more need to hear.”

“Two words: simply phenomenal. This is one Fringe show where you should believe the hype.”

“At times hysterically funny, at others emotionally moving, _BASH’d!_ is a tour de force. I especially enjoyed the political dimensions to the piece- it’s obvious that Craddock and Cuckow have experienced firsthand the destructive impact that politicians such as Ralph Klein have had upon issues of discrimination. Congratulations to all those involved in the project!”

“It’s a powerful show that immediately shredded my aversion to the musical form and swept me into the story. As with Boygroove (the satirical boy-band), I commend the performers mastery over the form, even as they use it to subvert the culture that surrounds around it.”

“The music, layered crisis and emotion build to a climax that is, well, operatic. The audience leapt to a standing ovation. Of a dozen or so mostly good shows, this is by far the best of the bunch, and has great potential for further development. Bravo!”

All of the above quotes are taken from the Fringe Festival feedback forum on Toronto’s EYE WEEKLY website: (http://eyeweekly.com/fringe2007/?p=35#comments)

ARTIST BIOS

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Nathan Cuckow (playwright/performer)

Nathan is a Sterling Award winning Edmonton based Actor/Producer/Playwright and a Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Edmonton's critically acclaimed, multi-Sterling Award winning, independent theatre collective, Kill Your Television ( K.Y.T).

Nathan was last seen in Daniel MacIvor's one-man show, Monster (for which he received a Sterling Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role); in the Sterling Award winning production of BASH'd! a gay rap opera, co-written and performed by Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow (Outstanding Independent Production); in Shadow Theatre's production of Richard Greenberg's Three Days of Rain (Sterling Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role); and in K.Y.T.'s Sterling Award winning production of The Glass Menagerie (Outstanding Independent Production).

Other credits include: 3...2...1 co-written and performed by Nathan Cuckow & Chris Craddock at The 2005 Magnetic North Festival in Ottawa/Edmonton in May 2004 at Azimuth Theatre (Sterling Award nomination for Best New Play) 3...2..1 was recently published by Signature Editions in the collection Two Hands Clapping and toured to Kitchener, St.Catherines, Barrie, ON, and the Yukon; his Sterling Award nominated one-man show, STANDupHOMO, which was performed at the 2002 Winnipeg and Edmonton Fringe Festivals, in Jan. 2005 at One Yellow Rabbit's 19th Annual High Performance Rodeo in Calgary, and in Aug. 2005 at the 15th Annual Summerworks Festival in Toronto; K.Y.T's Sterling Award nominated production's Fool for Love and This Is Our Youth; K.Y.T's Sterling award winning productions STOP KISS, SHAKESPEARE'S R&J, and subUrbia, (Sterling Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role);and Teatro La Quindicina's The Hothouse Prince and Two Tall, Too Thin by Stewart Lemoine.

Chris Craddock (playwright/performer)

Chris Craddock graduated from the University of Alberta's BFA Acting Program in 1996 and began his theatre career in Edmonton shortly thereafter. His writing debut, SuperEd, was workshopped at Theatre Network's Festival of the Next Generation, then produced by Terrible Children Theatre and then mounted at the Winnipeg Fringe and the Edmonton Fringe, where it would play alongside another new play of his, Indulgences, directed by Glenda Stirling.

From this point, Craddock would set out to learn the skill of collaboration, teaming up with popular Edmonton artist Wes Borg on the one-man show HA! (which would go on to receive productions in Winnipeg, Calgary, Grande Prairie and Edmonton, earning Craddock his first Sterling Award for Outstanding Performance) as well as with Darrin Hagen on a trilogy of comedies about a gender-bent private eye (in order: Tranny Get Your Gun; Men Are Stoopid, Women are Cra-azy and Tranne of Green Gables); these would see Craddock making his directorial debut with productions at the Edmonton Comedy Arts Festival, Vancouver Comedy Festival and One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo.

Chris would continue writing with a string of award-winning and critically-acclaimed plays, including On Being a Peon (awarded the Sterling Award for Best Production of a Collective) and his first play with songs, The Critic, presented at the Varscona Theatre in 2000. He would later be commissioned by Theatre of the New Heart for a new play Moving Along which would go on to be presented at Theatre Network Performance Series, and, based on its continued critical and popular success, would appear in the 2005-2006 season of One Yellow Rabbit and aired nationally on Bravo! as part of their Singular Series.

Through this time, Craddock would develop his craft as a TYA (Theatre for Young Audiences) playwright. His plays The Day Billy Lived, Wrecked, Making Out (together with Ian Rowe) and Do it Right would go on to tour schools and institutions all over North America; most notably, a GTA tour of Wrecked, produced by Toronto’s Roseneath Theatre, would earn a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Best TYA Production, as well as one for Best Actress. The Day Billy Lived would be workshopped by the Debajehmuhjig Theatre Group of Wikwemikong, Ontario and would complete a tour of schools, reserves and settlements all over Alberta. (Chris would later present Metis artist Sheldon Elter’s Metis Mutt for a similar tour). Ultimately, Chris’s writings for teens would be published in a compilation entitled Naked at School – Three Plays for Teens, which would win an Alberta Book Award.

In the fall of 2001, Craddock would be appointed Artistic Director of Azimuth Theatre. In his first year, he would build and furnish a new space for the company, effecting a visible change in Azimuth’s activity level and visibility within the City of Edmonton (as well as throughout the province, where the company implemented Social Action tours). Chris would help to develop an exuberant young adult audience at Azimuth through his sell-out shows PornStar and the debut of his musical BoyGroove (songs and lyrics by Aaron Macri). BoyGroove would go on to tour the Canadian Fringe Festival circuit twice with circuit-favorite ensemble Ribbit Productions; based on its immense success (sellouts across the country, 5-STAR reviews from the Toronto Star and countless Canadian media sources) the show would earn a hit 8-week run in Toronto for which it would be honored with a Dora Mavor Moore Award for Audience Choice. Chris would follow suite with 3…2…1 (co-written and performed with Nathan Cuckow), whose instant success would earn it an invitation to the to the 2005 Magnetic North Festival; a “sleeper hit,” it would earn itself an extensive national tour from Toronto to the Yukon.

After a successful three-year tenure, Chris would leave Azimuth in the Spring of 2004 to take on the role Artistic Director of Rapid Fire Theatre, Edmonton’s premiere improvisational theatre company. Chris has since been honored to run, teach, and perform as an improviser with Rapid Fire Theatre, who have innovated techniques in fusing theatrical practice with improvisational theatre, and have performed (and won improvisation competitions) all over the world (including Atlanta, Berlin, Bochum, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Winnipeg and small venues all over the Alberta.)

Chris continues to regularly write, direct, perform and produce plays across Canada. His recent piece Faithless (co-written and performed with Steve Pirot) opened at One Yellow Rabbit’s High Performance Rodeo and has since played at Catalyst Theatre's Blind Date Series and in Theatre Network’s season. His piece Summer of My Amazing Luck based on the novel of the same name by Miriam Toews has toured to the Alberta Scene at the National Arts Centre and MTC (Manitoba Theatre Centre) in Winnipeg. Chris is the recipient of a 2005 Centennial Medal Award for contribution to the arts in Alberta. He continues to call Edmonton home.

The Critics have Spoken:

“Craddock is nothing short of brilliant” – Calgary Herald

“Moving Along …pushes the boundaries and pulls us along with it” – See Magazine

"An absolutely radical breath of theatrical fresh air."—See Magazine

“…the best new play of the season” – Edmonton Journal

“…wildly energetic, manically inventive…” Fast Forward Weekly

“Craddock is absolutely brilliant” – Winnipeg Free Press

Aaron Macri (composer)

Aaron is an Edmonton based Sterling Award nominated Sound Designer/Musician and a graduate of Edmonton’s Grant MacEwan College Music program. His most recent designs include: the gay4pay co-op’s production of BASH’d! at the Roost Niteclub; Azimuth Theatre’s Sterling Award Nominated production’s BoyGroove, Faithless, and 3...2...1; the gay4pay co-op’s production of STANDupHOMO; Catalyst Theatre’s Carmen Angel; Ribbit Production’s Pilk Madhouse; Panties Production’s Burlesque; FreeWill Players Twelfth Night; Citadel Theatre’s Stones in his Pockets.

R.M. Jenkins (director)

Ron is an Edmonton based Sterling Award winning Director/Actor/Playwright. He has worked across the country from Halifax to Vancouver and is the former Artistic Director of Workshop West Theatre. Selected credits include: the William S. Burroughs, Tom Waits, Robert Wilson musical The Black Rider (Sterling Award for Outstanding Direction, 1999 N.Y.C International Fringe Festival Winner Outstanding Direction); Ron Chamber's 17 Dogs; Mieko Ouchi’s The Red Priest (EIGHT WAYS TO SAY GOODBYE); Mary’s Wedding by Stephen Massicotte (Sterling Award nomination for Outstanding Director); Mesa; Ilsa Queen of the Nazi Love Camp; Apple by Vern Theisen; The Edmonton Queen by Darrin Hagen. Ron has been honoured with four Elizabeth Sterling Haynes Awards for directing THE BLACK RIDER, Ron RESPECTABLE, STEEL KISS and THE HORROR, THE HORROR, and was also the winner of the 2004 Syncrude Award for Innovative Artistic Direction.

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