An interview with James Kautz, the artistic director of The Amoralists and the director of The Qualification of Douglas Evans (playing at Walker Space through August 9, 2014) and Jay Stull, director of Enter at Forest Lawn (playing at Walker Space through August 9, 2014 ). We had an earnest conversation about the plays they directed this summer, how they found their way to acting, writing, and directing in the theater, surviving as an artist in New York City, the gamble of producing exclusively new work, and future projects from The Amoralists.

Have a listen and go see their shows!

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The Qualification of Douglas EvansWritten by Derek AhonenDirected by James Kautz

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Enter at Forest LawnWritten by Mark RobertsDirected by Jay Stull

BUY TICKETS

Second Stage opened two new productions this week, Sex with Strangers, at its main stage in Midtown, and Mala Hierba, at its smaller venue on the Upper West Side. Lindsay, Nicole, and Isaac discuss these and revisit Michael Mayers production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch starring Neil Patrick Harris and Lena Hall. They also do a mini-preview of upcoming August shows, including Bedlam Nightmares, Shakesbeer, and King Lear at Shakespeare in the Park.

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SHOWS DISCUSSED

Sex With Strangers

Written by Laura EasonDirected by David Schwimmer

A popular blogger (Billy Magnussen, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike) and a reserved novelist (Anna Gunn, TVs Breaking Bad) spend a long weekend at a snowy bed and breakfast, each hoping to make progress on their latest writing projects. As the title suggests, its not a productive weekend work-wise.

Performances through August 24, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Second Stage

Mala Hierba

Written by Tanya SarachoDirected by Jerry Ruiz

Liliana is married to an abusive yet powerful border magnate in Texas whose resources pay for her fathers health care, mothers home, and sisters college tuition. An old flame reappears in her life and she must decide whether to flee or stay.

Performances through August 9, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Second Stage

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

By John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen TraskDirected by Michael Mayer

Tony Award winner Neil Patrick Harris ends his run as Hedwig on August 17, 2014. After that, Andrew Rannells will take over the role. Tony Award winner Lena Hall will continue in the role of Yitzhak. Although we discussed the production before, we offer a few additional thoughts on Michael Mayers production and the 2001 movie version.

Performances through October 12, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Belasco Theater

SHOW PREVIEWS

The Maids

Written by Jean GenetNew English translation by Benedict Andrews and Andrew UptonDirected by Benedict Andrews

The Sydney Theatre Company brings The Maids to New York City, in a production starring Cate Blanchett and Isabelle Huppert as two sisters who aim to kill their employer. This is a high demand ticket but last we checked there was availability.

August 6, 2014 through August 16, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Lincoln Center Festival

Untitled Vampire Cowboys Project

Written by Qui NguyenDirected by Robert Ross Parker

The Vampire Cowboys, a group known for mixing the mediums of theater and comic books, are bringing a new project to this years Ice Factory, an annual summer theater festival featuring new works. Theres not a lot of information about it available but it is sure to feature the Cowboys signature stage combat and low budget hi-fi special effects. Ticket availability is extremely limited but if this is the first youre hearing of it then you arent paying attention to Maxamoo on Twitter.

July 30, 2014 through August 2, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt The New Ohio Theater

Bedlam Nightmares Part Three: Losing Patients

Written by Nat Cassidy, Mariah MacCarthy, and Mac RogersDirected by Pete Boisvert and Patrick Shearer

Bedlam Nightmares, a Blood Brothers production, consists of three mini horror plays by excellent New York City based playwrights Nat Cassidy, Mariah MacCarthy, and Mac Rogers. In this entry, the Blood Brothers find themselves held captive in a hospital by the sinister Doctor Queen.

July 31, 2014 through August 2, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Brick Theatre

Shakesbeer

Shakesbeer from the New York Shakespeare Exchange merges a beer crawl with scenes from Shakespeare. If that sounds like the best thing ever, it is, if it sounds like the worst thing ever, its actually a lot of fun and the Shakespeare is well done. Tickets are $40 and that includes drinks.

BUY TICKETSBy New York Shakespeare Exchange

King Lear

Written by William Shakespeare Directed by Daniel Sullivan

Shakespeare in the Park presents King Lear, starr

An interview with stage and screen actress Adepero Oduye (Movies: 12 Years a Slave, Pariah and Broadway: The Trip to Bountiful) by fashion designer and entrepreneur Busayo Olupona. This is a gorgeous interview about having the guts to pursue your dreams and the grit to persist when they seem out of reach.

For access to Busayos fashion line visit: www.busayonyc.com.

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Lindsay, Nicole, and David discuss Stephen Adly Guirgiss new play at Atlantic Theater, Between Riverside and Crazy; an immersive play about dating in New York City, Play/Date; the final offering of the ENCORES Off-Center season, Pump Boys and Dinettes; an outdoor production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson from Piper Theatre; and what shows were looking forward to seeing this week.

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SHOWS DISCUSSED

Between Riverside and Crazy

Written by Stephen Adly GuirgisDirected by Austin Pendleton

Between Riverside and Crazy tells the story of Walter Pops Washington, an ex-cop, as he struggles to keep his rent stabilized apartment on Riverside Drive.

Performances through August 16, 2014

BUY TICKETS At Linda Gross Theater

Play/Date

Conceived by Blake McCartyDirected and Designed by Michael Counts

Play/Date is an immersive theatrical experience that compiles over a dozen short plays and brings them to life as audience members roam different performance areas at Fat Baby, a night club and bar on the Lower East Side. You must be 21 or over to attend this play.

Performances through August 13, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Fat Baby

Pump Boys and Dinettes

Book, Music and Lyrics by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel, and Jim WannDirected by Lear deBessonet

Part of ENCORES Off-Center at City Center, Pump Boys and Dinettes is a revival of a musical from the 1980s. The pump boys are four men who work at a gas station and the dinettes are two waitresses who work at the diner next door. Its a mashup of rock and country music.

Performances concluded.

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson

Written by Alex TimbersMusic and Lyrics by Michael FriedmanDirected by Nigel Williams

Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson from Piper Theatre is a free, outdoor production performed at Washington Park in Brooklyn. It tells the story of Andrew Jackson, from his early days on the Tennessee frontier to serving as the seventh president of the United States and the tragedy of the Trail of Tears.

Performances concluded.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a weekly standup stand-up showcase hosted by Leo Allen. It is free but reservations are strongly recommended.

At UCB Theatre

UPCOMING SHOWS

Broadway Stand Up For Freedom

Sex with Strangers at Second Stage

Mike Daisey at Joes Pub

Cabaret at Roundabout

On this episode Lindsay conquers her fear of improv and discovers Aziz Ansari. Nicole and Elise chuckle at her naiveté and they all consider whether the feminist revolution is coming in the form of certain popular male comedians.

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Improv

The Stepfathers

The Stepfathers are a veteran team of improv comedians who perform at UCB in Chelsea on Fridays at 9 pm. As an audience member, if youre new to improv, The Stepfathers are an excellent place to start.

Official Website

Trike

Trike is an improv comedy duo, Nick Kanellis and Peter McNerney. They perform at Magnet Theater on Saturdays at 10:30 pm. Their shows are focused and high-energy.

Official Website

North Coast

North Coast is improv plus hip hop Saturdays at 8 pm at The P.I.T. 

Official Website

Standup

Live @ The Apt

Live @ The Apt is a secret comedy show hosted by two friends at their Williamsburg apartment and sometimes other residential locations. Elise wrote about the show in The New York Times, check out her article here.

Official Website

Laughter in the Park

Laughter in the Park is a free outdoor comedy series held on Sundays at different parks in New York City throughout the summer. The line-up changes every week. The comedians give their best family-friendly-ish performances.

Official Website

Night Train

The Kondabolu Brothers are guest hosting Wyatt Cenacs standup showcase Night Train this month. Its at Littlefield on Mondays at 8 pm. Night Train typically attracts a diverse lineup and audience and is a great spot for easing into standup as an audience member.

Official Website

Whiplash

Whiplash is a FREE standup comedy showcase every Monday at 11 pm at UCB in Chelsea. It is hosted by Leo Allen and attracts well-known comedians who want to experiment in front of a friendly crowd.

Official Website

Storytelling

Mike Daisey is a performer and writer. He is performing new shows monthly at Joes Pub at The Public Theater. His most recent work was originally titled Yes All Women. He changed the name to Yes This Man. His next performance of Yes This Man is July 24, 2014.

Official Website

Tickets to Yes This Man

COMEDIANS

The comedians we saw in preparation for this weeks podcast.

Aziz Ansari

Kevin Avery

Rob Cantrell

Jen Kirkman

Hari Kondabolu

Ashok Kondabolu

Damien Lemon

Eugene Mirman

Adam Newman

Phoebe Robinson

Nick Vatterott

Gary Vider

Michelle Wolf

A preview of New York City theater this July, Lindsay, Nicole, and David discuss nine new productions, including new shows from Second Stage, The Amoralists, Third Rail Projects, and Mint Theater Company. For more on summer theater, check out our special episode Summer Preview: Outdoor Theater andamp; Theater Festivals.

Subscribe to Maxamoos Podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.

SHOWS DISCUSSSED

Sex With Strangers

Written by Laura EasonDirected by David Schwimmer

Starring Anna Gunn and Billy Magnussen, Sex with Strangers is a play about sex and ambition in modern times.

July 8 - August 24, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Second Stage Theatre 

Pageant

Book and Lyrics by Bill Russell and Frank KellyDirected by Matt Lenz

A musical about a drag queen beauty contest, Pageant is filled with comedy, fun, and catchy tunes. This is a revival and were hoping for an official cast recording.

June 29 - September 1, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Davenport Theatre 

The Gyre

The Gyre is two plays, performed in rep, about the vicious cycles of man from the always explosive indie theater company The Amoralists. 

The Qualification of Douglas EvansWritten by Derek AhonenDirected by James Kautz

A coming of age story that investigates addiction through the eyes of playwright Douglas Evans.

Enter At Forest LawnWritten by Mark RobertsDirected by Jay Stull

A dark comedy that peeks behind the scenes of network television as Americas favorite TV uncle destroys himself with drugs.

June 26 - August 9, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Walkerspace

Between Riverside and Crazy

Written by Stephen Adly GuirgisDirected by Austin Pendleton

The last play of the Atlantic Theaters season, Between Riverside and Crazy tells the story of Walter Pops Washington, an ex-cop, as he struggles to keep his rent stabilized apartment on Riverside Drive. It stars Stephen McKinley Henderson.

July 10 - August 16, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Linda Gross Theater

Roadside Attraction

Directed and choreographed by Jennine Willet, Zach Morris, and Tom Pearson

Roadside Attraction by Third Rail Projects (also the creators of Then She Fell) combines dance, theater, 70s era pop music, and a vintage camper to transport the audience back in time for a family vacation.

Performances:

July 6, 2014 at Governors Island, free and open to public

July 24 and 25, 2014 at The Green Building, 452 Union Street, Brooklyn, part of A 70s Summer Night. Tickets can be purchased here (as of publishing tickets for July 24th are sold out but tickets are available for July 25th)

Official Website

Play/Date

An immersive theatrical experience, Play/Date, is a performance of 17 short plays performed throughout the three floors of Fat Baby, a nightclub on the Lower East Side.

Performances through July 30, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Fat Baby

Donogoo

Written by Jules RomainsTranslated and Directed by Guys Kaikkonen

Donogoo was originally a novel published in 1920 as a French satire. Jules Romains turned it into a play in 1929 and it was performed in New York City in 1961. That was the only production of Donogoo in New York City, until now. This July, Mint Theater Company revives this story about two men who unwittingly set in motion a stock market swindle.

Performances through July 27, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt Mint Theater Company

The Pianist of Willesden Lane

Adapted and Directed by Hershey Felder with Mona Golabek

Set in Vienna in 1938 and in London during The Blitz, The Pianist of Willesden Lane is the true story of a young Jewish pianist and her interrupted dreams of playing at a famed concert hall in Vienna. Mona Golabek, who wrote the book The Children of Willesden Lane - Beyond the Kindertransport: A Memoir Of Music, Love, and Survival, stars in the play and performs a number of well-known piano pieces in the production.

July 11 - August 24, 2014

BUY TICKETSAt 59E59

The Long Shrift

Written by Robert BoswellDirected by James Franco

The Long Shrift i

Lindsay, Nicole, and David discuss four new productions, an epic Macbeth with Kenneth Branagh, a modern fairytale musical, a musical based on the music and lyrics of Tupac Shakur, and a play from recent Pulitzer Prize winner Ayad Aktar. But first we hear about Nicole and Davids walking tour of New Yorks midtown theater district with Broadway Up-Close and as always we end with what were seeing this week.

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SHOWS DISCUSSED

Fly By Night

By Will Connolly, Michael Mitnick, and Kim RosenstockDirected by Carolyn Cantor

A musical tragic comedy with rock and roll influences, Fly By Night is a fairytale set in the 1960s. It follows two sisters from the Midwest who travel to New York and both fall in love with a man who works in a sandwich shop. It features Patti Murin, Allison Case, Adam Chanler-Berat, and Peter Friedman.

BUY TICKETSAt Playwrights Horizon

The Who andamp; The What

By Ayad Akhtar Directed by Kimberly Senior

In The Who andamp; The What a Muslim Pakistani-American writer, Zarina, writes a controversial novel recasting a story central to the Muslim religion about the Prophet Muhammad. Zarinas questioning of long-held truths about the ancient religion separates her from her family and raises questions surrounding her identity as a woman, intellectual, wife, future mother, and Muslim in the 21st century.

BUY TICKETS At Lincoln Center

Macbeth

By William ShakespeareDirected by Rob Ashford and Kenneth Branagh

One of Shakespeares classics comes to New York from the Manchester International Festival in England. It is an immersive performance that transports the audience to Macbeths Scotland. Rain pours onto the stage, battles rage, blood spills (on the stage and sometimes the audience), mud cakes the ground, and mist floats in the air. It is cinematic production led by memorable performances by Kenneth Branagh and Alex Kingston.

Performances have endedAt Park Avenue Armory

Holler If Ya Hear Me

Music and lyrics by Tupac ShakurMusic supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Daryl WatersBook by Todd KreidlerDirected by Kenny Leon

John returns to his Midwestern home after a 6-year stint prison. He doesnt want anymore trouble, but when the brother of his friend is shot dead, it makes his desire for peace seem like an impossible goal. A story mixed with the music and lyrics of Tupac Shakur, Holler If Ya Hear Me manifests the reality of present day violence in poor, urban areas in the United States.

BUY TICKETS At Palace Theater

UPCOMING SHOWS

tick, tick... Boom!

Sondheim Remix

The Lobby Project

Yes This Man

Our New Girl 

16 Words or Less

The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains

The combination of sunny weather and a great performance is hard to beat and summer in New York City has an abundance of both. Lindsay, Nicole, and Dave chat about summer theater events, our favorites and a few new discoveries.

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OUTDOOR THEATER

There is a lot of Shakespeare and other stuff too performed outdoors during the summer in New York City. Dont forget to bring bug spray and a sweater when enjoying an evening of outdoor theater.

Shakespeare in the Park

Beginning with a production of Much Ado About Nothing featuring Hamish Linklater and Lily Rabe and continuing with King Lear featuring John Lithgow, The Public Theater returns to the Delacorte Theater in Central Park for Shakespeare in the Park this summer. For information on how to get tickets and other tips see Maxamoos Insider Guide to Shakespeare in the Park.

Much Ado About Nothing - June 3 to July 6, 2014 

King Lear - July 22 to August 17, 2014 

There are three ways to get tickets: In person in Central Park at Noon on the day of the performance, an online lottery, and become a donor to The Public Theater. More Info.

Official Website

Shakespeare in the Parking Lot

Celebrating the 20th season of Shakespeare In The Parking Lot (performances of Shakespeare in a parking lot on the Lower East Side) the Drilling Company brings Twelfth Night and Othello to the lot this summer.

Twelfth Night - July 10 to July 26, 2014

Othello - July 31 to August 16, 2014

Entry to performances is free, chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Guests are also welcome to bring a chair or blanket.

Official Website

Bryant Park Shakespeare 

Bryant Park is getting in the free-outdoor-Shakespeare game by inviting New York based independent theater companies to show their productions of the Bards greatest hits. This year they kicked off the inaugural season of Bryant Park Shakespeare with a production of Hamlet that was originally performed in 2011 as part of Shakespeare in the Parking Lot. Next up is Loves Labors Lost from Boomerang Theatre Company.

Loves Labors Lost - August 14 to August 30, 2014 

Entry to performances is free, just show up and find a comfy spot on Bryant Parks spacious lawn.

Official Website

Harlem Summer Shakespeare

The Pulse Ensemble Theater strives to make classic plays accessible to modern, young audiences and is committed to multi-ethnic casting. This summer, Pulse presents Romeo and Juliet at The Amphitheater at Riverbank State Park.

Romeo and Juliet - July 24 to August 17, 2014

Entry to performances is free. The Amphitheater has concrete benches. We recommend bringing a cushion or blanket to sit on.

Official Website

Summerstage

A festival of music, dance, theater, and film, sponsored by NYC City Parks at parks in all five boroughs. This years free theater events are:

John Leguizamos Ghetto Klown - July 28, 2014

Handball by the Urban Theatre Movement - July 29 to August 11, 2014 

Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind by The New York Neo-Futurists - August 13 to 16, 2014

Entry to performances is free. Seats are limited.

Official Website

Hudson Warehouse

Nicholas Martin-Smith founded Hudson Warehouse 2004 with the intention of delivering vibrant, relevant, and engaging outdoor theater. The first season consisted of a single modest production of The Tempest. This summer Hudson Warehouse presents three shows produced in June, July, and August at Solders’ and Sailors’ Monument in Riverside Park.

King John - June 5 to June 29, 2014

The Importance of Being Earnest - July 3 to July 27, 2014

The Winters Tale - July 31 to August 24, 2014 

Entry to performances is free.

Official Website

Piper Theater Productions

Piper Theater Productions is a nonprofit theater company created by siblings Rachel and John McEneny in 2000. This summer, Piper will present the musi

Lindsay, Nicole, and Liz discuss seven new productions on New York stages, ranging from family dramas to fairy tales in verse, plus a conversation about past and present cross-dressing on stage, by men AND WOMEN.

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SHOWS DISCUSSED

The Village Bike

By Penelope SkinnerDirected by Sam Gold

Beckys husband is obsessed with her pregnancy. He is preoccupied with the soon to arrive baby, so much so that he pays no attention to Becky. Unhappy, Becky buys a bike and goes on a journey to reclaim her personhood. The Village Bike is Greta Gerwigs stage debut and the cast includes the formidable Scott Shepherd (the narrator in Elevator Repair Services GATZ).

TICKETSAt Lucille Lortel Theater

Too Much Sun

By Nicky SilverDirected by Mark Brokaw

Audrey Langham (Linda Lavin) is a popular stage actress. She comes apart during a production of Medea and escapes to her estranged daughters summer house on Cape Cod where hijinks ensue, sigh.

TICKETSAt Vineyard Theater

Blink

By Phil Porter Directed by Joe Murphy

Blink is not your typical boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl live happily ever after love story, although it is a story about a boy who, eventually, meets a girl and they do fall in love. Thomas Pickles and Lizzy Watts star in this deceptively simple love story by Phil Porter. The story unfolds via alternating monologues addressed directly to the audience. It employs a unique meet cute device that strains the bounds of credulity but ultimately facilitates an intriguing and tension-filled build up to their relationship.

TICKETS At 59e59 Theaters

The Tragedy of Dandelion

By Duncan PflasterDirected by Joan Kane

An fairy tale told in verse with an all-female cast, in The Tragedy of Dandelion Princess Dandelion escapes her rapist and would-be husband by disguising herself as a man. On her journey, she meets nuns, soldiers, and eventually another princess with whom she falls in love.

At Urban Stages by Ego Actus

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

By John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen TraskDirected by Michael Mayer

Newly minted Tony Award winners (so minted after the recording of this podcast) Neil Patrick Harris and Lena Hall are fabulous in this big budget version of John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trasks musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

TICKETSAt Belasco Theater 

Satchmo at the Waldorf

By Terry Teachout Directed by Gordon Edelstein

Starring John Douglas Thompson, Satchmo at the Waldorf is a one man show about the legendary trumpet player Louis Armstrong.

TICKETSAt Westside Theatre Upstairs

UPCOMING SHOWS

When We Were Young andamp; Unafraid from Manhattan Theatre Club

Cabaret from Roundabout

Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare in the Park

Holler if Ya Hear Me

American Hero at Second Stage Theater Uptown

Comic Book Theater Festival Issue #2 at the Brick Theater

The Hallway Trilogy, a reading, discussion, and book signing with author Adam Rapp at The Drama Book Shop

While many are focused on the venerable Tony Awards celebrating Broadway theater later this week (June 8th at Radio City Music Hall and broadcast live on CBS), were excited for the start of the summer theater season in New York City. Lindsay, Nicole, and Jack preview nine productions starting up performances in New York this month.

Subscribe to Maxamoo’s Podcast on iTunes or Stitcher.

Shows discussed

Blink at Brits Off Broadway at 59E59 Theaters -- TICKETS

The Who andamp; The What at Lincoln Center -- TICKETS

Gertrude Stein Saints at Abrons Art Center -- TICKETS

The Village Bike at MCC -- TICKETS

Macbeth at Park Avenue Armory -- TICKETS

tick, tick... BOOM! at City Center -- TICKETS

Our New Girl at Atlantic Theater -- TICKETS

Holler If Ya Hear Me -- TICKETS

When January Feels Like Summer at Ensemble Studio Theatre -- TICKETS

An Octoroon at Soho Rep -- TICKETS