An interview with comedian Ashely Blaker

Broadway Kingdom was fortunate to be able to sit down with Ashely and talk about things – and talk we did for almost an hour!

At first glance, one might think Ashley Blaker is just an Orthodox Jewish Nerd but then, he begins to speak and the comic gems that flow out are pure genius – and you, my amazing viewers and readers, all know how much I admire genius.

Ashley Blaker Strictly Unorthodox is 90+ minutes of “things about Observant Jewish life and practices you might have thought of but never dared to speak out loud” – so Ashley will say them for you and with a ‘plotz in your seat’ take to boot!

Appropriate for all ages, genders, religious affiliation, or no affiliation at all. Jew, Gentile et al, Ashley will have you in stitches.

So sit down, relax, and enjoy our longest video interview to date… then go see the show!

Ashley Blaker Strictly Unorthodox
May 27th – June 28
Off-Broadway at the
Jerry Orbach Theater
1627 Broadway @ 50th Street.
For tickets phone the box office 212 921 7862
or click here

(tix are cheaper by phone than thru Ticketmaster)
Running Time: 90+ minutes
(Minchah or Maariv may follow the show)
Appropriate for all ages.
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Ashley Blaker is “the UK’s only Orthodox stand-up comedian”. Blaker is a writer for TV and radio and was producer of Little Britain. Mr. Blaker is an alumnus of The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School where he was a contemporary of Sacha Baron Cohen and friend of Matt Lucas, with whom he went on to create Little Britain and The Matt Lucas Awards. In 2017, he was commissioned by the BBC to create a show called “Ashley Blaker’s Goyish Guide To Judaism”, described as “an insider’s view of his religion” Ashley will next be see at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in “Ashley Blaker Observant Jew” at 3pm Sunday-Friday.

For more info on Ashley: CLICK HERE

Ashley Blaker’s Goyish Guide To Judaism on the BBC Radio 4 – stand-up from Ashley Blaker 1 episode in 2018. Due to be broadcast on Sunday 3rd June on Radio 4 at 7:15pm. The program will be repeated on Radio 4 Extra on Friday 8th June at 7:30am.

PRESS: https://nypost.com/2018/05/25/this-jewish-comedian-has-a-lot-to-kvetch-about

Gemma Blaker (Ashley’s Wife)
https://www.thejc.com/lifestyle/family/pesach-with-six-kids-1.461510
http://3principles6kids.com/

REVIEW: Do I make you randy, baby? A review of ‘Randy Writes A Novel’

“Do I make you randy, baby?”

A review of
‘Randy Writes A Novel’
at the Clurman Theatre/Theatre Row

In the world of puppetry, first there was Punch & Judy, then H.R. Puffinstuff, then the Muppets with many, many more puppets woven in and out, but all those were for the kids (or were they?) Then the Adults got Avenue Q and we howled, on Broadway and Off.

Now there’s RANDY and boy, can he be randy!

Randy has written a novel and he wants to share it with us. So for two months Randy will be looking for approval by putting on a nightly show telling all of New York about his novel – or will he? Tonight Randy will talk on Hemingway, Harper Lee, hoarding, Veganism, Buddhism, the human condition and the challenges of being an artist. It seems Randy likes to talk about anything but his Novel! You see, Randy is having a bit of a crisis – is Art still Art if we don’t like it?

Starting out with warm-up comedian Randy, who, after warming up the audience introduces Headliner Randy, the approximately 75 minutes that follow are basically Puppet Stand-Up comedy delivered by a puppet with skilled timing and obvious improv training. Sitting like a talk show host behind his paper strewn desk, Randy randomly focuses his always open ping-pong ball eyes on several audience members engaging them in dialogue as if he could actually see them. He also touches on many different subjects from current events to history, often using  language that would make a sailor blush! This show is definitely for the kiddies, although the night I was there a 10 year old accompanied by his Father!

Randy Writes A Novel is an odd but enjoyable evening of laughter, and insight into the (puppet) mind of an Artist, although I more than suspect we’re actually getting into the mind of the puppet master himself.

From Randy’s press notes:

Star of Australian stage and television makes his much-anticipated US debut!

Randy, the felt-faced comedian, started doing stand-up comedy in 2005 and has since gone on to headline most of the Theatrical Fringe and Comedy festivals around the world, as well as finding success on television with his own show airing on ABC TV in Australia, Seeso in the US and Netflix in the UK.

Randy has played everywhere from Edinburgh to Hong Kong, Galway, to Singapore to Sydney and anywhere in between. Next stop — New York City, Off-Broadway at the internationally acclaimed Theatre Row on 42nd Street

Randy Writes a Novel

Clurman Theatre/Theatre Row
410 W. 42nd St., NYC View on map
Running time: 1hr 15min. No intermission.
Now Playing Through June 10, 2018
Tickets: https://www.telecharge.com/Off-Broadway/Randy-Writes-a-Novel/

Randy Writes a Novel Creative Team

Author: Randy
Director: Randy
Producer:

Randy Writes a Novel Award Winners/Nominees

– Nominee Best Television Comedy Show – ACCTA 2015
– Nominee Best Comedy Release (with Sammy J) – ARIA 2015
– Winner Best Comedy – Perth Fringeworld 2014
– Nominee Best Comedy Release (with Sammy J) – ARIA 2013
– Winner Barry Award for Most Outstanding Show (with Sammy J) –Melbourne Comedy Festival 2010
– Nominee Golden Gibbo Award – Melbourne Comedy Festival 2009

For More Information On Randy Writes A Novel Click Here

PRESS RELEASE:  PRECIOUS Little TALENT

 P R E C I O U S Little T A L E N T

BY ELLA HICKSON
DIRECTED BY GEORGE C. HESLIN

GREG MULLAVEY, CONNOR DELVES & ELIZA SHEA TO STAR IN NY PREMIERE OF “PRECIOUS LITTLE TALENT” DIRECTED BY GEORGE C. HESLIN.

FOLLOWING SUCCESSFUL PRODUCTIONS AT THE EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL AND IN LONDON’S WEST END, WHICH GARNERED FOUR STAR REVIEWS ACROSS THE BOARD, “PRECIOUS LITTLE TALENT” BY ELLA HICKSON IS PRESENTED IN A LIMITED ENGAGEMENT OFF-OFF-BROADWAY RUNNING SEPTEMBER 20-30.

The critically acclaimed British sensation, Precious Little Talent, will make its NY Premiere in a limited two-week engagement, beginning September 20.Award-winning playwright, Ella Hickson (Eight, Boys, Oil) marks herreturns to NYC, with this production directed by Origin Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, George C. Heslin. The play starsAmerican film and TV legend, Greg Mullavey, whose credits include, Rumors (Broadway, with Veronica Hamel), Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman & iCarly.The play also starsConnor Delves(Endangered, Off-Broadway) and British actress, Eliza Shea(Blithe Spirit, Chenango River Theatre).

Taking place in New York City and London, between 2008-11, Precious Little Talent explores the culture clash of American optimism with British cynicism, and how a tangled love story sits somewhere in between. Hicksonpits the struggles of young peoplein the midst of an economic downturn, against those faced by an aging man, desperate to retain his independence whilst suffering from dementia.

 It plays 12 performances at The West End Theatre, 263 W86th St. 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10024, (1 train to 86th St.) from Wednesday September 20-30, with an official opening on Wednesday September 20 at 8pm.

Shea Delves Productions, in association with Co-Producer Joseph Lavezzo, present this NY premiere. The creative team includes Drama Desk Award-Winner,Maruti Evans (Set Design), Michael O’Connor (Lighting Design), Sam LaFrage (Sound Design), Jenny Green (Costume Design). Alaska Caleois the production stage manager. George C. Heslin, is the Artistic Director of Origin Theatre and founder of the 1st Irish Theatre Festival. Having worked extensively on Broadway and in the West End, Heslin was invited to meet President Obama in 2011, for his services to arts and culture.

 Critical acclaim in London includes:

  • ‘A little gemit bursts with unmistakable freshness’ (The Telegraph, 4 stars)
  • ‘Precious Little Talent’ wins battle for hearts and minds’ (The Daily Mail, 4 stars)
  • ‘Full of spluttering energy and has a real fire in its belly’ (The Guardian, 4 stars)
  • ‘A rising star of British theatre, she has a gorgeous way with words’ (The Independent, 4 stars)

Precious Little Talent performs at The West End Theatre, 263 W 86th St. 2nd Floor. Performances (12 in total) are Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at 8pm; Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm.  

For tickets, which are $30, call 866-811-4111 or visit https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/cal/34943?sitePreference=normal

Please see www.PreciousLittleTalentNYC.com for further information.
(Running time: 80 minutes.)

Sincerely,
Shea Delves Productions

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An Interview with: Kathryn Kates (1080p)

After seeing Kathryn her wonderful and amazing performance as the mother trying to hold her whole family together in “The Last Seder” I knew we had to have her tell her story to you, our dear viewers. That actress that you all know from… that thing…! Enjoy!

Don’t forget to change the settings to view this at 1080p!

For more info the this amazing actress go to www.kathrynkates.com
www.facebook.com/kathrynkates