The Thrilling Adventure & Supernatural Suspense Hour: THIS SATURDAY NIGHT

Got plans Saturday night?

Tickets are still available for this month's Thrilling Adventure & Supernatural Suspense Hour! Email thrillingadventure@gmail.com for reservations!

As some of you may know, for the past four-plus years, I have have been directing this amazing live stage show performed by brilliantly talented actors in the style of old-timey radio. Last month, we made the move to a new theater: Largo at the Coronet Theatre in Los Angeles, and our shows are just getting bigger and better...

The next edition is this THIS SATURDAY, APRIL 3rd, and we have a spectacular line up of guest stars... Don't believe me?

We've got Busy Philipps (Cougartown; Freaks & Geeks), David Berman (CSI; Drop Dead Diva), Tom Lenk (Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Broadway's "Rock of Ages"), Kirsten Vangsness (Criminal Minds), Paget Brewster (Criminal Minds), Paul F. Tompkins (Best Week Ever; Largo's "Paul F. Tompkins Show"), Marc Evan Jackson (Super Dave's Spike-tacular), Autumn Reeser (The OC; Human Target; Entourage), Dave (Gruber) Allen (Freaks & Geeks), John DiMaggio (Futurama's Bender), Samm Levine (Freaks & Geeks; Inglourious Basterds), James Urbaniak (The Venture Brothers), John Ennis (Mr. Show), Mark Gagliardi, Annie Savage, and Hal Lublin...

And did I mention a performance by Common Rotation?


Come on down and check it out -- you won't be disappointed!

Also, click on this link (or the picture below) to check out this great article on the show:

VIGILS: The Reviews Are In!

Vigils has opened.
The reviews are in.

"shows off Haidle's almost uncanny sense of stage poetry - not just in the use of language but in every aspect of the theatrical experience...a haunting piece"
- Dallas Morning News


"It's a breathtaking, satisfying experience...director Aaron Ginsburg creates taut, unforgettable stage pictures while spinning his cast through rapid-fire exchanges and carefully choreographed repetitions.."
- Critical Rant & Rave

""strong, often moving, performances..."
- pegasusnews.com

"Directed by Aaron Ginsburg, the Kitchen Dog production is smart and ingenious, blessed with a remarkable cast..."
- KERA

"Ginsburg and his designers (Craig Siebels, scenic; Christina Dickson, costumes; Laura McMeley, lighting; John M. Flores, sound) succeed in creating a dreamscape of haunting images"
- Theater Jones

OPENING: Vigils at Kitchen Dog Theater

For the last six weeks, I've been directing an amazing play at the equally amazing Kitchen Dog Theater in Dallas, Texas.

Written by Noah Haidle (I also directed his play Mr. Marmalade in 2007 which earned me a DFW Theater Critics Forum Award for Best Direction), Vigils follows a widow who's firefighter husband is killed trying to rescue a baby from a blaze. However, instead of mourning his loss, she does what any normal person would do and locks his soul up in a box in her house. The play is beautiful, heartbreaking, surprising and... yes, a comedy.

The cast (the unrivaled quartet of Tina Parker, Ira Steck, Matthew Gray and Jim Kuenzer) will blow your mind, the technical team (genius extraordinaires Craig Siebels [set], John Flores [sound], Laura McMeley [lighting], Cristee Dixon [costumes], and Ruth Stephenson [stage management]) are brilliant, and my direction ain't half bad either.

It runs through October 10th, 2009 at Kitchen Dog Theater.

Check it out!

Tiny Vaudeville #4 - Highlights!

Thank you so much to everyone who came down to the Echoplex Tuesday night to support 826LA.

Once again, the show was a huge success -- and we couldn't have pulled it off without the help (and boundless talents) of so many amazing artists: Ben Acker & Ben Blacker, Joel Spence, Dave (Gruber) Allen, Common Rotation, Derek Hughes, Brendon Walsh, Sean Watkins of Nickle Creek, Kat Parsons, John DiMaggio, James Urbaniak, Brian Baumgartner, Kate Ascott-Evans, Christina Galante, and all of the volunteers that help behind the scenes.

For those of you who couldn't make it, here are a few fun highlights of the evening:

The tremendous Kat Parsons brought the house down.

Brian Baumgartner, John DiMaggio and (not pictured) James Urbaniak
take on David Mamet in our ridiculous version of Glengarry Glen Ross.

Comedian Brendon Walsh hilariously pushes
the boundaries of good taste (you know, for the kids)

Common Rotation, phenomenal as always.

Dave (Gruber) Allen, James Urbaniak, and Brian Baumgartner

read selections from 826LA's latest collection of kids' thoughts on time travel.

Photos courtesy of incredibly talented LifeofReilly.

Tiny Vaudeville #4

Yep, it's finally happening. We're bringing 826LA's hilarious Tiny Vaudeville back to Los Angeles on Tuesday, June 30th with comedy, magic, music and more! Wade and I are co-directing/producing and writing once again (along with the unrivaled brilliance of Acker & Blacker).

The one-and-only Joel Spence is back with house band Common Rotation to host another evening of guaranteed gut-busting side-splittery -- all done in the name of charity!

Who's starring this time, you ask? What amazing surprises do we have in store for you? Any cool celebrities? All good questions. For the answers, how about you come on down to the Echoplex on Tuesday night and FIND OUT FOR YOURSELF!

Past shows have included:
Appearances by Dave Foley, Buck Henry and Laraine Newman, Bob Odenkirk, Charlyne Yi, Kirsten Vangsness, Mark Gagliardi, Samm Levine, Martin Starr!

Musical Guests Pop Levi, Maria Taylor, Garfunkel and Oates, Claybo & Downs, Bhama Roget!

Performances by The Royal Shakespeare Company: This Week in Hagar and This Week in Beetle Bailey! Magic by Derek Hughes!

Jeremy Konner and Eban Schletter in the now-infamous battle known only as "Saw vs Theremin"!!

If that is the quality of evening we've consistently delivered, what are you worried about?! Tiny Vaudeville #4 will exceed your already high expectations! The first 200 to RSVP online with a donation of your choosing* will receive a receipt for your tax deductible donation.

* $10 minimum suggested, plus eventbrite fees. Receipts are issued only for pre-sale online donations - confirmation and receipt are sent automatically. All other tickets are $15 CASH ONLY at the door.

Check out this link to lock down seats => HERE

The Key Lazzi

I just returned from a brief stint in Dallas where I was co-directing (with Kitchen Dog Theater co-Artistic Director Tina Parker) an awesome new play by Yussef El Guindi called Jihad Jones and the Kalashnikov Babes.

In it, an Arab-American actor finally gets his big Hollywood break. Unfortunately, that break is playing Mohammed, the most grotesquely stereotypical Islamic terrorist ever conceived. So, how much is one's dignity really worth?

One of the scenes we worked on (for hours) is a massively farcical comic set piece. Michael Federico, the brilliant actor playing the smarmy talent agent, blogged about his experiences in rehearsal on KERA.org's website.

Read his hilarious version of The Actor's Nightmare here.

And hey, if you're in Dallas, don't miss the final production of KDT's 08/09 season.

Tiny Vaudeville #3 - Highlights!

Okay, so you missed Tiny Vaudeville #3.

No big deal. It was only just super awesome. Don't believe me?

Use a magnifying glass to read this rave review on LA.COM, or just click the link and use your normal eyes.


Also, more fun press courtesy of Metromix.

While Bob Odenkirk was there in fine form, Metromix stole this picture of him from The Getty. Our curtains at Tiny Vaudeville are nice, but they're not that nice.

And finally, a nice mention on Flavorpill.

See? Aren't ya sad you missed the madness?

Well, our next Tiny Vaudeville is coming (but not 'til June!), but don't worry: we promise the wait will be worth it.

I'll post actual pics from the evening when I get 'em.

Tiny Vaudeville #3

Tonight, we will be presenting the 3rd Tiny Vaudeville for 826LA at the Echoplex. If you are in Los Angeles, or within --say-- a five hour drive of Los Angeles, then this is absolutely a show worth seeing.

What? Don't believe me?

Well, I'll set our trust issues aside for just a moment to shamelessly brag about our line up.

LOOK:

TINY VAUDEVILLE!

Hosted by Marc Evan Jackson & Joel Spence

With special guest stars:
Bob Odenkirk
(Mr. Show; Tom Goes to the Mayor; Breaking Bad)

Charlyne Yi
(Knocked Up; the forthcoming Paper Hearts)

Martin Starr
(Freaks & Geeks; Knocked Up; Adventureland)

and more!

Magician Arthur Trace
The Historic Country/Western Duo Claybo & Downs
Battle-of-the-bands winner The Pity Party
and many more surprises!

Orchestra led by Dan Bern
and featuring Common Rotation

See? I wasn't kidding about the show.

Now, seriously, let's talk about these trust issues...

Tiny Vaudeville #2 - Highlights!

Thanks to everyone who came out for the second Tiny Vaudeville.

It was a great evening, full of amazing performances. If you didn't make it out to the Echoplex, here are some flashy production stills to really rub your face in everything you missed.

Kirsten Vangsness, Laraine Newman and Buck Henry
in a sketch we wrote about SNL's The Coneheads

Music by singer-songwriter Maria Taylor

Eddie Pepitone as Willy Loman.

Co-Host Joel Spence backed by Common Rotation

Co-Host Marc Evan Jackson backed by Glass of Scotch.

Next Tiny Vaudeville is coming, March 30th!

More awesome acts and surprises...

See you then!

Tiny Vaudeville #2

After the amazing success of our very first Tiny Vaudeville, the question now looms: how on earth will we ever top it?

Well, get ready to see the answer to that very question... live, on stage, in Tiny Vaudeville #2.

Stop reading this, open iCal, and add a new event for this coming Monday, February 23rd at 8PM. You can thank me later.

For McIntyre and I have once again teamed up with Acker & Blacker to pack the proceedings full of undeniable hilarity. And, as always, I'll be directing this utter madhouse of talent.

Check out what yer 12 bucks gets ya (other than the nice, warm feeling that accompanies the knowledge that your cash goes to a charity that helps children, ya scrooge!):

TINY VAUDEVILLE
#2

Hosted by Joel Spence and Marc Evan Jackson
***
with The Dan Bern Orchestra backed by Common Rotation
***
and musical guest Maria Taylor
***
featuring Eban Schletter, Bhama Roget, Lauren Rogers, Eddie Pepitone, Mark Gagliardi, Kirsten Vangsness, Jeremy Konner, Annie Savage, Sascha Rothchild
***
Laraine Newman & Buck Henry!
***
and a reading from the latest 826LA student publications:
I Love You But I Have to Wash My Hands and Make It Punk

And much more!

TICKETS AVAILABLE: http://826la.org/store-tickets/

See you at the show!

Tiny Vaudeville!

Tonight, we are presenting the very first edition of Tiny Vaudeville.

What the hell is Tiny Vaudeville and what in the world do you have to do with it? Both good questions, but frankly, your tone's a little hostile.

Like regular-sized vaudeville of yore, Tiny Vaudeville is a variety show packed with amazing acts, magic, comedy, celebrities... all cobbled together somewhat haphazardly in the good name of helping children.

Not only does Tiny Vaudeville mark the long-awaited writing collaboration between Ginsburg & McIntyre and the insanely talented Acker & Blacker, but it's also a super-collaboration with LA's coolest non-profit, 826LA.org.
In addition, I'll be directing this madhouse of talent.

I'm not joking. They're talented and they're completely mad. This evening's show features: Dave Foley, Samm Levine, Joel Spence, Romi Dames, Derek Hughes, James Adomian, Al Madrigal, Kirsten Vangsness, and Mark Gagliardi.

Not enough? Well, we also have music by Garfunkel & Oates, Pop Levi, Pop Waffle, and Dan Bern!

Still not enough? Did I mention there's a bar?

Here are the details you'll need:

Date:	Monday, January 26, 2009
Time:	8:00pm - 10:00pm
Location:	The Echoplex
Street:	1154 Glendale Blvd
City/Town:	Los Angeles, CA

You can read the fancy press release here.

See you at the show!