Immersive 60's sci-fi musical comey dance party extravaganza invades Bushwick
June 11 - July 4 at Brooklyn Fireproof
"Witty, sexy and very feel good... If you can't get to Joshua Tree this summer to make contact with the aliens, I'd happily settle for Bushwick and Wongo World." -- Huffington Post
"Directed with flavorful energy and precise pacing by David Rigano, the wacky story is just the framework for gracefully goofy performances by a solid cast that features some fine voices, and for clever, fun songs that tap into the spirit of the ’60s.… The show is so much fun. " -- Blogcritics
The original 1960's inspired sci-fi musical WILD WOMEN OF PLANET WONGO gets an immersive, dance-party infused production beginning June 11. This theatrical extravaganza will transform the bar and gallery space of Bushwick's Brooklyn Fireproof into Planet Wongo where audience members can dance, interact with sexy alien beings and be part of the show. Wongo is based on a concept by Ben Budick with music by Dave Ogrin, lyrics by Ben Budick, Steve Mackes and Dave Ogrin and a book by Steve Mackes. David Rigano directs. Performances begin June 11.
WILD WOMEN OF PLANET WONGO follows the adventures of two lost astronauts. When they crash land on a mysterious planet of sexy and dangerous warrior women (who have never seen men), it is youth, lust, idealism, true love, revolution and even snack food that triumph over warped authority.
WILD WOMEN OF PLANET WONGO stars Miki Hellerbach, Alyssa McGuigan, Howie Schaal, Rebecca Brunelle, Aiesha Dukes, Jenna Marcello, Sarah Shear and Madison Tinder. The production team features Rachel Dean (musical director), Juson Williams (choreographer), Rudy Agresta (animations), Adele Rylands (production manager/technical director), Marsh Stugart (stage manager), and Nancy Holson (GM).
WILD WOMEN OF PLANET WONGO was workshopped at the University of Michigan’s New Works Festival and presented in its original, traditional musical theater format at the Ensemble Studio Theatre, NYMF and the Red Barn Theatre in Key West, Florida.
In his pre-theatre days, Dave Ogrin worked as a producer, writer, musician and engineer with such talent as The Beastie Boys, Grand Master Flash, Paul Simon, Public Enemy, and Run DMC. Since then, Dave co-wrote the rock n roll women-in-prison send-up, Hell Hole Honeys, selected for presentation at the Eugene O’Neill Music Theater Conference, awarded the TRU New Voices Award and premiered at the Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo. His musical The Legend of Julie Taymor, or The Musical That Killed Everybody, co-written with Travis Ferguson, was performed at FringeNYC. Dave’s rock opera Mata Hari, co-written with Jay Berkow, will be presented at the University of Western Michigan this summer. www.daveogrin.com
Ben Budick also co-wrote the lyrics to Hell Hole Honeys, chosen for development at the Eugene O’Neill Music Theater Conference. He is a veteran of over 20 years in the music business. Ben was lead singer-songwriter for a number of groups in the 70's and 80's. His first novel, Jake's Minyan, is awaiting publication. Having grown up in Rockaway, he currently resides near Juno Beach, Florida.
Steve Mackes co-conceived/wrote the musical comedy revue, Boobs, the World According to Ruth Wallis, which ran 10 months Off-Broadway and had subsequent regional productions. He co-wrote a new, original book for Cole Porter’s Nymph Errant that was produced at the Chichester Festival Theatre in England and published by Samuel French. Steve collaborated with Ben Budick and Dave Ogrin on the musical Hell Hole Honeys, which was produced in at the Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo. As an Artist in Residence at New York’s Tribeca Performing Arts Center and as part of the New York Musical Festival's Developmental Reading Series, Steve worked with Joseph Vernon Banks on Madam Walker and The Divine Dream.
David Rigano is no stranger to non-conventional performing spaces, having staged The Legend of King Arthur in Fort Green Park and Can I Really Date A Guy Who Wears a Yarmulke? at The Knitting Factory (both by Amy Holson-Schwartz). David will be directing Nancy Holson's Nutcracker! The Musical in a conventional theatre space this winter. With Paul Rigano and Mark-Eugene Garcia, David wrote the lyrics to The Holy Cows of Credence, South Dakota. With Mark-Eugene Garcia, David wrote the music to Facing East the musical. David can be seen with brother Paul in their hit cabaret act, "I Ought to Behave" and other Naughty Songs.
WILD WOMEN OF PLANET WONGO runs June 11 - July 4, Thursdays at 7:30pm; Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30pm & 10pm with a Wongo after party at midnight (included in ticket price) featuring Brooklyn DJ’s. Brooklyn Fireproof is located at 119 Ingraham Street in Bushwick, Brooklyn (between Morgan and Porter Aves. -- 2 blocks from the Morgan stop on the L train). Tickets are $25 at 212-352-3101 or www.PlanetWongo.com.