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- Richard Hoehler and Kathryn Kates navigate the troubled waters of the college admission process, in “Inadmissible.”
INADMISSIBLE Last week, a computer glitch erroneously led 72 early decision applicants to believe Vassar gave them the green light to join the class of 2016. If those crestfallen hopefuls attend the dark comedy “Inadmissible,” it will come as no surprise to learn that collegiate cyber incompetence is just the tip of the iceberg. Playwright D.B. Gilles makes a compelling case for the argument that it’s not just the best and brightest who get into our elite universities. This fly on the wall tale looks at the backroom deals and Machiavellian schemes conducted by an admissions committee at a university striving to make it into the Top 10.
Through Feb. 18. Wed.-Sat., 7:30pm. At Canal Park Playhouse (515 Canal St., btw. Greenwich & West Sts.). For tickets (18), call 866-811-4111 or visit canalparkplayhouse.com.
THE LOSERS LOUNGE: BATTLE OF THE BANDS Like comedians who only lampoon the stuff they love, singer Nick Danger and session keyboardist Joe McGinty’s “Loser’s Lounge” pays tribute to “guilty pleasure” songs that — for the most part — deserve respect but are often ridiculed. Now an iconic piece of pop culture in its own right, “Lounge” has logged over 300 shows since its 1993 debut. Famous warblers often stop by to sing — and recipients of the semi-satirical wrath have been known to attend their own tribute nights (Lee Hazlewood, Paul Williams and Denny Doherty of the Mamas and Papas all showed up to revel in their own brilliance and absurdity). This time around, the Losers stage a Battle of The Bands. So who’s better, Steely Dan or The Doobie Brothers? When the dust settles and the best of the Dan/Doobie cannon has been, well, canonized, an audience vote will determine the winner. If it’s not Steely Dan, and we’re in attendance, they’d better have the riot police on speed dial.
Thurs., Feb. 2 at 6pm; Fri., Feb. 3 at 7pm & 9:30pm; Sat., Feb. 4 at 6:30pm & 9pm. At Joe’s Pub (425 Lafayette St., btw. Astor Place & E. 4th St.). For info, visit loserslounge.com.
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- One-third of a funky, brass-infused bill.
BROWN RICE FAMILY, UNDERGROUND HORNS AND PITCHBLAK BRASS BAND Brass, funk and hip-hop are the common threads weaving their way through this ambitious triple bill of musical groups. The Brooklyn-based Underground Horns — who’ve made good on their “music for the people” mission statement with unannounced concerts in subway stations and parks throughout the city — assure us they’re cooking up an audio gumbo of New Orleans-infused Afro Funk peppered with jazz, hip-hop and brass band traditions. Brown Rice Family’s jamming “straddles ancient and contemporary global sounds” with a vibe that recalls (but doesn’t necessarily resemble) the output of Fela Kuti, Bob Marley and Antonio Carlos. Reggae, hip-hop, dancehall, afro beat, jazz stylings, rock, Brazilian, Latin and funk all figure into the organic flow of BRF’s take on World Roots Music. PitchBlak Brass Band’s “hip-hop driven music” also incorporates intense raps, grooving rhythms, funk, jazz, rock and classical music.
Sat., Feb. 11, at 9pm (doors open at 8pm). At 92YTribeca (200 Hudson St., at the corner of Canal St.). For tickets ($10), visit 92y.org. Also visit pitchblakbrassband.com, brownricefamily.com and undergroundhorns.com.
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- Plant life: “Bontanica” contemplates consciousness.
BOTANICA Writer and director Jim Findlay has spent the better part of the last 15 years collaborating with innovators such as The Wooster Group, Bang on a Can, DJ Spooky and Collapsable Giraffe. With “Botanica,” he and co-writer Jeff Jackson have crafted a thematically ambitious, visually compelling futuristic black comedy that questions social norms, the limits of science and the complicated relationships between people and plants (as well as people and, well, other people). Inside the sealed walls of a terrarium, love begins to bloom between two maverick botanists who’ve hit a wall in their quest to reveal the hidden world of plant consciousness. Maybe a new research colleague will shake things up. Enter a janitor who’s been reading erotic literature and his own dirty poetry to the plants. Before long, the experiment begins to produce results — and unforeseen consequences. Not for the shy or prudish, the source material for “Botanica” includes the French surrealist erotic literature of Louis Aragon, George Bataille and Colette Peignot/Laure (with a nod to Peter Tompkins’ 1973 best-selling book, “The Secret Life of Plants”).
Feb. 1, 3, 4, 8-11, 15-18, 22-25 at 8pm; Feb. 19 at 7pm. At 3LD Art & Technology Center (80 Greenwich St., btw. Rector & Edgar St.). Tickets begin at $20. To order, call 800-838-3006 or visit thisisbotanica.com.
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- inquiring host of “What’s Your Story?”
WHAT’S YOUR STORY There’s at least one good book in every human being — but it’s the rare individual who has the time or inclination to write that book. Storytelling is another matter. Who among us hasn’t unleashed a monologue (or a manifesto) in response to a kindhearted question about how our day is going? Your host, Kambri Crews, isn’t shy about asking that question or listening to the answer. “What’s Your Story?” is a monthly show where comedians, authors and other fun folks (including a person plucked from the audience) tells tall, but true, stories. Plus, Crews teaches you the Deaf party game “Elephant” — which she possibly learned while growing up in a tin shack with her deaf family. Ask her to tell that story, or just read her book (“Burn Down the Ground: A Memoir”). The February installment of “What’s Your Story?” features naughty balloon twister Kenywn Dapo, Used New York writer Jennifer Glick, Dan Wilbur (of the Luca Lounge show, “Lasers in the Jungle”), Huffington Post Comedy Editor Katla McGlynn and Eric Vetter (of the very funny about-town comedy showcase, “No Name and a Bag O’ Chips”). Oh, did we mention Kambri’s “Southern Fried Friend” Justin Gray will be there? He will!
Thurs., Feb. 9, 7pm. At Luca Lounge (222 Ave. B, btw. E. 13th & 14th Sts.). Free admission, no drink minimum. For info, visit kambricrews.com.
PSYCHO THERAPY Frank Strausser’s new comedy mines the power of three — as in, three on a couch. When Phillip (who’s engaged to Lily) shrugs off their couples therapy appointment, Lily jumps into the capable, familiar arms of Dorian — her old boyfriend. Before long, the complicated trio ends up in the capable hands of therapist Nancy Winston. Angelica Page (daughter of Geraldine Page and Rip Torn, and a Helen Hayes Award winner for “Sideman”) stars, alongside Jeffrey Carlson (not seen on the NYC stage for nearly four years), Obie winner Jan Leslie Harding and TV soap veteran Laurence Lau.
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