Look out, New York! The Bad Plays and Bad Musicals Festivals have morphed into International CringeFest '09, which this year also includes Bad Films.

The festival will again be taking over the Grand Theatre at the Producers' Club, July 20th through August 9th, Monday through Saturday at 8 PM, Sundays at 2 PM (films), and late-night Saturday at 10:30.

They like to call them Bad, but perhaps irreverent, politically incorrect, naughty, and utterly zany might be better, suggests the CringeFest folks. "Don't we all need that these days?!"

Audiences vote every night for winners of the Golden Pineapple, Silver Tomato, & Bronze Banana, plus Jack Lemons for the actors.

For one ticket, you see 4-5 works arranged in theme evenings: Dames at Sea, Is That a Spear in Your Pocket?, Your Money or Your Art, Children & (Other) Sharp Objects, Sex Encounters of the Absurd Kind, & late-night Saturday: Go Genital into That Good Night, including Dragness of God & the Naked Holy Ghost (yes, naked) and Grampa Hitler & the Li'l Red Ridin' Hood (musical). Entre actes are: musician-comedian Huck DeMilo, naughty singer-songstress Jessica Delfino, & sound effects comedian Zero Boy.

Themes

• IS THAT A SPEAR IN YOUR POCKET? - July 20, July 25, July 30, August 4


• CHILDREN & (OTHER) SHARP OBJECTS - July 21, July 26, July 31, August 5


• DAMES AT SEA - July 22, July 27, August 1, August 6


• SEX ENCOUNTERS OF THE ABSURD KIND - July 23, July 28, August 2, August 7


• YOUR MONEY OR YOUR ART - July 24, July 29, August 3, August 8


• GO GENITAL INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT - Late-night Saturdays, July 25, August 1, August 8, at 10:30 pm


• UNHOLY SUNDAY FILM MATINEE - July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 9, at 2 pm ($15 w/ bag of popcorn & talk-backs with filmmakers & stars) and A DAY IN THE LIFE OF MISS SAMMY by Michael Wanzie & Jason Piecarski (talkback with Miss Sammy & the filmmakers Aug. 9)

There will be an opening benefit, bestowing the Honorary Golden Pineapple upon a luminary in the theatre community, surround events (costume parties, raffles, auctions), and closing night festivities. At the '07 benefit, legendary director Tom O'Horgan (Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar) was presented with the Honorary Golden Pineapple. In '08, it was stage-screen-& small screen star Marilyn Sokol, cabaret superstar Sidney Myer, and Warhol muse/ visual artist Ultra Violet.

NY Artists Unlimited is a 25 year old nonprofit organization that provides theatre and art to under-served audiences. The company is supported in part by the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Nancy Quinn Fund, Puffin Foundation, Dramatists Guild Fund, corporate and individual contributors. These festivals, in their own wacky way, lend a hand in supporting the mission to serve the community. The movers 'n shakers behind this insanity are: Melba LaRose, Artistic Director; Bill & Anita Brown, associate producers from Shooting Star Theatre; Court Sweeting, Technical Director, and playwright Jean Hart of the Benefit Committee; plus myriad interns and volunteers that make the whole thing happen.

Tickets $25 at door; $20 advance sales (deadline July 1); $15 students with ID; $15 film matinees (w/bag of popcorn & talk-backs). Reservations are strongly recommended. For more information or reservations, call 212-242-6036 or visit NYArtists.org

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2009