Shuckin’ my duds for a Party

There's no 'M' on MTV anymore. I think they took it out about the same time there stopped being 'N' on CNN.

Salon weighs in on the Tina Brown departure: Brown and out in New York.

During the decades-long editorship of the monkish William Shawn, the New Yorker had assumed the status of the summit of American letters, with all that "summit" entails — the immutability, the arid beauty, the dizziness and hypoxia after the long trek to the top of a Ved Mehta essay.

A nice summation on alternative publishing, AKA the history of 'zines. [via Obscure Store]

OK, I promised the story: Yes, the rumors are accurate...your's truly will be returning to the stage in St. Louis this August. I've agreed to take a part in New Line Theatre's "Out of Line" production of David Dillon's Party.

It's the story of seven friends who get together one night to play a wild version of "Truth or Dare," and let's just say that both prospects get the best of them. In the process, they learn a great deal about one another, drink quite a few shots of liquor punch and end up dancing naked as the evening winds down.

I'll pause while you re-read that last paragraph and ponder the implications.

Good, you're back. So, for those of you quick on the uptake, that means that yes, in fact, I will be appearing nude on stage. Think very carefully before you choose to make wisecracks. I have already heard just about every variation of whatever joke you intend to tell. Believe me, I did not consent to take on the part without getting past my trepidation about proving the show-biz maxim, "There are no small roles, only small actors."

The fact is, while Party will not be mistaken for high art by any viewer with half a brain, it's a fun, fluffy way to spend a couple of hours and I think I've got a great part. I play Ray, the show-tune lovin', acerbic yet witty priest.

Again, a pause to consider that notion.

Ray and I have a lot in common, as those friends of mine who dare to come and see the show will attest. Except for the priest part.

So am I nervous about the show? You betcha! But my anxiety stems less from the fact that a (hopefully) packed house every night is gonna see my dangly bits paraded around on stage....frankly, I'm more concerned about flubbing one or more of the many lines I have to commit to memory in the next week.

Party runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in August at the St. Marcus Theatre. Tickets available through MetroTix. If you've been saying to yourself, "Gee, I just don't see enough of Brad these days...", well, here's your chance.

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