LET ME ASCERTAIN YOU / Cabaret Series
Let Me Ascertain You
is The Civilians cabaret series performed in New York and recorded live for our original podcast series. Each one-night-only event centers on a theme with interviews performed by actors and original songs from the next generation of musical theater composers.
For more information about the Let Me Ascertain You Podcast, click HERE. Or subscribe on iTunes for FREE!
Visit our blog to learn more about past Cabarets!
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Let Me Ascertain You: Anarchy! was a night of new music and true stories about everything you think you know, but nothing you'd expect about anarchism. This new cabaret was curated by The Civilians 2015-16 R&D Group Members EllaRose Chary, Jordan Mayome and Jay Stull in collaboration with The Civilians' 2015-16 Field Research Team and directed by Jay Stull. The performance was on April 7, 2016 at Joe's Pub.
Let Me Ascertain You: Flops, Failures and FiascosLet Me Ascertain You: Flops, Failures and Fiascos was a night of new music and true stories that celebrated artistic and relationship disasters as told by those who have survived the shame, horror, and glory of failing big, curated and directed by The Civilians 2015-16 R&D Group Members Sanaz Ghajar and Colette Robert in collaboration with The Civilians' 2015-16 Field Research Team. The performance was on February 23, 2016 at the Metropolitan Room.
Let Me Ascertain You: War on Christmas
Let Me Ascertain You: War on Christmas was our first R&D Group curated Cabaret, helmed by R&D Group Members Suzanne Agins and Benamin Kamine, with the support of the 2015-2016 Field Research Team. This one-night-only event explored America's diverse cultural and religious minorities, focusing on their experiences and responses to the commercialization of Christmas. The performance was on December 8, 2015 at Joe's Pub.
Let Me Ascertain You: BogotáThis special evening explored the annual beauty pageant that takes place in El Buen Pastor, the national women's prison in Bogotá, Colombia. The never-before-seen performance material was crafted from interviews conducted by Civilians artists on-site in the prison with inmates who include members of the paramilitary, guerrilla fighters, drug smugglers and more. The pageant, comprised of an evening gown competition, folk-dancing and floats built from recycled materials, is a recent innovation in the prison system that demonstrates increasing support of rehabilitation for the incarcerated. The evening provided a unique glimpse into life in a womenÂ's prison and hear the personal stories behind the ongoing political struggles and warfare that the country continues to face. The performance was on June 13, 2012 at 92YTribeca.
Let Me Ascertain You: Death
The Civilians' artists entered some surprising and dark territory and came back to share their enlightening tales of death, near-death experiences, corpses, and insights into forensic anthropology. The evening included performances of interviews from hospitals, prisons, spiritual communities, and funeral homes along with material from Associate Artist Alix Lambert's investigation into the Body Farm: a facility for study of the decomposition of human bodies and research site for criminal investigations. The evening at Joe's Pub on May 18, 2012 showcased monologues, original songs, and murder ballads by Michael Friedman and Shaina Taub in our unique style created from this unusual interview material.
Let Me Ascertain You: Occupy Wall Street, Part II
This was our second cabaret crafted from interviews about Occupy Wall Street. Our artists have been talking to people at the OWS Library, General Assembly meetings, and actions. This second evening will take an in-depth look at the beginnings of the movement through to the massive police action clearing the protesters from Zuccotti Park and examine the big question of what is in store for the movement in the future. The evening was presented at Joe's Pub on January 13, 2012.
Let Me Ascertain You: Occupy Wall Street
"The 80-minute show was the most moving work of theater I have seen all season." -- The Faster Times
Check Out Let Me Ascertain You: Occupy Wall Street, part I in:
The New York Times
The Washington Post
The Wasll Street Journal
This performance of monologues and songs crafted from interviews in The Civilians' unique style gives voice to the people and examines this current exercise of democracy that will leave its mark our nation's history. The Civilians' artists are downtown talking to the 99% about the current demonstrations, our government, the economy, and the future. The artists' research and interviews reveal the thought-provoking and unexpected, the infuriating and hilarious, the communal and the personal stories of the large and ongoing display of discontent that is Occupy Wall Street. The evening was presented live at Joe's Pub on October 28, 2011.
Occupy Wall Street, Part II Performed on January 13, 2012 at Joe's Pub
Occupy Wall Street, Part I Performed on October 28, 2011 at Joe's Pub
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