Rasputin and the Mad Monks will once again be taking to the stage at The Wilmington Arms, 69 Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4RL at 7.30pm on Thursday 15th May, 2008 playing songs from the show including all new material, alongside special guests including hero of the free world Tony Blair and the immortal mad monk himself Grigori Rasputin.

This show follows the hugely successful ‘An Evening With Rasputin’, which took place at the same venue in March to great acclaim. Expect classic rock, comedy, and a whole lot more as a team of revolutionaries obsessed with the cheesier aspects of Western culture desperately try to stop Rasputin and an insane Russian Emperor from destroying the world.

Demos of three songs from the show are now available to listen to on our website www.rasputinrocks.co.uk. These demos have been produced by John Greves, formerly of Hawkwind and currently playing Space Ritual, and feature the talents of writers Andrew Hobbs and Alistair Smith as well as Anton Shelupanov of Bleak and Misnomer and musical theatre sensation Lucyelle Cliffe.

The world premiere of the show will be taking place at the Kenton Theatre in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire between Monday 21st and Saturday 26th July, 2008 as part of the prestigious Henley Fringe Festival. Tickets for this are priced at £7 and will be available shortly.

Tickets for ‘An Audience With Rasputin’, our preview night at The Wilmington Arms on the 15th May, are priced at £4 advance or £5 on the door. Advance tickets are available from our website or by calling 020 8318 4999.

An insane Russian emperor who finds out he is terminally ill decides to take the whole world with him. He also discovers that Rasputin has never in fact died but has been frozen deep beneath the Kremlin, and thus thaws the immortal mad monk out to help him in his evil plan. Only hero of the free world Tony Blair, fresh from his overwhelming success making peace in the Middle East, and a brave band of resistance fighters who worship the cheesier aspects of Western culture stand between him and a global nuclear dawn.
Writer Andrew Hobbs says: ‘This is no lazy jukebox show and you won’t find the songs from any 70s rock bands here, although fans of the likes of AC/DC and Queen will find plenty to enjoy. Where else can you find a show which features pole dancing Polish workers, Russian death metal, a cheeky bit of doo-wop, and a former prime minister of the UK reflecting on his career through the medium of country and western?

There’s a few syrupy ballad numbers for the musical theatre faithful in there as well, of course, but they’ve got their tongue planted more firmly in their cheek than Sir Roger Moor attempting his serious face. Rasputin’s coming back to rock!’
The show’s house band Rasputin and the Mad Monks will be performing songs from the show at the Wilmington Arms, with guest vocal turns from the likes of Tony Blair, a Polish gospel choir and of course Rasputin himself. There’ll be some exclusive previews of some of the dialogue and a few surprises along the way.

Not content with giving you a sneak preview of one of the hottest new musicals around, An Evening With Rasputin will also feature support slots from some very special guests.
Legendary one man yodelling machine Country Al and his Lonesome Guitar will be bringing his uniquely danceable brand of misery to Clerkenwell, alongside Russian stars Bleak, musical theatre sensation Lucyelle Cliffe and celebrated poet, comedian and Dorothy Parker impersonator S P Howarth.
Tickets are priced at £4 advance/£5 on the door.
Advance tickets are available from www.facsimileproductions.co.uk or by calling 020 8318 4999.
Wilmington Arms, 69 Rosebery Avenue, Clerkenwell, London EC1R 4RL

Thursday 13^th March 2008 7.30pm

For more information on Rasputin Rocks! or any of our other acts performing at the evening, or to arrange interviews or press tickets to review the night please contact David Walls on 020 8318 4999 or email press@facsimileproductions.co.uk

* Missy Elenina Sao Curaçao, primadonna and lead vocals, is gaudiliy dressed and reminds the character of the chanteuse from Naples.
* Ginger Ale Falca, guitarist, plays also the role of the ‘presenter’, introducing the themes and managing the dalogues.
* Emi Dry Di, choir leader, is the mischievous head of the backing vocals, a comic trio who sings, acts, dances and interacts with the audience.
* Gin Fizz Muzzi, choreographer and backing vocals, is the naive and clawnish character of the trio
* Katia Cognac, backing vocals, is “the belle of the ball”, a snobbish and proud girl.

The show is mostly witty and comic, made of original songs and short dialogues. The aim of the show is to recreate an imaginary living room at the side of the road (or stage), reminding the cabaret, the italian TV of the 60s and 70s, the American Jingles of the 50s, the Comedy of Art with its different personalities. The actors interact with them and with the audience, rivisiting the stereotypes of the modern age from an ironic point of view.
The songs are enriched by vocal games, puns, rhymes, gags, silly dances and some pseudo-musical instruments. The dialogues are built like old “reclames”, through nonsenses and word games. The sentences bounce quickly from one character to another, causing a sensation of dizziness in the audience.
All characters are well dressed, in a colorful and elegant way, vaguely inspired by the fashion of the 50s and 60s, and they all drink blue water.

For info http://loungerie.blogsome.com

917 716-6635   et34888@aol.com

New York, NY – Wabi Sabi Production’s staged reading and mini concert of it’s new 1 hr 45 minute two act musical play that explores the life and music of legendary musical great Barry White opens for a public reading 4- 28-07 at 8 PM at the Times Square Arts Center located at 300 W 43rd Street room 301-3 NYC 10036 Between 8th and 9th ave. Tickets are $15 and $17 if purchased online. For info and reservations contact Emmitt at 917 716-6635 or purchase online at http://www.wabisabiproductions.com/current.htm.

A scarcity of musicals about contemporary African American musicians Inspired Emmitt Thrower, the writer, producer and director of “Barry White: Guided By Destiny” in collaboration with Lanar, to undertake the challenge of beginning to rectify that condition. The musical is scheduled for a two week showcase production June 14th to June 24th, 2007 at the Times Square Arts Center at the 411 Theater Room 411 NYC 10036. Tickets go on sale for the June showcase April 28, 2007 through Theatermania ticketing. The public reading 4-28-07 is the springboard to the showcase production.

Barry White is played by Lanar who also has created original music for the production along with singing original Barry White and Love Unlimited Songs as part of the mini concert. Venus Adore who plays lead singer Glodean, Jessica Opong who plays Dee Dee and Gezele Portwood who subs as Linda and also plays Destiny are all part of The Love Not Limited Singers group.

Like Barry White who had a stroke, Emmitt Thrower also fell victim to a disabling brain stem stroke in 2001. He lost his vision in his left eye, was confined to a wheelchair and unable to walk or speak. He will be featured in the play as the great Muhammad Ali. He hopes he inspires other disabled artists to continue to make their contributions to the performing arts community. Emmitt Thrower the owner/producer of Wabi Sabi Productions also produced the NYC musical called Katrina:A Whole Lotta Water. In Barry White: Guided By Destiny Emmitt explores Barry White’s preoccupation with the guiding voice that led him to greatness. His relationships with Muhammad Ali and Elvis Pressley whom he credits with literally changing his life are also chronicled. Lanar has performed with such R and B legends as Gerald Austin of the Manhattans, Kevin Owens longtime Luther Vandross backup singer now lead singer of Ray, Goodman and Brown, The Persuaders, Gregory Johnson from Cameo, The Legendary Intruders and he also worked with Ray Serrano of African Bambata and Soul Sonic Force. He is a managing partner with radio host and promoter M. Martin Hall. Lanar will be appearing at the Apollo Theater in a Special show on May 30, 2007.

About Wabi Sabi Productions Inc

Created as a Not For Profit in March 2005 by the founder Emmitt Thrower. It’s goals are to bring social, political, and health issues affecting our communities to the stage/screen and to foster a spirit of cooperation and collaboration within the performing artists community.

Baltimore, Maryland — Emmitt Thrower a disabled retired NYC Police Officer, Producer, Writer, Actor and Tiara Mone’t King (Sunshine) a wheelchair bound Dancer, Actress, Model and double survivor of domestic Violence and hurricane Katrina Survivor will battle Katrina together in the new multimedia Hip Hop Musical Katrina: A Whole Lotta Water. Written and Directed by Emmitt Thrower.

Twenty-Seven year old Tiara King a former New Orleans resident temporarily relocated in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland has been pegged for a role in the off Broadway production that is touring in Baltimore from January 19th To January 21st at the Rognel Heights Cultural Center located at 1200 Wicklow Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21229-1548.

Said Tiara “I am happy to be back up on stage doing what I love, dancing and acting.” The show times are 1/19/07 Friday 8 PM, 1/20/07 Saturday 1 PM “Special Youth show” reduced cost tickets for under 18, 1/20/07 Saturday 8 PM 1/21/07 Sunday 4 PM Special Dinner Theater/Fundraiser Tickets $50. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatermania.com or by calling 866-811-4111 Ticket prices $20 To $30 except on 1/20/07, Special Youth rates at 1 PM show and dinner show on 1/21/07. Groups and info call 917 716-6635.

Katrina: A Whole Lotta Water explores the emotional, psychological, human rights, race, class, and gender issues affecting hurricane Katrina survivors. It is hoped that this play will keep them in the spotlight as this human drama continues to unfold in the gulf coast area. The play brings it all home straight to the heart, and that is the hope and intent of its creators.

Tiara a graduate of the Baltimore School for the Arts, was brutally shot twice in 2004 in a domestic violence incident and suffered a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the upper waist down and confined to a wheelchair. One year later in 2005 disaster struck her again in the form of hurricane Katrina and the slow government response to the victims cries for help. She and her family including her 5 year old son were uprooted from their New Orleans community. She was separated from her son and father while she and her mother Cynthia lived in emergency shelters in Baton Rogue where she had to have her wheelchair tied to her arm with a piece of string to keep people from stealing it as she slept.

Emmitt Thrower the disabled New York City retired police officer/writer/producer/director and actor who cast Tiara is himself also a survivor of a brain stem stroke he suffered in 2001. He also experienced being confined to a wheelchair, unable to stand, speak, walk, eat, and eventually lost vision in his left eye. He fortunately was able to overcome his disabilities and create new abilities that have enabled him to work towards becoming totally independent again.

He started his Non Profit Production Company Wabi Sabi Productions in 2005 based out of New York City. This is his first performance in a play produced by his company. He felt this was too important for him not to include himself. The songs are written and performed by Harlem based Rap/Activist “Shakka” whose family is from Baton Rogue. The music on three songs “Hell, Wasn’t We Human and Reasons” is produced by Emmitt Thrower.

Sitawi Jahi, the President and CEO of Movements Unlimited Performing Arts Company and the co-producer of the Baltimore show stated “I am saddened by seeing so many people on the streets of New Orleans riding bikes and talking to themselves. They are emotionally scared. It’s bad.” He said “People are in dire need of help. The horrors of the devastation from Katrina are still there. It is unbelievable. There is a lot of a work to be done for the city to recover. ”

Sitawi Kiongozi Jahi the President of Movements Unlimited and his wife Cynthia Jasari Williams-Jahi the Founder are unique in that they themselves are former New Orleans residents and survivors of the hurricane Katrina disaster.

Contact Baltimore: Sitawi Kiongozi Jahi : 410-800-3975
Website: http://www.movementsunlimited.org

Contact New York: Emmitt Thrower: 917 716-6635
et34888@aol.com
Website: http://www.wabisabiproductions.com

Tiara Mone’t King (Sunshine) a wheelchair bound double survivor of domestic violence and hurricane Katrina survivor will perform in the new multimedia Hip Hop Musical Katrina: A Whole Lotta Water. The show recently had it’s opening in NYC.

Baltimore, Maryland — Tiara a former New Orleans resident and survivor from hurricane Katrina now relocated back in her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland has been pegged for a role in the off Broadway production that is touring in Baltimore from January 19th To January 21st at the Rognel Heights Cultural Center located at 1200 Wicklow Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21229-1548.

Said Tiara “I am happy to be back up on stage doing what I love, dancing and acting.”

The show times are 1/19/07 Friday 8 PM, 1/20/07 Saturday 1 PM “Special Youth show” reduced cost tickets for under 18, 1/20/07 Saturday 8 PM 1/21/07 Sunday 4 PM Special Dinner Theater/Fundraiser Tickets $50.

Tickets can be purchased at Theater Mania or by calling 866-811-4111 Ticket prices $20 To $30 except on 1/20/07, Special Youth rates at 1 PM show and dinner show on 1/21/07. Groups call 917 716-6635.

Tiara attended the Baltimore School for the Arts and did a summer stint at New York City’s Alvin Ailey Summer Institute. She was brutally shot twice in 2004 in a domestic violence incident and suffered a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed from the upper waist down and confined to a wheelchair. One year later in 2005 she had to deal with the hurricane Katrina disaster and the lack of proper government response to it.

After evacuating their home in New Orleans, she and her mother Cynthia were forced to separate from her father and her son Isaiah and resigned to live in shelters in Baton Rogue. They finally were able to get out of Louisiana and be reunited in Baltimore. Tiara’s supportive family has helped her endure these traumatic times.

Emmitt Thrower the writer/producer/director/actor who cast Tiara is himself also disabled and a survivor of a brain stem stroke he suffered in 2001. He was wheelchair bound, unable to stand, speak, walk, eat, and eventually lost vision in his left eye. He fought back and was able to overcome his disabilities and again learn to walk, speak and become independent again. He then started his Non Profit Production Company Wabi Sabi Productions in 2005. It is based out of New York City. He also performs in the show. The music is written and performed by Harlem based Rap/Activist “Shakka” whose family is from Baton Rogue.

Katrina: A Whole Lotta Water explores the emotional, psychological, human rights, race, class, and gender issues affecting hurricane Katrina survivors. It is hoped that this play will keep them in the spotlight as this human drama continues to unfold in the gulf coast area. The play brings it all home straight to the heart, and that is the hope and intent of its creators.

Sitawi Jahi, the President and CEO of the Baltimore based Movements Unlimited Performing Arts Company and the co-producer of the Baltimore show, just returned home to Maryland from his first visit back to New Orleans since evacuating because of hurricane Katrina in 2005. He was disheartened by the lack of progress in returning former residents and families back home to rebuild. He stated “I am saddened by seeing so many people on the streets riding bikes just talking to themselves. They are emotionally bankrupt. It’s bad”. He said. “People are in dire need of help. The horrors of the devastation from Katrina is still there. It is unbelievable. There is no signs of a city recovering as of yet.”

About Wabi Sabi Productions Inc
Wabi Sabi Production Inc. is a Not For Profit corporation established in march 2005. It has a fiscal sponsor in Fractured Atlas. It is located in the Bronx NY and produces mostly out of Manhattan. They produce shows/videos/events and performances dealing with social, health and political community issues.

Website: www.wabisabiproductions.com

About Movements Unlimited Performing Arts Company Inc.
A non-profit 501 (c)3 Corporation. Their management team has over 60 years of operating experience in youth development. Movement Unlimited operates several programs in urban markets in the United States including New Orleans. Sitawi Kiongozi Jahi the President and his wife Cynthia Jasari Williams-Jahi the Founder are unique in that they themselves are former New Orleans residents and survivors of the hurricane Katrina disaster.

Contact New York
Wabi Sabi Productions Inc
Emmitt Thrower
Producer/President
email: et34888@aol.com
phone: 917-716-6635
Contact Maryland
Movements Unlimited Performance Arts Company Inc.
Sitawi Kiongozi Jahi
443-573-5451 (Office & Video Phone)
410-800-3975 (Cell)
Website: www.movementsunlimited.org
President/CEO
email: sitawi.jahi@movementsunlimited.org