Ben Rimalower: Patti Issues

Ben Rimalower:
PATTI ISSUES
Written and Performed by Ben Rimalower
Directed by Aaron Mark
"Show-queen heaven. A tight hourlong monologue that pairs a well-honed script with an engagingly spontaneous delivery and a nose for sharp, observational comedy, Mr. Rimalower's funny, tender reminiscence rides an infectious rainbow high."
- David Rooney, New York Times
"Meticulously scripted and executed, with poignant punch lines that deliver laughs, emotion and insight"
- Raven Snook, Time Out New York
"Smart,… Show more poignant, and dishy as hell."
- Brandon Voss, The Advocate
"I was moved... He's a very talented man and I'm so proud of him."
- Patti LuPone
"A very fierce comedy. Both viciously funny and gently
poignant, it is a damn fine way to spend an evening."
- broadwayworld.com
AT The DUPLEX
Monday, May 6, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 11, 2013 @ 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 18, 2013 @ 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 25, 2013 @ 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 1, 2013 @ 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 8, 2013 @ 9:30 p.m.
Monday, June 10, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.
Monday, June 17, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 22, 2013 @ 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 29, 2013 @ 9:30 p.m.
When Ben Rimalower was eight years old, his father came out of the closet and embarked on a drug-fueled tear that left his family in tatters. Amid the chaos of his young life, Ben found comfortlike so many gay boys before him and afterin musical theater, and specifically in the transportive voice of Broadway star Patti LuPone.
Patti Issues marks Rimalower's debut as a playwright and performer, after serving as the director of numerous Off-Broadway plays, concerts and all-star benefits (and blogging for the Huffington Post). With a mix of comic irreverence, stark candor and show-biz bravado, Patti Issues poignantly explores the challenges facing LGBT parents and children while shining unique light on gay men's time-old obsessions with divas.
"Shockingly honest and honestly shocking,
'Patti Issues' allows you to be a Peeping Tom
without the messy blot of a mug shot on your record"
- Marc Shaiman
"Bring tissues to 'Patti Issues'!
You'll laugh! You'll cry! You'll pay the minimum"
- Scott Wittman
"As artists the most we can hope for from our heroes
is inspiration and maybe evolution. Ben Rimalower's 'Patti Issues'
offers a powerful example of both and this bravura performance
might just make Ben a hero for a new generation of show ponies!"
-Justin Vivian Bond
"An evening of courage, clarity, and unexpected wisdom and insight: into the psychic toll of homophobia, the emotional root of diva-worship, and even the inner life of ambition and art-making."
- Dan Fishback
"Sometimes dark but very funny, reminiscent of such confessional memoirs as Augusten Burroughs's Running with Scissors, Rimalower's very charming affect (which at certain points recalls David Sedaris and at others Seth Rudetsky) draws in the crowd."
- Simply Showbiz
"Patti Issues is more than just 90 minutes of diva worship... a surprisingly cohesive narrative. While the sensibilities many gay men share with their favorite stage divas have been dissected countless times in popular culture, never has such an analysis been so engagingly written and cleverly presented."
- Huffington Post Gay Voices
"Engaging, heartfelt and humorous, with lots of energy and excitement."
- Call Me Adam
"One of the best shows of this nature that I've ever seen, confidently performed, sensitively written and as funny as it gets."
- Boy Culture
The Advocate Seat Filler review:

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