Audra is a writer, editor, actor, & filmmaker with an MFA from Mills College. She is the co-writer/director of the short film Souls of Splendor, which is about gay comic book fans in San Francisco. Audra is also known as Odessa Lil: Mistress of Ceremonies. Ever since she ran SpeakEasily, the first-ever weekly neo-burlesque show in Oakland back in 2004, Odessa Lil has been whipping audiences into shape all around the Bay. Catch her burlesque talk show SPEAKEASILY on YouTube!
2.12.2008
Working at Amoeba certainly has its privileges…not only do I have an unobstructed view of all the bum fights out in the McDonalds parking lot from my office window, but I also get to see all the neat new releases as they come into the store. This week's score for me is the remarkable collection "Victrola Favorites: Artifacts from Bygone Days!"
It's a hard-bound book full of images of early album art and 78s with two CDs featuring "Burmese guitars, Chinese Opera, Persian folk songs, Fado, Hillbilly, Jazz, Blues and much, much more!" These recordings span from 1910 – 50's. I'm a nut for early recordings, mostly blues and ethnic (what's now dubiously called "world"). Listening to this last night was the ultimate time-travel experience.
The Thrillpeddlers have asked me and The Indra back for another show! And this one is a doozie! When I say that it's BLOODY...when I say that it's FUNNY...when I say that it's OPERATIC...well, you just better believe it, Bucko!
The Thrillpeddlers proudly present the 2008 Hypnodrome Valentine revue "Lovers and Other Monsters" featuring Jill Tracy in concert with violinist Paul Mercer and special guests Mel Gordon, V. Vale, Jello Biafra, and Monte Cazazza!
The line-up includes The Torture of Cavaradossi, featuring Jill Tracy, Audra Wolfmann, The Indra, Russell Blackwood, and Eric Tyson Wertz. Jill Tracy portrays Silvie, a prostitute obsessed with opera singer Maria Callas in this original Thrillpeddlers' piece that dares to show you what the San Francisco Opera will not: the famous off-stage torture from Puccini's Tosca – ON-STAGE. Written by Thrillpeddlers' co-founder Daniel Zilber and directed by A.C.T.'s Dave Maier.
February 12-17, 2008 Tuesday 2/12 - Saturday 2/16 at 8:00 PM, Sunday 2/17 at 7:00 PM
At THE HYPNODROME 575 10th St. (between Bryant and Division) San Francisco, California
Get your tickets now! Tickets: $20 general admission; $69 for SHOCK BOX seats (admits two). Buy Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/26984 or call 1-800-838-3006
MORE INFO: With a diabolical nod to Valentine's (and Presidents) Day, Thrillpeddlers presents a week-long line-up of live music and theatre, exquisite torture and expert testimony that all dare to touch the taboos that haunt these holidays. "Lovers and Other Monsters" celebrates the return of award-winning noir chanteuse Jill Tracy and acclaimed Atlanta violinist Paul Mercer (Faith and the Muse/The Changelings/DP3) back to The Hypnodrome stage, in concert and … each taking a leading role in a new dramatic work from Thrillpeddlers.
The rotating bill of scintillating (and sinister) entertainments also features V. Vale, founder and editor of Re/Search Publications conducting on stage interviews with industrial music maverick Monte Cazazza (on Friday, 2/15) and media prankster and Dead Kennedys founding front man Jello Biafra (on Saturday, 2/16), Thrillpeddlers previews new acts for 2008 and proudly debuts their latest collaboration with Creepshow Camp.
The Erotic World of Paris -- legendary UC Berkeley Professor Mel Gordon will discuss the link between theatre and French sensuality in glorious detail Feb 12, 13, 14, and 17.
The Hypnodrome has got the perfect perch for Valentine couples our private Shock Box seats for two put a spookier spin on the old Parisian perk offering paramours a lodge-grille, the private trysting booths where you can see the show, but the show cant see you!. Our variation takes it to extremes! Each box boasts its own custom built special effects (a nod to the spooky gimmicks of director William Castle and the methods of fake spiritualists) and themed decor worthy of a haunted Madonna Inn.
For more information or to arrange interviews, Thrillpeddlers producer, Russell Blackwood at 415-377-4202. Or email: blackwood@thrillpeddlers.com http://thrillpeddlers.com/
2.04.2008
The Thrilling and the Not So...It's All Valid
As we slide right into the second month of the New Year, I can’t help but reflect on 2008 thus far. The verdict: what a freaking long month!
For one thing, I’ve been sick more days than healthy this year! I started off 2008 sick (like most people I know) and on antibiotics after a great time in LA watching The Flakes ring in the New Year at Club Satisfaction at Bordello. There was even a Flakes-operated balloon drop! Klass!
I love me some Yoko.
We stayed in Little Tokyo and Brett and I did much damage to an anime store called Jungle. I highly recommend it to the most discerning of nerds. I met my new husband, Booska! We also saw the HUGE Kamen Rider that the Ramones posed next to in the late 70’s. But they wouldn’t let us touch it.
BOOSKA
As soon as we were back and I was on antibiotics, it was time to start rehearsing with the Thrillpeddlers and The Indra for a couple of numbers for Hubba Hubba’s Creepshow Peepshow at the DNA! Extensive photos HERE. We took the Ball Busting sketch from Mel Gordon’s “Google Fetish” piece and adapted/expanded it to accommodate a backwoods-inbred theme. We Hillbilly-fied it! We also performed Indra’s brilliantly disturbing act, which is now known as “the wheelchair number” by many who quake in its presence. I’m so happy Indra and I have found each other.
Then, just for the hell of it and maybe because I couldn’t get the wig off, Jose, Brett, and I shot this video…the debut of The Llamas!
Friday, Jan 28th was the Amoeba Art Show, which I wrote an article about HERE Check it out…there’s some really talented artists at Amoeba (no surprise, really). Unfortunately, while I was writing that article on Saturday the 29th, I pretty much collapsed with a fever. I had to get into work that Sunday no matter what because I was working the Au Revoir Simone in-store. They turned out to be the nicest of gals and it was a really great in-store afterall thanks to Kaitlin. Annie from Au Revoir Simone even took my picture standing next to the reserved parking sign I made for them. Those girls are charmers. No wonder David Lynch said they’re his favorite band!
So from there, I went home and pretty much died for a week. The massive fever, chest pain, and loss of voice made it inevitable that I would have to miss Monday night’s SpeakEasily at the Uptown. It was tragic for me…I stayed at home and wrung my hands as Jim and Brett made sure that the show went on as planned. Of course, everyone was great! But the only time I’ve ever had to miss a show is when my mom had a heart attack two years ago.
Luckily, to put it in perspective, RocknPunkDad assembled this list --
Top 10 reasons why Odessa Lil wasn't at SpeakEasily tonight:
10. Forgot where she put her whip.
9. Why go to Oakland? It stopped raining!
8. Didn't set her alarm for 2008.
7. Emergency room removal of Coke bottle. 2 liter.
6. Still mourning Michelangelo Antonioni's death.
5. Planet Of The Apes was on AMC tonight.
4. PMS ASSHOLE!!!
3. Needed to update her MySpace page.
2. She can only go to the liquor store with her house arrest ankle bracelet.
And the #1 reason why Odessa Lil wasn't at SpeakEasily tonight...
1. Explosive diarrhea just ain't funny on stage.
So, despite dizziness and an overwhelming need to fall asleep constantly, I’m back in (limited) action: back at work and back at Thrillpeddler rehearsal.
My last run with the Thrillpeddlers was transformative…not only did I meet the illustrious Russell Blackwood and his crew (and acquire a new home at the Hypnodrome), I also was able to met and work with Weimar expert Mel Gordon, one of my heroes. PLUS, Paramount Pictures came to film us for the Sweeney Todd DVD extras on Grand Guignol!! Can’t wait for that release!
The Thrillpeddler’s next show is a real whopper! The Indra and I will perform in a one act called The Torture of Cavaradossi with the mysterious and beautiful Jill Tracy! It will really shed a whole new light on Opera fans. Hahaha. GO! You’ll dig it. And what else are you going to do with your mid-February anyway?!
"Lovers and Other Monsters" featuring Jill Tracy in concert with violinist Paul Mercer plus Jello Biafra, Monte Cazazza, RE/Search publication's V. Vale, Mel Gordon, Harmon Leon Thrillpeddlers preview new productions for 2008 and debut Creepshow Camp. February 12-16 (Tues-Sat) at 8pm February 17 (Sunday) at 7 PM
The Hypnodrome 575 10th Street (at Bryant) San Francisco general admission: $20.00 Shock Box seats for two: $69.00 Ticket info: http://brownpapertickets.com or 800-838-3006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
With a diabolical nod to Valentine's (and Presidents) Day, Thrillpeddlers present Lovers and Other Monsters, a week-long line-up of live music and theatre, exquisite torture and expert testimony that all dare to touch the taboos that haunt these holidays. Lovers and Other Monsters celebrates the return of award-winning noir chanteuse Jill Tracy and acclaimed Atlanta violinist Paul Mercer (Faith and the Muse/The Changelings/DP3) to The Hypnodrome stage, in concert and each taking a leading role in a new dramatic work from Thrillpeddlers.
Hailed by critics as a "femme fatale for the thinking man," Jill Tracy has developed a highly devoted following for her dark elegant piano stylings, old-word glamour, and curious passion for strange tales.
"This show will be an alluring exploration into the dark side of love, and passions gone awry...it's been an ideal opportunity to mingle my musical work with traditional Grand Guignol theatre," Tracy explains.
In the seductive shocker The Torture of Cavaradossi, Jill Tracy portrays Silvie, a prostitute obsessed with opera singer Maria Callas in this original Thrillpeddlers’ piece that dares to show you what the San Francisco Opera will not: the famous off-stage torture from Puccini’s Tosca – ON-STAGE!
“Jill Tracy has an otherworldly ability to transport audiences;” said Thrillpeddlers' producer (and Cavaradossi co-star) Russell Blackwood. “It makes her a perfect fit for this role, which is dominated by glamour and theatricality, and demands a tour de force transformation of a prostitute into Callas’ Tosca, lip-syncing to the diva’s own 1958 recording no less."
Written by Thrillpeddlers’ co-founder Daniel Zilber, The Torture of Cavaradossi is directed by Dave Maier and also features company members Audra Wolfmann, The Indra and Eric Tyson Wertz.
Paul Mercer, has scored many horror films, (including cult favorite Psychopathia Sexualis.). Hailed an uber-violinist by V.Vale of RE/Search Publications, Paul Mercer joins and actor Eric Tyson Wertz in a new music-theatre adaptation of the famed 1921 H.P. Lovecraft tale The Music of Erich Zann. Thrillpeddlers’ Jonathan Horton provides the adaptation, staging and special F/X direction.
The Hypnodrome has got the perfect perch for Valentine couples – our private Shock Box seats for two put a spookier spin on the old Parisian perk offering paramours a lodge-grille, the private trysting booths where “you can see the show, but the show can’t see you!”. Our variation takes it to extremes! Each box boasts it’s own custom built special effects (a nod to the spooky gimmicks of director William Castle and the methods of fake spiritualists) and themed décor worthy of a haunted Madonna Inn.
The six-night run of Lovers and Other Monsters’ presents a variety of featured acts and guest appearances played in rotating repertory throughout the week.
Feb 12, 13, 14, and 17 Jill Tracy In Concert with Paul Mercer, The Torture of Cavaradossi, The Music of Erich Zann, PLUS! … The Erotic World of Paris -- legendary UC Berkeley Professor Mel Gordon will discuss the link between theatre and French sensuality in glorious detail.
Feb 15 and 16 - (** Please note on these two nights Paul Mercer will not be performing, but Jill Tracy will contribute several songs and perform The Torture of Cavaradossi.) Re/Search Publications’ founder V. Vale will host an on-stage interview with Monte Cazazza (on 2/15) and Jello Biafra (on 2/16), about PRANKS -- and will be on hand to sign copies of the Re/Search book Pranks and Pranks 2. Harmon Leon previews the upcoming Pranks Film Festival at The Roxie. Creepshow Camp performs Yusef Lambert’s Zombied with Thrillpeddlers’ Will McMichael and A Presidential Pageant a new piece with Harmon Leon.
For more information or to arrange interviews, Thrillpeddlers producer, Russell Blackwood at 415-377-4202. Or email: blackwood@thrillpeddlers.com http://thrillpeddlers.com/
