Rather Big Productions presents the world premiere of the "song, story and stoli" act, set to play the Actors' Gang's El Centro Theatre, Friday and Saturday nights through Aug. 7. Robert Egan (Chinese Friends) directs.
Born out of an invitation from Fleisher to Plimpton to join him as a special guest at a Joe's Pub performance, the duo reteamed on a couple gigs at other New York City venues before taking it to Hollywood. Both take on standards and contemporary songs as diverse as "Neverland" from Peter Pan to Joni Mitchell's "Help Me" to their popular "Movin' on Up/9 to 5" medley in what is billed as "an ever-changing list of exciting and often surprising renditions of songs both old and new, [with] the kind of playful and spontaneous banter one might expect from two seasoned performers the size of whose egos is matched only by their fragility."
Actress Plimpton — known for her turn in the movie "The Goonies" — has amassed a number of stage credits since joining the ensemble of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theater Company: The Libertine, Playboy of the Western World, The Glass Menagerie and as the title character in Hedda Gabler. She has also been seen Off-Broadway in subUrbia (Lincoln Center), Hobson's Choice (Atlantic Theater Company), Boston Marriage (The Public Theater) and Flesh and Blood (New York Theater Workshop). Other film credits include "Running on Empty," "Another Woman," "Stanley and Iris," "Pecker," "Parenthood," "I Shot Andy Warhol" and in voice on the upcoming animated film "Hair High" — which she also co-produced.
New York nightclub singer Fleisher — son of renowned concert pianist Leon Fleisher — ventured from roles as The Threepenny Opera's Mack the Knife and Guys and Dolls' Sky Masterson as Yale undergrad to a singing career in New York City. His original songs have been heard in "Dogtown," "Temps" and "The Man From Elysian Fields." In addition to producing the first CD from downtown cabaret duo Kiki and Herb, he himself can be heard on his 2002 debut CD, "Rather Big."
Joining the stars will be New York vibraphonist Nick Mancini leading the band and "a different Super-Surprise Guest at each performance," according to a release. For tickets to Julian Fleisher and Martha Plimpton: Together Again for the Third Time! at the Actors' Gang El Centro Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood, CA, call (323) 465-0566.
