So, about two weeks ago, out of the blue, I get an email from one Jessica White, inviting me to come see Bash'd: A Gay Rap Opera. I'd been seeing advertising for a couple of weeks and was curious to go check it out. Being just a tiny bit broke was the main thing keeping me from seeing it. So I was pretty Phreakin' excited when I got the email from Jessica!

Saturday night, Paul, the Miranda to my Carrie, and I went to see Bash'd. Paul was just ecstatic to have the chance to see a musical! Not just a musical, a rap musical! And not just a rap musical... a GAY rap musical! We get to the Zipper Factory Theater and it has the most amazing lounge ever; like Harry Potter meets 21 Jump Street. The theatre space itself is just Phenominal! A great stage and about 200 seats. The seats are all like car seats, padded two seat benches and theatre chairs; sooo Phreakin' Phierce!

The house lights dimmed, stage lights began to dance and the beat began to pulse through my brain. Then T-Bag and Feminem burst out onto the stage! I have to confess upon the dance floor that, at first, I was saying, "Really... two white guys rapping in pink and white clothes..." I got over it like George Bush and Congress. You really can't help but get caught up in the beat and swept into the story they tell with their lyrics. It just catches you by surprise, slaps you around a bit and leaves you wanting more. T-Bag and Feminem tell a "Romeo and Johnny" tale about two young men in Canada who fall in love around the time the Civil Marriage Act was set in motion. They deal with the very real issue of LGBTQ discrimination and Gay Bashing. The story is brash, in your face and unapologetic, a perfect blend of humor and drama that demands your ful attention.

The two actors, Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow, are so Phreakin' talented that it's not even Phunny. Their ability to spontaneously switch back and forth between over a dozen characters and totally commit to every single one is incredible. Their skill in the art of rap is also nothing to be trifled with. I don't care what anyone says, these two bring emotion and realness to their lyrics in a way I've only ever heard Eminem pull off successfully. More than that, they were acting the lyrics at the same time with full conviction and passion for their message.

I wish I could have the music to carry with me on my Zune. There were so many unforgettable numbers! My Phavorite has to be a song called Grab Some Ass. It captures the heart of the gay club scene so well and leaves you laughing out loud the whole time, mainly because you know they're telling the truth.

Perhaps what makes Bash'd so successful is how it satires rap culture and gay culture, never ever disrespecting either. You simply have two men, passionate about what they believe in and have a story to tell. Rap happens to be their chosen method of communication and they do it well.

Bash'd: A Gay Rap Opera gets Tens Across the Board! It's an important piece for the world of musical theatre, the rap industry and the LGBTQ community. I'm begging you to go out and see this show as soon as you can! Discount tickets are available through the various websites dedicated to Bash'd. Also, after talking to Chris Craddock, Nathan Cuckow and Steven DeLuca, from Martian Media, my Phierce Pholks get tickets at a Phantastic discount of $20; tickets are usually $45-$55! Want to know just how to get this discount? Post a comment with an e-mail to reach you and I'll tell you how!

From Zipper Factory Theater:

BASH’d!
The Gay Rap Opera
2008 GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding NY Theater
Created by and starring Chris Craddock and Nathan Cuckow
Music by Aaron Macri
Directed by Ron Jenkins
Presented by Stephen Kocis, Carl D. White, Paul Boskind and Michael Filerman

Begins Thursday, June 12
Mondays at 8 p.m., Thursdays at 8 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 & 10 p.m. and Saturdays at 8 p.m.