Tuesday, January 16, 2018

The Congo Cabaret: Hosted by Muley the Mule and Friends - Part 3: SHOWTIME! Part One

SHOWTIME!!



January 22, 2017, 5:30 p.m., and the audience has arrived and fixed their plates, taking their seats at the tables.



During the dessert course, the lights in the house begin to fade, and the lights on the stage come up on Captain Davis of the Bonnieville Police Department to deliver the Pre-Show Announcement.  "No flash photography, no videography, and no audio recording.  In case of fire your exits are over there, over there, somewhere back there and maybe out the window; but, don't get in my way in case of fire.  In case of an alien invasion, get in my way - I hate getting shot by lasers."


As Captain Davis goes backstage, the Cabaret Band, Brennan Villines on keyboard, Tamar Love on bass, and Chris Burgess on percussion, strike up the music with a rousing instrumental of "That's Entertainment."

Muley the Mule, Master of Ceremonies, appears on the stage to welcome the audience and start the show.  He's interrupted by his best friends:  Buford the Dog, Stage Manger, who has come worried about the arrival of Frankie Steinatra of TransylVegas - whose show application was supposed to be returned by Roy Duck, Talent Coordinator, but apparently it wasn't.  After all, they couldn't afford the guy.

Missy Mule finally arrives with her own interruption upset that she's only working in Make-up and Costuming and not performing.

Clearing his friends from the stage came Muley with his introduction of Pastor Cheryl Cornish and husband Mark Allen performing the "Erotica Sonata and Variations" by PDQ Bach.

Just as Muley prepared to introduce the second act of the night, he was interrupted by Buford and Roy Duck to announce that Frankie Steinatra had just arrived.  Convincing them that all would be taken care of, Muley announced Joel Chapman and Jonathan Devin performing "Lily's Eyes" from "The Secret Garden."

Finally, Frankie finds his way to the stage where he's confronted by Missy and told he can't be there because he can't be afforded.  To which he replies, "I'll turn it in as a charitable donation."

He leaves and Missy announces Brenan Villines performing his own original songs "Better Than We've Ever Been" and "Live On."

After convincing Roy Duck to NOT sing Lou Rawls, Muley introduced our top-secret performer for the night: performing "I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore" from "Gigi," Pastor Sonia Walker!


Without the permission of Stage Manager, Buford the Dog, Missy Mule changed the show line-up to include Frankie Steinatra.

Now needing to fix the show's line-up, Muley runs off after introducing Sibella including Tamar Love and Sarah Dietsche performing their original tunes "Friends," "Your Name On My Lips," and "Hard Row To Hoe."

In a big blow-up between Muley and Missy, she convinces him to sing a duet with her with back-up by Buford and Roy Duck, and Pascha Dog and Bernetta Duck, performing "You're The One That I Want," from Grease.

Intermission equals the end of Part One!

Monday, January 15, 2018

The Congo Cabaret: Hosted by Muley the Mule and Friends - Part 4: SHOWTIME! Part Two

(Intermission has happened, the house band featuring Cabaret Band, Brennan Villines on keyboard, Tamar Love on bass, and Chris Burgess on percussion, walk out to their instruments and start Act 2 with the Entr'acte Music "Everything's Coming UP Roses" from Gypsy!)

Lights rise on the stage, and the announcer introduces your Mule of the Night!  Of course, he's interrupted by Missy Mule who chooses to announce the next act of strong women who, instead of being introduced by a "boy" should also be introduced by a strong woman - of six years old!  Julia Hicks, Catherine Dixon and Katy Musolino performing Those Were The Days My Friend!




At song's end, Frankie rushes back to the stage to take over the show and perform his own act, to which stage manager Buford the Dog stopped him, "Wait right there, Mr. Franken-atra!"  
"Stein-atra, puppy! The name's Steinatra."
After shooing Frankie Steinatra from the stage, Buford introduced Prof. Randall rushing, who channeled the spirits of Merle Haggard and Hank Williams performing Lovesick Blues and Today I Started Loving You Again.






Roy Duck interrupted Muley with an announcement to get his coat on, because Buford told him "Winter Is Coming!"  Had talent coordinator Roy Duck looked at the notes, he'd have seen who Muley announced next:  David Winter singing One Less Bell To Answer.





A rousing round of applause for David Winter as Muley prepares to announce the next act.  But, Buford lets him know that they left.  So, Muley moves on to the next act - who also left according to Buford.  A few more and Muley asks, "What's going on?"  "Frankie, man," Buford replies.  "Frankie has run nearly everyone off!"  Muley and Buford agree to do what they always do in the face of adversity: make it up as they go along.  A reintroduction of Brennan Villines was made as "less filling and better tasting."  Why?  It's a Muley thing...





Muley started his next introduction but was distracted by the fact that there were no interruptions.  After talking about no interruptions, he was interrupted by Roy Duck who told him, "You may have noticed there were no interruptions this time, right?"
"Yeah, until about 5 seconds ago..."
Roy Duck then told Muley that was because Frankie Steinatra had tied everyone up in his attempt to take over the stage and own the show!  In a rush to go help, Muley introduced Zarabeth "Z.B." Davis who performed Stars and Moon.  (Also, the "in show" photos are by her husband, Chris!)



Finally, after having freed his friends, Muley returned with a big thank you to Zarabeth and his friends and the audience for being there when he was interrupted by Frankie!
"Woah, there, mule-boy, the show's not over until I perform My Way."

"Frankie," Muley said, "this isn't YOUR show, you're not doing anything YOUR way!"
After realizing it wasn't about doing the show "his" way but about him performing the song "My Way," Muley stepped back and allowed Frankie to have the floor.  Calling out the show's director, Joel Chapman, Frankie and Joel performed "My Way" in the style of Frank Sinatra and Luciano Pavarotti.





Muley's mad dash back to the stage for final introductions to the whole cast and crew!!
"And this, ladies and gentlemen, absolutely brings us to the end of our show but before we go let’s bring out our cast and give them a big round of applause!

Cheryl Cornish and Mark Allen, 
Joel Chapman and Jonathan Devin, 
Sonia Walker, 
The Group Sibella: Tamar Love and Sarah Dietsche, 
Julia Hicks, Catherine Dixon, and Katy Musolino, 
Prof. Randy Rushing as Merle Williams, 
David Winter,
Zarabeth Davis, 
Frankie Steinatra, and my friends: 
Missy Mule assisted by Janet Wade 
Buford the Dog assisted by Martheus Wade 
Roy Duck assisted by DaMarco Randle 
and my personal assistant, Kevin L. Williams!
The chefs: Jeron Smart and Gary Dawson! 
The House Band: Chris Burgess, Taymar Love, and Brennan Villines!




Thank you all for coming tonight, hope to see you next time, and remember...!"

The whole cast joined in singing:
"The world is a stage and the stage is a world of entertainment!"

After the fun, the joy was learning that the event raised over $2000 for the food ministries of First Congregational Church.

If you'd like to help raise money for the food ministries which feed lunch to around 150-200 people PER WEEK along with more benefits (food pantry, clothes), CLICK HERE to donate and help your fellow man and woman.  There will be a memo section open.  There, you can list that the donation is for the food ministries.

Thursday, December 29, 2016

The Congo Cabaret: That's Entertainment, Hosted by Muley and Friends

Enjoy dinner and great entertainment, while helping others in need!

The Muley and Friends Show returns to live entertainment as hosts on January 22, 2017, which is fast approaching and with it comes the Congo Cabaret: That's Entertainment.  This variety show hearkens back to the days of vaudeville.  The twist?  This show is hosted by none other than Muley the Mule and Friends!

The event is created/produced/directed by Joel Chapman, one of the counselors of church's mental health center, and is meant to help raise funds for the food program at First Congo.

You can buy your tickets in person after services on Sundays with a check or cash, in the Global Goods Store with credit, or log into www.firstcongo.com, click on DONATE, and when buying your ticket list how many seats you need when buying the $40 family package (up to 4 seats) or the $25 single seat ticket.  You can also buy single seat tickets for others who might not be able to afford it otherwise.

Seating is limited to only 100 people, and as of this writing over 1/3 of those seats have been sold!  Don't wait, buy your ticket now!

We will have performances by Brennan Villines, Pastor Cheryl Cornish and Mark Allen, Sibella, Prof. Randy Rushing, and a bunch more surprises.  Also, you know our history: Being hosted by Muley the Mule and Friends ANYTHING could happen!!

The press release is below the video (which works on most browsers, or CLICK HERE).




(poster by Joel Chapman)
First Congregational Church, fondly known as “First Congo”, in the Cooper-Young
Neighborhood, is presenting “That’s Entertainment”—a big evening of dinner cabaret to benefit the social justice ministries of the church. On Sunday, January 22nd, with supper beginning at 5:30 and the show starting at 6:00, there will be a wide array of semi-professional and professional performers to brighten a winter’s evening, raise funds, and gladden the hearts of children and adults.


Hosting the cabaret is Muley the Mule and Friends—a fabulous troupe of puppeteers who not only will introduce the acts, but will perform and bring some surprises as well. Check them out at muleythemule.com. Some of the artists scheduled to appear are Dr. Randal Rushing, Professor of Voice at the University of Memphis’ Scheidt School of Music who will “channel” the likes of Hank Snow and Merle Haggard. Pastor Cheryl Cornish and her guitarist husband, Mark Allen, will play the music of PDQ Bach. You don’t want to miss that.


Director of the show and tenor, Joel Chapman, and baritone, Jonathan Devin, will join to sing the haunting “Lily’s eyes” from “The Secret Garden.” Duo Sibella will perform some of their original songs, and song stylists such as David Winter and ZB Davis will
represent the blues and musical theatre genres. The music director for “That’s Entertainment” is rising pop singer and composer, Brennan Villines, who recently gave a wow big band performance at Playhouse on the Square and who will sing a selection from his 2015 album, “Free.” Check him out at brennanvillines.com.


Tickets are $25 for singles, $40 for a family up to four, and include a delicious spaghetti supper. There will be a cash bar for beer and wine. The cabaret takes place in First Congo’s new Hub where approximately 400 people per week are fed a hot lunch and where clothing and toiletries are available in the clothes closet and pantry.

The Hub includes a stage where it is hoped coffee house and cabaret productions will become a regular part of the First Congo community outreach.


Tickets must be pre-paid and can be claimed at “will call” the evening of the show. Tickets can be purchased at the church, 1000 S. Cooper St., by check, cash or credit card. Or, go to firstcongo.com and click on the “Donate” button. Be sure to indicate your payment is for “cabaret” and clearly indicate the type of tickets you are purchasing: singles, family plan, or a combination. We have to know the total number of seats you are purchasing. Please leave a phone number in case we have questions.

Sunday, March 6, 2016

Easter Eggheads returns to ACME Classics 3/27/2016!

Be sure to join the fun Easter Sunday at 7:45 AM and 2:30 PM only on ACME Classics!

Over the air on channel 23.2 and 34.1, or Comcast 15 or U-Verse 34!!

Here is a downloadable, share-able image for your favorite social media websites and apps, so PLEASE SHARE!!







You can see Muley's experience with Easter by following these links:
2011 Post, includes video shot with Rabbit Haire.
2012 Post, when Roy Duck mixes up his holidays again.

Related websites:
www.muleythemule.com
www.toshigawa.com
www.griffithproductions.net
www.risingfyre.com 
www.damarcoarts.com

Easter Show credits:

Creator, Writer, Executive Producer, Director, Casting,
Puppet Captain, Set Decoration, Property Manager, Show Concept,
Kevin L. Williams

Puppets by Kevin L. Williams Productions, LLC

Buford the Dog assisted by Martheus Antone Wade 
Missy Mule assisted by Janet Wade
Roy Duck assisted by DaMarco "Turbo Ducksauce" Randle
Nora Moore performed by Nora Childers
Jonathan Mueller performed by Jonathan McCarver
Muley the Mule assisted by Kevin L. Williams

Director, DP - Ed Griffith
Editor, Production Assistant - Marcus Kent Hamson
Executive Producer, Audio Engineering, Casting - Brad Alsobrook

Production Services by Griffith Productions
Production Services by Rising Fyre Productions

© 2015 Kevin L. Williams Productions, LLC www.muleyshow.com 

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

December 2015 Showings of "Millionaire Magazines!"

The Muley and Friends Show "Millionaire Magazines" will be airing again on ACME CLASSICS TV!
December 24th at 9:25 am, and again on December 25th at 10:50 am and 7:00 pm!
Over the air on Memphis 23.2 and Senatobia 34.1.
On cable Comcast 15 and U-Verse 34!!
Hope to see you there. Be sure to let me know if you're watching!
www.muleyshow.com 
www.acmeclassics.com



www.toshigawa.com
www.griffithproductions.com
www.andrewchandler.net
www.muleythemule.com

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

The Muley and Friends Show: Easter Eggheads - Coming Easter 2015!

Join Muley the Mule and Friends as they bring a new Easter Holiday Special to the airwaves!

Spring is in the air, Missy Mule hopes to woo Muley who, with his pals, Buford the Dog and Roy Duck, learns the meaning behind rebirth, resurrection, and not eating all that candy!

"Easter Eggheads" airs exclusively on ACME Classics Comcast 15, U-Verse 34, and over-the-air on Memphis 23.2 and Senatobia 34.1.

The show times are:
Sat:
12:34 The Muley and Friends Show: Millionaire Magazines
4:03
The Muley and Friends Show: Easter Eggheads

Sun:
2:04
The Muley and Friends Show: Easter Eggheads 
3:35 The Muley and Friends Show: Millionaire Magazines 
4:01 The Muley and Friends Show: Easter Eggheads

Feel free to share this image and link!
Not sure if "Easter Eggheads" fits as an action-adventure film; but, we do have this...


You can see Muley's experience with Easter by following these links:
2011 Post, includes video shot with Rabbit Haire.
2012 Post, when Roy Duck mixes up his holidays again.

Related websites:
www.muleythemule.com
www.toshigawa.com
www.griffithproductions.net
www.risingfyre.com
www.damarcoarts.com

Easter Show credits:

Creator, Writer, Executive Producer, Director, Casting,
Puppet Captain, Set Decoration, Property Manager, Show Concept,
Kevin L. Williams

Puppets by Kevin L. Williams Productions, LLC

Buford the Dog assisted by Martheus Antone Wade 
Missy Mule assisted by Janet Wade
Roy Duck assisted by DaMarco "Turbo Ducksauce" Randle
Nora Moore performed by Nora Childers
Jonathan Mueller performed by Jonathan McCarver
Muley the Mule assisted by Kevin L. Williams

Director, DP - Ed Griffith
Editor, Production Assistant - Marcus Kent Hamson
Executive Producer, Audio Engineering, Casting - Brad Alsobrook

Production Services by Griffith Productions
Production Services by Rising Fyre Productions

© 2015 Kevin L. Williams Productions, LLC www.muleyshow.com