Thanks to Heather McAllister of www.nytheatre.com for reviewing our show! It’s the mark of a good reviewer that, even when they don’t like the script or the premise of the show (and in fact seem rather horribly offended by it), they still find good things to say about the performers. Not being biased or anything because she was nice about me, but as a reviewer myself I know it can be hard to do sometimes!

“As written, most of these reindeer are paper-thin stereotypes, and it is a tribute to the fine acting skills of Dysfunctional Theatre Company that the cast flesh them out as well as they do, adding humanity to these caricatures…”

I was dead chuffed to be singled out in the review (along with awesome fellow-actors Danaher Dempsey, Rob Brown and Peter Schuyler) for my work:

“The selling point of this play for me is Rachel Grundy as Vixen, the slutty starlet. Unabashedly sexy and strong, her story, though an old one, is one that needs to be told—don’t blame the victim. She gives it to us straight, like a real dame in an old movie, with movie star looks and style to match.”

Who said short-haired girls can’t be sexy?

We feel oh so special. Press preview night on Wednesday, and opening night last night, were well attended by great audiences who laughed their socks off (and, in the case of last night, almost had me losing it on stage because it was so loud). It’s a great feeling when others you respect and admire in the creative arts enjoy your show, and go out of their way to tell you – we actor types tend to be super insecure and really need that validation from our peers.

Tonight and tomorrow are double show nights (8pm and 10.20pm), which will be a challenge! It’s a pretty tiring show for me, both emotionally and on my voice as I yell a fair amount and I get croaky by the end. I’m relying on hot tea to see me through the second show!

Hope you can make it out – and if you needed another reason, see this listing in the New York Times, where we get a mention for being a non-traditional (and slightly sacriligious) holiday show. The article itself is a fun read, and mentions a show that some good friends have produced called ‘A Very Sandwich Christmas’, which, knowing the fabulous people that make up Banana, Bag & Bodice, is bizarre, hilarious and brilliant. Go see that show too.

Happy Holidays everyone!

As an addendum to my last blog – we were featured in Today’s Post as a great alternate to traditional holiday shows. Sadly we didn’t make it into In the Papers with Pat Kiernan this morning on NY1, but I know he won’t miss this opportunity again. (hint hint.) We’re on the bottom right of the article below.

Even more reasons to come and see the show!

Hello lovely blog post readers! It has been a while and I have something else I want you to spend your precious pennies on, so I am back!

Opening next Wednesday, December 9th, I bring you my second incarnation in the indescribably fabulous Dysfunctional Theatre Company’s The Eight: Reindeer Monologues. Yes, that’s right, we open two days after my birthday – what better gift to give than the gift of your presence at my show? (Ok, cheap shot, but worth a try).

Back in 2007, I was the angry feminist, Blitzen, but this time, I get to give the audience some va-va-voom as Vixen! If you like taking the joy, tradition and family values of Christmas and stomping all over them with a pair of stilettos, you’ll love this show. Described as ‘sex, lies and too much eggnog’, each of Santa’s eight reindeer tell their version of what may be the biggest cover up in North Pole history. Warning: This is for adults only. Not your family holiday show.

It’s funny! It’s dirty! It’s dark! It’s brilliant! Come and see it please, for eleven shows only! And yes, that is me posing on the bar. That’s right. I’m Vixen. Don’t miss it. Check out www.horsetrade.info for tix and reservations!