Two Off Broadway reviews

The news has always been a great source of humor. From Mark Twain and Will Rogers to Jon Stewart and Bill Maher, political and social pundits have entertained us with the foibles of politicians and celebrities. In “Newsical the Musical,” a talented foursome of singers and comedians take the stage to do the same thing.

During a 90-minute show in the Kirk Theater at Theatre Row, the group presents comic sketches, songs and impersonations. The material is surprisingly current, and in the same week that Obama came out for gay marriage, the cast was already using it in the show.

It’s a low budget production with cast members who have appeared in versions of “Forbidden Broadway.” Some skits move very quickly, and some in the audience didn’t catch the jokes. There are some funny moments and some not so funny ones.

Impersonations are the staple of the show and the performers play iconic figures such as Bill Clinton, Frank Sinatra and Joan Rivers, among others. Christine Pedi is quite skilled as Nancy Grace, Oprah and Liza Minnelli, but my favorite moment was Christina Bianco mangling the words to the Star Spangled Banner as Christina Aquilera.

Another Off Broadway show a little further uptown is “The Devil’s Music: The Life & Blues of Bessie Smith.” One of the early progenitors of jazz, Smith was a buxom, boisterous black woman who sang her way to fame and fortune in the 1930s. The show is set in a buffet flat, a private after-hours establishment where blacks could gather away from white segregation. Days before her death, of which she has several premonitions, Smith gathers with her musicians to drink, sing and regale the audience with her story.

Earning a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Miche Braden gives a fine portrayal of the jazz singer. She is sassy, talented and bigger than life. She moves about the small St. Luke’s Theatre making direct eye contact with the adoring audience. The highlight of the show is her singing many of the songs that Smith made famous, including “ I Ain’t Got Nobody” and “St. Louis Blues.”

Despite performing during the Depression, Smith made $2,000 a week and sold thousands of copies of her records. Yet, as a black woman, she was not permitted in some of the places she performed. She drank and had many lovers, both men and women, and she and her second husband adopted a child. When the acrimonious marriage ended, her husband brought her to court claiming she was unfit mother and the singer lost custody of her son.

Both shows are a reflection of the times -- then and now. Things have changed, but in some ways, have painfully stayed the same. One thing remains constant; Off Broadway can still provide good entertainment at a bargain price.

For more information and tickets on "Newsical the Musical" click here and for "The Devil's Music," click here.