Come see the WORLD PREMIERE of Thugs, The Musical at the Texas Black Film Festival in Dallas, THIS FRIDAY, Feb 3rd at 10pm at the Studio Movie Grill! GET TICKETS HERE.

And if you’re in the DC/Virginia area, see “Thugs” make its EAST COAST PREMIERE at the Mix International Short Film Festival on Saturday, Feb 18th at 2pm in Richmond, VA at the historic Byrd Theater! GET TICKETS HERE.

More dates and updates will be announced soon!

The Texas Black Film Festival runs from Wednesday, Feb 1st thru Saturday, Feb 4th.  “Thugs” will be playing on Friday, Feb 3rd at 10pm at The Studio Movie Grill in Dallas.  And I’m incredibly honored th
at the fest is showing our film with the Bernie Mac tribute film, I Ain’t Scared of You.  So, if you’re in the Dallas area, or you’re crazy enough to fly/drive/boat/hot-air balloon to Dallas, you can purchase tickets ($8) to see Thugs, The Musical with I Ain’t Scared of You RIIIGHT HERE!

And if that wasn’t enough, 2 weeks after that, “Thugs” will be making it’s EAST COAST DEBUT in RICHMOND, VA at the Mix International Short Film Festival! I’m looking at you, friends of mine in DC and all of Virginia!

The Mix International Short Film Festival takes place Friday, Feb 17th thru Sunday, Feb 19th.  Thugs, The Musical will be screening on Saturday, Feb 18th at Richmond, Virginia’s historic Byrd Theater in the 2pm shorts block.  And yours truly will also be taking part in a Q&A with the filmmakers after the screening.  To get tickets ($7) to see the film (including the other short films shown in the 2pm block), click RIIIGHT HERE!

We’ll be announcing more screenings in more cities in the coming weeks and months, so stay tuned.  And I know what a lot of you are thinking.  “Hey, that’s awesome Kev, but where’s my crap?”  We are working on that right now, and will finally start rolling out your donor gifts very soon.  It’s been a hectic, crazy process, so I really appreciate all of your patience.

Again, thank you so much.  I’ll have more updates again for you all very soon, including posts, pics, and even video from our Dallas and Richmond, VA screenings!

Keep it gangsta!

- Kevin Avery

Me & Kate talk about a guy who made a very awkward date-rape “confession” at a comedy show.  Also, in Kamau’s absence, “Fake-Katt Williams” briefly takes over the show. Come and get it!

It’s been so long since we’ve talked; and I know what you’re saying: “Well, we’ve been right here, Kevin?  Where the hell have you been?”

Well, I know I’ve been MIA, but haven’t forgotten about you guys!  The production staff, crew and cast have been crazy busy with the film since you’ve last heard from us, but the great news is that a lot has and is happening on the Thugs, The Musical front, and I’m crazy excited to tell you about it.  So, here’s where we’re at:

We’ve completely finished shooting the film and it’s now in post-production – being edited, sound-mixed, color corrected, and all that good stuff.  I’ve seen it.  It’s looking good.  It’s looking really good, actually, and I can’t wait for you all to see it too!

In the meantime, the making of the soundtrack is underway.

“Soundtrack?” you say.

“Soundtrack, indeed,” I reply.

All the songs from the film are being co-written and produced by composer Alex Burke, and will be featured on the soundtrack.  So you can look forward to hearing some of your favorite thug anthems, like “Break Yo’self”, “Who’s that Keepin’ it Real”, “Ballad of a White Guy”, and more, as well as some other surprises.  In fact, I’m going into Alex’s studio today to record one of my favorite songs from the film, “Drive By”!  Yes, people…gangstalicious!

“So, what’s next, Kevin?” you ask…

Well a few things.  Let’s list them…

• For starters, we’ll be completing the film in the next week or two and will begin submitting it to film festivals like Sundance, South by Southwest, and Slamdance to name a few.
• We’ll also be adding content to thugsthemusical.com, so you’ll be able to see set photos, behind the scenes videos and get other updates and info about the film, the cast, and the characters.
• We’re working on the DVD which will have all kinds of extra features – behind the scenes stuff, cast interviews, cast and director commentary and, if I can make this happen, commentary from my parents.  My mom is reading this for the first time, so fingers crossed, e’rybody!
• The “Thank You” rap is coming!  I say again, the “Thank You” rap is coming!  I promise, you haven’t missed it, and I haven’t forgotten!
• What else is coming?  Your donation gift packages!  Now that the film is just about done, we’re working on putting those together.  There are a lot of you guys, and a lot of things to pull together,  so it’s gonna take a little bit, but we are gonna get them out to you as soon as we can.
• And finally…MORE UPDATES SOON!  I’ll be in touch with you guys, letting you know what’s going, and posting some videos and cool stuff from the production very, very regularly from now on.  This includes when the official release of the film will be, and when/how/where you guys will all be able to see it, so stay tuned!

And finally finally, I want to give another big THANK YOU to all of you!  Aside from making this film happen, you’ve also helped me to have the experience of a lifetime in being able to make it and work with some truly amazing people.  It’s been a dream come true, and it’s really just beginning!  I can’t thank you enough.

Much love and thuggery!

Kevin

Oh, and check me and all these guys out on Latino 101 Friday’s at 9pm!

But this new season brings us a particularly sweet smell of awesome because two of these new shows prominently feature some good and very funny friends of mine. So, if you like TV, have a TV, or just know what a TV is, then check out and support these new comedies…

Free Agents (NBC – Wednesday 8:30/7:30c)
This show features three of my stand up comedy friends: Al Madrigal and Mo Mandel (as “Gregg” and “Dan” respectively), two very funny San Francisco comics who I came up with in the SF comedy scene (Al and I actually started together), and Natasha Leggero (as “Emma”), who has also been a guest on The Siskel and Negro podcast. On top of them being on this show together, Natasha, Al, and Mo have all had crushingly hilarious Comedy Central Presents specials  premiere in the last year that you should definitely hunt down and watch. Translation: All three of them will be really fun to watch on this show.

Are you there, Vodka? It’s me, Chelsea (NBC)
This one is based on Chelsea Handler’s best-seller of the same name and stars Laura Prepon (That 70′s Show) as Chelsea and the real Chelsea as her own sister. Confusing?  Who cares, cause what’s important is that the show also stars my buddy Natalie Morales (as “Ivory”) who, as well as being really funny and multi-talented, also told me the craziest falling down the stairs story I’ve ever heard in my life. Also, she recently watched one of my more harrowing performances in a bar in Silverlake (yes, I still have those shows from time to time) and did not judge…at least not openly, so watch her show.

The Daily Show (Comedy Central – Weeknights 11:00/10:00c)
And finally, this show isn’t new, but it’s newest correspondent is. The aforementioned Al Madrigal made his debut as The Daily Show‘s Senior Latino Correspondent last night. Do I really have to tell you how dope this is?  Check him out here, and then keep checking him out regularly on this show and Free Agents!

(I'm the one on the left)

From time to time someone who writes for something somewhere asks me “Hey, Kevin, what do you think of stuff?” Such is the case with this interview of comedian Sara Benincasa and me, by Natalie Zutter of Crushable.com, about fans and fan love and too much fan love and how we love fans. I’m not sure, but I may actually say too much in this interview.

Visit Sara Benincasa’s website here, and follow her on Twitter.

And for that matter, follow ME on Twitter!

In this episode, I attend a Twilight book club meeting, hang out at the Harry Potter 7 midnight premiere, talk to web experts and meet superfans Katie Aiani and Ashley Fragomeni to find out exactly who is more obsessed – Twilight fans or Harry Potter fans.

Check out the pilot episode of Kevin Avery’s Obsessed, “Harry Potter vs Twilight”, on MSN’s new site, The Bubble, riiiight here:

<a href="http://video.msn.com?mkt=en-us&#038;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:0602207d-50f8-3fb3-44eb-e122694e8511&#038;showPlaylist=true&#038;from=iv2_en-us_entertainment_thebubble" target="_new" title="Obsessed: Harry Potter vs. Twilight">Video: Obsessed: Harry Potter vs. Twilight</a>

As you may already know I’ve already managed to get some big-time, fancy actors like David Alan Grier (Chocolate News, In Living Color), Margaret Cho (Drop Dead Diva), Rachel True (Half & Half, The Craft), and Prodigal Sunn from the Wu Tang Clan, along with actor/comedians Baron Vaughn (Fairly Legal) and W. Kamau Bell (Comedy Central) to appear in the film. On top of that, Liam Sullivan, the director/creator of the very funny and very popular Shoes and Let Me Borrow That Top music videos, will be directing!

We will be holding auditions this Sunday, January 30th from 10am-2pm at The Complex (6476 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles).

If you’d like to audition please email thugstmcasting@gmail.com with:

- Your Contact Info

- A Photo

- Which Role(s) you want to be Considered For

and someone will get back to you. Here are the roles we still need need to fill:

JONAH FEINBERG (White, Male)
A short, boyish-looking SLACKER who looks like hemight still live with his parents and just has a “whatever”-type of attitude.  He’s the kind of guy who is usually at home playing video games all day.  He’s the youngest one in the cast, or at least he should look like some kind of man-child.

SARAN (Black, Female)
This character may be any age.  Our main requirement is that she be FUNNY!  We need an actress with great comedic timing, a solid work ethic, and an easy disposition.  Put the drama on tape!  The character is a prostitute who considers herself cultured.  She goes to the theater regularly and keeps abreast of the latest hotness on ALL FRONTS. Must be comfortable with physical movement as there is a choreographed fight scene.

CUREL (Black, Female)
This character may be any age.  Our main requirement is that she be FUNNY!  We need an actress with great comedic timing, a solid work ethic, and an easy disposition.  Put the drama on tape! The character is a prostitute who considers herself cultured.  She goes to the theater regularly and keeps abreast of the latest hotness on ALL FRONTS. Must be comfortable with physical movement as there is a choreographed fight scene.

CASTING DIRECTOR (Female, Any Race)
This is a role for someone with great improv skills and excellent comedic timing. This character is casting for the role of “Thug in Liquor Store Number Two” in a fictional production.

CASTING DIRECTOR’s ASSISTANT (Male or Female, Any Race)
The assistant to a casting director casting for the role of “Thug in Liquor store Number Two.” This is a non-speaking role.

AUDITIONING THUGS (3-5, Male, Black)
These are brothers from the hood with acting aspirations.  Hardcore gangstas cum rappers cum actors with a dream.  They know you’d see they’ve got talent if you would just give them a chance – and if you
don’t, they’ll bust a cap in yo’ a**!  Please, dress the part.  No polo shirts, khakis and dock siders, please!

AUDITIONING BLACK ACTRESSES (3, Female, Black)
These sistahs are triple threats.  They can act, sing and dance and are indignantly outraged when they learn that the serious musical they came to audition for is about hood life and they’ll be expected to play a “ho.”  Must be able to summon the righteous indignation of the ancestors in one look – you know, the one yo’ mama gives you when you seriously mess up.

SCARED COUPLE (Male and Female, Black)
A nice young, middle class couple goes out for the evening to see a play and winds up just north of hell!  They finally see an open row of seats and make to grab them when they realize “Di-Bo’s” twin brother has taken up the entire row.  Off they scurry, happy to have survived the encounter.  Must have excellent comedic timing.

SCARED AUDIENCE MEMBER (Black, Any Gender)
Already intimidated by the craziness happening around him/her at the theatre, this character thinks they’ve finally found a safe haven when they spot a whole row of seats empty except for one person. Only problem is that person is the most notorious gangsta in the whole hood.  Must have great reactions!

LATINO CAST MEMBER (Latino, Male)
This intrepid actor will play any role – even the “white guy” in an otherwise all Black play.  Must be able to sing and dance (or at least carry a tune), have a great sense of humor and good comedic timing.

PRISON INMATES (8-10)
This is a mixed crowd of inmates – everything from hard core, pumped up muscle men to a couple of lovely “ladies” – all out for some recreational activity, which obviously means different things to
everyone but no one is prepared for the play that unfolds.

THUGS MUSICAL CREW:
(MUST BE ABLE TO SING SHOW TUNES)

8 SINGERS ( 4 MALE/4 FEMALE)
These performers will break down into an all female chorus and serve as back-up singers for all songs.

WHITE INMATE/PERFORMER
This guy is a dreamer.  Even though he’s in the slammer, he still has hope.  So when a chance to perform in a musical comes his way he jumps at the chance, especially when he finds out the role is about a white guy who’s always wanted to be black – JUST LIKE HIM!  Must be funny as
hell with great comedic timing, an extremely expressive face and a willingness to be shot, shanked or both (but not for real, of course!).

BLACK INMATE/PERFORMER
This is a brother who dreams big – even when he’s in jail.  He never fit in when he lived in the hood and he sees this musical as the beginning of a whole new life.  He might look hard as ice on the
outside but his secret passion is show tunes and he’s really soft and sweet natured within.  He can really sing and dance. If only he’d grown up in a better neighborhood……

Along with myself, cast members Margaret Cho (Drop Dead Diva), Baron Vaughn (Awkward Comedy Show, Fairly Legal), W. Kamau Bell (Comedy Central), and director Liam Sullivan (Shoes, Let Me Borrow that Top) will all be appearing on the show. And as if that ain’t enough, Moshe Kasher (Chelsea Lately, Jimmy Fallon) and Scott Silverman (Comedy Central) will also be on the lineup!

If you’re in LA and want to help us fund this film, but a ticket and come out. Ticket sales go to the funding o this project! You can get show info and tickets right here!

And if you can’t come to the show, but wanna check out the Thugs, The Musicalshort film project and even donate, you can visit www.thugsthemusical.com. Thanks for your support!

Kevin Avery and THUGS: THE MUSICAL

And once you finished reading that little piece of goodness, go follow Sara on Twitter! Or visit www.sarabenincasa.com.

Then drop by the Thugs, The Musical page on Kickstarter and donate to the film. We’re only $100 away from meeting our goal of $10,000 and being funded! Deadline is this Friday, Jan 4th.

Have you read all of the Harry Potter or Twilight books more than 4 times? Are “Wingardium Leviosa!” and “Expelliarmus!” part of your regular vocabulary? Do you have a pet owl named Hedwig? Do you like to pretend Edward is somewhere listening to your thoughts? Have you visited Forks, WA on a family vacation and taken a “Twilight Tour?”

I want to hear from you! To apply, I need a 2-5 minute video of you explaining why YOU are the #1 Harry Potter fan OR the #1 Twilight fan. Please also answer the following questions and send by email, along with a link to your video submission, to: info@kevinaverycomedy.com

The fine print: Applicants must be over 18 and must live in the Los Angeles area. Applications must be received by January 1st, 2011 to be considered.

Name:
Age:
Location:
Phone:
Email Address:

What makes you the #1 Harry Potter fan OR the #1 Twilight fan?

Which series has the more dedicated fanbase – Twilight or Harry Potter?

Have you ever been to a midnight screening of a Harry Potter or Twilight movie? If so, which one(s)?

Have you ever waited in line more than 4 hours to get one of the books or see one of the films?

What do you think makes the Harry Potter series so captivating and popular?

What do you think makes the Twilight series so captivating and popular?

Steve Martin

I literally thought it was another Kevin Avery ‘til I read the article and saw them promoting the funding for my Thugs, The Musical short film project on Kickstarter.

The article is right here on Comedy Central’s site.

And if you wanna help support this project, you can go here: http://kck.st/b6ROB3 or just to www.thugsthemusical.com and see a short vid of me, David Alan Grier & Margaret Cho talking about the film, AND you can donate a few bucks and get some really, really cool stuff from me and the cast too!

Thanks for all your support!

– Kevin