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Brisbane audiences are in for a rare treat as Tony-nominated performer and queer icon, Justin Bond, brings his brand new show, Justin Bond is Close to You, a highly personal tribute to The Carpenters, to Brisbane Powerhouse from Wednesday 11 – Sunday 15 March 2009, performing alongside Emmy-Award-winning pianist, Lance Horn.
Justin, best known as the ‘female’ half of cult drag cabaret duo Kiki and Herb, performs a complete song cycle, in original order, of the classic early Carpenters album Close To You; including the hit singles We’ve Only Just Begun and Close To You, along with little-known oddities such as the album’s closer Another Song.
First hearing the album as a seven year old, Justin was profoundly affected by Karen Carpenter’s voice, describing it as “both reassuring and profoundly sad” – this deep connection with the material creating a sincere, respectful and highly personal homage.
With much of his career performed in drag, Justin Bond is Close To You is a simpler production in that this is Justin Bond purely as himself; his husky voice, somewhere in the gin-soaked, world-weary ‘Marianne Faithful’ family, adding new nuance to The Carpenters’ songs.
As Kiki and Herb, Justin has performed alongside sidekick, Kenny Mellman (Herb) as ageing, alcoholic lounge singer, Kiki Du Rane since the early 1990’s. Their acclaimed act alternates between musical numbers, with reworking of everything from Nirvana to Britney Spears to REO Speedwagon, punctuated with rambling ‘inebriated’ monologues.
Their show, Kiki and Herb: Alive on Broadway, was nominated for a Tony Award in 2007 for Special Theatrical Event. Justin himself has won an Obie award forKiki & Herb:Jesus Wept
and was recently nominated for a Helen Hayes Award as outstanding lead actor for Kiki & Herb: Pardon Our Appearance.
Television and film work includes: Late Nite with Conan O’Brien, the feature film Fancy’s Persuasion directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld and the award-winning video Kiki and Herb: Total Exlipse of the Heart.
Whether you are a Carpenters fan, a Justin Bond fan or simply someone who loves music and the way it can make you feel, Justin Bond is Close To You, in the Powerhouse Theatre from 9 – 15 March, 2009, is a show not to be missed.
Brisbane Powerhouse presents
Justin Bond is Close to You
Venue VISY Theatre
Date 11 - 15 March 2009
Time 8pm
Bookings 07 3358 8600 or brisbanepowerhouse.org
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