Compelling, Witty and Perceptive American Journey Comes to Wellington

Comedy musical ONE MAN GUY: DIRTY AMERICAN DECADE is coming to Wellington’s BATS Theatre following a successful Auckland season.

Described by critics as “compelling, witty and perceptive”, ONE MAN GUY: DIRTY AMERICAN DECADE features actor / songwriter Jon Pheloung who occupies the stage alone for the entire show, armed only with an acoustic guitar.

Pheloung’s fourteen original songs form the basis of the show retelling a musician’s tale of ten years on the road in the USA.

Theatre Scenes praised his performance as “commanding and engaging”; Theatreview found him “incredibly likeable” and the music has been praised as “rollicking, humorous and varied.” 

ONE MAN GUY: DIRTY AMERICAN DECADE is written, directed, and performed by Pheloung who describes his performance as a bit of a high-wire act.

“There are no accomplices, no partners-in-crime. It’s very different from performing with a band, or a theatre ensemble,” he says.

Pheloung is currently appearing in MIDNIGHT IN MOSCOW at Circa Theatre following his Christmas stint at the theatre as an Ugly Sister in ROGER HALL’S CINDERELLA.

For almost twenty years Pheloung has had a second career in the USA. His work there as a songwriter and bandleader inspired the songs (and jokes) in ONE MAN GUY: DIRTY AMERICAN DECADE.

In the 1990s he formed Chicago-based band, The Bludgers, part of the popular alt-country scene that included Wilco. The Bludgers’ three albums (all available on iTunes) will soon be joined by a fourth (‘Cathedral of Bad Decisions’), already recorded and due at the end of the year. New single, “Wherever She Stays” is featured in the just released film ‘Bottled Up,’ starring Oscar winner Melissa Leo.

Pheloung says, “We’re one of those not-very-well-known but happy bands that ends up in the right place at the right time more often than we deserve. And American audiences have a lot of time for what they call my ‘Kiwi twang.’”

“The ONE MAN GUY show brings different aspects of live performing together. It’s something that I personally would love to see: live music, stand-up comedy, and theatre rolled into one. The solo music is fun – songs really breathe when you play them alone. The theatre setting gives the character and humour in the lyrics much more emphasis. And the comedy… well, if you can’t find laughs in being a struggling musician, you’ve done it wrong.”

A very early version of ONE MAN GUY debuted at BATS in 1991, when the theatre itself was starting out. “I don’t think those early songs were very good,” Pheloung laughs, “although one of them - ‘3 Minute 3 Chord Pop Song’ - has become an anthem of sorts.”

That song is the sole survivor from the early days and features prominently in the new show.

“The main thing I have in common with the “One Man Guy” character - apart from us
looking alike – is we both would love to write the perfect pop song one day.”

Jon Pheloung is available for phone and Wellington-area interviews.

ONE MAN GUY:DIRTY AMERICAN DECADE runs from Tuesday 11th June to Saturday 15th June.

ENDS

CONTACT: JON PHELOUNG (SHIRLEY GENTLEMEN PRODUCTIONS)
jpheloung@gmail.com                                                                                                                                                                    Where: BATS Theatre Studio, corner Cuba and Dixon Streets
Dates: Tuesday 11th June – Saturday 15th June
Show time: 6:30pm
Running time: 65 minutes (no interval)
STANDARD - ADULT $18.00
STANDARD - CONCESSION $15.00 Seniors 65+ and Students with ID
BOOKINGS:
http://bats.co.nz/shows/one-man-guy/
MORE SHOW DETAILS, PICTURES, VIDEO:
https://www.facebook.com/events/459627164132322/

BATS THEATRE on the corner of Cuba and Dixon Streets for 2013