Crazy Arms
- About the Work
- Touring & Tech
- Marketing & Engagement
A hilarious and toe-tapping history of Boogie-Woogie & Rock and Roll Piano songs!
Synopsis
Crazy Arms is award-winning, piano playin’, soul singin’, funny man Damon Smith’s hot, newest live show that celebrates the origins of popular piano playing from the birth of Boogie Woogie and Ragtime in the late 1800’s through to the birth of Rock & Roll in the 50’s.
With absurd, improvised humour, musical wizardry and fascinating stories about the piano and its players, Crazy Arms features virtuosic piano tinkering originally created by some of the greatest musicians that have ‘tickled the ivories’ throughout the ages. With a stunning and well-known playlist including the music of Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Scott Joplin, Winnie Atwell, Dr John and more, Crazy Arms is pure musical magic!
After entertaining capacity crowds, nationally, with his critically acclaimed show, Sun rising – the songs that made Memphis and in 2021 with his extensively toured show about Mental Health, Mental As Everything, Damon is back, with his amazing drummer/band by his side, to bring the people what they have been asking for – a world-class, one-of-a-kind homage to the piano that will leave you humming and dancing for days afterwards.
You’ll hear finger busting boogie-woogie music, authentic vocals and blistering rock and roll hits like Great Balls Of Fire, Good Golly Miss Molly, The Entertainer, Black and White Rag, Flight of the Bumble Bee – Boogie & Blueberry Hill. This truly unique, comedy – cabaret documentary, will blow your socks clean off your perpetually tapping feet.
Bring your partner, your parents, your music-learning teenager, or come with a group of friends – Crazy Arms will be a memorable, musical and hilarious night out for all.
Jenny first met Damon in 2017, when she programmed his show Sun Rising – the songs that made Memphis, at Knox Community Arts Centre, and was blown away by his extraordinary talent both vocally and on piano. When she created PHP in 2018, she was keen to assist Damon to share his musical gift with audiences all over the country, with Crazy Arms touring to regional NSW, launching the live music program at the Roxy Theatre in Leeton, performing a sell-out season at the Melbourne Cabaret Festival and delivering livestreamed performances after Covid19 hit.
Damon and Jenny are excited at this opportunity to tour Crazy Arms to regional areas that don’t have main stage theatres, and may not have experienced piano-based performances of this quality, locally, before.
Short Reviews
Liam McNally, Tulpa Magazine
David Finch, Artshub
Catherine Daniels, Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre
Video
Additional Videos
Technical Information
Lighting
Standard lighting rig
Audio
- In-house sound system
- 2-3 Vocal Mics/stands
- 4 Fold Back Speakers
- DI
Staging
- Minimum 3m width x 3m depth x 2.5m height
- Access to secure backstage space for changing, leaving personal belongings and tour cases and pre-show performer waiting area with chairs, tables, toilet and mirror
- Piano “shell” to house electric piano – Width – 153cm Height – 120cm Depth – 65cm
Crew Notes
1 Lighting and 1 Sound Technician
Transport Notes
1 Hi-Ace Van (Plus 1 Station Wagon for full band when required)
Audience & Marketing Notes
Suitable for an all-ages audience, this unique, fun and accessible musical experience has performed sell-out shows to daytime senior’s audiences, and adult night time music programs – from large Performing Arts Centres, to regional halls in Western Australia.
Key Target Markets include: Seniors, Adults, Music Lovers, Cabaret Enthusiasts, Music Teachers and Musicians, Tribute Show Fans & Families
When it comes to rock & roll shows, stages are dominated by guitar-centric programs, yet when an audience hears the rumbling left hand of a boogie-woogie number or the energised piano playing of Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis, jaws drop and feet start stomping. The swagger of New Orleans blues piano and the virtuosic finger movements heard in ragtime piano, always excites an older crowd yet never fails to blow young audiences away too, as they are widely unheard in today’s musical landscape.
Damon will bring you a blisteringly hot and well-known setlist, all delivered in his unique, comedic way. Scattered through the show are fascinating stories and hilarious anecdotes from the pioneers of honky-tonk, jazz and blues piano. Crazy Arms is a world-class, one-of-a-kind homage to the piano that we know will reinvigorate and add spark to your programming.
Post Covid19, audiences are looking for a fun night out, with performances that encourage them to leave their troubles and stresses at the door, and be enveloped in comedy and upbeat music, up close again. Crazy Arms is guaranteed to create a buzz, inspire local music making, and unite communities through laughter and the sheer joy of live music.
Selling Points
- Quirky real-life, musical stories
- Expert musicianship celebrating a much loved era in live music
- Accessible & clean humour
- Post Covid Fun Night Out
Community Engagement
Details
Genre
Audience
Seniors & Evening Music
Venue Format
Black box theatre, Proscenium Arch, Community hall, Outdoor Stage, Theatre Foyer, Gallery
Duration
1 x 70 min set or 2 x 45 min sets Minutes
Available Until (from - to)
31/12/2023
Budget & Fees
What are these? Find out more.In Development - work which will be produced and premiered in time for touring during 2022/2023. Please contact the Producer directly for Budgets and Fees.
Remount: $N/A
Weekly Sell Off: $N/A
Per Performance: $3500-4500
