The Gatz Benny Show
A Whitham Family Vaudeville Show
Hosted by April Hava Shenkman
Sunday, September 22
Doors at 4:30 PM / Show at 5 PM
The Gatz Benny Show has it all! Bringing a new twist to the classic variety show, it’s fun for the whole family—imagine the I Love Lucy Show inside of Pee-Wee’s Playhouse! Hosted by April Hava Shenkman, with her husband Jared Whitham, and their son GATSBY, the Whitham family invites some of their favorite performers and puppets to join them on stage. September’s event features special guests Marawa the Amazing, Sethward, and Janet Klein.
Sharing the shenanigans of parenthood and childhood though comedy, music, magic, puppets, and clowns! You’re invited to an entrancing playdate at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater you’ll never forget!
About Marawa the Amazing
Marawa the Amazing has been touring the world performing for over 15 years. Her signature style of performance is loved and recognised from the finals of Arabs Got Talent to Dita Von Teese’s shows, to the Olivier Award-winning La Soiree. Her signature high heeled skates and Guinness World Record hall of fame status make her one of the most recognisable and sought after performers in the world.
About Sethward
Sethward grew up in a small Texas town but now is a staple in the Los Angeles absurdist comedy scene. He is the proud owner of the world record- most rejections on The Gong Show and appearances on America's Got Talent. He's the Andy Kaufman of the reality TV generation. His performances leave spectators questioning what is comedy, what is talent, realizing life is full of so many more fun possibilities outside of the norm.
About Janet Klein
Janet Klein has been performing early music since 1996 and released her first CD in 1998 - Come Into My Parlor. She and her band, The Parlor Boys, currently live and perform around Los Angeles and have played in many old music halls and theatres in the US and around the world.
Janet's voice was featured in Cartoon Network's Adventure Time and Over the Garden Wall. She has a hit song (200,000+ views) on YouTube from her most recent characterization as the lovelorn school teacher (Miss Langtree) for forest animals in the exquisitely beautiful cartoon Over The Garden Wall. Her song "Langtree's Lament" can be seen and heard here!
About April Hava Shenkman
April Hava Shenkman is a Los Angeles underground legend for her experimental comedy style. Her impeccable technique makes her talent a singular sensation. Her comedy is vastly vocalized rich with golden era star impersonations and flairs of speed talking operatic gibberish, as seen on The Gong Show. April worked with Performance Art maverick, Rachel Rosenthal & Company, for years. She produced The Garage Sale Documentary featuring Phyllis Diller. And has performed alongside comedy celebrities such as Emo Phillips, Eric Andre, Chuck McCann, Maria Bamford & Bob Odenkirk. Entrancing audiences for years with her performance art, comedy & one woman shows including: April Fools Pig! at Highways, Cockmamie at the Steve Allen Theater, HAVA at The Gardenia and THE HAPPY HAPPY SHOW at El Cid. April’s work has been presented at theatres, galleries & festivals nationally & internationally.
More recently she is known for her pregnant comedy special filmed at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater titled The Marvelous Mrs. Shenkman, streaming on TubiTV. The Gatz Benny Show is inspired by her son GATSBY, who’s 4. He made his stage debut in the show and is excited to perform in the next one!