The creators of Where Is My Mind? (Critic’s Pick 2012) and The King & I: a Hunk of Burnin’ Love (Critic’s Pick 2014) are back for their 3rd Cincy Fringe with VELOUR, the story of Vinnie Velour, former Driver to the Stars and current wannabe lounge singer. After his opening gig at the Palace Hotel Ballroom goes badly, Vinnie must fight for the right to sing again via a series of audience-chosen variety acts, including everything from plate spinning to tightrope walking, sword swallowing, and more. The audience choice component offers 27 possible outcomes, making every show completely unique!
“Most fun I’ve had fringing so far. One of this year’s best!” ~Indyfringetalks.com
Kevin Holladay, creator and star of VELOUR, has always been a fan of Hollywood’s Golden Age, when entertainers would routinely sing, dance, and perform variety acts in addition to acting. In fact, he’s spent much of his life being a bit of a renaissance artist himself, generating work as a playwright, actor, musician, storyteller, emcee, professional wrestler, and circus clown. Holladay was even an artist/instructor with the National Circus Project in New York, where he developed many of the variety acts in VELOUR.
“There’s nothing Vinnie can’t do…à la the screwball comedies of the ‘40’s. He also delivers the wildest, weirdest range of songs; including crooner classics, Mr. Rogers covers, and the funniest version of Sia’s ‘Chandelier’ I’ll ever see.” ~Nuvo Magazine
“Velour is a true talent.” ~John Lyle Beldon
Holladay is joined onstage by Jesska Pinyon, who plays the sassy, straight-shooting Palace Ballroom Booking Manager, Lux Lamé. Pinyon is Holladay’s partner in life as well as in his company, Schedule C Productions, having joined the team in 2013 to play the female lead in his play, The King & I: a Hunk of Burnin’ Love. The couple performed the show together at festivals in Cincy, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Rochester, NY, as well as at a special command performance for Elvis’s 80th birthday sponsored by the Indy Eleven professional soccer team. They premiered VELOUR at the 2015 Indyfringe, but have a special place in their hearts for the Cincinnati festival, where they actually got engaged in front of a sold out house the year before.
“Funny, sweet, well-written, and expertly performed, VELOUR even jerked a tear. One of my top picks!” ~Casey Ross Productions
VELOUR has a run time of 55 minutes, and can be seen at the Arts Academy Commons:
Friday, June 3, 6:30pm
Sunday, June 5, 6:30pm
Monday, June 6, 9:05pm
Friday, June 10, 9:20pm
Saturday, June 11, 3:00pm
Holladay will also be performing at the same venue in The O’Debra Sisters’, The Secrets of Avondale Falls. Visit www.cincyfringe.com for tickets and more information.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 