• SHOW DESCRIPTION

• CREW

• LIVE VIDEOS

• LIVE PROMO PHOTOS FOR PRINT/WEB

• LIVE PHOTO GALLERY

• PRESS

The Continuing Story of Carla Rhodes is a comedic rock'n'roll extravaganza about a young gal's dream of hitting the big time in New York City. Rhodes, a rock 'n' roll ventriloquist, dubbed as one of “Ten New Comedians Funny People Find Funny” by New York Magazine, brings her adventure to life through her clever quips, punky puppetry and killer live band. Time Out New York said the show, "is an idiosyncratic neoretro blend of ventriloquism, rock music and comic storytelling" and according to Backstage, Rhodes is “intent on shaking up the norm.”

Assisted by a cast of colorful characters she meets on the way from teenage frustration to artistic satisfaction, the audience is introduced to legendary rockers Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; Herschel Ragbottoms, an unsightly pigeon who lives under old newspapers in Tompkins Square Park; the fear-mongering and manipulative Under Bed Alligator; and everyone's favorite cantankerous, salt water taffy obsessed 1920's gentleman: Cecil Sinclaire! Your socks will also be rocked by Rhodes' live band The Extravaganzas.

The Continuing Story Of Carla Rhodes debuted to a sold-out crowd at Arlene's Grocery in January 2010, followed by performances at Galapagos Art Space, Joe's Pub, Ars Nova's ANT FEST and recently appeared at The Glasgow International Comedy Festival. Notable press quotes include:

• One of the "Ten New Comedians That Funny People Find Funny." -New York Magazine
  
  
• "In her long-running showcase The Continuing Story of Carla Rhodes, the multitasking neovaudevillian throws her voice like a curveball, bringing old-school ventriloquism skills to new-school puppets (including one of Keith Richards) and threading her act with comical anecdotes and rock songs (with help from a backup band, the Extravanganzas)." -Time Out Magazine
  
  
• "In my view, Rhodes is the Savion Glover of vents, almost single-handedly injecting a notoriously uncool and backward-looking performance branch with a badly-needed kick in the ass. Don’t get me wrong; Carla is PLENTY old school — but she also has at least one of her dainty feet planted firmly in the current century, or at least the tail end of the last one (which is more than you can say about just about any other vent). Carla is, in short, a rock and roll ventriloquist." — Trav S.D., The Villager
  
  
• Carla Rhodes is a genius, a true post-modern ventriloquial deconstructionist, and amazingly funny to boot! Her show last night was one of the most hilarious and emotionally moving performances I've ever encountered. Do yourself a favor and check her out!" - A very flattering audience member
  
  
• "Carla Rhodes isn’t your typical ventriloquist... She's intent on shaking up the norm..." - Backstage
  
  
• "Carla Rhodes and her shredding band, The Extravaganzas, tells her life story in a rock opera performed through crazy characters and wailing musical numbers." - The Lo-Down
  
  
• “'Rock and Roll ventriloquist' Carla Rhodes, on the other hand, is an act so unique that she’s really in a class all by herself. Here’s the best comparison I can think up: imagine if the lovechild of Shari Lewis and Mick Jagger was raised by David Bowie. Can you even wrap your head around that?" - NashvilleStandup.com
  
  
• "The Continuing Story of Carla Rhodes" at Joe's Pub (June 2010) was a critic's pick in Time Out's music section.

If you're looking for a unique evening unlike anything you've witnessed recently in the fading downtown scene, look no further... “The Continuing Story Of Carla Rhodes” has arrived!

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THE CONTINUING STORY OF CARLA RHODES CAST & CREW

WRITTEN AND CREATED BY
Carla Rhodes & Joe Vincent

ORIGINAL MUSIC BY
Carla Rhodes, Joe Vincent and Andy Shernoff

SPECIAL PUPPET GUESTS

Cecil Sinclaire, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Under Bed Alligator and introducing... Herschel Ragbottoms.

THE EXTRAVAGANZAS

Joe Vincent (Drums)
Pemberton Roach (Bass)
Steve Dawson (Guitar)

AND A LIL' HELP FROM MY FRIENDS...

Alissa Hunnicutt (Puppeteer)
Josh Bisker (Stage Manager)
Andrea Purcigliotti (Production Design)
John Bergdahl (poster design)
Jordan Bruner (Illustrated Scenic Backdrops)

PAST SPECIAL GUESTS ...

Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop
Chris Jagger
Andy Shernoff
Tom Clark
Adam Roth

PAST CREW ...

B.A. Miale (keytar projections)

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Scrumptious videos! Click thumbnails to view full videos.

Teenage Lament	The Plight Of Cecil	The Graveyard Of Your Dreams

God Damn New York!	Nobody Likes Me

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HIGH RES, 300 DPI LIVE SHOTS FOR PRINT.
PLEASE CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER HANNA TORESSON.

Carla meets Cecil Sinclaire.	Welcome to New York City!	Pleadin' and croonin' with Under Bed Alligator.

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"CONTINUING STORY OF CARLA RHODES" PRESS AND CLIPPINGS

"Next on the list is Arlene’s Grocery, famous not only for their cheap beers, karaoke nights and live rock 'n' roll, but also for being the performance space for some of the city’s best new comedy acts... If you’re after something even quirkier check out Carla Rhodes’ monthly gig at Arlene’s – the part-ventriloquist, part-comedian, part-rock singer puts on a great show that Flavorpill promises will 'thrill and delight you' (and whose debut episode entertained a ‘sold-out crowd’ at Arlene’s this year)."

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"Rock ventriloquist (yes, you heard me right) Carla Rhodes and her shredding band, The Extravaganzas, tells her life story in a rock opera performed through crazy characters and wailing musical numbers."

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"Quirky and comedic rock n' roll ventriloquy."

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"Carla Rhodes isn’t your typical ventriloquist... She's intent on shaking up the norm..." - Backstage

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"Lastly, I would be remiss in my duty to humanity if I did not send you in the direction of Arlene’s Grocery on January 14, for that is the date one of my favorite neo-vaudevillians, ventriloquist Carla Rhodes is debuting her new full-length show, aptly named “The Continuing Story of Carla Rhodes.” In my view, Rhodes is the Savion Glover of vents, almost single-handedly injecting a notoriously uncool and backward-looking performance branch with a badly-needed kick in the ass. Don’t get me wrong; Carla is PLENTY old school — but she also has at least one of her dainty feet planted firmly in the current century, or at least the tail end of the last one (which is more than you can say about just about any other vent). Carla is, in short, a rock and roll ventriloquist. The current piece purports to tell her life story, but we won’t be stinted on bits with her favorite “partners”, including Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and another dirty old Englishman, Cecil Sinclaire. She also promises to unveil her new rock band The Extravaganzas and a new character with the enticing name Herschel Ragbottoms. Unless I have pneumonia or a pulmonary embolism, I will be there."

— Trav S.D., The Villager

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TIME OUT

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NASHVILLESTANDUP.COM

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"Ventriloquist Carla Rhodes' Partner, Cecil the Dummy, Shares About His Dirty Job"

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