Goldstar Pick o' the Week -- A Sci-Fi Gangster Fairy Tale

(Original photo from Wikipedia)

The Goldstar people approached me to spread the word about their website, so I decided to share one of their deals now and then. I had already used their service, so I know it works.

They offer various 50% (or more) discounts to a variety of events like theater, comedy, music, etc.

Yes, you have to register. And they send emails on a regular basis -- but you can read/delete them as you like. I suggest reading them more often than not, because some early-bird discounts provide almost free admission.

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THUR 8/9 (thru SAT 8/18)

Various Times
"The Third Story"
at Arsenal Center for the Arts, Black Box Theatre, 321 Arsenal St, Watertown
$7 or $19 Goldstar price (vs $25.50)

I can't tell you how funny this is. Seriously, I can't tell you.

When I saw a photo of a not-quite-handsome man in drag, my gut senses that it may be a gutbuster. Set in the '40s, "The Third Story" takes a wild ride through Hollywood, the Midwest, romance, witchcraft, gangsters, and cloning.

Playwright Charles Busch has written many comedies (e.g. "Psycho Beach Party", "Die, Mommy, Die!", "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife"), and this play has received many positive reviews since it debuted in 2008.

No offense to the fine performers, but I'm more likely to take a chance for $7 instead of $25. Act soon for the lowest price tickets available on THUR 8/9 and SUN 8/12.

Note: "This show is not suitable for children. The performance includes the use of strobe lighting and simulated gunfire."

ALSO:

At Club Oberon on Fridays, you can catch the boozy sketch comedy show "Bye Bye Liver: The Boston Drinking Play". There are $10 (plus $3.50 service fee) tickets which is better than the $20 full price.

Want to see Rufus Wainwright & Ingrid Michaelson on SUN 7/29? You could save $15...

SUN 7/15: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

Maybe funny thinking fellow (and ex-Bostonian) Myq Kaplan is saying something insightful about how Kickstarter works. Maybe it's just a lark to get attention.

Or maybe he's pissed off that Amanda Palmer raised more than $1 million? (He still has time to catch up to her...)

As someone who has seen many people complete projects that would be difficult otherwise, I think it's providing a great service.

Goldstar Pick o' the Week: Laugh for Less

(Original photo from Wikipedia)

The Goldstar folks reached out to me about sharing their event offers, which are about 50% off the full price -- or more on occasion. There is a fee, but you're still ahead of the game. I have used their service, so I know it works.

They offer various discounts to various performances like theater, comedy, music, etc. Yeah, you'll get emails on a regular basis. I'm sure you're dealing with other sites that email you too. (I'm about to restart the weekly e-list to subscribers.)

FYI: I will get compensated if people sign up, but I do believe in the service to save money. Expect to see a weekly Goldstar post and maybe a few events interspersed when relevant.

As I looked the the current available events that fall under the CTB $10 threshold, and I decided to highlight some comedy club offers:

Thursdays 6/7 to 6/28

8pm
"Nostalg-sick"
at Improv Asylum, 216 Hanover St. Boston (North End)
$10 Goldstar price (vs $20)

In a mix of sketch and improv, the cast riffs on the good/bad ol' days of the 90's. The show:

...combines Improv Asylum's signature audience-inspired improvisation with written sketches and songs to deliver a night of laughs that will make you appreciate both the '90s and today (much like a soft rock classic radio station).

Improv can be hit or miss, but Improv Asylum has been more hit than miss in my experience. It's also helps if you're ready to laugh. Yes, they serve drinks that you can bring into the performance area.

Also:

Hidden inside the new Central Square restaurant Moksa, there is a space for comedy and other fun (like dancing). Appearing next weekend is comedian Corey Manning (6/15 & 6/16 - $8).

Fridays: Laugh with "The Gas"

More cheapness is on the way.

Friday stuff is on the calendar, and more is coming soon.

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FRIDAYS

7:30pm to 9:30pm
"The Gas"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$5

On most Fridays, you can laugh your way into the weekend even if your friends aren't particularly funny.

Lately Anderson Comedy hasn't been posting the Friday shows on their Facebook page. On the dead-tree front, there is often a 2-for-1 ad in either the Phoenix or the Weekly Dig. It happens that both have an ad this week.

I don't want to track down the week when I mentioned the ad and had mixed up my issue date.

If the door guy gives you a problem about you and your friend both getting in for $5, grab a weekly from one of the nearby kiosks or whip out the smart phone and click on one of the images above to magnify.

I know that $2.50 could be spent on beer for your belly, but stick with tall boys for a cheap night nonetheless.

My understanding is that you can loiter around for The Pill to dance the night away.

I've been to a few Anderson Comedy shows and have laughed quite a bit.



This Friday's show looks pretty good. Lucas Lewis did a spot-on Southie character once, and I was figuratively rolling on the floor.

Off-Topic: "If you see something, say something..."

To remind you how funny Rick Moranis is, this was in the NY Times a couple weeks ago:

Fridays: Laugh about Work

FRI 11/7 through FRI 12/12

8pm
"Between Jobs": Not Safe For Work Sketch Comedy
at ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$16 / $10 students & seniors

I don't really laugh much about my day job, but the workplace is a ripe setting for comedy. It's the basis of this sketch comedy show for people that like other shows like "Mr. Show", "Kids In The Hall", or "Tim and Eric Awesome Show". It's happening every Friday until 12/12.

Not exactly a cheap thrill for everyone, but it qualifies for students and seniors -- otherwise known as "the under-employed" and "retirees with no savings"...