No, they’re not the book. They’re not the movie either. And they are definitely not the band. They are the comedic, gender-bending performance troupe, All The Kings Men!
All The Kings Men (ATKM) has been bringing their wholly electrifying, neo-vaudevillian brand of entertainment from their home base in Boston to hundreds of venues from Los Angeles to London since April of 2002. Their ever-changing show features six prolific performers, Katie Allen, Julee Antonellis, Leighsa Burgin, Jill Gibson, Maria Kogan and Karin Webb, who collectively play between thirty and fifty gender bending characters per performance. In June of 2011, they were newly honored as six of GO Magazine’s 100 Women We Love.
Performing to sold out crowds and standing ovations, this award-winning ensemble incorporate a melange of pop-cultural satire, dance, scene work, storytelling, socio-political commentary, burlesque, multi-media, comedy and drama into their hard to describe work. Three parts Tracey Ullman, a punch of Carol Burnett, and a pint of Jim Carrey, their performances will have you laughing long and loud. These Victor/Victorias hold a mocking mirror to the construction of identity through destabilising the popular perception of gender boundaries; they strike at the heart of gender issues with performances as poignant as they are audacious. All The Kings Men seek to create unique and moving experiences that educate, engage, and entertain your face off!
In 2004 they were named the Boston Phoenix’s “Best Kept Secret”. Two years later they were named one of ten nationwide winners of Curve Magazine’s “Best Lesbian Theater” award alongside being featured in their magazine. Since then they have been nominated for a host of other awards and recognitions nationwide including the Boston Phoenix’s newest category, “Best Dance Troupe” and most recently for a GO Magazine 2011 Nightlife Award.
In their short history, ATKM has been honored to perform on a host of legendary stages including Stonewall, The Stella Adler Theater in Los Angeles, The New Players Theater in London, and The Art House Theater in Provincetown. They are also a favorite at many institutes of higher learning including Yale University, Smith College and MIT. Pride events include Boston, Rhode Island and the largest pride celebration in North America, Toronto.
All The Kings Men is available for a wide variety of booking engagements including performances, workshops and Q & A’s for; festival, parade, private viewings, theatrical runs, cruises, special events, college and university. Each and every one of their shows are tailored to work with each individual venue.
On April 17, 2010 the documentary on All The Kings Men by Planted Seeds Productions had its World Premiere. After close to three years in the making, this intimate look at identity, sexuality, love, and performance art, Play in the Gray premiered at the Atlanta Film Festival. Screenings of the film have now taken place globally.
The most up to date information on Play in the Gray is available at www.PlayInTheGray.com.
