Skivvies deliver the naked truth in ‘Sleigh My Name’
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Skivvies know how to give audiences a warm feeling inside. They and their guests entertain while taking it ALMOST all off — the name says it all — while you may enjoy the comforts of clothes.
The “undie-rock” duo of Nick Cearley and Lauren Molina return to City Theatre at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the premiere of “Sleigh My Name,” with special guests including Paige Davis (TV’s “Trading Spaces” and Pittsburgh CLO’s “Miss Abigail’s Guide to Dating, Mating and Marriage”), Joe DeLien, Daina Michelle Griffith, Michael McGurk, Jason Shavers and Stephen Santa performing both evenings.
Additional guests Friday are Ryan Patrick Kearney and Becki Toth; and on Saturday, The Skivvies are also joined by Hope Anthony, Kevin William Paul, Jerreme Rodriguez and Lisa Velten Smith.
Musical performances “include stripped-down arrangements of holiday classics and eccentric originals with an array of zany instruments.” Mr. Cearley and Ms. Molina provide their own musical accompaniment with an electric cello, ukulele, glockenspiel and melodica.
Kicking off each evening is babyGRAND — the comedy duo of Connor McCanlus and Missy Moreno, performing a 10-minute version of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” with an original score invented onthe-spot using audience suggestions.
Patrons are encouraged to wear their tackiest holiday outfit, with Ms. Moreno — the self-described Pittsburgh queen of ugly sweaters — looking to meet her match. Special prizes for the ugliest sweater will be given at intermission.
The Skivvies performed at the City Theatre Hamburg black box in February 2014. The duo started as Broadway and regional musical theater performers before finding their own groove.
They were having modest success with their act of original songs mixed with mashups and stripped-down arrangements of pop songs before they took the next step. Where: City Theatre, 1300 Bingham St., South Side. When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Tickets: $40 on Friday and $50 on Saturday; citytheatrecompany.org or 412-431-CITY.
“The taking off our clothes thing was totally a gimmick,” Mr. Cearley said, “but it worked.”