Press Notices & Features
Artwork by Domingo "Etienne" Orejudos
Leather Daddies
book & lyrics by Scott Bradley
music & lyrics by Mercy Bell
Country Queer Magazine feature:
GUYS AND DOLLS… AND DADDIES: MERCY BELL ON HER NEW LEATHER MUSICAL
By Abel Muñoz
Late last month I sat down to talk with singer-songwriter Mercy Bell and Scott Bradley, a Chicago-based playwright and promoter, about their new musical, Leather Daddies, which is being produced by About Face Theatre and Jonny Stax. Bell and Bradley started collaborating on this musical fairly recently and Stax is still gathering investors to see the project to fruition. We got to talking about the production’s development, it’s historical significance, and the art of applying the Nashville songwriting style to a musical theatre format....continued here.
Scott Bradley in Packing
Packing
written and performed by Scott Bradley
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED "This incredible solo performance taps into our own hearts and souls and leaves us enlightened, as well as entertained" - Chicago Theatre Review
RECOMMENDED "an important document of queer life...the warmth expressed in his acceptance and love for his midwestern home is undeniable." - Chicago Reader
"a personally brave and fulfilling story that deserves to be seen...What's also so invaluable about it is that Bradley's life can be seen within a much larger LGBTQ historical context." - Windy City Times
"The play is deeply personal, and makes for an emotional roller coaster of a ride from start to finish...Full of honesty and triumph, Packing is must-see."
- Picture This Post
"Bradley...delivers an engaging, utterly raw performance. Packing is the kind of piece that will linger long after the audience leaves the theatre." - Chicago OnStage
David Beach, We Three Lizas at Joe's Pub
Danielle Plicz, We Three Lizas at Joe's Pub
Scott Bradley, Alien Queen at Metro Chicago
Ryan Guhde, Carpenters Halloween at Mary's Attic
Jonny Stax,Chris Zonada, Scott Bradley, Charis Boyd, Mollywood at Mary's Attic
We Three Lizas
Book/lyrics by Scott Bradley
Original cast included Scott Bradley
“Cool and refreshing new musical…delightfully zany… there were even some tender moments mixed in with all the camp, which made the show a sweet holiday-themed treat.” – Next Magazine
#1 CRITICS PICK "We loved this holiday tale that channels the spirit of the season via Liza Minnelli and a cast of misfits…The indefatigable Scott Bradley (Alien Queen, A Carpenters Halloween) channels legendary diva Liza Minnelli in a queer holiday musical that’s unexpected, uplifting and totally joyful. “ – TimeOut Chicago
"Those lyrics, which had me guffawing throughout, are funnier, smarter and generally better than a good portion of the lyrics of the shows currently on Broadway." - Chicago Tribune
“WE 3 LIZA’S Is A Fantastic Holiday Survival Guide...it is the most fun you will have at a show this season.” – Showbiz Chicago
“This gender-bending show...is the holiday musical comedy of my dreams. The script by Scott Bradley…is hilarious but also more sophisticated than you might expect.” – Chicago Reader
“As we see more and more of Queer America morphing into something resembling everyone else, it is refreshing to catch a glimpse of that darling decadence that scares the ultraconservatives and dares to celebrate our own playfully twisted uniqueness...Playwright Scott Bradley mixes this signature cocktail up with a generous helping of wonderfully original songs...and an infusion of FABULOUS to realize a phantasm of holiday escapism.” – Chicago Stage Review
“Bradley creates a go-for-broke universe that…resonates with emotional power.”
– Sheridan Road
“ That’s my idea of a great holiday show…captivating melodies and hilarious lyrics…saturated with wit and charm.” – Splash Magazine
Alien Queen
Book by Scott Bradley
Directed by Scott Bradley
Original cast included Scott Bradley
3 stars “Bradley, a genuine creative talent” - Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune/CBS-TV
“A royally fun evening out” – Misha Davenport, Chicago Sun-Times
RECOMMENDED “[One of] The season’s best Gay & Lesbian events” “The bitches are back“– TimeOut Chicago
EDITOR’S PICK: “Ridiculously entertaining” – Stephen Gossett, Flavorpill
4 stars ”A total musical experience! It was a standing room only crowd and will surely follow suit as long as it runs.” – The Examiner
“If you love the classic film Alien and the rock music from Queen then you’re going to love Alien Queen.” – Chicago Now: What’s a Boy to Do
RECOMMENDED "an enGROSSing reimagining...delightfully captivating” - Newcity Stage
Carpenters Halloween
Book by Scott Bradley
Directed by Scott Bradley
Original cast included Scott Bradley
“A surprise cult hit. See for yourself this Halloween Season.” - Chicago Tribune
“If only Broadway jukebox musicals were half this twisted…Bradley is an expert mimic – he’s got the Jamie Lee Curtis hair flip and facial expressions down cold.”
– Nina Metz, NewCity Chicago
“Glory Hallelujah for Scooty & JoJo’s Carpenters Halloween at Mary’s Attic!"
– Nightspots
“John Carpenter’s Halloween and the music of Karen and Richard Carpenter are two great tastes that taste great together...We were laughing so hard at this dynamic duo’s slasher spoof, Carpenters’ Halloween,that we had pinot noir coming out of our noses (eww)." – TimeOut Chicago
"A multimedia smorgasbord of video, puppetry, live music, and cartoonish props — a Chicago cult favorite now in its fourth year of production."
—Zach Freeman, NewCity Chicago
Mollywood
Book by Scott Bradley
Directed by Scott Bradley
Original cast included Scott Bradley
BEST OF THE FRINGE "To see this group fully immersed in the lampoon lagoon of Molly Ringwald’s cinematic heyday is to see them out their best." – Chicago Tribune
“an abundance of 80′s music, John Hughes characters, and in typical Scooty & JoJo fashion, gay overload.” - TimeOut Chicago
“A joyful and campy spectacle…you won’t want to miss this one!”- Feast of Fools
Tran: The Atari Musical
Book by Scott Bradley
Directed by Scott Bradley
Original cast included Scott Bradley
RECOMMENDED "The show (written and directed by Bradley, who also plays Tran in a green wig the color of a McDonald’s shamrock shake) is like a runaway train—anything can happen...more Tran, please!" – NewCity Chicago
“Retro rock, cheap special effects and spandex outfits RULE at this new musical from theater WEIRDOS Scooty & JoJo.” – TimeOut Chicago
Variety Shows
Co-created and performed by Scott Bradley
“Skip church and instead discover the gospel according to Scooty and JoJo.”
- Time Out Chicago
Chicago Tribune Feature Link
"Oh you have got to check this out!" Janet Davies, 190North Segment Link
Libby Lane, Charis Boyd, Tran at The Spot
Jonny Stax, Scott Bradley, Diva Brunch at The Spot
Scott Bradley, Rosemary Clooney's Baby at Mary's Attic