April 1–8, 1999
critic pick
Performance artist Ira A has led many lives. In the character of Needles Jones, Ira has, since the early '80s, lived a true-to-life junkie drag queen existence, performing this and similar schticks on stage, in Philly with Madi Distefano's Scrapple Theater and in NYC at Club 57 and the Kitchen. As Needles, he shares sordid tales and mournful torch songs. For this show, Ira will play Needles in addition to fairly new character, "Sylvia," a middle-aged Jewish woman passed over by love. She looks for solace in Motown, disco and cheese danish. Honest.
Ira A's The Tragic Loves of Needles Jones and Sylvia Horowitz, April 1 and 2, 9:30 p.m., Upstairs at Frangelica, 200 S. 12th St., 215-731-9930.