THE GATZ BENNY SHOW
Hosted by THE WHITHAM FAMILY:
APRIL HAVA SHENKMAN, JARED WHITHAM, & their son GATSBY
Sunday, June 29
Doors at 4:30 PM / Show at 5 PM
Start the summer with a trip to the moon, as this month’s THE GATZ BENNY SHOW celebrates the June Moon & Summer Stars.
THE GATZ BENNY SHOW has it all! Bringing a new twist to the classic variety show, that’s fun for the whole family. Imagine the I Love Lucy show inside of Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Hosted by the Whitham Family, APRIL HAVA SHENKMAN, JARED WHITHAM, & their son GATSBY, they invite some of their favorite performers & puppets to join them on stage.
Sharing the shenanigans of parenthood & childhood though comedy, music, puppets & clowns!
This month’s special guests includes SUZY WILLIAMS & COUNT SMOKULA.
You’re invited to an entrancing playdate at the Bob Baker Marionette Theater you’ll never forget!
About April Hava Shenkman
April Hava Shenkman created THE GATZ BENNY SHOW in 2024. April is a Los Angeles underground legend for her experimental comedy style. Her impeccable technique makes her talent a singular sensation.
Her comedy is vastly vocalized rich with golden era star impersonations and flairs of speed talking operatic gibberish, as seen on The Gong Show. April worked with Performanc Art maverick, Rachel Rosenthal & Company for years. She produced The Garage Sale Documentary featuring Phyllis Diller, and has performed alongside comedy celebrities such as Emo Phillips, Eric Andre, Chuck McCann, Maria Bamford & Bob Odenkirk. Entrancing audiences for years with her performance art, comedy & one woman shows including: April Fools Pig! at Highways, Cockmamie at the Steve Allen Theater, HAVA at The Gardenia and THE HAPPY HAPPY SHOW at El Cid. April’s work has been presented at theatres, galleries & festivals nationally & internationally. More recently she is known for her pregnant comedy special filmed at The Bob Baker Marionette Theater titled The Marvelous Mrs. Shenkman, streaming on TubiTV. THE GATZ BENNY SHOW, is inspired by her son GATSBY.
Learn more at AprilHavaShenkman.com
About Jared Whitham
Jared Whitham is a prominent painting clown known for his impactful films, art, and music. He has successfully self-produced a range of low-budget experimental feature films, with his debut film, Project Omicron. Made as a teenager, achieving cult status as a VHS release that has recently
been reissued by Vinegar Syndrome. Whitham has exhibited his artwork at prestigious international art fairs, including Art Basel and the Armory Show. His UHF analog television broadcast in New York City in 2008 established him as a significant figure in the New York underground, and he is recognized as a pioneer of internet video, having laid the groundwork for platforms like YouTube. Today, Whitham collaborates with his wife and son, creating films, art, and performances as a dynamic family of artists.
Learn more at JaredWhitham.com
About Gatsby Whitham
Gatsby Benjamin Whitham aka GATZ BENNY who is 5 made his stage debut in the show July 2024 and is excited to perform in the next one! Gatsby loves making art, playing,reading OZ books, learning about mythological creatures & creating magical worlds.