- By Ken Werther
- Photo By Cliff Lipson
Jack Benny. No … not that Jack Benny. Allow me to introduce jackbenny … LA native identical twin brothers Jack and Benny Lipson! These guys are my new entertainment obsession! Some background: after years of studying, performing, and writing a wide range of music individually, the brothers united to birth the project jackbenny, injecting musical theatre storytelling into a gamut of musical styles. Their progressive and fresh harmonic language, informed by jazz and classical roots, complements their progressive, savvy lyrics that explore queer identity, climate change, monogamy, and many other contemporary social and cultural phenomena. The Lipson brothers have played sold-out concerts in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and at the Wyoming Theater Festival.
The Lipsons are developing The Brainstorm, a three-character musical theatre song cycle of jackbenny originals which is scheduled to be unveiled in September. This month, jackbenny will be presenting the sixth edition of their monthly residency at the Lyric Hyperion Theatre in Silver Lake. Percussionist Theo Seidmon is set to team with the Lipson duo in a two-act show that features wittily provocative original songs, uniquely arranged covers, and friendly guest performers — all seasoned with the brothers’ signature sibling shtick. jackbenny’s comedically energetic performances guide audiences on a candid tour through the fragile, well-curated millennial mind. I am waaaay past being in the ‘millennial’ category, but this is extraordinary entertainment not to be missed!
For more details, click here.
