The Fartiste! 20th Anniversary Celebration Concert of the Musical's Award-Winning Off-Broadway Debut
AWARD-WINNING OFF-BROADWAY MUSICAL—THE FARTISTE—RETURNS FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION CONCERTS, SEPT. 28/29 AT LAURIE BEECHMAN THEATER
“The FARTISTE manages to be both raucously funny and surprisingly touching, dignifying its subject even while providing no small degree of explosive humor.”—New York Post
“This outrageous new musical THE FARTISTE not only manages to successfully put the word "art" back into "fart," but it does so in an unusually poignant way . . . Simply astounding; a full-blown night of delightful musical comedy . . .”—BroadwayWorld.com
When people hear the words “Moulin Rouge” many things might come to mind. Some might remember the 1952 film starring Jose Ferrer playing legendary French artist Toulouse-Lautrec. Younger folks might recall the 2001 Baz Luhrmann film musical that has been transformed into a show currently playing on Broadway. And some people might know that the “Moulin Rouge” was an iconic late 19th-century cabaret venue in Paris, France, famous for its sensual Can-Can dancers.
What people might not know about the original “Moulin Rouge” is that one of the club’s highest-paid performers during the 1890s was a man named Joseph Pujol, who was a sensation turning flatulence into high art. Using the stage name Le Pétomane (derived from the French verb péter, meaning "to fart," combined with “mane,” meaning "maniac"), Pujol possessed an extraordinary ability to control his abdominal and sphincter muscles, allowing him to inhale air through his anus and release it at will. At the peak of his career, Pujol’s performances—which were musical and comedic rather than purely vulgar—drew massive crowds, including members of the England’s Royal Family and intellectual figures like Sigmund Freud. Pujol’s acts included mimicking cannon fire, thunder, and musical instruments, and blowing out lit candles from several yards away using directed air bursts from his anus.
In 2006, Composer and Lyricist Michael Roberts and Playwright Charlie Schulman brought Joseph Pujol’s story to life and to New York theater audiences with their musical THE FARTISTE, which won the award for “Best Musical” at the 2006 New York International Fringe Festival. Later that year, a concert version of the show was performed at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. During the 2011-2012 theater season, THE FARTISTE was staged Off-Broadway at Sophia’s at The Edison Hotel in midtown Manhattan and received rave reviews.
Now, 20 years after its critically-acclaimed Off-Broadway run, THE FARTISTE brings its outrageous true story back to the stage with an explosive Anniversary Concert celebration on September 28 & 29 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café, 407 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036. Both shows at 7 pm. Tickets are $50 with a $25 food/beverage minimum per person. THE FARTISTE is produced by Stephen Hanks and Revive Entertainment with Christopher Scott serving as Director. The cast will be announced at a later date. For reservations, go to:
9/28: https://events.leapevents.com/event/the-fartisteyfubceo
9/29: https://events.leapevents.com/event/the-fartisteljylrxo
BIOS:
Michael Roberts—Score: Michael is a composer, lyricist, and playwright whose Off-Broadway credits include GOLF: THE MUSICAL, which was produced three times Off-Broadway, and toured 25 states and six countries. His other Off-Broadway works include THE FARTISTE (NY Fringe, Best Musical), GREED (New World Stages), and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award-nominated GOLDSTEIN. For television, he composed for three seasons of AMC’s series REMEMBER WENN, and his film scoring credits include Tri-Star's LOVE WALKED IN. His new musical LONDON SWINGS, starring Jackie Burns, will be released as an independent feature film in Fall 2026. As a music director and pianist, Roberts has served as music director for a wide variety of performers, including Betty Buckley, Donna Murphy, Lesley Gore, Rupert Holmes, Herman’s Hermits, and comic legend Joan Rivers with appearances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and The White House. He is the President Emeritus of the American Songbook Association. Michael’s works are published by Concord Theatricals and Broadway Licensing, and his music is available on numerous labels, including TOHO and Broadway Records.
Charlie Schulman—Book: Charlie is the writer/producer (with composer Michael Roberts) of the Off-Broadway musicals THE FARTISTE (“Outstanding Musical,” NYC Fringe Festival) and GOLDSTEIN (Nominated “Best Musical,” Off Broadway Alliance). His plays have been produced Off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally, and are published by Dramatists Play Service, Stage Rights, Dell/Bantam, and Concord Theatricals. His plays MARRIED LIFE and SIBLING RIVALRY were produced by Cincinnati LAB Theatre at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. SIBLING RIVALRY will be presented as a staged reading by Penguin Rep this fall. His play ANGEL OF DEATH received the Charles MacArthur Award for Comedy, and he is a recipient of The Walton Fellowship from Arena Stage. Television: “The Apollo Comedy Hour” for three seasons. (Inner City Broadcasting/Tribune Company). Charlie is currently developing SHE COMES FIRST, a sex- positive musical comedy review inspired by the best-selling book by Dr. Ian Kerner. Charlie teaches at New York University and The Writers Voice of The West Side Y.
Christopher Scott—Director: Christopher is a NYC director who just finished filming Michael Roberts’ new musical LONDON SWINGS, continuing their long-time collaboration, the two having also worked together on the Off-Broadway shows GOLF: THE MUSICAL and GREED: A MUSICAL FOR OUR TIMES. Christopher also recently directed MURDOCH: THE FINAL INTERVIEW at Theater555, BREACH at The Wild Project /Fresh Fruit Festival, and HIP HOP CINDERELLA at The New Victory. Upcoming: “Unruly Gays and Urban Decay” at La MaMa ETC. In Development: “Sherlock & Watson” by Ed. Weinberger (Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi,) Other Off Broadway: “The Glass Menagerie,” “God Shows Up,” “Edwin: The Story of Edwin Booth,” “A Class Act,” “Nancy Friday’s My Secret Garden,” “For Lovers Only,” “Tails” and “Stealing Freedom and “Missing Person” at ART/NY. Served as Artistic Director at Masterworks Theater Company and as Artistic Associate at Amas Musical Theatre. Member of faculty at Baruch College (CUNY) and NYU.
Stephen Hanks—Co-Producer: After a 30-plus year career in magazine publishing, Stephen transitioned into New York Cabaret and Musical Theater as a Reviewer, Publicist, Producer, and Performer. In 2010, he was a reviewer for Cabaret Scenes Magazine, the first Board President of Musical Mondays Theater Lab (a non-profit that presented new musicals), and an Associate Producer for the Off-Broadway production of the musical THE FARTISTE. Between 2012-2015, Stephen was the lead cabaret reviewer at BroadwayWorld.com and was the Producer and Host for three BroadwayWorld.com “New York Cabaret Awards” shows. Stephen has served as Producer/Host for six variety shows at the Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Festival, and produced 19 critically-acclaimed “New York Cabaret’s Greatest Hits” shows at NYC’s Metropolitan Room. Stephen has also been the publicist for dozens of New York cabaret performers, and has performed his solo cabaret show “Beyond American Pie: The Don McLean Songbook” in various NY cabaret rooms. Since 2018, Stephen has Produced and Hosted 16 Cabaret Variety Show fundraisers for Democratic Congressional candidates.
“The FARTISTE manages to be both raucously funny and surprisingly touching, dignifying its subject even while providing no small degree of explosive humor.”—New York Post
“This outrageous new musical THE FARTISTE not only manages to successfully put the word "art" back into "fart," but it does so in an unusually poignant way . . . Simply astounding; a full-blown night of delightful musical comedy . . .”—BroadwayWorld.com
When people hear the words “Moulin Rouge” many things might come to mind. Some might remember the 1952 film starring Jose Ferrer playing legendary French artist Toulouse-Lautrec. Younger folks might recall the 2001 Baz Luhrmann film musical that has been transformed into a show currently playing on Broadway. And some people might know that the “Moulin Rouge” was an iconic late 19th-century cabaret venue in Paris, France, famous for its sensual Can-Can dancers.
What people might not know about the original “Moulin Rouge” is that one of the club’s highest-paid performers during the 1890s was a man named Joseph Pujol, who was a sensation turning flatulence into high art. Using the stage name Le Pétomane (derived from the French verb péter, meaning "to fart," combined with “mane,” meaning "maniac"), Pujol possessed an extraordinary ability to control his abdominal and sphincter muscles, allowing him to inhale air through his anus and release it at will. At the peak of his career, Pujol’s performances—which were musical and comedic rather than purely vulgar—drew massive crowds, including members of the England’s Royal Family and intellectual figures like Sigmund Freud. Pujol’s acts included mimicking cannon fire, thunder, and musical instruments, and blowing out lit candles from several yards away using directed air bursts from his anus.
In 2006, Composer and Lyricist Michael Roberts and Playwright Charlie Schulman brought Joseph Pujol’s story to life and to New York theater audiences with their musical THE FARTISTE, which won the award for “Best Musical” at the 2006 New York International Fringe Festival. Later that year, a concert version of the show was performed at the Laurie Beechman Theatre. During the 2011-2012 theater season, THE FARTISTE was staged Off-Broadway at Sophia’s at The Edison Hotel in midtown Manhattan and received rave reviews.
Now, 20 years after its critically-acclaimed Off-Broadway run, THE FARTISTE brings its outrageous true story back to the stage with an explosive Anniversary Concert celebration on September 28 & 29 at the Laurie Beechman Theatre at the West Bank Café, 407 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036. Both shows at 7 pm. Tickets are $50 with a $25 food/beverage minimum per person. THE FARTISTE is produced by Stephen Hanks and Revive Entertainment with Christopher Scott serving as Director. The cast will be announced at a later date. For reservations, go to:
9/28: https://events.leapevents.com/event/the-fartisteyfubceo
9/29: https://events.leapevents.com/event/the-fartisteljylrxo
BIOS:
Michael Roberts—Score: Michael is a composer, lyricist, and playwright whose Off-Broadway credits include GOLF: THE MUSICAL, which was produced three times Off-Broadway, and toured 25 states and six countries. His other Off-Broadway works include THE FARTISTE (NY Fringe, Best Musical), GREED (New World Stages), and the Off-Broadway Alliance Award-nominated GOLDSTEIN. For television, he composed for three seasons of AMC’s series REMEMBER WENN, and his film scoring credits include Tri-Star's LOVE WALKED IN. His new musical LONDON SWINGS, starring Jackie Burns, will be released as an independent feature film in Fall 2026. As a music director and pianist, Roberts has served as music director for a wide variety of performers, including Betty Buckley, Donna Murphy, Lesley Gore, Rupert Holmes, Herman’s Hermits, and comic legend Joan Rivers with appearances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and The White House. He is the President Emeritus of the American Songbook Association. Michael’s works are published by Concord Theatricals and Broadway Licensing, and his music is available on numerous labels, including TOHO and Broadway Records.
Charlie Schulman—Book: Charlie is the writer/producer (with composer Michael Roberts) of the Off-Broadway musicals THE FARTISTE (“Outstanding Musical,” NYC Fringe Festival) and GOLDSTEIN (Nominated “Best Musical,” Off Broadway Alliance). His plays have been produced Off-Broadway, regionally, and internationally, and are published by Dramatists Play Service, Stage Rights, Dell/Bantam, and Concord Theatricals. His plays MARRIED LIFE and SIBLING RIVALRY were produced by Cincinnati LAB Theatre at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival. SIBLING RIVALRY will be presented as a staged reading by Penguin Rep this fall. His play ANGEL OF DEATH received the Charles MacArthur Award for Comedy, and he is a recipient of The Walton Fellowship from Arena Stage. Television: “The Apollo Comedy Hour” for three seasons. (Inner City Broadcasting/Tribune Company). Charlie is currently developing SHE COMES FIRST, a sex- positive musical comedy review inspired by the best-selling book by Dr. Ian Kerner. Charlie teaches at New York University and The Writers Voice of The West Side Y.
Christopher Scott—Director: Christopher is a NYC director who just finished filming Michael Roberts’ new musical LONDON SWINGS, continuing their long-time collaboration, the two having also worked together on the Off-Broadway shows GOLF: THE MUSICAL and GREED: A MUSICAL FOR OUR TIMES. Christopher also recently directed MURDOCH: THE FINAL INTERVIEW at Theater555, BREACH at The Wild Project /Fresh Fruit Festival, and HIP HOP CINDERELLA at The New Victory. Upcoming: “Unruly Gays and Urban Decay” at La MaMa ETC. In Development: “Sherlock & Watson” by Ed. Weinberger (Mary Tyler Moore Show, Taxi,) Other Off Broadway: “The Glass Menagerie,” “God Shows Up,” “Edwin: The Story of Edwin Booth,” “A Class Act,” “Nancy Friday’s My Secret Garden,” “For Lovers Only,” “Tails” and “Stealing Freedom and “Missing Person” at ART/NY. Served as Artistic Director at Masterworks Theater Company and as Artistic Associate at Amas Musical Theatre. Member of faculty at Baruch College (CUNY) and NYU.
Stephen Hanks—Co-Producer: After a 30-plus year career in magazine publishing, Stephen transitioned into New York Cabaret and Musical Theater as a Reviewer, Publicist, Producer, and Performer. In 2010, he was a reviewer for Cabaret Scenes Magazine, the first Board President of Musical Mondays Theater Lab (a non-profit that presented new musicals), and an Associate Producer for the Off-Broadway production of the musical THE FARTISTE. Between 2012-2015, Stephen was the lead cabaret reviewer at BroadwayWorld.com and was the Producer and Host for three BroadwayWorld.com “New York Cabaret Awards” shows. Stephen has served as Producer/Host for six variety shows at the Urban Stages Winter Rhythms Festival, and produced 19 critically-acclaimed “New York Cabaret’s Greatest Hits” shows at NYC’s Metropolitan Room. Stephen has also been the publicist for dozens of New York cabaret performers, and has performed his solo cabaret show “Beyond American Pie: The Don McLean Songbook” in various NY cabaret rooms. Since 2018, Stephen has Produced and Hosted 16 Cabaret Variety Show fundraisers for Democratic Congressional candidates.
Where is it happening?
The Laurie Beechman Theatre, 416 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036-6809, United States, Manhattan
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherStephen Hanks
