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By: Ben Kharakh »
September 6, 2007
Future of Mo Pitkins' Weekly Shows Murky
The NY Post reported yesterday that Mo Pitkins is for sale:
The multilevel East Village eatery, bar and performance space that looks like a New Orleans bordello and hosts celebrities like Deborah Harry, Janeane Garofalo, Al Franken, Paul Shaffer, Moby and Mario Batali has fallen on hard times and is up for sale, sources tell Page Six.
What will it mean for us? Since Mario Batali won't return our calls for comments, perhaps readers like you would like to commiserate or share some insights about the sale or the space's future. It's unlikely that a new owner would keep things the way they are if the business is losing money. Shows facing potential eviction include: CBS/NYC Presents, Ritalin Readings, Chicks & Giggles, The Shark Show, Thursgay, Tranny Bingo, Max!, Mortified, Livia's Castle of Enchantment, Stripped Stories, and many more.
Can other venues absorb all these engagements? We don't see UCBT, Rififi, Pianos, or The PIT as having the ability to pick up too many of these shows, nor do some necessarily match with those venues' artistic direction. Whatever the case may be, now's the time to begin shopping for a new space. Will a new venue emerge?
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Posted by The Apiary at September 6, 2007 10:27 AM
Comments
This sucks.
Well, come catch what might be the final "Don't Touch Me There" at Mo's on Sept 21, before we move the show to my parents' basement. New sketches and films plus Todd Levin and Reggie Watts. We'll be charging $100,000 per ticket in an effort to save the place!
Posted by: Pat at September 6, 2007 12:30 PM
This is a true New York tragedy. As a performer in my mid twenties finding few places to showcase my interest in old school cabaret and small venue sensibilities, Mo's was an perfect fit. It's homey intimate feeling was one of the few places left that you could feel a true sense of community and support for alt and cabaret type performaces. I truly hope that by some miracle, ala 34th street, some last minute genius comes through and decides to keep Mo's the way it is, perhaps getting more big name headliners and keeping the arts alive in the East Village, it not for New York as a whole.
Posted by: Kyle Supley at September 6, 2007 1:15 PM
This is the worst.
The worst.
Posted by: Eliot at September 6, 2007 1:26 PM
To Mo's -Too many shows stacked one on top of another makes the people leave directly after the show rather than staying and buying drinks. The space can be a nice welcoming, relaxed environment to hang out in (where people will buy drinks and food) but there is a show in every corner at all hours (not comfortable). Lure them in with a good quality show and have them want to stay after and drink (good for business) rather then rush them right out.
Posted by: A guy who does shows at Mo's at September 6, 2007 2:18 PM
What will Paul Schaffer do now?
Posted by: matt sears at September 6, 2007 2:56 PM
There are 1000 venues for comedy in Manhattan, and even more in the outer burroughs. Remember Jimmy's No 43? It's got a real stage and a light/sound system. The KGB bar on 4th St houses two theaters. Julep has been having Thursday shows downstairs, and how about that karaoke stage at the Lit Lounge? I could keep going and going without even leaving the East Village.
Posted by: Cody Hess at September 7, 2007 9:41 AM
From what I've been told, the Post article was actually pretty off base, and the plan is to possibly sell the building but for the theater to continue leasing the space and operate as is. Really hope that's the case, cause I do think Mo's is an excellent, unique space with some great shows.
Posted by: Pat at September 7, 2007 10:23 AM