Puttin' on the Bitz takes off the kiddy gloves to raise money for Albany Civic Theater with ‘Dirty Bitz'

By Heather Crabtree/Photos by Scobel Wiggens
The Entertainer

From old Broadway to new Broadway and songs they've just picked up, Puttin' on the Bitz performs it all.

For its first fund-raising production for the Albany Civic Theater's Building Facade Remodeling Fund, Puttin' on the Bitz has chosen the theme "Naughty Bitz."

The performance starts at 8 p.m. Friday, March 18, at the theater in downtown Albany.

The theme is based on a decision to use songs that the group has excluded from previous performances because of language and crudity.

"Every time we do a show, we pick and choose songs," said Charlie Prince, a member of Puttin' on the Bitz. "It depends on the show. Some of the shows border on the offensive. So, this is a show of all the songs we wanted to do, but couldn't before."

Although Prince warns that this show is not for the easily offended, he does put the show into context.

"It's nothing your average high school student doesn't say on a daily basis," Prince said. "It's meant to be comical and fun. It's almost all comical songs, and we put a couple other (songs) in there to give it variety."

Several of the songs the group chose for this production are from Avenue Q, which group member Brad Townsend describes as "Sesame Street" gone bad. One of the songs is from a "South Park" movie.

"What people have to understand is that it's all in good fun," Townsend said. "It's nothing completely tasteless or just way out there."

After appearing in ACT's 2003 production of "Godspell," three of the cast members — Brad Townsend, Jan Eastman-Bocout and Reed Sanders — started Puttin' on the Bitz. Sanders has since sailed off to perform on a cruise ship.

The group has grown over the past year and a half. For each production, the size of the group changes to fit the production's needs, Townsend said.

The cast members are all veterans of musicals such as "Little Shop of Horrors," "Damn Yankees," "Threepenny Opera" and "Bat Boy" performed at Albany Civic Theater, Corvallis Community Theater and Oregon State University Theater.

"Naughty Bitz: is the largest production yet for Puttin' On The Bitz.

Singing in "Naughty Bitz" are Townsend, Eastman-Boucot, Prince, Carri Moffatt, Cathy Sams, Anya Corbitt, Melanie Zepp and Michael Coolen.

Townsend, Sams, Coolen and Prince take turns providing piano accompaniment. Cheryl Leckie plays the bass, and Jim Ford is on drums.

If You Go

What: ‘Naughty Bitz,' a performance by Puttin' on the Bitz, a group of mid-valley singers and musicians. Because of language and crudity, the performance is not suitable for young children.

Where: Albany Civic Theater, 111 First Ave. W.

When: 8 p.m. Friday, March 18.

Cost: $11, general admission; $8, juniors and senior citizens. Season tickets do not apply. Advance tickets are available at Sid Stevens Jewelers and Rice's Pharmacy.