"Kwame a River 2: The Wrath of Conyers": Detroit News columnist Neal Rubin on "Kwame 2"

Scandal and fun, Detroit style

Marc Warzecha says thanks very much for the enormous scandals, but honestly, minor scandals will do him just fine.

He's the writer and director of "Kwame a River 2: The Wrath of Conyers," which was just extended through Dec. 27 at the Andiamo Novi Theatre, (248) 348-4448. The musical revue touches on the mayor's conviction, the Detroit City Council's befuddlement and any number of other inviting targets for a Second City alumnus who couldn't help but find inspiration with every headline.

At one point in an uneven but frequently funny production, Carlita Kilpatrick wreaks her revenge on her wandering spouse.

In another, Warzecha imagines a secret, irresistible attraction between council President Ken Cockrel Jr. and felonious former Councilwoman Monica Conyers.

"We've both got these feelings," he sings, "there's simply no disputin' ..."

"Lord above," she responds, "is this love, or just the Wellbutrin?"

Warzecha, 32, raised in Dearborn Heights and now living in Los Angeles, points out that there are few other places for Detroiters to see locally based comedy and satire.

City Council meetings used to be a pretty dependable spot, but that was before the plea deal and the primary.

With some of Warzecha's main characters out of the spotlight, an eventual "Kwame a River 3" might be tougher to put together, but it's too early to panic.

Around here, good material has a way of turning up.

nrubin@detnews.com (313) 222-1874

Jennifer Gale (Music Director):

Pianist, Educator, Accompanist. Ms Gale is the Owner/Director of the Mount Clemens Arts Consortium, Inc a Community-style school for the Arts. As a pianist she has performed solo concerts featuring the music of Black composers from around the world. As an educator, she has taught general music courses in public schools and for the Interlochen School of the Arts. She also maintains a studio of private piano students who compete and perform across the state. As an accompanist, she's played over 20 different musicals for community groups and schools in southeast Michigan. Musical Director for Kwame 1

Michael Pollock, Composer

Michael Pollock (composer ): Michael is musical director of The Second City Training Center Los Angeles; he studied at the University of Texas at Austin, Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts and The Grove School of Music. His credits include The Tonight Show, The Drew Carey Show, Evening at the Improv and ABC’s Emmy Award-winning Tuesdays With Morrie. He plays piano for various show at Disneyland and taught the first master class in musical direction at the Chicago Improv Festival in 2005. Learn more about Michael at www.michaelpollock.com.

Marc Warzecha (Writer/Director)

Marc Warzecha is originally from Metro Detroit, and now lives in Los Angeles where he has recently appeared on MAD TV and Reno 911. Marc served as writer/director for "Kwame a River: The Chronicles of Detorit's Hip Hop Mayor," a 2009 Wilde Award nominee for "Best New Script." He has worked with The Second City as both an actor and director; most recently directing "BarackStars" in at the Woolly Mammoth theatre in Washington, DC. Other directing credits include: "Pratfall of Civilization" (The Second City ETC - Joseph Jefferson nominee: "Best Director"). "War! Now in it's 4th Smash Year!" (Second City Chicago Mainstage- Joseph Jefferson nominee: Best Director, Best Revue, Best Ensemble), "The Not Ready for $3.99 Prime Rib Players" (Second City Las Vegas), "Woodward to your Mutha" and "Ten: The 10 year Anniersary show" (Second City Detroit). Acting credits include six resident stage reviews at the Second City Detroit, "Romeo and Juliet the Musical" at Chicago Shakespeare theatre, and SCC's "An Evening with Martin Short." Marc's work as a satirist has been featured on ABC's "Nightline", Newsweek, and in the Washington Post, and he has been a guest on CNN's "Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" and NPR's "All Things Considered." Marc is the host "No Waiting with Marc Warzecha," a live talk show that satirizes news and politics, most recently performed at the Comedy Central Stage in Hollywood. Thank you to an excellent cast and crew and to family, friends, and the theatre going community in Detroit whose support made this follow up show possible.