NEWS
Some upcoming performances:
January 29th, 7:30 pm at La Mama Theater on the Lower East Side with special guest, Kaitlin Hopkins. For tickets, click here.
February 29th, 7:30 pm at Littlefield in Brooklyn. Special guest TBA. For tickets, click here.
The best way to stay up to date is by joining this gorgeous mailing list.
Recent
Reviews
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
from Entertainment Now
"Stretching the bounds of what a one man show can be, the line between robot, performer and human melds to answer more than what it means to be palatably gay. There’s no telling whether it’s societies or entertainment industries that are responsible for the pejorative portrayals of gay men. But there’s no denying that works like these are destined to break this cycle. And it doesn’t hurt that the careful craft behind this piece makes revolution the most fun it can be."
by Avantika Sood
PLAYBILL PICK
of the Edinburgh Fringe
from Playbill.com
"A fast-paced and characterful stand-up routine, with performer, Stephen Brower, deftly handling the robotic physicality while landing every joke... This is some sophisticated writing. It’s not just a stand-up routine, nor is it just a play or a gimmick. Like Billie, Palatable Gay Robot is complex, hilarious, and human."
by Ben Connaughton
★ ★ ★ ★
from Fringe Biscuit
"An uproarious and poignant rollercoaster ride of identity politics. The performance rests on Brower’s incredible character-switching, a technical marvel facilitated by voice-over intros and remarkable physicality... Brower’s commitment to craft and his nuanced critique on the state of gay representation in media make this a must-see. "
★ ★ ★ ★
from Broadway World UK
"Ultimately, Palatable Gay Robot is a fantastic hour of comedy that does a wonderful job of treading the line between a serious reflection on sexuality and a funny set of standup."
by Kat Mokrynski
★ ★ ★ ★
from The Wee Review
"Palatable Gay Robot unambiguously succeeds. It’s well-conceived, well-delivered, and wears its sophisticated premise remarkably lightly. The humour is constant, and palatable indeed… but some uncomfortable realities still come through."
by Richard Stamp
Singing!
Dancing!
Butt stuff!
ABOUT THE SHOW
Meet HumaVibe's latest device, Billie Bowtie. Programmed to be the perfect performer, Billie must ride the line between palatable and personal - gay, but not too gay! As he navigates his sentience amidst growing pressure from the Moderator, Billie glitches through standup comedy, character work, song, dance, and storytelling.
A laugh-out-loud comedy with a meta-narrative twist, Palatable Gay Robot is equal parts playful and thought-provoking. Broadway actor and comedian, Stephen Brower, will leave you feeling joyful, inspired, and a bit more sentient.
"To say this show is just hilarious would be a disservice; it is also a metanarrative on identity as a performance. The quick-fire changes to character, the singing, and the dancing demonstrate the breadth of Stephen Brower's talents. I wanted to see this show because of his Instagram videos, and he maintains that level of presence for a full hour." - audience review
Video recorded in August 2023 by Neon Eye Productions
Productions photos by Jaime Prada and Danny Bristoll
Poster and additional photography by Spencer Clark
For archival footage, high quality images, and more
please contact us.
HISTORY
Palatable Gay Robot debuted at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival in connection with Greenside @ Infirmary Street. It subsequently transferred to the Phoenix Arts Club in London, selling out a one-night-only engagement in their cabaret space.
Throughout these months, the role of the Moderator was prerecorded, voiced by acclaimed screen and stage actress, Alison Luff. Once returning to the States, the role was rewritten to accommodate an in-person performer, with the intention of bringing in a "special guest" for each performance.
In the winter of 2023, the show sold out its New York City debut with Olivier-award-winning actress, Noma Dumezweni. The performance took place at Ars Nova, an acclaimed Off-Broadway non-profit known for developing singular theater.
For more information about upcoming performances and guest star announcements, sign up for our mailing list.
STEPHEN BROWER
actor, writer, gorgeous forehead
Stephen Brower is a New York City-based actor, writer, and comedian. He made his Broadway debut in the musical Anastasia, and subsequently led the First National Tour as "Dmitry." Other tours include Pippin (u/s Pippin), and An American in Paris (Adam). He most recently appeared in Des MacAnuff's Broadway-bound revival of The Who's Tommy at the Goodman Theater in Chicago. In the Spring of 2024, he will originate a role in the new Broadway musical Lempicka (dir. Rachel Chavkin), as he continues to develop his own work.
As a stand-up comedian, Stephen has headlined venues in and around New York City, including Stand Up NY, Broadway Comedy Club, and Club Cumming.
Online, Stephen is an avid content creator. Stephen writes and produces funny videos on TikTok and Instagram, and has a combined following of about 375K. He regularly works with companies to produce branded content. @stephenbrower
Stephen has a BFA from Texas State University and is represented theatrically by BRS/Gage. Stephen is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community and an advocate for queer stories.
ZACHARY PRINCE
director
Zachary Prince is a New York City-based actor and director with gluten intolerance and a gardening kink. He was last seen as “Josh” in the Broadway-bound A Transparent Musical (based on the Amazon series) at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles.
Zach attributes his keen eye for storytelling to his many years on and off Broadway as a standby for much more famous people, where he observed the challenges of sausage-making up close and from varied perspectives.
When Zach isn’t acting or directing, you can find him feverishly inhaling journalism, shopping for plants he can’t afford, or taking pictures of the two Goldendoodles he shares with his partner, Brandon Uranowitz, who has a Tony Award now. There’s a Tony in our house.
Protect trans kids.
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ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTORS
Daniel Jaffe (videography), Natalia Sanchez (graphic design), Glenn DeVar (music), Spencer Clark (promotional photography/design), Andrea Berting (costume), El Theodorou (sound design, Edinburgh), Alison Luff ("Moderator," Edinburgh), Noma Dumezweni ("Moderator," Ars Nova)