It’s the first weekend in February and backstage at First Friday Night Live, the cast is in a frenzy — costume racks and random props litter the floor. In the midst of the chaos, crew preparations and cast memorizations, a woman stands coolly in the corner.
Calm though her demeanor may be, her appearance is anything but. Her hair and makeup is more bright and outlandish than all the other actors around her. She’s covered in a large, dark coat, keeping comfortable in the 50-degree chill, seeming to take in the excitement around her with an air of familiarity.
Her name is Mizz Lucy Morals, a local celebrity from Romantasy Cabaret, and the February host of Phoenix Firehouse’s comical sensation, FFNL. Her role for the night involved opening the show and performing in sketches, bringing with her some sultry females to grace the stage with a saucy, silly burlesque.
Hosting a Valentine-themed FFNL was a nice change of pace, Morals says. Instead of writing and producing her own show, she is taking direction, something she has not done for a while. For the rest of the evening, Morals just wants the audience and cast to have a blast.
“I think that any time that we laugh it means that we’re enjoying ourselves in that moment,” she says. “I hope that each show kind of builds momentum and just grows and grows.”
The show has been doing just that. Since its opening night in September 2010, FFNL has enjoyed the late-night audience of First Friday-goers, becoming a platform for local comedians, musicians and artists to showcase their talents.
Aaron Johnson, 28, co-created the event with Firehouse owner Michael Twenty-three, and says the two thought the show would be a great way to integrate all the arts downtown Phoenix is famous for into one monthly event.
“The Firehouse has always been about giving local artists a stage,” Johnson says. “This project has put over 100 performers together… It takes a crew of 50 to make a show happen every night.”
For $7, audience members can enjoy the three-hour show live. FFNL also has a significant online following, Johnson says, and all the shows are streamed live on the Web. Green screen effects add to the experience, and help the creators with their goal to make it a popular local online-TV show.
“People are blown away by it,” Johnson says about the effects lit up on the projectors adjacent to stage. “It’s kind of overwhelming for people at first.”
Besides getting a healthy dose of laughter in, audience members have the chance to experience performances by local musicians at each monthly event. February boasted a set by Of the Earth, whose gypsy-like sound was complemented by an accordion and tuba player.
Smith split sides with her portrayal of an old woman choking on a hamburger and her cringe-worthy opening strip tease complete with whitey tighties and odd dance moves. Despite her raw talent and obvious love for the spotlight, Smith is very new to the comedy scene.
“I’ve been funny since September,” she jokes.
The former journalism student tried out for FFNL in summer and the past few months have fostered her newfound passion — she'd like to perform in Chicago in the near future. The Firehouse, she says, ignited her dream.
“It’s so important to have venues like this because you have so many talented people in Phoenix,” she says. “They need somewhere to let go and be passionate.”
As far as the audience is concerned, FFNL attracts a more mature crowd consisting primarily of college students and professionals young and old. The show has a way of bringing out the joy in people. Instead of merely huddling by the sprawled fire pits and outdoor heaters, audience members danced to the live music, took photographs and even participated in performances.
ASU justice studies senior Melissa Jimenez has been attending the monthly show throughout the season, supporting her cast-member sister.
Jimenez says more people are coming out each month as the show gains popularity and as the First Fridays scene changes.
“It’s interesting to see local bands and artists,” she says. “I’d like to see more ASU kids here.”
Students have one more chance to see the show live on March 4 before it wraps up for the season. Ryan Avery will host along with musical guest Hooves.
If you go...
The Firehouse 1015 N. First Street, Phoenix 11 p.m., Friday, March 4 $7 at the door
