Jay Bragg's New Vaudeville
Where Golden Age Entertainment Lives Again
The Last Variety Show
In an era of manufactured entertainment and digital isolation, Jay Bragg's New Vaudeville represents something increasingly rare: authentic entertainment that honors the multicultural traditions that made American variety shows revolutionary. As The Wizard of Whimsy, Jay Bragg creates cultural preservation delivered through original Tin Pan Alley compositions, contemporary artistry, and genuine showmanship that follows the philosophy "It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness."
What Is New Vaudeville?
New Vaudeville is the revival of America's greatest entertainment tradition—the variety show—reimagined for sophisticated modern audiences through the magic of original composition. Combining virtuosic musicianship, theatrical elements, audience participation, and specialty performers, each experience is meticulously crafted by The Wizard of Whimsy to transport audiences to the golden age of American entertainment while creating new traditions through fresh Tin Pan Alley-inspired compositions.
The Format: 70% genuine historical spirit, 20% contemporary accessibility, and 10% pure transformative magic.
The Mission: Creating gathering spaces for thoughtful Americans who refuse to choose between intelligence and joy, between tradition and innovation, between authenticity and accessibility—all anchored by original compositions that light candles in cynical times.
The Experience
Musical Foundation Original Tin Pan Alley and vintage New Orleans-influenced compositions alongside timeless standards, all published through Howling Music and performed with the sophisticated musicianship that defined golden-age entertainment. Every song selection honors the multicultural roots—gospel, blues, jazz—that created authentic American popular music, with The Wizard of Whimsy's original compositions serving as the magical centerpiece of each performance.
Theatrical Elements Period-appropriate costumes, choreographed performances, and visual spectacle that creates immersive experiences rather than passive consumption. This is entertainment that elevates through original songcraft rather than pandering to trends.
Audience Participation Breaking the fourth wall through interactive moments that transform spectators into participants in the magic of experiencing new songs rooted in authentic traditions. New Vaudeville creates community through shared experience of original compositions—the way entertainment was meant to bring people together.
Specialty Performers When presenting full "Jay Bragg Presents: New Vaudeville" productions, each show features carefully curated specialty acts—magicians, dancers, fire performers, and variety artists who embody the authentic spirit of American vaudeville traditions, all united by The Wizard of Whimsy's original musical framework.
Why New Vaudeville Matters Now
Cultural Resistance Through Original Joy While algorithms divide us and entertainment follows formulas, New Vaudeville creates spaces for authentic human connection through original compositions that light candles rather than curse darkness. This is sophisticated rebellion—entertainment built on fresh songwriting that respects your intelligence while celebrating the joy of live performance.
Preserving American Heritage Through New Songs Vaudeville was America's first truly integrated entertainment form, where diverse traditions combined to create something uniquely American. New Vaudeville honors that multicultural spirit through original Tin Pan Alley-inspired compositions that preserve traditions while creating new cultural experiences for contemporary audiences.
The Sophistication Gap Solution Nashville has evolved sophisticated dining, cocktail, and accommodation experiences, but entertainment has largely remained stuck in lowest-common-denominator offerings. The Wizard of Whimsy fills this gap through original compositions and variety entertainment that matches the intelligence and cultural sophistication of discerning audiences.
For Venues: Premium entertainment featuring original compositions that elevate your atmosphere and keep sophisticated clientele engaged longer.
For Audiences: Finally, entertainment that doesn't insult your intelligence while delivering genuine joy through fresh songs rooted in authentic American traditions.
The New Vaudeville Experience
Every performance is designed to remind audiences why live entertainment was once considered essential to American culture. Whether intimate Tin Pan Alley crooner set or full variety spectacular, New Vaudeville delivers:
Authentic musicianship rooted in genuine American traditions
Original compositions that create new cultural experiences
Sophisticated presentation that honors both history and contemporary relevance
Interactive elements that create community rather than passive consumption
Cultural education woven seamlessly into entertaining experiences
Premium quality that justifies the investment in live entertainment
Flexible Entertainment Solutions
Intimate Tin Pan Alley Sets Jay Bragg's New Vaudeville scales perfectly for upscale venues seeking sophisticated entertainment featuring original compositions. Solo performances to full jazz ensemble configurations available, all anchored by The Wizard of Whimsy's original songwriting.
Full Variety Show Productions "Jay Bragg Presents: New Vaudeville" delivers complete theatrical experiences featuring original compositions alongside multiple performers, audience interaction, and the full spectacle of revived American variety entertainment.
Holiday Magic "Jay Bragg Presents: Christmas in New Vaudeville" transforms the beloved holiday touring franchise into sophisticated seasonal variety entertainment featuring over 20 original Christmas compositions that have delighted audiences for five years running.
The Vision
New Vaudeville isn't just entertainment—it's proof that American culture can still be exceptional through original composition and authentic artistry. The Wizard of Whimsy creates the last civil gathering spaces in America, where people come together to experience new songs rooted in timeless traditions, where original compositions light candles in dark times, and where sophisticated rebels gather to remember what we're preserving while creating new cultural touchstones.
This is where the misfits become the mainstream, where variety becomes virtue, and where The Wizard of Whimsy works his transformative magic through original Tin Pan Alley compositions that honor the past while creating the future.
Welcome to New Vaudeville. Where wonder lives through original song.