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Picture Louis C.K. as a musician, or Curb Your Enthusiasm with a younger Larry David. Mix in a hefty dollop of Philly atty-tood, and the result is DK The Gig, a new show that debuted on YouTube at the end of February. Written, produced and starring Narberth’s Darren Keith, the show follows the quasi-fictional DK, a 40-something lead singer and guitarist for a local band. The opening line of the show is the request that makes all cover bands groan. “Can you play ‘Margaritaville’?”
DK answers with an epithet, but complies. It’s the restaurant manager’s request for “Happy Birthday” that sends him round the bend. DK tries to refuse, taking a stand for his artistic principles. But he’s between a rock and … nowhere. The gig in the title is the only one DK can get. “He’s burned all of his bridges,” says Keith, describing his character. “This is the only place that will tolerate him.”
After more than three years of hard work, Keith assembled his cast and crew for a grueling 16-hour shoot at Smokin’ John’s Barbeque in Manayunk. DK’s long-suffering band mates are played by real-life musicians Pete Donnelly, of the Figgs, and Fred Berman, who’s played with Amos Lee. Matt Levin, formerly of Lacroix and Adsum, makes a cameo as the rightfully annoyed chef. The end result is the hilarious nine-minute video Keith released as a pilot for the show.
Keith’s next goal is to create eight episodes, each four-eight minutes long. In April, he’ll start a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to film them. Ultimately, Keith wants the series to find a home on Crackle, Hulu, Comedy Central, FX or HBO.
Watch DK The Gig here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDZsER05qtc
