Chris Wells and Jeremy Bass: Story Songs
Story Songs offers an evening of theatrical, wild, and deeply narrative-driven music. Having written songs and collaborated across genres for more than 20 years, singer Chris Wells and guitarist Jeremy Bass draw from their extensive back-catalog alongside brand-new original compositions. The result is a performance that ranges from hilarious and bawdy to tender and outrageous, exploring subjects that include vivid NYC character studies, one-night stands, a harrowing run-in with an old friend, and the nostalgic first night of summer camp.
The production comes to the Hudson Valley directly following a series of celebrated, sold-out performances at Pangea in New York City’s East Village, where the duo holds a semi-regular residency. Critics have highly praised the duo’s creative partnership:
- “A bit of razzle dazzle to chase away the gloom.” – The New York Times
- “Orson Welles telling David Sedaris stories in a Taylor Mac Show.” – American Theater Magazine
- “Hilarious and heartwarming.” – Broadway World
- “Best of Off Off Broadway Theater in NYC.” – Time Out NY
Wells and Bass are also the minds behind the 2005 cult-hit musical Olsen Terror and serve as the driving forces behind the renowned downtown art sanctuary and “artchurch,” The Secret City, which they founded in 2007.
About the Artists:
- CHRIS WELLS is an Obie Award-winning performer, writer, teacher, and arts activist who creates theater, community celebrations, music, and literature. He is the founder and producing artistic director of The Secret City. A resident of Woodstock, NY, where he lives with his husband, painter Robert Lucy, Wells has also recently completed his debut novel, Je Suis Fatty Gay.
- JEREMY BASS is an accomplished guitarist, songwriter, and poet based in Woodstock, NY. His poems and compositions have earned prestigious accolades, including the John Lennon Award for Best Jazz Song and the UK Songwriting Contest Mozart Award. Bass has served as the Music Director and bandleader for The Secret City since 2006. His latest studio album, Cabin Songs, was released in March 2026 under Adhyâropa Records.
$30 Byrdcliffe members
$35 Not-yet-members