The words "lounge act" and "economic malaise" don't seem to fit together, except in Ethan Lipton's world. The Brooklyn-based performer, who routinely makes New York-area "best of" lists, mixes a hilariously mournful monologue with a jazzy soundtrack. The latter is courtesy of his "orchestra," i.e., guitarist Eben Levy, upright bass player Ian Riggs and saxophonist Vito Dieterle. Then again, sometimes they indulge in country-western.

Clad in a budget suit and tie and alternating between an Everyman speaking voice and gravelly croon, Lipton personalizes, and skewers, the grim economic times with a story about how his company is relocating ... to Mars.

Way to lose a day job.

Lipton and co. will perform their "lounge act musical" No Place to Go this Friday at the Hopkins Center, and at two locations in Vermont in September. The piece was commissioned by New York's Public Theater and originally performed at Joe's Pub; a video preview of this and other songs can be seen on Vimeo. 

A New York Times rave about No Place said Lipton is "expert at keeping music, jokes and personal narrative tightly knitted together into one consistent human package." We're looking forward to hearing his ode to Martian tax incentives, not to mention the song "Shit Storm Comin'." 

Ethan Lipton + His Orchestra perform Friday, June 19, 7 and 9:30 p.m., at the Moore Theater, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, Hanover, N.H. $25/10. Info, 603-646-2422.

The group will also perform September 26 and 27 at the FlynnSpace in Burlington and September 28 at Marlboro College.