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An update from
Full Circle Theatre Co.
Full
Circle Theatre Company proudly announces the
Off-Broadway
debut of Unaccustomed
to my Name;
a
solo play by Marta Rainer.

The
one-woman play that Wendy
Wasserstein
called “Very exciting,”
and
Garrison Keillor hailed as
“Terrific…so
intricate, so intense, so
intimate,”
is coming home to New
York
after five years of touring.
This
July, Unaccustomed
to my
Name
will be
playing Off-Broadway
at
The Players Theatre at 115
MacDougal
St.
http://fullcircletheatre.com/fullcircletheatre/fullcircletheatre/UTMN.html.
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An update from
Cornelius Jones Jr. of the 2008 MITF production of
FlagBoy...
FlagBoy
comes to Wasington, DC
Friday - 7/10 @ 5:00PM
Saturday - 7/11 @ 10:00PM
Saturday - 7/25 @ 4:45PM
Sunday - 7/26 @ 5:00PM
Warehouse - Next Door
1021 7th St., NW
Wash., DC 20001
Tickets on Sale SOON!
...Cornelius
Jones Jr. delivers a wonderful and humbly honest
solo performance in FlagBoy."
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An update
Lisa Ramirez of the 2008 MITF production of
Exit Cuckoo
Exit
Cuckoo
written
& performed by Lisa Ramirez
directed by Colman Domingo
April 17-May 17, 2009
at the Clurman Theatre (410 W 42nd
St.)
Tickets
only $25!
Buy Online at www.ticketcentral.com
or Call 212.279.4200
For
Special Group Rates of up to 30% off
call Mark or Laura at 212-244-3300
or email mark@theworkingtheater.org
or laura@theworkingtheater.org
Exit Cuckoo is Lisa Ramirez's funny, sad and
satisfyingly complex one-woman show. Ms. Ramirez
brings fresh insight to the picture, smartly
revealing the characters' interwoven fates and
fortunes and distinctive personalities. - Anita
Gates, New York Times
A
sort of one-woman 'Nanny Diaires,' the likable Lisa
Ramirez's solo show about extreme babysitting has
some interesting tricks up its sleeve. Ramirez is
really onto something good. Colman Domingo's smooth
staging keeps the piece moving steadily." - Sam
Thielman, Variety
Under
Colman Domingo's fluid direction, Ramirez is able to
bring each character to credible, encapsulated life.
Exit Cuckoo's depiction of the world of modern-day
Manhattan nannying benefits from the clear ring of
truth. - Patrick Lee, Theatermania.com
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An update from
Lisa Dozier, MITF's Artistic Director for
Plays...
Damon Krometis, the
Artistic Director of Examined Man Theatre, wanted me
to let you know about his new show opening this
month.
Examined Man, the producer of the piece, will be
submitting a one-man show developed last year to
MITF for our 10th Anniversary season.
Examined Man Presents
When in Disgrace
(Haply I Think on Thee)
January 23-February 8,
2009
at the Theater at St.
Clement's
Written and Directed by
Damon Krometis
Featuring Alex Brown,
Brian Cheng, Dan Cullen, Chelsey Donn, Danelle Eliav,
Lauryn Fay Sullivan and Patrick Vaill
Designs by Cesar
Alvarez, Rebecca Bernstein, John Sundling and Paul
Toben
Inspired by a true story and originally developed at
both the Williamstown Theatre Festival Workshop and
the Examined Man Artistic Retreat, When In Disgrace
(Haply I Think on Thee) tells an unbelievable tale
of shattered hope and personal destruction as three
close friends are torn apart by jealousy, neglect,
guilt, and ultimately, love. These forces combine to
drive a young man towards a terrible decision.
Fusing rock music, iambic verse, and video games,
When In Disgrace explores what leads youngsters to
extreme acts of violence, and the eerie similarity
between teenage melodrama and classical drama.
Detailed schedule and
tickets available through
Theatermania. |
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An update from
Clayton Phillips, MITF's Artistic Director for
the Commercial Division...
I have been nominated
for two awards at the New Hampshire Theatre
Awards:
Best Direction of a
Musical for FALSETTOS at Second
Stage in Manchester NH
Best Supporting Actor
in a Play for Nick Bottom in A Midsummer
Night's Dream with Advice to the Players
Also, my productions of
FALSETTOS and BASH were
both nominated for Best Musical.
You can find out more at
official
New Hampshire Theatre Awards web site. |
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An update from
Susan Rankus, MITF's Artistic Director for
International Shows...
Please save the date!
Previous Tenants,
a short film I was a Producer on, returns to NYC as
part of the New Filmmakers' New years Festival! Plus
FREE after party with drink Specials!
Hope to see you there!
New Filmmakers
(corner of 2nd ave and 2nd St)
Jan 2nd @7pm
Admission is only $5
8pm FREE After Party w drink Specials - location TBD
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=38280157503
http://newfilmmakers.com/NewFilmmakers Schedule
0901.htm
http://www.previoustenants.info |
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An update from
Jess Kearney of the 2005 MITF production of
New Words, Old Words...
Exciting News!
Just wanted to let you
know that over the weekend, I received notification
that I won 1st Place in the 2008 Kernodle New Play
Competition for my one-act play, Dinner For
Two.
Many blessings and happy
holidays,
Jesse Kearney |
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An update from
Lisa Ramirez of the 2008 MITF production of
Exit Cuckoo...
coming up in 2009...
Exit Cuckoo
written & performed by
Lisa Ramirez
directed by Colman
Domingo
April 17- May 17, 2009
at The Clurman Theatre
at Theatre Row
410 W 42nd St, New York,
NY 10036
www.exitcuckoo.com
Working Theater is
pleased to present Lisa Ramirez's Exit Cuckoo, to be
produced in association with Eve Ensler and directed
by Colman Domingo April 17-May 17, 2009.
This one-woman show
explores the myth of motherhood in the jungle of
Manhattan.
Lisa Ramirez takes us
into the homes of, and sits us on the park bench
with, nannies, mothers and the children they both
leave and care for. |
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An update from
Daniel Gallant of the 2008 MITF production of
Gerald's Method...
 |
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An update from
Sara J. Asselin of the 2008 MITF production of
By the Light of the Silvery Moon...
My short play,
WEIMARHOLE, is opening soon! It's being
presented by Emerging Artists Theatre as part of the
Fall EATFEST 2008. It's a night of short plays.
WEIMARHOLE is a really funny play about
experimental theater gone horribly, horribly wrong.
Here are the details:
WEIMARHOLE
by Sara Jeanne Asselin
directed by Jonathan Warman
with Deb Armelino*, Moe Bertran*, J. Stephen
Brantley, Vinnie Costa*, Maya Rosewood, Matthew
Shawlin*
WHERE: Roy Arias Theater
Center, 300 W. 43rd Street 5th Floor.
WHEN: Series B: Nov.
6th-16th Thursday and Friday at 7 pm, Saturday at
4:30 pm, Sunday at 7:30 pm
TICKETS: $18, visit
their website at www.eatheatre.org or through
nytheatre.com at this link:
http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/showpage.php?t=eatf7617
I hope to see you there.
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An update from
On the Square Productions of the 2008 MITF production of
Quake...
We hope that you will
join us this coming Wednesday, November 5th at 6pm
at the Bowery Poetry Club for Ingenue: An
Original Musical by Deborah Gross.
Is being the "Ingenue"
really all it's cracked up to be? Come and join our
heroine Valerie Finkel as she faces off with the
evil producer Jiminy Roach to find out!
Directed by Michael
Swartz, Musical Direction by Kristofer Barber,
Produced by Rachel McPhee and Jackie LaVanway,
Book/Music/Lyrics by Deborah Gross
Starring Anna Marquardt,
Ari Rossen, Brian Kalinowski, Deborah Gross, Emily
Tucker, Erika Smith, John Matthew Myers, Katherine
Nellie Brown, Leone Hanman, Maureen Rohn, Monica
Niemi, Nicole Winhoffer, Rachel McPhee, Sarah
Hutchison, Susannah McLeod
Postcard designed by
Duane Tollison
Come and join us for ONE
NIGHT ONLY as we perform Ingenue: An Original
Musical as a concert reading at the Bowery
Poetry Club. It will be Wednesday November 5th at
6pm. The cost is only $10! This will serve as a
fundraiser for On the Square Productions and future
projects. |
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An update from
Jane Dubin of the 2007 MITF production of Take
Me America...
Double Play Connections
and Wild Bird Productions are pleased to announce a
staged reading of a new musical about asylum
Take Me America
“What are you afraid
of?”
Book and Lyrics by Bill
Nabel
Music by Bob Christianson
Follow nine refugees in
their quest for asylum in the US and three
Immigration agents who decide their fate. Do they
stay or do they go? How would YOU decide? Get it
wrong and you might as well sentence them to
death…or worse. Inspired by true stories from the
Sundance and PBS documentary “Well Founded Fear”.
They are stories of life and death; real, sometimes
humorous, but always compelling.
Tuesday, November 11 at
3 pm
The York Theatre
E. 54th St, (Lexington Ave.), NYC
All tickets free but
reservations required -- jlandsman@yorktheatre.org
or 212-935-5824, ext. 24
Check out the
music and more
http://www.TakeMeAmerica.com/
Directed by Susan
Russell
Musical Direction by Amy Duran
With a cast featuring
many Broadway veterans:
Ana Maria Andricain*
(South Pacific, By Jeeves, Beauty and the Beast, Les
Miserables, Marie Christine), Eric Chan* (Flower
Drum Song, Miss Saigon, Shogun, Anything Goes),
Jackie Hoffman* (Xanadu, Hairspray), Aalok Mehta
(Bombay Dreams), Natasha Tabandera* (Miss Saigon,
Mamma Mia, Bombay Dreams) and others to be announced
*These actors
appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association.
Contact us at
TakeMeAmerica@gmail.com |
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An update from Nathan
Lemoine of the 2008 MITF production of
10-Speed Revolution...
International WOW
Company presents
SURRENDER
A simulated war
deployment experience in three acts.
October 25th Thru Nov.
16th, Wed-Sat at 7pm Sun at 4pm, additional
performance on Tuesday November 11th, (Veteran's
Day) at 7pm.
OHIO THEATER
66 WOOSTER ST.
99.5% of all Americans
will not serve in Iraq or Afghanistan.The divide
between soldier and civilian has never been greater
in American history. This is your invitation to get
some first-hand experience. Don't pass it up.
Conceived and directed
by JOSH FOX
with decorated Iraq War veteran and critically
acclaimed author of Just Another Soldier
JASON CHRISTOPHER HARTLEY
and created by
THE INTERNATIONAL WOW ENSEMBLE
Tickets at Smarttix.com
Here's what happens --
When you arrive at the theater we issue you a
standard military uniform:
ACT 1: You train in
basic combat techniques with Jason Christopher
Hartley: a crash course in rifle handling, room
clearing and engaging the enemy.
ACT 2: You are deployed:
you enter a multi-room installation to put your
military training to the test.
ACT 3: You fly home to
experience a soldier's reintegration into society.
International WOW Company's whirlwind hallucination
of homecoming directed by Josh Fox.
Tickets at
SmartTix.com 212-868-4444
We also offer a limited
number of observer seats for $5 more each night.*
SURRENDER is generously
supported by the Rockefeller MAP Fund. Also
supported in part by The New York State Council for
the Arts, The New York City Department of Cultural
Affairs and the Alliance of Resident Theaters, New
York, The Matrix Art Collective,Inc. and many
individual donors.
To support or volunteer
with International WOW Company
info@internationalwow.com
DISCOUNTS:
THE DAY AFTER SPECIAL -- $5 Tix for November 5th
performance. Smarttix code: Ivoted
HALLOWEEN SPECIAL Two for One Tickets
STUDENT TIX: 5 Dollars off with ID
BE AN IRAQI discount! Five dollar tix! Play an Iraqi
insurgent in the installation... First come first
served. Email us at Surrender.usher@GMAIL.COM for
details. |
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An update from Cheryl
Harnest of the 2008 MITF production of
Sacred is the New Profane...
2008 Women at Work
Festival
Sacred is the New
Profane
Winner of the 2008
Midtown International Theatre Festival Award for
Outstanding Overall Production of a Solo Show,
Nominee for Outstanding Performance in a Solo Show
Sunday, October 19th,
8:00pm — In tandem with two Richard Ballon
monologues, Wednesday, October 22nd, 8:00pm — On
it's own
at Stage Left Studio,
438 West 37th St Suite 5A, New York, NY 10018
(Between 9th and 10th avenues)
Tickets available from
SmartTix.com -- 212-868-4444 -- $18.00 tickets,
$15.00 with code: *3OFF*
A portion of the profits
go to the Young Girls Scholarship Program
Information:
stageleftstudio.com |
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An update from
Cornelius Jones Jr. of the 2008 MITF production of
FlagBoy...
FLAGBOY/WILMINGTON,
DE
On Thursday September
18, 2008. Cornelius premiered his one-man show
FlagBoy, at The Christina Cultural Arts Center in
Wilmington, DE, a part of their New Works Series.
Many came out to support and it was the start of a
wonderful movement to continue to discuss issues of
HIV/AIDS and Gay/Lesbian identity issues in
communities of color. There was onsight confidential
HIV testing provided and sponsored by Carlos
Montrera-Hicks from EACH ONE TEACH ONE and Tammy
Jones from THE DELAWARE HIV CONSORTIUM. Following
the performance of FlagBoy was a post show
discussion facilitated by artist/educator Benjamin
S. Cannon. The performance, post-show discussion,
and testing raised much awareness for the Delaware
community. We look forward to continuing to bring
FlagBoy to communities that are open to discussions
that raise awareness around HIV/AIDS, Gay/Lesbian
issues, and identity issues. For more info on how
you can help keep this movement alive, please email
Cornelius at
FlagBoyOnline@gmail.com or
IamLifeJones@gmail.com.
BRAKING THE CYCLE
2008
On Sunday September 28th
Cornelius returned from his 3-day AIDS awareness
Bike Ride from Gettysburg, PA to NYC. The ride is
called Braking The Cycle and it's NYC's Gay and
Lesbian Center's largest annual fundraiser. The
Fundraiser supports the HIV/AIDS services provided
by the LGBT Center. The entire Braking The Cycle
Team raised a total of
$414, 000(and still counting). We are happy to
report that approximatley $3,600 of that was part of
Cornelius's effort, which you all helped him
achieve. THANK YOU!!!
With that being said, and the wonderful experience
received, he's planning to do it all over again next
year. That's right...the 2009 Braking The Cycle AIDS
Ride.
Next year Braking The Cycle travels 275 miles for 3
days from Boston, MA to NYC. He will definitely need
your help and support again. We know the state of
the economy has some of us strapped and worried, but
let's not be a vicitim of that fear. So stay tuned
for his second fundraising quest for Braking The
Cycle 2009 AIDS Ride.
THE FUTURE OF BLACK
GAY NEW YORK CITY!!!
Hot Topic...In your
face...BOLD! This is a panel discussion/Networking
Event not to be missed. I would say one of the first
ever to grace the city of New York. Cornelius serves
as a panelist amongst four special guests. The panel
will be moderated by promoter/educator/life coach
Nathan "Seven" Scott. What is the Future of Black
Gay New York City? What does all this mean?
Come find out... Wednesday October 29 - 6:30PM - THE
CENTER - 208 W. 13th ST - $10
AND
FINALLY....FLAGBOY RETURNS TO NYC IN DECEMBER
FlagBoy, a recent
nominee of the Ninth Annual Midtown International
Theater Festival for Outstanding Performance in a
Solo-Show returns to NYC in December. Please stay
tuned as official dates and times will be posted.
Updates will be released via email and online at
www.corneliusjonesjr.com. |
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An update from
Margaret H. Baker of the 2008 MITF production of
My Life as a Bald Soprano...
Hey Guys,
If you get a chance, come and see me
in Spoon Theater's current Production of "A Kite Cut
Loose In The Middle Of The Sky", a new play by David
Greenberg.
Comps are avail. for Industry &
Equity Members.
Please see link below:
http://theater2.nytimes.com/gst/theater/tdetails.html?id=1194820113824
Margaret H Baker (SAG, AFTRA)
www.margarethbaker.com |
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The
Flea Theater and Northwestern University present
the world premiere of…
Endoftheworld
Lovesong
A new play by Matthew
Stephen Smith
Directed by Jeremy
Bloom (MITF AWARD NOMINEE)
September 9 - 14,
Downstairs @ The Flea
New York, NY (August
14, 2008) – Endoftheworld Lovesong is a timely
groundbreaking new play that eerily takes place NOT
too far in the future. A triple-digit heat wave has
become the norm for an average summer day, the once
Texas-sized collection of plastic in the ocean has
doubled in mass, and the sun looks redder.
It's a quiet Monday morning. In a hopelessly cramped
and secluded construction office tucked below the
sun-scored L.A. streets, June Ballard (Amanda
Duarte, MITF Best Supporting Actress Nominee) is
having another panic attack. On the radio, a crazed
host proclaims the end of civilization. In other
news, the oceans belch plastic waste, wildfires
blaze across the east, the Southland enters its
nineteenth day of record-breaking heat,
unemployment's shamefully high, and somewhere in the
ether, two disembodied voices sing a lonesome
lullaby... Before next Monday, June will fall
helplessly in love, shaking her world to its core.
The play's lyrical tone and emotional urgency focus
on the quiet, anxious toll that our oncoming
ecological crisis takes on the human psyche. Too
uncertain and too much in mourning for panicked
exclamations, the characters at their most desperate
resort to singing invented poem-songs while they
wait and wait, with their jobs, existence and all
humanity at stake.
Performed on the
anniversary of September 11th, Endoftheworld
Lovesong takes a quiet, reflective look at where we
are now (where we feel like we are now), and where
we might be headed (where we already are). As Anna
(played by Raniah Al-Sayed) points out, "every
generation's gotta make its own apocalypse."
The dynamic cast around the office includes: Raniah
Al-Sayed as Anna, Amanda Duarte* as June, Ben Masur*,
and Jeremy Wimmer as Alan, with the radio hosts:
Jimmy Maize as Jay Jay and Chelsea O'Connor as
Trish.
(*appears courtesy of
Actors Equity)
The acclaimed design
team includes lights by Jeanette Yew (Oph3lia), sets
by Stephanie Tucci (MITF Best Scenic Design Award
Nominee for The Wendy Complex), original music by
Andrew Plourde (MIA). Stage managed by Emily Gasser.
Performances:
Tuesday, September
9th, at 7PM
Wednesday, September
10th, at 7PM
Thursday, September
11th, at 9PM
Friday, September
12th, at 9PM
Saturday, September
13th, at 9PM
Sunday, September
14th, at 7PM
Tickets are $15. For
advance reservations, or to set up press or industry
tkts, email:
endoftheworld.lovesong@gmail.com
The Flea Theater is
located in Tribeca, at 41 White St., between
Broadway and Church St., three blocks south of Canal
St. (the closest subway lines are the A, C, and E,
the 6, the N and R, and the Q and W, all of which
stop atCanal Street, as well as the 1, which stops
at Franklin Street.) www.theflea.org
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR
Jeremy Bloom's
favorite directing credits include his original
work, A Mikvah (NYFringe), The Wendy Complex (MITF
Award Nominee for Best Production), and Speaking
Boheme (on a rooftop), as well as Sacred is the New
Profane (MITF Award Nominee for Best Solo Show) and
...and the rain (NYU Grad). Upcoming: Leaves of
Grass. He has served as assistant to Mary Zimmerman
(Metropolitan Opera and elsewhere), Jim Simpson (The
Flea), Lee Breuer (Mabou Mines), and Will Patton on
Dennis Johnson's Des Moines (Evenstar). Jeremy is a
recent alum of Northwestern's Performance Studies
program.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Matthew Stephen Smith
is a proud graduate of Northwestern University
(M.F.A. in Writing for the Stage + Screen) and the
University of Michigan (B.F.A. in Theater
Performance). His recent plays, including Night in
the Land of Gracious Living, Shiver Meek & Mute, and
Daedalus/Myth have been performed through PANOPLY
PLAB, PROSPECT THEATER, and REMY BUMPPO. This past
school year, he taught Northwestern undergraduates
in two introductory screenwriting courses. He is now
at work on his new play; 7 Ways to Mourn the Dead.
ABOUT THE FLEA
The Flea Theater, under Artistic Director Jim
Simpson and Producing Director Carol Ostrow, is one
of New York's leading Off-Off-Broadway companies.
Founded in 1996, The Flea's mission is to raise the
standards of Off-Off-Broadway for artists and
audiences alike. From A.R. Gurney to Adam Rapp, from
Mac Wellman to Will Eno, The Flea's two intimate
spaces are a home for established artists taking new
risks, emerging artists developing their ideas, and
mid-career artists building sustained identities.
The Flea has been awarded a Drama Desk, an Otto, and
numerous OBIEs for its commitment to adventurous
theater. Past productions include the premieres of
Anne Nelson's The Guys, four plays by A.R. Gurney
(Post Mortem, O Jerusalem, Screenplay, and Mrs.
Farnsworth), Mac Wellman's Cellophane and Two
September, Roger Rosenblatt's Ashley Montana Goes
Ashore..., Elizabeth Swados' JABU, Karen Finley's
Return of the Chocolate Smeared Woman, Yussef El
Guindi's Back of the Throat, Julian Sheppard's Los
Angeles, Adam Rapp's Bingo with the Indians and Will
Eno's Oh, The Humanity.. To learn more about The
Flea, visit
www.theflea.org. |
|
You
are cordially invited to attend the staged reading
of my play "Love and War - A Political Love Story."
For more information
click here. Thank you -- Phillip W. Weiss |
|
2 more
showings of A NASTY STORY
Thursday August 21st @ 10:15pm
Friday August 22nd @ 8pm
Presented as part of the 2008 New York Int'l Fringe
Festival--FringeNYC
a Fine Feathered Friends production
"A Nasty Story"
Written by Sara Jeane Asselin
Directed by Melissa Firlit
Stage Managed by Sarah Ford
Asst. Stage Managed by Annie Ford
Featuring: Sara Jeane Asselin*, Brian Belcinski,
Danaher Dempsey, John
Forkner, Keith Foster*, Abe Goldfarb*, Tim McDonough
and Sammy Tunis
*AEA member, Equity approved showcase
The Connelly Theater
220 E. 4th Street (between Avenues A and B)
(subway: F,V to 2nd Ave.)
TICKETS: $15, wwwfringenyc.org, or 866-468-7619 |
|

Musical "Take Me America" Tested in Chicago --
Playbill Online -- August 15, 2008
Theatre
Building Chicago - STAGES 2008:
"Take
Me America" |

Webeime
runs through May 4 at the
Harlem School of the
Arts
645 St. Nicholas Ave. (at West 141st St.)
(212) 279-4200
Read the NY Times Review
Buy Tickets Online |
|
INVISIBLE LLC
presents
WARNING
SIGNS
Created and performed by Maggie Surovell
Costume design by Sarah Sophia Turner
A NEW
YORK MAGAZINE Top Pick from the Midtown
International Theater Festival of July 2006
An original,
coming-of-age story about a Jewish / Socialist /
Vegetarian / Feminist and her extremely big
hair. Growing up in a politically left-wing
household in Maplewood, NJ, wasn't always easy for
Maggie. With a left-wing father, feminist mother,
radical scrabble loving grandmother and an
insightful dog who happens to be her best friend,
Maggie is forced to face the painful realities of
unrequited love, bullies, death, racism, war,
vegetarian haters and her extremely big hair.
"Surovell's a solo
act in life and a one-of-a-kind on stage. When she
speaks, every moment is a surprise... This is not
just stand up ... Surovell addresses the issues --
desires, impulses, moments, and events that have
collectively shaped this woman who is an American.
Who is a citizen of the world." -- Kevin Connell,
nytheatre.com Maggie has
performed WARNING SIGNS at numerous venues
including: Cherry Lane Theatre's CHERRY PIT LATE NITE, Chashama, The Midtown International
Theatre Festival, Stage Left Studios, MadLab Theatre
Company, ATHICA, and Camp Kinderland.
The Sanford Meisner
Theatre
164 11th Ave (between 22nd and 23rd
Streets)
Friday April 4th
& Saturday April 5th @
10pm
Monday April 7th & Tuesday April 8th @ 8:30pm
Wednesday April
9th @ 7:30 PM
Cash Only @ The Door:
$18 General and $12 Students/Seniors/Starving
Artists
Reserve Tickets:
wsigns@gmail.com
DIRECTIONS: Subway:
C, E to 23rd Street; Bus: M23 to 23rd and 11th |
Twist
--
The
New Hit Musical Drama
Los Angeles
Is Talking About!
Brandon
Ruckdashel,
Chris Carlisle,
and the other boys
in the
Los Angeles
Production
at the Avery Schreiber Theater
Dickens
scholars and workhouse tyrants have long appreciated
the masochistic element underlying the iconic
orphan's plaintive "Please, sir, I want some more."
But why settle for subtext? It's a question asked
and answered (repeatedly) in the tune-lashed saga of
Oliver, here transformed from underage boy into "an
attractive youth of indeterminate (but legal) age,"
convincingly portrayed by Brandon Ruckdashel.
The
concept behind Twist is good, dirty, campy
fun. You get the feeling that someone got the idea
for it when noticing that Oliver Twists' famous
"Please sir, can I have some more?" sounds
suspiciously like something a masochist might say
during a beating session.... But the core - the sad
youth who says "It's what I know" - is never too far
from the surface of this Oliver. Brandon
Ruckdashel plays him (here called Twist)
with a simple earnest innocence. Even though the
sort of thing that makes his face light up with joy
isn't what most would call "innocent."
Ruckdashel's Twist is basically just
looking for a place where he can feel safe. And
putting that sort of heart into the piece, from
beginning to end, grounds the entire production.
From
the poignant "Bound and Tied," sung beautifully by
Ruckdashel , to the Artful Dodger's
infectious "Sucker" ("fill up my mouth and I'll be a
sucker for you"), to the rousing Act 1 finale "You
Can't Choose Your Family," this is one of the best
original scores I've heard in a long time. (There's
also the Abba-esque "Clothing Makes the Man" and the
touching "Reflection," a gorgeous love song for
Twist and Dodger, among other winners.)
Director Storiale spent several months casting
Twist, and it shows in the musical theater talent he
has assembled. The title role was the hardest to
fill until, at the end of several months of
searching, Ruckdashel arrived from
New York and
blew the competition away. Looking and singing like
an angel (with a naughty gleam in his eye),
Ruckdashel is, as they say, "a find."
Contact: Barney
Oldfield Management
New York: 143 E 97 Street Ste 3W,
New York, NY 10029 --
212-410-9404
Los Angeles:
6404 Wilshire Blvd Ste 105-1901, Los Angeles, CA
90048 -- 213-840-6224,
Fax
213-477-2004
barney@barneyoldfield.com |

"Be
Yourself As Well As Art" Interview
Friday,
October 19th, 2007 at midnight, Emily
Moment and Brendan Ryan from Sons
of Molly Maguire, and John Kearns
appeared on the cable access show,
"Be
Yourself As Well As Art" on Manhattan's
channel 34. Emily and Brendan performed a
scene from the play that takes place in a dive
bar with some comical background goings on.
John talked a little about the play and about
his new book of short stories,
Dreams and Dull Realities. The show was
also seen outside of
Manhattan over the internet at
http://mnn.org/en/viewers/watchmnn by
clicking the link next to Channel 34.
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KadmusArts
Interview of Susan Rankus
Artistic Director for
International shows at the
Midtown International Theatre
Festival, Susan is also an actor
and was awarded the 2001/2002
Dorothy Haas Acting
Apprenticeship at the Walnut
Street Theatre. She produced and
performed Renaissance
at the 2007 Midtown festival,
and will be producing and
starring in a film titled
Previous Tenants. In this
podcast, Susan talks about the
process of attracting and
facilitating non-US. companies’
participation in the festival,
and why keeping things simple is
a good strategy.
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