Green Room On Air

ABOUT AfroSolo Theatre Company https://afrosolo.org AfroSolo Theatre Company's mission is to nurture, promote and present African American and African Diasporan art and culture through solo performances and the visual and literary arts. Since 1994, we have presented the annual AfroSolo Arts Festival, a forum for African Americans and the larger African Diaspora as a way to give voice to the unique experience of being Black. Through art, we bring people of all ethnicities together to explore and share the human spirit that binds us all. AfroSolo Arts Festival is made possible through the support of the CA Arts Council, Grants for the Arts, Dream Keeper Initiative, Kenneth Rainin Foundation, SF Arts Commission, and The Friends of AfroSolo, AfroSolo's collaborative partners include AATAIN, Cultural Odyssey, Intersection for the Arts, Play Ground Theatre, The African American Art and Culture Complex, The Flow Fund, The Dr. George W. Davis Senior Center and the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival. AFROSOLO'S HISTORY AND MISSION: https://afrosolo.org/march2025 AfroSolo Theatre Company presents… AfroSolo ARTS FESTIVAL 31 - LET FREEDOM RING! PART 2 WHEN: Fri. March 28, 2025 – 7:00 pm Sat. March 29, 2025 – 7:00 pm Sun. March 30, 2025 – 3:00 pm WHERE: Potrero Stage* 1695 18th St. (at Arkansas St.), San Francisco, CA 94107 WHO: Performers Include: Douglass Haynes - vocalist Augustene Phillips - writer Libah Sheppard - writer Thomas Robert Simpson - writer Hugh Leeman – filmmaker Dr. Carl Blake (piano for Douglass Haynes) TICKETS: https://tickets.playground-sf.org/The... General Admission Seating. $0 - $35, pay what you can. No one turned away due to lack of funds. In Person & Live Streaming options available. WEB SITE: https://afrosolo.org FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?... INSTAGRAM:   / afrosolotheatrecompany   FOR INFORMATION VISIT: https://afrosolo.org or call 415-771-2376 _____________________ Thomas Robert Simpson, actor, director, producer, and writer, is the founder and artistic director of AfroSolo Arts Festival. Since 1991 he has concentrated on presenting African American and African Diasporan art and culture through solo performances and the visual and literary arts. For the past 17 years Mr. Simpson has produced the award-winning and critically acclaimed AfroSolo Arts Festival in SF, presenting over seventy-five artists. He has also showcased celebrity artists such as award-winning actor Ruby Dee, comedian and political activist Dick Gregory, beloved teacher, poet and social activist June Jordan, sensational black gospel singer Emmit Powell, and many others. In 2006 Mr. Simpson won a coveted Bay Area Jefferson Award for Public Service. In 2009 he was awarded a prestigious Certificate of Honor from the SF Board of Supervisor, as well as award from SF AIDS Foundation's Black Brothers Esteem Program, The Reggie Williams Achievement Award and the Oakland Supper Club for his contributions to our community.

Hey there! Welcome back to Green Room On Air with your host, Ray Vernotti. It's been a crazy time, folks! I caught COVID again, got over it, but the insomnia was a kicker. Anyway, I'm here and thrilled to have the amazing Abigail Munn back on the show!

Hey there!

From Broadway to classics, on stage and in concert, Lisa Vroman has established herself as one of America's most versatile voices. She starred on Broadway, LA and SF as Christine Daaé in The Phantom of the Opera and garnered theater critics' awards for her portrayal. Her Broadway debut was in Aspects of Love and she was the first to play both Fantine and Cosette in Les Misérables. She has starred in major productions as Marian Paroo in The Music Man, Lili Vanessi in Kiss Me Kate, Birdie in Regina, Josephine in HMS Pinafore, Anna 1 in The Seven Deadly Sins, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Laurey in Oklahoma, Anna Leonowens in The King and I, Mary Turner in Of Thee I Sing and Rosabella in The Most Happy Fella. Lisa appeared on PBS as Johanna in the Emmy Award winning production of Sweeney Todd and was featured in the London Royal Gala, Hey! Mr. Producer. She has played, sang and danced opposite Dick Van Dyke as Mary Poppins at the Hollywood Bowl Disney's 75th, and played the role of Maria Callas in Terence McNally's award-winning play, Master Class. Lisa is a frequent guest with symphonies including SF, Nashville, Philadelphia, Dallas, Utah, St. Louis, Houston, Pacific, Atlanta, Hong Kong, Cleveland, National, Florida, Cleveland, BBC Concert Orchestra, Boston Pops, Philly Pops, and the NY Pops. She is a graduate of the Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam (BM, Hon. Dr. of Music, Minerva Award), Carnegie-Mellon University (MFA), and is a George London Competition winner. Lisa has become an active mentor and sought-after clinician with many colleges and universities across the country and around the world. She has acted as a judge in both the Lotte Lenya Competition for the Kurt Weill Foundation and UCLA's Walter Jurmann Competition, and regularly performs Weill's music with symphonies throughout the country. Recent performances have included symphony concerts celebrating the music of George Gershwin, and her 2024 Bistro Award-winning cabaret, “Ingénue…Ingé-not-so-new!”, in NY. www.lisavroman.com Lisa also gave us the scoop on the upcoming "Broadway and Beyond" benefit for the Richmond/Ermet Aid Foundation. It's happening on July 14th at the Marines Memorial Theater, and it's set to be a night filled with incredible talent and heartwarming performances, all for a good cause. Trust me, you won't want to miss this intimate look into Lisa's world and the wonderful community she's part of. Head over to reef-sf.org for more details on the event. Let's support the arts together! Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Hey folks, how you doing? Thanks for stopping by. You have reached Green Room On Air and I am your host, Ray Renati. It's a beautiful day today here in the South Bay. Sun shining, birds chirping, and I'm a happy camper. Hope you are too. Guess what? We have a great guest today. Her name is Valina Brown and she is a company member of the San Francisco Mime Troupe. She's an actor there, a singer, and has been a collaborator since 1992. She's won all kinds of awards and has acted in several of the San Francisco Mime Troupe's plays over the years. She's also performed at ACT, Berkeley Rep, Cal Shakes, and all the big professional theaters here in San Francisco. We're privileged to talk to her today about her life as an actor and the San Francisco Mime Troupe's upcoming show American Dreams, which will be playing this summer all over the Bay Area.  We chat about everything from the true meaning behind the term "mime" as used by the San Francisco Mime Troupe, to Valina's personal journey in the theater world. We also dive into the exciting new production American Dreams and what it explores. You don't want to miss this delightful conversation!

Abigail Munn – Circus Bella Artistic and Executive Director  (Interview begins at the 5:53 mark) Since its inception, Abigail Munn has been directing, creating, and producing new work for Circus Bella. Along with the more conventional duties she has also served as the company's truck driver, catering service and laundress. An accomplished dancer, choreographer, and aerialist, Munn holds a BFA in Modern Dance from UC Santa Barbara. As a child, born and raised in SF, she appeared with the Pickle Family Circus, and with Zoppe Italian Family Circus, Lone Star Circus, the Moisture Festival, the New Pickle Circus, Cabaret Verdelet, Circus Cabaret, Tease-O-Rama, Va Voom Room, and The Velvet Hammer Burlesque. Munn was commended in the NY Times for her performance in Alma Esperanza Cunningham's Princess. Munn co-directed the nouveau-vaudeville troupe Kitty Bang, an internationally recognized three-time “Best of the Bay” winner that is influential in the modern Burlesque resurgence. Over the past few years Abigail has become increasingly involved in advocacy work for the Circus Arts. When transitioning Circus Bella performers to Employees, she became aware that the current workers compensation rates and policy descriptions in California were way out of step with the current reality of the Circus Industry. Munn embarked on a one-woman quest to help change this and after initiating a study from the Workers Comp Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), rates were significant lowered (by 80%) for ALL Circus Companies in CA. In addition, she is a founding member and on the board of the American Circus Alliance. https://www.circusbella.org/

FOREVER PLAID Written by Stuart Ross Musical Continuity, Supervision, and Arrangements by James Raitt Director/Music Director Daniel Thomas Assoc. Music Director Tim Fletcher Choreographer Brittney Monroe April 18-May 5, 2024 Gateway Theatre, San Francisco FOREVER PLAID is a deliciously fun revue is chock-full of classic four-part harmonies and pitch-perfect melodies! Once upon a time, there were four guys (Sparky, Smudge, Jinx and Frankie) who discovered that they shared a love for music and then got together to become their idols – The Four Freshman, The Hi-Lo's and The Crew Cuts. Rehearsing in the basement of Smudge's family's plumbing supply company, they became “FOREVER PLAID”. On the way to their first big gig, the “Plaids” are broadsided by a school bus and killed instantly. It is at the moment when their careers and lives end that the story of FOREVER PLAID begins… Singing in close harmony, squabbling boyishly over the smallest intonations and executing their charmingly outlandish choreography with overzealous precision, the “Plaids” are a guaranteed smash, with a program of beloved songs and delightful patter that will keep you laughing when you're not humming along to some of the greatest pop hits of the 1950s. The hit parade of songs includes “Three Coins in the Fountain,” “Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing,” “16 Tons,” “Rags to Riches” and many more favorites!

FEB. 9 - MAR. 3, 2024 Directed by Austin Edgington The Pear Theatre www.thepear.org For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birthday by Sarah Ruhl When Ann thinks of her father, she immediately remembers playing Peter Pan in her hometown theater in Iowa, and the flowers he delivered after her performance. Her memory is jogged by the fact that she and her four siblings are in their father's hospital room during his final moments. His death sparks a conversational wake that includes everything from arguments over politics to when each sibling realized that they grew up. A loving look at a family's view of death, life and the allure of never growing up. “A work that is equal parts dark and light, recalling the ebullient excitement of youth, but also confronting the hard fact of mortality… Ruhl's imagination is among the most adventurous at play today in the theater.” – The New York Times

Check out the amazing YouTube Channel called Soft White Underbelly where Mark Laita, a renowned photographer, has found a new calling in interviewing the hidden people of society. Be careful, though, because once you start watching you may not be able to stop. In 2021visited the surreal Immersive Van Gogh Experience in San Francisco. This is not to be missed. If you have any interest in art and music, this display will give you a free LSD trip and leave you healthy enough to drive home. It's not to be missed! ___________________________________________________________________ Music by Carly Ozard: carlyozard.com Closing Song - Angel from Montgomery sung by Ray Renati Green Room on Air Web Site: raysgreenroom.com Please take a little time and rate my podcast on Itunes - http://bit.ly/GreenRoomOnAir Contact Ray: GreenRoomOnAir@gmail.com

Let's take an extraordinary journey together discovering the hit senastion of the Toasters and Moose Christmas video! Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/  

From the New York Times: "Sondheim was a titan of musical theater. But four recent shows onstage in New York argue for his place among classical music luminaries, too." Today we take a look at the genius of Stephen Sondheim and how he fits into the world of classical American music. But first I give you two huge thumbs up for a TV show I recently discovered. Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Step into the captivating world of radio as we sit down with the legendary radio personality, Alex Bennett. From his early days on the airwaves to becoming a trailblazer in the industry, Alex has a wealth of stories and insights to share. Join us in this exclusive podcast interview as we delve into the highs, the lows, and the untold tales of a radio icon. Get ready for a journey through the waves of entertainment with the one and only, Alex Bennett! Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Closing Music by Carly Ozard

My guest today is Aidan Park. Aidan is a nationally recognized stand-up comedian headliner, working actor, published author, certified life coach, public speaker, certified master level practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and creator of the wellness brand, The Art of Being Yay! Aidan is known for having survived seemingly insurmountable challenges in his personal life. Yet, through it all, he reached notable success. He overcame being an undocumented immigrant living in poverty, an HIV diagnosis when he was a teen, a widow later in life, and mental health issues.  In his new book, The Art of Being Yay!, comedian and happiness expert Aidan Park provides tools for authentic joy and empowerment sharing scandalous juicy stories from his past that "out drama" a Lifetime TV movie with tales of infidelity, death, scandal, heartache, love, friendships and betrayals!   In The Art of Being Yay! discover: -The science of happiness and how to use them to your advantage -How to manage destructive negative emotions -How to create new thought patterns for lasting mental and behavioral change -Practical tools for empowering yourself for the life that you want -How an undocumented immigrant in poverty that was once a Craigslist "erotic services provider" became a happiness expert people pay lots of money to get advice from! https://www.aidanpark.com/ Amazon link - https://amzn.to/38z1jRF __________________________ rayrenati.com greenroomonair.com facebook.com/raysgreenroom

Since its inception, Abigail has been directing, creating and producing new work for Circus Bella. Along with the more conventional duties she has also served as the company's truck driver, catering service and laundress. An accomplished dancer, choreographer, and aerialist, Munn holds a BFA in Modern Dance from UC Santa Barbara. As a child, who was born and raised in SF, she appeared with the Pickle Family Circus, and later with Zoppe Italian Family Circus, Lone Star Circus, the Moisture Festival, the New Pickle Circus, Cabaret Verdelet, Circus Cabaret, Tease-O-Rama, Va Voom Room, and The Velvet Hammer Burlesque. Munn was commended in the New York Times for her performance in Alma Esperanza Cunningham's Princess. Munn co-directed the nouveau-vaudeville troupe Kitty Bang, an internationally recognized three-time “Best of the Bay” winner that is influential in the modern Burlesque resurgence. Over the past few years Abigail has become increasingly involved in advocacy work for the Circus Arts. When transitioning Circus Bella performers to Employees, she became aware that the current workers compensation rates and policy descriptions in California were way out of step with the current reality of the Circus Industry. Munn embarked on a one woman quest to help change this and after initiating a study from the Workers Comp Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), rates were significantly lowered (by 80%) for ALL Circus Companies in California. In addition, she is a founding member and on the board of the American Circus Alliance. abigailmunn.com KALEIDOSCOPE A Winter Big Top Spectacular December 15 - 31, 2023 The Crossing at East Cut Howard St. and Beale St, San Francisco From the moment you arrive, let us transport you to a delightful world of magic and splendor…  Performed in the round in a 350-seat Circus Tent, the beauty of “Kaleidoscope” is the intimacy and immediacy of the one-ring circus. A diverse cast of 12 perform thrilling feats of balance and strength, demonstrations of grace and poise, outrageous humor, and slapstick antics. Original music is performed live by our beloved 6-piece Circus Bella All-Star Band. Let yourself be dazzled and join in the celebration.  “Kaleidoscope” is the perfect show for families and children of all ages, looking for a joyous holiday event that will stay with you all season long and beyond!  Our big top Circus Tent is located at the intersection of Main and Howard Streets, at the Crossing at the East Cut in Downtown San Francisco.  The show runs 90 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. Now, more than ever, we all need more moments to sit down with each other, all together, to celebrate, reflect, and LAUGH! Tickets for  the Circus -Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/  

Just some Friday musings about Long Covid, Luigi the Singing Janitor, and Old Age.  Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Closing Music by Carly Ozard

We welcome Dori Engel. Dori Engel is an Actor and Theatre Director, based in Tel Aviv, Israel. BA in Theatre and Acting from Tel-Aviv University, Graduated with distinction, 2004. Graduate of the course Acting Shakespeare in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, 2009. Played in several theatres in Israel, among them Haifa Municipal Theatre and the Yiddish National Theatre. Among his main roles: Hamlet (title role), Raskolnikov in Crime and Punishment, Vladimir in Waiting for Godot and David in Love and Money. Dori started directing in 2010, aiming for international collaborations. His show Youth & Will, including artists from different countries, participated in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2011. He focuses on adaptations of classical texts, as his version of Kafka's The Trial and the opera The Lesson by composer Israel Sharon, based on Ionesco's play. Dori is highly involved in producing independent artistic projects, which focus on cross-cultural dialogue as means to create understanding and mutual learning. Among his recent directing works is a production of Romeo & Juliet in Hebrew and Arabic – a unique collaboration of Palestinian and Israeli artists, in a piece of political theatre.   Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Closing Music by Carly Ozard

Acknowledging the disaster in the Middle East. "The scripts are smart and the supporting players brilliantly cast. Expect plenty of penises but no smut."  - Sydney Morning Herald So true. This show is fun and it's accurate. It boldly dives into the word of the late 60s and 70s and the struggle between feminism and eroticism that was so prevelent at the time.  Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Closing Music by Carly Ozard

The newly established Broadwest Entertainment has announced programming for their inaugural 2023—2024 season. Led by Artistic Director Pablo Rossil, the new Los Angeles-based production collective will stage four productions featuring some Broadway and Hollywood favorites, all in California. Next, Harmonies on Shakespeare: A Choral Celebration will present Shakespeare's prose in original choral renditions written by Michael Sobie, set to a 16-piece choir. Two performances will be held on November 18 at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga. Kicking off the new year January 5, 2024 will be The Best of Evan and Zane, a musical duo comprised of Evan Rachel Wood and Zane Carney. Alongside a 30-piece orchestra, they will bring their greatest arrangements to the Alex Theatre in Glendale for one night only. Next, City on Fire: A Rockin' Broadway Revue will bring a rock twist on Broadway classics to the West Coast, featuring an electrifying band and guest vocalists, to be announced at a later date. Two performances will be held February 29 at Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood. Click Here for Tickets and More Information. Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Today we bring you NATHALIE LERMITTEE who is starring it PIAF! The Show. With more than 600 performances in over 50 countries, and a million tickets sold, PIAF! The Show is the biggest French success in the world since 2015!  Conceived and directed by Gil Marsalla, PIAF! The Show is unanimously considered by Edith Piaf's close friends, such as Ginou Richer, Edith Piaf's private secretary, Germaine Ricord, her friend, and above all Charles Dumont and Charles Aznavour, as: "...the most beautiful tribute ever produced on Edith Piaf's career...". In 2017, the ultimate consecration, Piaf! Le Spectacle was sold out at Carnegie Hall in New York and at the Olympia in Paris with the exceptional participation of Mr. Charles Dumont. In two 45 minute parts, PIAF! The Show tells the story of the career of the singer EDITH PIAF through her unforgettable songs in an original scenography with projections of images of Edith Piaf previously unpublished. CALENDAR LISTINGS WHAT: Gil Marsalla & Directo Productions (France) present… PIAF! The Show Starring French Sensation Nathalie Lermitte Conceived and Directed by Gil Marsalla WHEN: Mon. Nov. 6, 2023 - 7:30 pm - One Night Only! WHERE: Herbst Theater - 401 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco 94102 TICKETS: https://www.cityboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=2923 Reserved Seating. (Tix: $45 - $65). INFO: 415-392-4400 or https://patrimoinemusicalfrancais.fr/en/piaf-the-show/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/piaftheshow/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/piaftheshow/ PIAF - direct WEB SITE: https://patrimoinemusicalfrancais.fr/en/piaf-the-show/ TIX LINK: https://www.cityboxoffice.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=2923 TRAILER: (1:07) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uskAmfipl3A Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Rag goes to Colorado to audition for "Mousetrap". Get's Covid on the trip.  Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Encore Episode. Gary Stanford Jr. talks about his advocacy in the world of diversity in the theatre. Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

In this powerful and eye-opening feature film, "Gift of Fear", Native American filmmaker Jack Kohler sheds light on the chilling reality of human trafficking that plagues not only our society but specifically affects Native American communities. Join us as we delve into the untold stories of countless young girls who have fallen victim to this heinous crime. With years of experience in the film industry, Kohler takes us on a heart-wrenching journey that explores the vulnerabilities and struggles faced by these young Native American females. His passion for telling their stories through the medium of film and theatre is evident as he exposes the harsh realities of human trafficking. This feature film is a must-watch for anyone seeking to understand the magnitude of this issue and the urgent need for greater awareness and action. Kohler skillfully weaves together powerful storytelling and thought-provoking visuals to create a compelling narrative that will leave you shocked and determined to make a difference. By shining a light on the dark underbelly of human trafficking, this film serves as a wake-up call for society to address the systemic issues that perpetuate this heartbreaking cycle. Join us on this journey as we explore the depths of this crime and strive to make a change. Don't miss out on this captivating and crucial film that highlights the resilience and strength of these young girls. Let's come together to support Kohler's mission to raise awareness and put an end to human trafficking. Jack's film, Gift of Fear will show on September 10th at 7 pm at the Raven Performing Arts Theater. Jack has also directed a staged reading of play by Neva Hutchinson- "Absence" - which shows on September 11th at 7 pm at the Raven as well. Raven Performing Arts Theater https://www.raventheater.org/ 115 North Street, Healdsburg, CA 85448 Telephone: 707-433-6335 Email: info@raventheater.org #humantrafficking #nativeAmerican #female #JackKohler #girls #film #theatre #featurefilm Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Paul Reubens, our beloved PeeWee Herman has passed R.I.P. "The Deepest Breath" is a Netflix documentary that tells the story of two free divers, a champion trying to break world records and a beloved safety diver who helps her train. The sport of free diving is dangerous, and some of the most famous dive sites are considered deadlier than Mount Everest. ------------------------------------- Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Two icons have passed: Tony Bennett and Sinaed O'Connor. San Francisco theatre is hurting since the Covid crisis. ontact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

The SAG/AFTRA strike is on. What does it mean for actors? What does it mean for our society? ------------------------------------- Closing Music by Carly Ozard Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Today, we'll examine how the audition process has transitioned from in-person sessions to self-tapes in the post-COVID world. Additionally, we'll provide a brief overview of "The Righteous Gemstones," a show featuring John Goodman and the exceptionally funny Edi Patterson.
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Closing Music by Carly Ozard
Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes)
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Please welcome Michael Gene Sullivan, an actor, writer, director, blogger, and teacher committed to developing theatre of social and economic justice, of political self-determination, and musical comedy. Michael is also an alum of the nationally-acclaimed Playwright's Foundation, a Djerassi Center Artist Fellow, and in 2022 was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship. An accomplished veteran of Bay Area theater, Michael is also a Collective Member and Resident Director of the Tony and OBIE award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe where he has written, acted in, and/or directed over thirty plays. As a playwright Michael's work has appeared across the United States as well as in Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, The Netherlands, Argentina, Australia, the United Kingdom, Columbia, Hong Kong, Canada, China and Ukraine. He is also the writer of the new musical “BREAKDOWN” which will be performed by the Tony Award-Winning San Francisco Mime Troupe from July 1 - Sept. 4 2023 at various locations. (Interview Begins in Segment 2 at the 6:14 mark). Info and Tickets to "BREAKDOWN" with the San Francisco Mime Troupe. https://www.sfmt.org/ ------------------------------------- Closing Music by Carly Ozard Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

Join us in this episode as we sit down with Sara Toby Moore, a queer nonbinary San Francisco-based clown, actor, drag artist, director, and filmmaker. With over 35 years of experience, Sara has pushed the boundaries of performance art, combining elements of queer theatre, physical theatre, and circus arts. We delve into their fascinating career, their groundbreaking work with Thrillride Mechanics LLC, the world's first clown opera company, and their upcoming show, "Atomic Comic: A Human Cartoon Fantasia," premiering at Z Space. Don't miss this chance to hear from a true visionary in the field of clowning and restorative theatre. (Interview Begins in Segment 2 at the 4:30 mark). The World Premiere of ATOMIC COMIC A Human Cartoon Fantasia Written by and Starring Sara Toby Moore with Special Video Guest Star - SHARON GLESS Directed by Sean Owens June 30 – July 8, 2023 - 8:00 pm [Shows - June 30, July 1 (Fri. & Sat.) July 6, 7, 8, 2023 (Thurs., Fri., Sat.)] Z SPACE - 450 Florida St. (at 17th St.) in SF 94110 Limited Engagement – 5 Performances Only! - Preview - Fri. June 30, 2023 - 8:00 pm - Opening / Press Night: - Sat. July 1, 2023 - 8:00 pm July 6-7-8, 2023 (Thurs., Fri. Sat.) Shows at 8:00 pm. Tickets Here ------------------------------------- Closing Music by Carly Ozard Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (iTunes) Visit Green Room On Air website: http://greenroomonair.com Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/

James T. Lane, the six-time Main Stem performer, who has headlined three Tony-nominated musicals, just wrapped as Billy Flynn in Chicago (where he costarred alongside Jinkx Monsoon). His next project, Triple Threat which Lane scripted and stars in, recounts the actor's little-known life story - from his against-all-odds entertainment rise to near death cataclysmic fall, and his extraordinary return to the top. Tickets to Triple Threat   Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

Paris, Portugal and Spain. Mime, Comedy and Tango. The Portuguese may be the nicest people on Earth. Los Guardiola, La Comédie du Tango https://www.musique-et-toile.fr/ The Comedy of Tango. The show is not to be missed. Click on the website above for all the information and how you can see the show.

I'm traveling through Portugal and Spain right now, so here's an episode from when I visited France a few years ago. 

Claude Monet's House. Portugal. Spain. Paris

Today our guest is Abigail Munn the Artistic Director of Circus Bella. (Interview begins at 6:30) Cirus Bella Web Site Since its inception, Abigail Munn has been directing, creating, and producing new work for Circus Bella. Along with the more conventional duties she has also served as the company's truck driver, catering service and laundress. An accomplished dancer, choreographer, and aerialist, Munn holds a BFA in Modern Dance from UC Santa Barbara. As a child, born and raised in SF, she appeared with the Pickle Family Circus, and with Zoppe Italian Family Circus, Lone Star Circus, the Moisture Festival, the New Pickle Circus, Cabaret Verdelet, Circus Cabaret, Tease-O-Rama, Va Voom Room, and The Velvet Hammer Burlesque. Munn was commended in the NY Times for her performance in Alma Esperanza Cunningham's Princess. Munn co-directed the nouveau-vaudeville troupe Kitty Bang, an internationally recognized three-time “Best of the Bay” winner that is influential in the modern Burlesque resurgence. Over the past few years Abigail has become increasingly involved in advocacy work for the Circus Arts. When transitioning Circus Bella performers to Employees, she became aware that the current workers compensation rates and policy descriptions in California were way out of step with the current reality of the Circus Industry. Munn embarked on a one-woman quest to help change this and after initiating a study from the Workers Comp Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB), rates were significant lowered (by 80%) for ALL Circus Companies in CA. In addition, she is a founding member and on the board of the American Circus Alliance. TICKETS:                   ALL SHOWS FREE! WEB SITE:                https://www.circusbella.org/bananas TRAILER:                   https://youtu.be/v1tV4GRIxSY AUDIO CLIPS:          https://www.circusbella.org/press-audio-trailer-clips   Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

Today we chat with KAREL!  Karel (Charles Karel Bouley) He's made history in life and career, changed state laws for the LGBTQ community in California and been at the center of international controversies. He is as at home on a stage as he is in front of a camera or microphone, in a recording studio or on a set and has worked on them all. He's entertained for years in the No. 2 and No. 4 radio markets in the country, Los Angeles and San Francisco on the No. 1 stations KFI and KGO. He's written for Billboard, and then been featured in it as an artist; he's was with the HuffingtonPost since it started as well as Medium, and has published two books and been and editor for magazines such as The Advocate.. He's been a guest on every major cable network, and a pioneer in the recent trend of reality TV for five years on cable TV. There's even an App for him. He is Karel, Charles Karel Bouley. ___________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

Blithe Spirit experience, Willie Nelson Live, and Ukraine on Stage. Ukraine on Stage Website GET TICKETS HERE ___________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

We have some fun today playing with Chat GPT and "Barry" on HBO. ______________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

I'm super excited to have Aimee Greenberg on the show today. Aimee's a true New Yorker, who's worked with some of the best teachers in the business like Sanford Meisner, Wynn Handman, and Stella Adler. She's got some serious Off-Broadway creds, having cut her teeth at La Mama, Etc., Theatre for the New City, and The Medicine Show Theatre. Aimee's collaborated with some big names in the industry too, like Grotowski, Augusto Boal, and Guillermo Gentile. She's also raked in quite a few prestigious awards and fellowships like The Asian Cultural Council Fellowship, The Los Angeles Endowment, The Los Angeles Women's Foundation Award, Seattle Original Works, and the Susan B. Komen Award. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Aimee's been teaching performance technique, writing, directing, theatre, and film studies at international conservatories and universities like JAMU, UCSD, CSUSM, SDSU, and CSLA. Let's get into it as we talk to Aimee about her career, experiences working with theatre icons, and what she thinks about the industry today! _________________ Ukraine on Stage The performance in San Francisco will raise funds for the work being done by the Ivano-Frankivsk Drama Theatre in Ukraine.  The Theater is not only serving as a bomb shelter, community center, and food distribution point, but is also continuing to perform.   Its recent activities are discussed here and here.  (If you view any of these websites using the Google Chrome browser, you can right-click on a page to translate its content into English.) This event is sponsored by the Ukrainian American Coordinating Council: Website here and facebook page here. The Performance is on Saturday, April 29 at 2 P.M. Tickets ______________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

Ray reflects on the arrest of Donald Trump. He reflects on aging. Also, we take a look at Seth MacFarlands great live action Star Trek tribute, "The Orville". ______________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com    b0hvzqhbcqeLFd0FnpFz    

This week we take a dive into Carly Ozard's monthly show at Martuni's in San Francisco. ________________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com     

Today I talk about a project I've been working on for about a year. I have translated the memoir of my Great Grand Uncle, Luigi Olari and am in the process of writing a script centered on his life as an aspiring opera singer in New York City. ________________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com     

My guest today is Carly Ozard. Today we discuss the new Tennessee ban on drag performers. Carly is a singer-songwriter, recording artist, actor, playwright, and theater educator. Signed to Electronic Dance Music (EDM) label Sobel Nation Records, Carly's original EDM has garnered collaborations from DJs around the world, as well as gained radio airplay in France and Mexico with Denar RCRDS. Their nightclub work has been revered on multiple stages, including Feinstein's 54 Below, Feinstein's at the Nikko, The Richmond Ermet AID Foundation, The Rrazz Room, Fire Island, and The Friars Club. Carly has appeared onstage with numerous luminaries of stage and screen on both coasts. They originated three roles with the New York Theater Barn, played Magenta in Fire Island's Rocky Horror Show, played Ol' Mother Hare in The Golden Apple, Sally in The Cabaret Girl, Ensemble in Miss Liberty, High Spirits, and were featured in two Galas all with 42nd St. Moon. They trained at Stella Adler School of Acting, and were a contracted vocalist with Tim Davis (Glee) for The Trevor Project and Women Warriors: The Voices of Change at Lincoln Center. Carly is a member of Music Under New York, and rose to underground acclaim, busking for the commuters in the New York Subway. More are web site: CarlyOzard.com ________________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

My TV picks - "Poker Face" and "The Detectorists" Also, lets have fun with Chat GPT! ________________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

Today, I am delighted to have Cassidy Brown as my guest. He is a highly acclaimed actor based in San Francisco and has graced the stages of various theaters throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, including Berkeley Rep, SF Playhouse, Theatreworks, and many more. Besides his acting career, Cassidy is also a co-host of the podcast "All the Answers," which delves into the fascinating connection between performing arts and spirituality. Currently, Cassidy is busy rehearsing for the "Tea Party," a riveting play by Gordon Dahlquist, which is being directed by the talented Erin Merritt. In this 90-minute comedy thriller, "Tea Party," Cassidy along with the rest of the cast portray the logical consequences of violent political rhetoric in America's near future. With its taut and sophisticated storyline, "Tea Party" promises to be an enthralling and thought-provoking theatrical experience. "Tea Party" Tickets For more information call 415-637-4250 ________________________________________________________________________ Dear Listeners - A free way to support our show is by leaving it a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It's a chance to tell us what you love about the show and it helps others discover it, too.  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

You can watch this on my YouTube Channel.  Dear Listeners - A free way to support our show is by leaving it a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It's a chance to tell us what you love about the show and it helps others discover it, too.  ________________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

From "The Book of Mormon" to an ashram in India, Hardy Weaver has made a 180 degree turn, giving up a Broadway acting career for a life of comtemplation and teaching of  Vedic Mediation. https://www.hardyweaver.com/ Dear Listeners - A free way to support our show is by leaving it a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts. It's a chance to tell us what you love about the show and it helps others discover it, too.  ________________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

COCKETTES: ETRNAL EMISSIONS will be performed Sat., Dec. 3 and Sun., Dec. 4 at 7:30 pm, at PianoFight Oakland – 1540 Broadway (at 16 th St.) in Oakland. 94612 - (Nearest BART 19 th St.) Tix - $60 - $40 - Cabaret Seating, Front Section Seating, Back Tickets for Cockettes: Eternal Emissions _____________________________________________________________________ Scrumbly Koldewyn (Ensemble/Musical Director/Piano) started performing, composing, directing for the Cockettes at the inception and has been managing to survive by performing, composing, writing & musical directing in musical theater and cabaret. After the Cockettes, some of his most active groups/projects have been: Rickettes, Tale Spinners (4 productions), Theater Workers (4 productions), The Distractions, The Jesters (3 European Tours), Dirty Little Show Tunes, NCTC [8 productions], Stagebridge, and the Thrillpeddlers' Cockette's Revivals & sequels [8 productions] and segments of Shocktoberfests [5]. History: The Cockette's sprawling, kaleidoscopic pantheon of colorful personalities included icons including: Hibiscus and Sylvester, and was often augmented by special guests, most notably drag superstars Divine & Mink Stole. The Cockettes were ahead of their time, especially in the acceptance of gender fluidity and glittered beards, and they changed the face of drag forever. Although the Cockettes disbanded in 1972, its many members kept the group's spirit alive; in 2009, a theater troupe called the Thrillpeddlers  helmed  by Russell Blackwood revived a legendary Cockettes show called Pearls Over Shanghai to much acclaim and a long 22 month run. Playing on the interest already garnered by David Weissman & Bill Weber's The Cockettes documentary released in 2002, interest in this troupe was reawakened and entertained an entirely new & appreciative audience. Over the next decade, The Thrillpeddlers continued recreating Cockette shows under the watchful eye of the original songwriter and Cockette Scrumbly Koldewyn. ________________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com   

Walk and Talk with your host. The Frankensteinization of the minority.

Come and see FRANKENSTEIN at Ohlone College in Fremont, California. The slogan "It's Alive" brings to mind images of a giant monster slowly approaching, with silver wires protruding from its neck. The Ohlone College Theatre and Dance department is putting a spooky twist on Mary Shelley's classic 1818 novel Frankenstein. This is the perfect event for you if you're looking for a good scare after Halloween. This new adaptation by Nick Dear and directed by Michael Navarra tells the classic story from the creature's perspective, bringing a new and more poetic perspective to the tale. Frankenstein's creature is childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form. He is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes and increasingly desperate and vengeful, he determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. The story highlights the importance of scientific responsibility, cognitive development, and the nature of good and evil through a thrilling and deeply disturbing gothic tale. Audiences will get a chance to see this masterpiece beginning November 11 at the Smith Center. Dates: November 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 at 8pm. ASL interpreted November 12. Where: Smith Center at Ohlone College
 Tickets: $15 Students Admission $20 General Admission   
 Purchase tickets online at: www.smithcenter.com Smith Center Box Office: 510-659-6031 Warning: This production contains acts of violence and other content not suitable for some audiences. Viewer discretion is advised. For more information: https://www.ohlone.edu/theatredance/performances________________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com 

Come out and see "Frankenstein" at Oholone College! https://www.ohlone.edu/smithcenter#frankenstein This production of Frankenstein was first performed at the National Theatre in 2011. The production was directed by Danny Boyle and Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternated the roles of Victor Frankenstein and The Creature. Mary Shelley's 1818 novel was adapted for the stage by Nick Dear. You can find full details of the cast and production team below: This is the second of a multi-part conversation I had with my good friend, Ed Hooks. We talk about the state of TV and movies, acting technique, method acting, Ed's experiences in Hollywood, and so much more. Today's Interview Ed Hooks, author of Acting for Animators, created acting training especially for animators instead of stage or movie actors. He has taught his Masterclass for most major animation studios and video game companies internationally and is a popular speaker/presenter at Animation Conferences and Festival. Before he began work with animators in 1996, Ed was a professional actor and acting teacher for almost 30 years, with credits in all media. ________________________________________________________________________ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts (Itunes) Green Room On Air Web Site: http://greenroomonair.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raysgreenroom/ Opening and Closing Music by Carly Ozard: http://carlyozard.com Contact Ray at Green Room on Air: greenroomonair@gmail.com