Podcasts about Circle Repertory Company

Greg Germann is an actor known for his work in film, television and on Broadway where he starred with Mark Rylance in BOEING BOEING. He was a member of Circle Repertory Company and Ensemble Studio Theatre and has performed at Playwrights Horizons, The Public Theatre, La Mama, Second Stage among others. Created roles in Stephen Sondheim's Assassins, Steve Martin's Meteor Shower, Only You, Found A Peanut and many more. He has also appeared in numerous films including TALEDEGA NIGHTS, FRIENDS WITH MONEY, CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER, SWEET NOVEMBER, QUARANTINED, ONCE AROUND, among others. Greg is best known for the many characters he has created on the small screen, including Tom Koracick on GREY'S ANATOMY and Richard Fish on ALLY McBEAL, as well as House of Lies, Once Upon a Time and many more.  During the war in Afghanistan Greg traveled there twice as a goodwill ambassador, visiting thousands of troops from Kandahar to Kabul along with dozens of Forward Operating Bases (F.O.B's) across the country. For over 15 years he's been involved with Anthony Shriver's organization BEST BUDDIES, which is dedicated to creating employment and inclusive living opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).  At one time servingon the California Advisory Board.  For almost 20 years Greg has had the privilege of serving on the Board of Directors for THE PEOPLE CONCERN Los Angeles, whichis dedicated not just to manage the unacceptable crisis of people experiencing homelessness, but ending it!  Greg recently served as the Board Chair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today on The Neil Haley Show, Neil "The Media Giant" Haley interviews Mel Harris. Mel Harris is an actress, writer and director, best known for her portrayal of Hope Steadman on the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning series Thirtysomething, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination as best Actress in a Drama Series. She starred in the NBC comedy Something So Right and the My Network drama series Saints and Sinners (2014). Her most recent role has been as Nadine Davies on Hulu's series Shut Eye Mary Ellen Harris was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and raised in New Jersey. Her mother was a high school science teacher and her father a football coach at Princeton University. She spent 12 years in the modeling world living in New York and Europe before stumbling into the acting business. She starred in numerous miniseries and telefilms including Cross Fire (1989), The Burden of Proof (1992) and Grass Roots (1992), as well as appearances on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), and as Senator Rafferty on The West Wing (1999). Among her feature film credits are Brian De Palma's Raising Cain (1992) , K-9 (1989) (opposite Jim Belushi), Suture (1993), The Pagemaster (1994), and Wanted: Dead or Alive (1986). She made her New York stage debut at the Circle Repertory Company in the world premiere of John Bishop's Empty Hearts, for which she received a 1992 Theater World Award. In addition to her acting, in the last few years, she has focused on writing with her partner and husband, Emmy Award winning writer/producer, Bob Brush, under their shingle Topanga Moon Productions.

Today on The Neil Haley Show, Neil "The Media Giant" Haley interviews Mel Harris. Mel Harris is an actress, writer and director, best known for her portrayal of Hope Steadman on the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning series Thirtysomething, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination as best Actress in a Drama Series. She starred in the NBC comedy Something So Right and the My Network drama series Saints and Sinners (2014). Her most recent role has been as Nadine Davies on Hulu's series Shut Eye Mary Ellen Harris was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and raised in New Jersey. Her mother was a high school science teacher and her father a football coach at Princeton University. She spent 12 years in the modeling world living in New York and Europe before stumbling into the acting business. She starred in numerous miniseries and telefilms including Cross Fire (1989), The Burden of Proof (1992) and Grass Roots (1992), as well as appearances on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), and as Senator Rafferty on The West Wing (1999). Among her feature film credits are Brian De Palma's Raising Cain (1992) , K-9 (1989) (opposite Jim Belushi), Suture (1993), The Pagemaster (1994), and Wanted: Dead or Alive (1986). She made her New York stage debut at the Circle Repertory Company in the world premiere of John Bishop's Empty Hearts, for which she received a 1992 Theater World Award. In addition to her acting, in the last few years, she has focused on writing with her partner and husband, Emmy Award winning writer/producer, Bob Brush, under their shingle Topanga Moon Productions.

Hey there and thanks for checking out another terrific Townsquare Spotlight! Today, we have Golden Globe nominated actress and Hudson, NY resident Mel Harris in to talk about her latest film, QUEEN OF KNIVES, sequel to 2020's KING OF KNIVES. I had a blast talking to Mel about the roots that she has planted here in the Hudson Valley and about reprising the role of Kathy in this sequel. Golden Globe Nominated Actress Mel Harris Lives in Hudson, NY Mel Harris is an actress, writer and director, best known for her portrayal of Hope Steadman on the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning series Thirtysomething, for which she received a Golden Globe nomination as best Actress in a Drama Series. She starred in the NBC comedy Something So Right, and the My Network drama series Saints and Sinners (2014). Her most recent role has been as Nadine Davies on Hulu's series Shut Eye. Media Guest Quest, MelHarris Media Guest Quest, MelHarris Mary Ellen Harris was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and raised in New Jersey. Her mother was a high school science teacher and her father a football coach at Princeton University. She spent 12 years in the modeling world living in New York and Europe before stumbling into the acting business. She starred in numerous miniseries and telefilms including Cross Fire (1989), The Burden of Proof (1992) and Grass Roots (1992), as well as appearances on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015), Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999), and as Senator Rafferty on The West Wing (1999). Among her feature film credits are Brian De Palma's Raising Cain (1992) , K-9 (1989) (opposite Jim Belushi), Suture (1993), The Pagemaster (1994), and Wanted: Dead or Alive (1986). View this post on Instagram A post shared by Queen Of Knives The Film (@queenofknivesthefilm) She made her New York stage debut at the Circle Repertory Company in the world premiere of John Bishop's Empty Hearts, for which she received a 1992 Theater World Award. In addition to her acting, in the last few years, she has focused on writing with her partner and husband, Emmy Award winning writer/producer, Bob Brush, under their shingle Topanga Moon Productions. QUEEN OF KNIVES Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen's Allen Media Group, has acquired North American VOD rights to the comedy feature film QUEEN OF KNIVES, which will be available to rent/own on all digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms worldwide, as well as on DVD, starting on March 22, 2024, through Freestyle Digital Media. Freestyledigitalmedia, Bill Vergos Freestyledigitalmedia, Bill Vergos QUEEN OF KNIVES is the sequel to 2020's KING OF KNIVES. QUEEN OF KNIVES follows the Benetto family, which is scattered to the winds in Brooklyn, NY. There's no predicting where they will end up. Relationships keep shifting. Generations keep trying to adapt to a new world. Risky behavior is the norm. Eventually, their paths all lead back to a fateful dinner at their former home, with surprise visitors and lots of unintended consequences. Where secrets are revealed, and a final page is turned. The biggest question is: Who exactly are the adults here? A mix of sharp and witty dialogue, comedy, and drama that so many of us can relate to. A story that sucks you in, and you're glad for it. Freestyledigitalmedia, Bill Vergos Freestyledigitalmedia, Bill Vergos QUEEN OF KNIVES was written by Lindsay Joy and Gene Pope and directed by Jon Delgado. QUEEN OF KNIVES was produced by Gene Pope, Jenn Gomez and Joseph Stephans and features an ensemble cast that includes Gene Pope (‘Frank'), Mel Harris (‘Kathy'), Roxi Pope (‘Kaitlin'), Emily Bennet (‘Sadie'), Alexandra Renzo (‘Autumn'), Justin Sams (‘Sebastian'), Tara Westwood (‘Joanne'), Barbara Tirrell (‘Masha'), Neptune (‘Braden'), Robert Costanzo (‘Sal'), Jay Russell (‘David'), Carmen Lobue (‘Mattie'), Mollie Anne Lloyd (‘Eliza'), Arthur Langly (‘Jay'), Zebedee Row (‘Jackson'), Robert Anythony Jones (‘Fred'), ...

Janet Grillo's latest directorial effort — The Warm Season — is a testament to being conscious in a changing time. It is true the landscape of film has evolved over the years; however, it's the consistency of Janet's track record as a multifaceted filmmaker which exudes the contrast between black and white; open or closed; and aware vs. uncertain. After graduating from Wesleyan and NYU-Tisch, the New Jersey native joined the Playwright's Workshop Lab at the Circle Repertory Company, where she continued to develop her eye for taste as Assistant Literary Manager. She joined New Line Cinema in the mid-eighties, where she rose through the ranks from Story Analyst to Senior Vice President of East Coast Production and earned her reputation as a force in the world of film production and development. From discovering director Reggie Hudlin (Marshall; Django Unchained; Sidney) and developing the game-changing House Party franchise with him (the first of which grossed $25M and received the Audience Award at Sundance); to producing and developing hip hop classics like Hangin' with the Homeboys (John Leguizamo's film-lead debut which received the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award), Pump up the Volume, and the directorial debut of Ted Demme — Who's the Man — Janet sensed the sentiment she was feeling on New York City subways and helped give a voice to hip hop culture using the medium of film. A chance encounter with David O. Russell at Sundance led to a flurry of incredible film projects, including Spanking the Monkey, his feature film directorial debut which won the Audience Award at the same festival; Flirting with Disaster; Three Kings and I Heart Huckabees, the latter of which she also acted in. Other filmmakers Janet developed include Seth Tsvi Rosenfeld (Brother's Kiss), Alan Taylor (Palookaville), Myra Paci (Searching for Paradise) and the intriguing Frank Whaley in his writing and directing debut — Joe the King. Janet's impact as an activist for autism awareness can be traced to her role as Executive Producer of the esteemed documentary Autism: The Musical, the subject of which was entitled “The Miracle Project.” The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2007; was subsequently picked up by HBO, and led her to win an Emmy Award for Best Non-Fiction Feature the following year. It can also be seen in her feature film directorial debut, Fly Away, starring Ashley Rickards and Beth Broderick; and Jack of the Red Hearts (AnnaSophia Robb; Famke Janssen; Taylor Richardson). We discussed living in upstate New York; her approach toward developing some of the most incredible filmmakers in Hollywood; translating personal experience into her own directorial projects; and the state of independent film in the landscape of streaming.Opening Credits: The Underscore Orkestra - Blue Draggish I Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US); Dee Yan-Key - Aimless I Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0); Closing Credits: The Underscore Orkestra - Versipelllis I Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 United States (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 US).

2022 Tony Nominee(!!) David Morse is reprising his role for Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning play How I Learned to Drive, making it's Broadway debut! David recalls his journey from loving theatre in high school to joining the Boston Repertory Company and eventually moving to New York to join the Circle Repertory Company. He also shares what made him change his mind from vowing to never do TV early in his career to becoming an established actor with a long list of TV and film credits. He opens up about how acting and playing different characters helped him get through tough times when he was younger, giving up theatre when he was struggling financially, finding the silver linings and being grateful for the way things turned out despite any shortcomings.  David has become an established actor with an incredible TV, film, stage, and acting career, boasting a long list of credits like “The Green Mile” and the Off-Broadway production of Paula Vogel's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, “How I Learned to Drive” where he won numerous awards, including an Obie Award and a Drama League Award. He appeared in over 30 productions with the Boston Repertory Company and further his stage career with the Circle Repertory Company in New York before giving TV and film a chance. Some of his other notable credits include movies like “St. Elsewhere”, “12 Monkeys”, “Contact”, “The Hurt Locker”, “Proof of Life”, “Double Vision”, and a number of TV series like “Hack”, “The Chair”, and “House”.In this episode, we talk about: In this episode, we talk about: Auditioning for the Boston Repertory Company Joining Neighborhood Playhouse to study for two years Facing bankruptcy Waking up Richard Donner in his hotel room to get a script from him Doing a one-person play Getting offered a film from Sean Penn Connect with The Theatre Podcast: Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheTheatrePodcast Twitter & Instagram: @theatre_podcast TikTok: @thetheatrepodcast Facebook.com/OfficialTheatrePodcast TheTheatrePodcast.com Alan's personal Instagram: @alanseales Email me at feedback@thetheatrepodcast.com. I want to know what you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Absolutely loved having JoAnna Beckson on Dystopia Tonight. I had the pleasure of taking her Meisner class when I was a young comic and what I learned from her is invaluable both as a teacher and now as a friend. We discuss how she got into acting/directing, having the neighborhood kids put on a show she directed at the age of 5, to back packing through Europe, falling in love with another actor in her troupe, being trained by Sanford Meisner, auditioning, diving into teaching and directing, and working with comedians like myself, Joe Starr, Rob Bartlett, Ted Alexandro, Jim Gaffigan, Ray Romano, Dave Attell (the list goes on!) and how the business has and will continue to reshape itself after covid. Enjoy!   Check out her official bio below:   JoAnna Beckson was trained as an actress and teacher by Fred Kareman, William Esper and Sanford Meisner of the Neighborhood Playhouse. She has worked extensively as an actress and director both Off-Broadway and Off-Off-Broadway in such theaters as The Ensemble Studio Theater, Intar II, The Working Theater and Woman's Interart. She is also a founding member of New York City's prestigious Circle Repertory Company's LAB. Along with being a consultant for Disney and Paramount Studios, JoAnna has maintained the dual career of Actress/Director and Teacher of acting in New York City for many years. “Say Something Funny”, an original dramedy she conceived, directed and co-produced at the Criterion Center-Broadway, was optioned for sitcom development by Nelle Nugent, a five-time Tony Award winning producer, and by Dick Clark Productions. JoAnna's involvement in the daily “business” of acting gives her special insight toward helping actors develop their craft and solve the problem of finding work. For the past fifteen years, JoAnna has also been an Adjunct Professor at New York University's School of Professional Studies as well as the Graduate Film Department at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. JoAnna also leads workshops at the School of Visual Arts, and the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts.

For Video Edition, Please Click and Subscribe Here: https://youtu.be/h4JDbWNavq8 Jonathan Brielle wrote the music and lyrics for Foxfire with Jessica Tandy (Tony Award) Hume Cronyn, and Keith Carradine; Off-Broadway: Himself and Nora (book, music, lyrics); Outer Critics Best Musical Nomination, Minetta Lane Theatre 2016; Circle Repertory Company, NY: dozens of scores as Composer in Residence under Marshall Mason; Regional: Himself and Nora: American Theater Group production. Earlier versions include NYMF, James Joyce Center, Ireland and The Old Globe; Nightmare Alley (book, music. lyrics): Geffen Playhouse, Gil Cates Director, and NYMF. 40 Naked Women, A Monkey and Me (book, music, lyrics) The Eugene O'Neill Cabaret Conference. Las Vegas: Enter The Night (book, music, lyrics) Stardust Hotel 12 years; MadHattan (book, music, lyrics) New York, New York Hotel; US Tours: Rugrats, Live! (Executive Music Supervisor); Goosebumps, Live! (Producer, Music) TV. Charitable Organizations: Executive Vice President of the Johnny Mercer Foundation (JMF), creating programs for federally funded schools in New York, Newark, Los Angeles, Miami and Atlanta. Writer/Producer in Residence of the Johnny Mercer Writers' Colony at Goodspeed Musicals and helps oversee the JMF Songwriting Project at Northwestern University. Jonathan is the former National Projects Director of the Songwriters Guild of America. Jonathan continues to work from Brielle Studios, a state of the art recording facility. His studios are now located in Tewksbury, New Jersey in a converted schoolhouse built in 1846. http://www.jonathanbrielle.com/

Russ talks with Lou Liberatore , a Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award nominee for his portrayal of “Larry” alongside John Malkovich and Joan Allen in Lanford Wilson’s BURN THIS. Lou made his Broadway debut in William M. Hoffman’s groundbreaking play, AS IS, the first play about the AIDS crisis to premiere on the Great White Way. Both plays were directed by Marshall W. Mason and were developed at the award winning Circle Repertory Company where Lou proudly called home, first as an intern after graduating from Fordham University (Lincoln Center) and eventually as a full fledged company member.  TV and Film acting credits include; “The Good Wife”, “Nurse Jackie”, “Sex and the City”, “Law & Order”, “Who’s The Boss?”, “Tales of the City”, Blood From A Stoner, Mary & Louise, Box, It’s My Party, Rosen’sSon, Honey, I Shrunk the Audience (Epcot), Original Sin, She Was Marked for Murder, Op-Center, Combat High, Marked for Murder, If It’s Tuesday It Still Must Be Belgium, “One Life to Live”, “Guiding Light” and “Another World”. TV Directing credits include “Water with Lemon” (Pilot). Lou is a lifetime member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York, where he proudly serves as Co-Chair of the Membership Council. He has studied with the legendary acting teacher William Esper.    TIME STAMPS [00: Links IMDB Lou Liberatore https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0508789/ (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0508789/) Ensemble Studio Theatre https://www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org/lou-liberatore (https://www.ensemblestudiotheatre.org/lou-liberatore) Links to Russ on YouTube and his Websites https://linktr.ee/russcamarda (https://linktr.ee/russcamarda) Russ Movies https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2137381/ (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2137381/) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2414886/ (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2414886/) http://www.russcamarda.com/ (http://www.russcamarda.com) http://tagstudiony.com/ (http://tagstudiony.com) Production partners https://idunleashed.com/ (https://idunleashed.com) Support this podcast

Joyce, originally from a small town in Maryland, spent 30 years in New York City working as an actress working in theatre, TV, and film.She appeared in the original cast of Fifth of July and Prelude to a Kiss on Broadway, and notable off-Broadway productions such as The Hot L Baltimore, the Miss Firecracker Contest, and the runner stumbles.  As a member of Circle Repertory Company, Joyce had a chance to work with some big-name actors such as William Hurt, Christopher Reeve, Debra Monk, Swoosie Kurtz, Jeff Daniels, Alec Baldwin, and Mary Louise Parker. She also did many TV and Radio commercials, most famously she was the original “Doctor Mom” in the popular Robitussin TV commercials and the voice for IKEA’s radio commercials.Her TV work included such shows as Law & Order, Ed, Kate and Allie, NYPD Blue, and Cosby as well as numerous daytime dramas.  Lastly, her film credits include Longtime Companion, Lorenzo’s Oil, and Roommates. Joyce is a proud member of Actors Equity and the Screen Actors Guild.  She and her husband now live in Pinehurst, NC where she writes for the local newspaper, The Pilot and has performed locally a couple of  times with the Judson Theatre Company, the Sandhills local professional theatre.

By 1976, college student Jeff Daniels was pretty sure he didn't want to follow his father into the Michigan lumber trade.  But he wasn't sure he could make it as a working actor -- until one of the founders of Manhattan's legendary Circle Repertory Company spotted him at Eastern Michigan University.  It was a short hop from Circle Rep to his screen breakthrough in Terms of Endearment, but Daniels' commitment to the stage has never waned.  That commitment bore a Tony nomination this year (Daniels' third) for his magnificent performance in Aaron Sorkin's To Kill a Mockingbird adaptation on Broadway.  Daniels and Alec discuss the craft required to play Atticus Finch, the very different craft required to play alongside Jim Carrey in Dumb & Dumber, and Daniels' unusual decision to move back to his Michigan hometown with his wife and child while building a Hollywood career.

Linda McInerney, Founder and Artistic Director of Eggtooth Productions, discusses their Full Disclosure Festival in Greenfield, MA, born of ‘blind dates’ between artists, climatologists, and anthropologists. Linda McInerney has worked for over 30 years as an actor, singer, director, and producer in New York and throughout New England, with credits including Circle Repertory Company and … Continue reading "Episode 43: An Artist, an Anthropologist, and a Climatologist Walk Into a Bar"

This weeks play – The Baltimore Waltz by Paula Vogel. The play was recently produced by Acting Out at the Harbour Playhouse in Dublin, and we’re joined by the cast Michael J. Kunze, Niamh Denyer and Brian Graham Higgins. The Baltimore Waltz was first produced off-Broadway at the Circle Repertory Company in 1992, and first … Continue reading The Baltimore Waltz – Episode 3 – Reading Plays →

Marshall Mason and Lanford Wilson: For decades, Marshall Mason and Lanford Wilson have been seminal figures in the theatre industry. Their artistic partnership spans nearly forty years and is recognized as being among the most enduring in the American Theatre. Their work together - from Balm in Gilead to the more recent Book of Days - stands as some of the most beloved in the American canon. In 2002, New York's Signature Theatre devoted its entire season to the plays of Lanford Wilson, including the New York City premiere of Book of Days which was directed by Mason. On the eve of that premiere, the SDCF was privileged to host Mason, Wilson, and long time collaborator and co-founder of Circle Repertory Company, Tanya Berezin in an in-depth One-on-One Conversation exploring their extraordinary careers, the craft of stage direction and the secrets behind their legendary director-writer collaboration. Originally recorded - November 1, 2002. Running Time - 1:26:50 ©2002 SDCF

Joe Mantello (2011 Tony Award nominee for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for his performance in “The Normal Heart”; 2004 Tony Award winner for Best Direction of a Musical for “Assassins” and 2003 Tony Award winner for Best Direction of a Play for “Take Me Out”) talks about returning to the Broadway stage as an actor after a 17-year hiatus to play the role of Ned Weeks in Larry Kramer's “The Normal Heart” -- and what it's like to play a role that the play's author has based on himself when the author is at the theatre nightly. He also talks about his acting days in school and community theatre in his hometown of Rockford, Illinois (with classmates that included Marin Mazzie); his training at North Carolina School of the Arts and why he had to relearn his idiosyncrasies when he got to New York; his work with playwright Peter Hedges and actress Mary-Louise Parker in the self-founded Edge Theatre; the opportunities offered to him by the Circle Repertory Company; why he decided to stop acting after making his Broadway debut in “Angels in America”; the development of his directing career, including the highs and lows of his first two Broadway assignments, Terrence McNally's “Love! Valour! Compassion!” and Donald Margulies' “What's Wrong With This Picture?”; his collaborations with playwrights including Jon Robin Baitz, David Mamet, Richard Greenberg, Neil Simon and Craig Lucas, among many others; the challenge of taking on a project on the scale of “Wicked” with only one previous musical directing credit and how much he remains involved with the show's many productions nationally and internationally; why he enjoys working on intimate shows; and the irony behind “Other Desert Cities'” plans for Broadway in the fall.

Joe Mantello talks about returning to the Broadway stage as an actor after a 17-year hiatus to play the role of Ned Weeks in Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" -- and what it's like to play a role that the play's author has based on himself when the author is at the theatre nightly. He also talks about his acting days in school and community theatre in his hometown of Rockford, Illinois (with classmates that included Marin Mazzie); his training at North Carolina School of the Arts and why he had to relearn his idiosyncrasies when he got to New York; his work with playwright Peter Hedges and actress Mary-Louise Parker in the self-founded Edge Theatre; the opportunities offered to him by the Circle Repertory Company; why he decided to stop acting after making his Broadway debut in "Angels in America"; the development of his directing career, including the highs and lows of his first two Broadway assignments, Terrence McNally's "Love! Valour! Compassion!" and Donald Margulies' "What's Wrong With This Picture?"; his collaborations with playwrights including Jon Robin Baitz, David Mamet, Richard Greenberg, Neil Simon and Craig Lucas, among many others; the challenge of taking on a project on the scale of "Wicked" with only one previous musical directing credit and how much he remains involved with the show's many productions nationally and internationally; why he enjoys working on intimate shows; and the irony behind "Other Desert Cities'" plans for Broadway in the fall. Original air date - May 18, 2011.

Joe Mantello talks about returning to the Broadway stage as an actor after a 17-year hiatus to play the role of Ned Weeks in Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart" -- and what it's like to play a role that the play's author has based on himself when the author is at the theatre nightly. He also talks about his acting days in school and community theatre in his hometown of Rockford, Illinois (with classmates that included Marin Mazzie); his training at North Carolina School of the Arts and why he had to relearn his idiosyncrasies when he got to New York; his work with playwright Peter Hedges and actress Mary-Louise Parker in the self-founded Edge Theatre; the opportunities offered to him by the Circle Repertory Company; why he decided to stop acting after making his Broadway debut in "Angels in America"; the development of his directing career, including the highs and lows of his first two Broadway assignments, Terrence McNally's "Love! Valour! Compassion!" and Donald Margulies' "What's Wrong With This Picture?"; his collaborations with playwrights including Jon Robin Baitz, David Mamet, Richard Greenberg, Neil Simon and Craig Lucas, among many others; the challenge of taking on a project on the scale of "Wicked" with only one previous musical directing credit and how much he remains involved with the show's many productions nationally and internationally; why he enjoys working on intimate shows; and the irony behind "Other Desert Cities'" plans for Broadway in the fall. Original air date - May 18, 2011.

Veteran scenic designer John Lee Beatty (1980 Tony Award winner for Best Scenic Design for “Talley’s Folley”; 12 other Tony nominations for Scenic Design, including for “Doubt” in 2005 and “The Royal Family” in 2010), currently represented in New York by “Time Stands Still”, “A View from the Bridge” and “Venus in Fur”, talks about why he thinks all American drama is about real estate, making set design particularly integral to every work. He also discusses how he was instantly drawn to set design (as well as flying) when he first saw “Peter Pan” as a child; his self-education in set design through his college years -- and what he discovered when he entered the graduate design program at the Yale School of Drama; his extensive work with not-for-profit companies including the Manhattan Theatre Club, Mark Taper Forum, Goodspeed Musicals, Circle Repertory Company and Lincoln Center Theater -- plus 50 shows for City Center's Encores! series; his affinity for the Victorian era; why he hasn't done many designs for musicals -- and the musical he'd most like to tackle; how he feels about being "typecast" for his interiors and exteriors of homes through the years -- and costume designer Jane Greenwood's sage advice on Beatty's particular specialty; how he chooses his projects -- and the kinds of shows he doesn't like to do; what it was like to imagine different parts of the Talley family property in different eras in Lanford Wilson's famed trilogy; and how the design of “Proof” was actually based on an old sweater.

Veteran scenic designer John Lee Beatty, currently represented in New York by "Time Stands Still", "A View from the Bridge" and "Venus in Fur", talks about why he thinks all American drama is about real estate, making set design particularly integral to every work. He also discusses how he was instantly drawn to set design (as well as flying) when he first saw "Peter Pan" as a child; his self-education in set design through his college years -- and what he discovered when he entered the graduate design program at the Yale School of Drama; his extensive work with not-for-profit companies including the Manhattan Theatre Club, Mark Taper Forum, Goodspeed Musicals, Circle Repertory Company and Lincoln Center Theater -- plus 50 shows for City Center's Encores! series; his affinity for the Victorian era; why he hasn't done many designs for musicals -- and the musical he'd most like to tackle; how he feels about being "typecast" for his interiors and exteriors of homes through the years -- and costume designer Jane Greenwood's sage advice on Beatty's particular specialty; how he chooses his projects -- and the kinds of shows he doesn't like to do; what it was like to imagine different parts of the Talley family property in different eras in Lanford Wilson's famed trilogy; and how the design of "Proof" was actually based on an old sweater. Original air date - February 17, 2010.

Veteran scenic designer John Lee Beatty, currently represented in New York by "Time Stands Still", "A View from the Bridge" and "Venus in Fur", talks about why he thinks all American drama is about real estate, making set design particularly integral to every work. He also discusses how he was instantly drawn to set design (as well as flying) when he first saw "Peter Pan" as a child; his self-education in set design through his college years -- and what he discovered when he entered the graduate design program at the Yale School of Drama; his extensive work with not-for-profit companies including the Manhattan Theatre Club, Mark Taper Forum, Goodspeed Musicals, Circle Repertory Company and Lincoln Center Theater -- plus 50 shows for City Center's Encores! series; his affinity for the Victorian era; why he hasn't done many designs for musicals -- and the musical he'd most like to tackle; how he feels about being "typecast" for his interiors and exteriors of homes through the years -- and costume designer Jane Greenwood's sage advice on Beatty's particular specialty; how he chooses his projects -- and the kinds of shows he doesn't like to do; what it was like to imagine different parts of the Talley family property in different eras in Lanford Wilson's famed trilogy; and how the design of "Proof" was actually based on an old sweater. Original air date - February 17, 2010.

For decades, Marshall Mason and Lanford Wilson have been seminal figures in the theatre industry. Their artistic partnership spans nearly forty years and is recognized as being among the most enduring in the American Theatre. Their work together - from "Balm in Gilead" to the more recent "Book of Days" - stands as some of the most beloved in the American canon. In 2002, New York's Signature Theatre devoted its entire season to the plays of Lanford Wilson, including the New York City premiere of "Book of Days" which was directed by Mason. On the eve of that premiere, the SDCF was privileged to host Mason, Wilson, and long time collaborator and co-founder of Circle Repertory Company, Tanya Berezin in an in-depth One-on-One Conversation exploring their extraordinary careers, the craft of stage direction and the secrets behind their legendary director-writer collaboration

David Ives (b. 1950) attended Northwestern University where he began writing plays. He produced his first play, Canvas, in New York City with the Circle Repertory Company. He later took on a job as an editor of Foreign Affairs and eventually studied drama at Yale University's School of Drama, where he received his MFA. He is known for many successful plays including, All in the Timing, Words, Words, Words, Sure Thing, and Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread. His latest play, Don Juan in Chicago, received the Outer Critic's Circle's John Gassner Playwriting Award and a Drama Desk nomination for outstanding play. Ives also received the 1994 George and Elizabeth Martin Playwrighting Award from Young Playwrights Inc. Ives lives in New York and teaches at Columbia University.

David Ives (b. 1950) attended Northwestern University where he began writing plays. He produced his first play, Canvas, in New York City with the Circle Repertory Company. He later took on a job as an editor of Foreign Affairs and eventually studied drama at Yale University's School of Drama, where he received his MFA. He is known for many successful plays including, All in the Timing, Words, Words, Words, Sure Thing, and Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread. His latest play, Don Juan in Chicago, received the Outer Critic's Circle's John Gassner Playwriting Award and a Drama Desk nomination for outstanding play. Ives also received the 1994 George and Elizabeth Martin Playwrighting Award from Young Playwrights Inc. Ives lives in New York and teaches at Columbia University.

Playwright David Ives talks about his many acts of "literary ventriloquism," channeling the voices of the authors of classic musicals for City Center's Encores series, including the current "Juno" and upcoming "No, No Nanette", as well as the distinctive voice of Mark Twain for the recent Broadway production of "Is He Dead?" He also describes the luck that led to his first play being produced at New York's famed Circle Repertory Company right after he graduated from college; explains why he enrolled at the Yale School of Drama only after his early successes; chronicles how his work for a theatre company that consisted of little more than a copy machine and an artistic director ultimately led to his success with "All In The Timing"; reflects on the role of pain in writing short comedies; considers whether he was typecast only as a writer of one-acts; and shares the genesis of his interest in the philosopher Spinoza, which led to his writing "New Jerusalem", seen Off-Broadway at CSC earlier this season. Original air date - March 28, 2008.

Playwright David Ives talks about his many acts of "literary ventriloquism," channeling the voices of the authors of classic musicals for City Center's Encores series, including the current "Juno" and upcoming "No, No Nanette", as well as the distinctive voice of Mark Twain for the recent Broadway production of "Is He Dead?" He also describes the luck that led to his first play being produced at New York's famed Circle Repertory Company right after he graduated from college; explains why he enrolled at the Yale School of Drama only after his early successes; chronicles how his work for a theatre company that consisted of little more than a copy machine and an artistic director ultimately led to his success with "All In The Timing"; reflects on the role of pain in writing short comedies; considers whether he was typecast only as a writer of one-acts; and shares the genesis of his interest in the philosopher Spinoza, which led to his writing "New Jerusalem", seen Off-Broadway at CSC earlier this season. Original air date - March 28, 2008.

Jeff Daniels talks about his return to the New York stage after a 14 year absence in David Harrower's Olivier Award-winning "Blackbird" at Manhattan Theatre Club, including how he works himself up to a performance level of fear and anger for the very first moment in the play; recalls being taken out for a drink while still in college by director Marshall Mason and invited to join the Circle Repertory Company as an apprentice, and the extraordinary ensemble feeling fostered at Circle Rep; discusses his lengthy relationship with playwright Lanford Wilson and how it has influenced his own playwriting for his Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea Michigan; and describes how he has built the Purple Rose as both an arts resource and economic engine for his community. Original air date – April 20, 2007.

Jeff Daniels talks about his return to the New York stage after a 14 year absence in David Harrower's Olivier Award-winning "Blackbird" at Manhattan Theatre Club, including how he works himself up to a performance level of fear and anger for the very first moment in the play; recalls being taken out for a drink while still in college by director Marshall Mason and invited to join the Circle Repertory Company as an apprentice, and the extraordinary ensemble feeling fostered at Circle Rep; discusses his lengthy relationship with playwright Lanford Wilson and how it has influenced his own playwriting for his Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea Michigan; and describes how he has built the Purple Rose as both an arts resource and economic engine for his community. Original air date – April 20, 2007.