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36 episodes with new york theater
2 episodes with new york theater
2 episodes with new york theater
2 episodes with new york theater
2 episodes with new york theater
2 episodes with new york theater
3 episodes with new york theater
2 episodes with new york theater
Eddie Velez | 353 Eddie Velez Shares Fascinating Journey from Stand-Up to Acting Join us in this captivating episode as actor Eddie Velez shares his incredible journey from stand-up comedy to a successful acting career! Hosted by Keith Reza, Eddie reflects on his early performances at The Improv in New York City during the late '70s, his childhood friendship with Keenan Wayans, and his experiences alongside comedy legends like Freddie Prinze. Discover how Eddie transitioned to acting and the impact of the New York theater scene on his career. He shares memorable stories from iconic sets like 'The A-Team', 'Traffic', and 'White Chicks', while also discussing his directorial debut inspired by Steven Soderbergh. Eddie opens up about overcoming audition nerves, staying true to oneself, and learning from fellow actors. This heartwarming conversation is filled with nostalgia, comic inspiration, and valuable insights into the entertainment industry. Don't miss this behind-the-scenes look at Eddie Velez's multi-faceted career! CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:55 Discussing New Mexico and Roswell 01:41 Transition from Stand-Up to Acting 02:26 Early Comedy Days with Kenan Wayans 03:48 Freddie Prinze's Influence and Tragic End 04:44 Pursuing Acting and Broadway Shows 05:28 Norm Macdonald and White Chicks 11:07 First Acting Job and Scene Stealing 12:36 Joining the A-Team 14:02 Mr. T and George Peppard's Clash 16:22 Repo Man and Early Film Career 19:11 Boxing Background and Split Decisions 25:10 Getting Pummeled in Movies 25:45 Working with Gene Hackman 26:50 Impact of Traffic on Career 27:42 Directing and Filmmaking Inspiration 30:48 Winning Awards for Sound Design 31:45 Memories of Raul Julia 38:30 Auditioning for White Chicks 43:12 Stand-Up Comedy and Influences 44:34 Overcoming Audition Nerves 48:53 Future Projects and Farewell Support the show on https://patreon.com/rezarifts61 Follow Keith on all social media platforms: FB: https://www.facebook.com/realkeithreza IG:https://www.instagram.com/keithreza X:https://www.twitter.com/keithreza TT:https://www.tiktok.com/keithreza Book Keith on cameo at www.cameo.com/keithreza Check out my website for dates at https://www.keithreza.com/ Subscribe - Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts - Tell a friend :) Be a Rifter! #EddieVelez #StandUpComedy #ActingCareer #TheImprov #NewYorkTheater #BehindTheScenes #TheATeam #Traffic #WhiteChicks #ComedyLegends #KeenanWayans #FreddiePrinze #DirectorialDebut #StevenSoderbergh #AuditionTips #EntertainmentIndustry #ActorInterview #ComicInspiration #InspiringJourney #HollywoodStories
“Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and special guest, Diana Byer, founding director of the New York Theater Ballet. In this episode of Dance Talk with Joanne Carey, join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest, Diana Byer, as she shares her life in dance which began from a suggestion made by her pediatrician to exercise. That first class lead to a lifetime career in dance, an art form on which she continues to leave her imprint and is creating a profound and exemplary legacy. Diana discusses her commitment to developing dance artists and her outreach program for homeless and at-risk children. Diana Byer received her principal dance training from Margaret Craske and Antony Tudor. She is the founder of New York Theater Ballet that stages works that are intimate in scale and able to touch audiences in deeply personal ways. Hailed by Dance Magazine as “a miniature American treasure,” NYTB is known for its theatrical inventiveness, high production quality, excellent technique, and accessibility to its audiences. She has been a guest instructor of the Cecchetti Society of America, the Cecchetti Society of Canada (Toronto), Cornell and New York Universities, State University of New York at Purchase, Martha Graham School, and other centers of dance. Ms. Byer conducts master classes in schools and performance settings across the USA and Europe. Ms. Byer received extensive media attention for her ongoing work with homeless and at-risk children, winning special citations from President George Bush, First Lady Hillary Clinton, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the President's Committee on the Arts & the Humanities. The LIFT Community Service program, which provides dance classes, performance opportunities, scholarships, and services for homeless and at-risk children in New York, was initiated at NYTB through her vision and commitment. In 1988, 1990, and 1993, Ms. Byer received the Helen Wieselberg Award of the National Arts Club in recognition for her ongoing work with LIFT. In 1992, Lincoln Center produced, at Alice Tully Hall, a one-hour presentation for children called Dreams On A Shoestring, featuring an original script based on Ms. Byer and LIFT. She received a Humanitarian Hero recognition from Good Housekeeping Magazine for her ongoing work with LIFT and was the 2023 Martha Hill Dance Fund Lifetime Achievement Awardee. The feature-length film LIFT, documenting Ms. Byer's journey of LIFT, was featured in the 2022 Tribeca Festival and recognized with a “Children's Resilience in Film Award” by Shine Global. In December 1996, she was again spotlighted in two features in Dance Magazine. Ms. Byer coached the principals in the Columbia Pictures film, Center Stage. She was a member of the Antony Tudor Centennial Celebration Committee and in 2008 staged Tudor's Judgment of Paris for the American Ballet Theatre Gala at The Metropolitan Opera House. She is a repetiteur for the Antony Tudor Trust and a member of the Board of Directors of the Dance Notation Bureau and The Clive and Valerie Barnes Foundation. In 2010 she assisted Kevin McKenzie in ABT's restaging of Antony Tudor's Jardin Aux Lilas (Lilac Garden) and staged Agnes de Mille's Three Virgins and a Devil for the Alabama Ballet. In 2011 Ms. Byer restaged Antony Tudor's Soiree Musicale and the dances from Agnes de Mille's Carousel, Oklahoma, and Brigadoon for American Ballet Theatre's Studio Company. She continues to direct the NYTB School which she established in 1978. Learn more about The Diana Byer Legacy Project https://www.dancio.com/dianabyerlegacyproject Learn more about New York Theater Ballet https://nytb.org/about Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance Follow “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you get your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review! “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."
Facing Fire and Divorce: A Resilient Path to Empowering Women with Vani Kovitch Episode # 149 Welcome back to another episode of The Creative Soulpreneur! Today, we have the inspiring and transformative journey of Vani, someone who has faced life's challenges head-on and emerged stronger. Born in Saigon, Vietnam during the tumultuous times of the communist takeover, Vani immigrated to the United States with her family. Despite the language barriers and cultural challenges, she found solace and expression in theater, which also became a significant escape for our co-host, Nick. Vani's story takes us through her adventurous pursuit of theater in New York, The New School's liberal arts college, meeting her husband to facing the harsh realities of a high-conflict divorce after 21 years of marriage. Along the way, she dealt with third-degree burns, a major apartment fire, and a spinal fusion surgery while navigating her divorce process. With Nick's coaching and support, Vani managed to transform her life, using meditation, breath work, and strategic planning to become a beacon of hope for others. In this episode, Vani and Nick dive deep into Vani's experiences, discussing her transition into becoming a divorce coach, her impactful advice for women going through similar trials, and her aspirations to collaborate with top matrimonial lawyers to create an anthology of women's divorce stories. Join us as we explore Vani's remarkable journey of resilience, empowerment, and authentic self-expression. Vani IG Takeaways: Vani's escape into theater amidst challenges as an immigrant, finding solace and support in the arts. The importance of understanding financial and legal documents to navigate high-conflict situations like divorce. Building a support network and strategic planning can empower individuals through life's toughest transitions. Get a FREE Social Media Story Prompts Calendar. 30 days of prompts to inspire your next great piece of content! Social Media Prompt Calendar Vani Kovitch endured a 21-year marriage to a covert narcissist, raising two children in the process. In 2021, following a life-altering incident, Vani had no choice but to file for divorce. Simultaneously recovering from serious back surgery, she faced the daunting challenge of divorcing her covertly narcissistic husband. Despite the presence of a prenuptial agreement, her husband contested it for two years, attempting to wear her down at every turn. Vani educated herself extensively on her state's matrimonial laws, meticulously gathered evidence, and fought fiercely, becoming practically a paralegal on her case. Her expertise in handling a borderline narcissistic personality proved crucial, especially given the dangerous circumstances involving firearms. Her relentless effort and strategic thinking led to a settlement two years later, as she devised a deal that enticed her ex-husband, avoiding a trial. Vani's case even resulted in a historic legal judgement with the judge publishing his decision on case text.com. Vani Kovitch is a determined fighter, dedicated to advocating for what is right and just for women in similar situations. Nick Demos is a Tony and Olivier Award winning Broadway producer, documentary filmmaker, conscious business coach and manifestation expert. With over 15 years of teaching pranayama (breath work), yoga and creativity as well as thirty years in the entertainment industry, he has travelled from the Tony Awards to ashrams and run a multi-million dollar business in between. Nick helps you clear blocks and tap into your creative intuition so you can tell your stories and manifest the business and life of your dreams creating wealth and impact.
Welcome back to a new season(??) of Upstage Left! After a long hiatus we're back with actor Kim Blanck who plays Ruza Wenclawska in Broadway's Suffs. We're so excited to be talking our dear friend who's been singing and acting on New York stages for more than a decade. You may have seen her in MCC's Alice by Heart or Dave Malloy's Octet at the Signature Theater.In this episode we discuss:Kim's unconventional journey as a musical theater phenomNavigating the industry as a HAPA actorHow she ended up in the Broadway production of Suffs after she thought her journey with the show was overThis episode was a joy to record, and even more a joy to listen back to. We hope you enjoy, and stay tuned for more episodes this season!---Music by David HilowitzLearn more about Kim HERE!Support the Show.
Woody Harrelson is a notorious television and film actor. After a brief stint in New York Theater at the start of his career, he made his on-screen debut on NBC's “Cheers,” regarded as one of the best TV shows of all time. He has gained acclaim for his roles in movies like The People Vs. Larry Flynt, No Country for Old Men, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbings, Missouri. With over 60 movies in his portfolio, Harrelson acts across a range of genres, including comedy, drama, and thriller. Over the course of his career, he has been nominated for three Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards, and he has been the recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award. ------ Thank you to the sponsors that fuel our podcast and our team: Squarespace https://squarespace.com/tetra ------ Lucy https://lucy.co/tetra ------ LMNT Electrolytes https://drinklmnt.com/tetra ------ House of Macadamias https://www.houseofmacadamias.com/tetra
In this episode of Hive Mind, we delve into Martin Scorsese's masterpiece "Killers of the Flower Moon." Plus: Eli sees "Merrily We Roll Along" in New York and watches "Pulp Fiction" on the plane (?!), and Meg is knee-deep in David Fincher movies. Check out our bonus episode on "The Sound of Music" here. (00:00:44) Reverse Friendship: A Captivating Musical Experience (00:03:09) Graphic Violence in Pulp Fiction (00:05:25) Survivor Contestant's Unexpected Quit Due to Trauma (00:11:45) David Fincher's Collaborative Brilliance in Film (00:15:35) Celebrity Encounter in a New York Theater (00:27:39) Jesse Plemons' Surprising Appearance in "Date Night" (00:33:08) Oscar-worthy films and their cultural impact --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hivemindhq/message
Guests: Tahiana Larissa, PlaywrightOn Twitter | https://twitter.com/tahianalarissaOn Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/tahianalarissaoficial/On Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/tahianalarissapyWebsite | https://tahianalarissa.com/Marco Augusto Ferreira, PlaywrightOn Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-augusto-ferreira-65400413a/?locale=en_USOn Twitter | https://twitter.com/AugustFerreOn Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/marcoaugustoferre/_____________________________Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals PodcastOn ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli_____________________________This Episode's SponsorsAre you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel?
Guests: Tahiana Larissa, PlaywrightOn Twitter | https://twitter.com/tahianalarissaOn Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/tahianalarissaoficial/On Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/tahianalarissapyWebsite | https://tahianalarissa.com/Marco Augusto Ferreira, PlaywrightOn Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/marco-augusto-ferreira-65400413a/?locale=en_USOn Twitter | https://twitter.com/AugustFerreOn Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/marcoaugustoferre/_____________________________Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals PodcastOn ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli_____________________________This Episode's SponsorsAre you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel?
Kick- Off Season 2 of “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey and the Artistic Director of New York Theatre Ballet, Steven Melendez. In this episode of “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey, join host Joanne Carey as she chats with Special Guest: Steven Melendez. Listen in as we have a candid chat about where Steven's career began, where it is now and where it is going. We also talk about the full-length documentary film Lift based on his life and the Lift Program at NYTB that serves children living inside homeless shelters in NYC through the art of ballet. It was in that very program that Steven discovered ballet and ballet discovered him. This is a talent whose mission is to "Bring the Dance Where the People Are'" and his new program "Between the Acts" is doing that by addressing diversity, equity and inclusion by creating greater access to dance." For NYTB, "the future of our organization and the future of dance lie with new audiences. " Steven Melendez, was born in New York City in 1986 and began his ballet training as part of the LIFT Scholarship Program at Ballet School New York at the age of seven. Later, he studied at the School of American Ballet and attended summer programs at San Francisco Ballet Academy, Houston Ballet Academy, and Kaatsbaan International School. 2001 Melendez joined New York Theatre Ballet (NYTB) as an apprentice and in 2006 was promoted to Principal. In 2004 he graduated from the American Ballet Theater Studio Company Associate Program. He was invited to Buenos Aires as a Guest Soloist for the 2006 season traveling and performing internationally. Melendez joined the Vanemuine Theater Ballet Company in Tartu, Estonia as a principal dancer in 2007 and in 2008 received a Diploma from the 5th Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest, Hungary, receiving special recognition for his secondround performance of Onegin. He was invited to perform in the gala entitled Celebrating the Classical Male Dancer and later represented Estonia at the 13th International Baltic Ballet Festival inRiga, Latvia. Melendez returned to NYC in March 2010 to NYTB as a Principal Guest Artist and rejoined the company full-time for the following season. Steven is a Van-Lier Fellowship recipient and a 2012 Clive Barnes Foundation Award Nominee. In 2015 Melendez celebrated his 15th season with NYTB and was a frequent guest artist at the Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica and Ballet Palm Beach. Melendez co-choreographed his first large-scale work, Song Before Spring, for New York Theatre Ballet which was named a Dance Europe critic's choice “Best Premiere” of 2016. Melendez has served as a faculty member of Ballet School New York and the Joffrey Ballet School Summer Program in New York City and has held an annual summer workshop in Nagoya, Japan for over 10 years. Since 2018 Melendez has been a member of the alumni advisory committee on diversity and inclusion for School of American Ballet. From 2019, he has been the Hiland Artistic Director for National Dance Institute New Mexico where he created Vastness, a socially distanced dance film for a global pandemic, which aired on New Mexico PBS. Steven is the subject of a feature-length documentary, LIFT, directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker David Petersen, with Executive Producers Sam Pollard and Jannat Gargi. In May 2022, Melendez was named Artistic Director of New York Theatre Ballet. Melendez succeeds NYTB founder and Artistic Director Diana Byer who held the position for 44 years. Follow on Instagram @nytheatreballet To get involved, check out their website https://nytb.org/ Follow Joanne Carey on Instagram @westfieldschoolofdance And follow “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey wherever you listen to your podcasts. Tune in. Follow. Like us. And Share. Please leave us review about our podcast “Dance Talk” ® with Joanne Carey "Where the Dance World Connects, the Conversations Inspire, and Where We Are Keeping Them Real."
Jump behind the scenes with us to experience the highs and lows of producing one of Pixar's most celebrated and subversive films: Turning Red from the minds of Domee Shi and Julia Cho, who wrote it. Domee Shi began as a story intern at Pixar Animation Studios in June 2011, and was soon hired as a story artist on the Academy Award-winning feature film INSIDE OUT. In 2015 she began pitching ideas for short films, and soon was green lit to write and direct BAO which won the Academy Award® for Best Animated Short Film. Shi most recently made her feature film directorial debut on TURNING RED which was also Oscar-nominated. Her TURNING RED co-writer Julia Cho began her career in the New York Theater scene, writing a number of celebrated plays which scored her the Windham-Campbell Literary Prize in 2020 celebrating her body of her work. Her work as a playwright earned her spots in a number of prestigious writers' rooms including BIG LOVE, HALT AND CATCH FIRE, and PAPER GIRLS, which she co-executive produced. JOIN OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/thescreenwritinglife
Episode Two: Two Households Emily confides in her mother, whose different approach to managing the crisis puts the two at odds. Emily begins a correspondence with Rob as he tries to make amends with his fractured family. *** Written by: Jack Canfora Directed by: Eleanor Handley Starring: Jill Eikenberry and Carol Todd
Episode One: The Letter Emily is jolted by a letter which brings a trauma from her past into the present. *** Written by: Jack Canfora Directed by: Eleanor Handley Starring: Jill Eikenberry and Carol Todd
This episode is also available as a blog post: https://thecitylife.org/2022/11/04/lighting-up-the-new-york-theater-festival-dust-of-egypt-brings-sojourner-truths-moving-story-to-the-stage/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/citylifeorg/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/citylifeorg/support
Daniel K. Isaac is a very busy man! So we were especially excited that he made the time to chat with us. In this episode Rachel & Daniel discuss:the upcoming 2022-23 theater season and the Asian theater-makers on stage!how he turned a 2 line role on Billions into 72 episodes and counting being the only children of single, immigrant mothers (and how they humble us)It was truly a delight to chat with Daniel. Not only is he incredibly prolific, but he's also such a graceful and lovely human. Is there a more soothing voice you could listen to for 50 minutes? We think not.Check him out in Noah Diaz's You Will Get Sick currently playing at Roundabout Theatre Company, and catch him any time on Showtime's Billions.----Intro music by: David HilowitzSupport the show
We are thrilled to chat with Downtown Theater Icon: Paul Lazar. From making appearances in movies that became cult classics (Married to the Mob, Silence of the Lambs, Old Boy, Snowpiercer), to his recent Broadway appearance in Macbeth directed by Sam Gold with Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga -- following Paul's career is like a game of Where's Waldo? You never know where you'll spot him next!In this episode we talk:Early beginnings - how Paul found his way into the Downtown worldThe current state of "Downtown Theater" - what is it? And where is it now?What it's like to work so closely with his wife, choreographer and co-founder of Big Dance Theater, Annie-B ParsonsYou can currently see Paul in Maria Irene Fornes's seminal work: Mud/Drowning at Mabou Mines, alongside May 2019 guest: Wendy Vanden Huevel. If you liked this episode and want to hear more -- check out Manhattan Theatre Club's Beyond the Stage podcast! The latest episode features our host chatting with playwrights: Martyna Majok and Jeff Augustin. With a handy discount code to their upcoming plays at MTC in the shownotes!-----Intro Music by David HilowitzSupport the show
Tanked is back! MF is joined by playwright Stephanie Swirsky and director Tasha Gordon-Solmon to discuss the new Tank Co-Production, "Don't Do This To Us". Catch "Don't Do This to Us" at the Tank now through Aug 28.
In this episode, Rachel speaks with veteran TV, stage, and film actor: Deirdre O'Connell. Didi is the 2022 Tony Award winner for Best Actress in a Play for her portrayal of Dana Higginbotham in Lucas Hnath's Dana H. She is also the recipient of the Lucille Lortel Lifetime Achievement award this year, and has racked up multiple awards over the years, including a 2005 Obie for Sustained Excellence. Rachel was eager to find out more about Didi's process and what it takes to maintain such a storied career.Tune into this episode to learn:Didi's trick for auditioning for TV & FilmHer experience doing Corsicana right after her Tony winWhat it was like for her starting out as a newbie in New YorkFor any theater practitioner, this is truly not an episode to be missed. You can catch Didi in this Lincoln Center's production of Sarah Ruhl's Becky Nurse of Salem this fall. Or watch her Tony acceptance speech as a reminder to keep doing what you're doing.Follow the podcast at: @upstageleftpodcastLike, subscribe, or leave us a review here!----Intro music: Angles of Light by David HilowitzSupport the show
For the 32nd episode, we decided it might be a good idea to introduce our listeners to the host of this podcast: Rachel Lin. After much convincing, Rachel zooms with social media manager and actor, Kendall Cafaro, to discuss Rachel's time in the theater and how this podcast came to be.Recorded in April of 2022, turn in to learn about the actor, writer, and person asking the questions. Kendall & Rachel discuss:the artistic communities & spaces Rachel has been a part ofsome goals and hopes for the podhow Upstage Left has fared through the pandemic, and how we're feeling about theater at large now that shows are up and runningThank you so much for tuning in. As always, you can find us on IG @Upstageleftpodcast and on Twitter @Upstageleftpod----Intro music by David HilowitzSupport the show
MF talks to two 2022 gala honorees: Tank co-founder and board member Mike Rosenthal and A Simple Herstory's Jocelyn Kuritsky
Rachel chats with playwright & screenwriter, Anchuli Felicia King, whose play Golden Shield is currently running at Manhattan Theatre Club through June 12. Her work also includes White Pearl which world premiered at the Royal Court in London and has received productions at the Studio Theatre in DC, as well as Sydney Theatre Company earlier this year. She is also on the writing team of the new HBO Max original series The Baby.In this episode Rachel & Felicia discuss:how Felicia ended up becoming a writer, despite not having set out to be oneFelicia's relationship to writing BIG plays and tackling global issues in multiple languagesher ambitions, which actually fall outside the realm of theaterTickets and info for Golden Shield can be found HERE. Did you know if you are under 35 you can access $30 tickets at MTC? Learn more HERE.The article in Howlround Rachel mentions briefly HERE.Follow us on Instagram @UpstageLeftPodcast----Intro music by David HilowitzSupport the show
In this episode, Rachel chats with Taylor Reynolds - one the most in demand theater directors currently working off-Broadway, and a producing artistic leader of The Movement Theatre Company. This season her work included: Tambo & Bones at Playwrights Horizons, Man Cave by John J. Caswell Jr. presented by P 73, and Songs About Trains playing at the New Ohio Theatre through April 18.Rachel & Taylor talk about:Taylor's approach to these larger than life theatrical new worksHow Taylor made her way as a director, forgoing the assistant/associate routeTaylor's relationship to the 'white gaze' and how it's continually changingVisit our sponsors: Northwestern University Press @nupress.northwestern.edu and use POD20 to receive 20% offFollow us on Instagram @upstageleftpodcast or on Twitter @upstageleftpod -- we love to hear from you!----Intro & Outro Music: Angle Of Light by David HilowitzUnderscore:Arcadia by Dream-ProtocolSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
For Video Edition, Please Click and Subscribe Here: https://youtu.be/LsdbtH5BsYk Tom D'Angora is a multi award winning Producer/Director who produced two of the longest running musicals in New York theater history - NEWSical The Musical and Naked Boys Singing. Tom has been nominated for three Drama Desk Awards and is the winner of The Off -Broadway Alliance Award. He is a co-producer on the upcoming Caroline, Or Change Broadway revival and Executive Producer of the campy new drama, Mélange, starring Morgan Fairchild. He is the recipient of a Mayoral and a Senate Proclamation for his contributions to New York Theater.
Episode 81 and Wendi and Dfernando's guest interview is actress, author, writer, producer, and activist Mimi Kennedy.Born in Rochester, NY, Mimi first fell in love with acting as a child in community theater, which would lead her to ignite her acting career on stage opposite TV legend Sid Caesar in Neil Simon's LAST OF THE RED HOT LOVERS along with multi-Emmy Award winner Doris Roberts, who became a friend and mentor.Mimi was active in the NYC theatre scene in the 1970's, cast in plays like Jim Steinman's DAS RHEINGOLD and Andy Warhol's legendary PORK – a role she left due to reasons recounted in her 1996 mid-life memoir TAKEN TO THE STAGE: The Education of an Actress (soon to be released as an audiobook on Audible). Steinman would become a life-long friend and Warhol, at least in her case, would be proven wrong about his “15 minutes of fame” quote. In 1976 Mimi made her Broadway debut as one of the Pink Ladies: Jan, in the original Broadway run of the legendary musical GREASE. She was also a member of the original touring production of THE NATIONAL LAMPOON SHOW.In 1975 Mimi was invited to audition for the original cast (The Not Ready for Prime Time Players) of a brand-new late-night NBC TV sketch comedy-variety series SATURDAY NIGHT (later known as SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE), but Lorne Michaels decided on casting Jane Curtin for that spot. Her stage career did not end when Hollywood and television came calling shortly after. She has performed the 1-woman play about newspaper advice columnist Ann Landers, THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS, at both the Pasadena and Cleveland Playhouses. In 2013 she wrote and starred in a 1-woman play about suffragist and abolitionist Matilda Joslyn Gage, MIMI KENNEDY FINDS MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE.For 8 seasons Mimi portrayed the much beloved character, Marjorie, on the hit Chuck Lorre CBS TV sitcom MOM. She garnered a Critics Choice Award nomination for Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series before becoming a series regular in Season 2. This was the second pairing of Mimi and Lorre; she played Abby O'Neil on the hit 90's ABC TV sitcom DHARMA & GREG for 5 seasons.Her television debut was on the 1977 NBC TV musical-variety mini-series 3 GIRLS 3, also starring dance legend Debbie Allen, and Ellen Foley. The New York Times declared it a hit, however it sadly only aired 4 episodes. You can view all 4 episodes on Mimi's YouTube channel. 3 GIRLS 3 was quite an introduction to Hollywood allowing her the opportunity to play opposite Bob Hope, Carl Reiner, Flip Wilson, and Steve Martin (in his prime-time TV debut.) Regular TV sitcom series roles followed throughout the 70's and 80's, most notably as Stockard Channing's sister on the CBS TV sitcom JUST FRIENDS, and co-starring with comedy legend Peter Cook in THE TWO OF US. The 1990's started with Mimi in a dramatic role portraying a slightly darker side of the affluent WASP-type she had portrayed on sitcoms previously. As Queen-B Ruth Sloan on HOMEFRONT, she netted another American Television Critics nomination, this time as Best Supporting Actress in a Drama. In the 2000's she recurred as CIA Director and House Minority Leader in HBO's THE BRINK and VEEP, respectively. Upcoming television guest roles in 2022 include Netflix's GRACE & FRANKIE, and the long-running ABC TV sitcom THE GOLDBERGS, as well as a new character on a popular drama series.Mimi's most notable roles on film include: Woody Allen's Oscar winning MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, IN THE LOOP, the Oscar winning ERIN BROCKOVICH, PUMP UP THE VOLUME, MAN IN THE CHAIR, THE FIVE-YEAR ENGAGEMENT, SAVING PARADISE, the recent Tony Hale comedy EAT WHEATIES!, and the upcoming GOING PLACES.The experience of attending and graduating from Smith College during the Vietnam War era (with Julie Nixon as a classmate) exposed Mimi to new ideas and perspectives. The seeds of an activist and world citizen were born. Nonviolence is her core political principle, learned in weekly classes after 9/11 taught by Rev. James Lawson, whom Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called “the teacher” for his educating activists in nonviolent theory and practice at the start of the civil rights struggle in the 1960s. Mimi was the founding Advisory Board Chair of Progressive Democrats of America in 2004 and remains on its National Board in a leadership role on the Election Integrity Team. Her work in Election Integrity is nationally recognized, from Capitol Hill to LA County; where she served on the Advisory Panel for LA's new paper-ballot voting system. Her 1-woman play about 19th century suffragist Matilda Joslyn Gage wove the spiritual and political activism of Gage with today's need for reproductive justice and conscious parenting. She was proud to stand with the MOM cast and producers in donating the show's 2017 Emmy budget to Planned Parenthood. Mimi and the PDA were instrumental in convincing Bernie Sanders to run in the 2016 Democratic Presidential primary; hosting Sanders' first LA fundraiser in her home. She has also worked with the Office of the Americas against the covert wars in Central America and Artists United to Win Without War.Mimi lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband of over 40 years, actor, educator, and musician Larry Dilg. They have two grown children, two grandchildren and an adorable dog. Also on Episode 81, Dfernando and Wendi are back and touch on things that occurred during their time off: Dfernando's 57th and Greg Covey's 52nd birthdays; Wendi's gift of a week's worth of Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding and pizza; Wendi's new article in NEW BEAUTY Magazine, which includes various photos from their first photo shoot together (one which includes Wendi wearing one of Bob Fosse's own bowler hats); and Wendi talks about her time in Vancouver where she filmed the new Disney Plus film PROM PACT. On THE RIPE REPORT, Dfernando talks about the new Netflix cake-baking competition show IS IT CAKE?, hosted by SNL's Mikey Day, and Wendi shares a new discovery: Uncle Tetsu Japanese Cheesecake and shares a ROTTEN: celebrities licking faces on the red carpet at awards shows. Watch Wendi and Dfernando and their TEAM GENERATION RIPE: Greg Covey, Shelley McLendon and Ponciana Badia on Season 7 Episode 2 of CELEBRITY FAMILY FEUD - now on ABC OnDemand and Hulu and on the GENERATION RIPE website. Follow us on our Instagram:Wendi McLendon-CoveyDfernando ZarembaGENERATION RIPE... and our guest Mimi Kennedy, her Twitter, her TikTok, her Facebook, and her YouTube Channel. Remember to subscribe to GENERATION RIPEAnd rate & leave us a review by clicking HERE!Visit Dfernando Zaremba's website: dfernandozaremba.com
Waarom zou je eerst lang gaan studeren, dan een baan zoeken om geld te verdienen, om vervolgens pas op je 65-ste te kunnen doen wat je echt leuk vindt? Je kunt ook eerst uitvinden wat je leuk vindt en proberen daarmee de huur te betalen. Precies dat heeft Sasha Dees gedaan. Ze heeft een diploma blindtypen en dat was het belangrijkste papiertje dat de Zeeuwse globetrotter/theater-filmproducent/curator ooit heeft gehaald. Maar met een aangeboren nieuwsgierigheid en een enorm organisatietalent woonde en werkte ze 20 jaar lang in New York. Daar ontmoette ze Marcel voor het eerst. Toegegeven, als je de leuke dingen financiert met zo weinig mogelijk minder leuke, word je nooit rijk. Maar Dees eet ook liever een boterham met een goede vriend in het park dan in een duur restaurant. ‘Mijn kapitaal is mijn netwerk van mensen.'
David (from the USA) and I talk about theater, its change and its role (first half in German). The similarities as well as differences between Berlin and New York are discussed in the second half (in English). If you enjoy listening to the podcast, I'd love for you to leave a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tandem-panda/id1568848065). I really want to include listener comments and questions in the episodes. If you've got a comment, question or topic you'd like to be discussed, send a voice message using: https://www.speakpipe.com/tandempanda Alternatively, feel free to drop a tweet or DM on Twitter. Maybe you also like to join me for an episode :) - https://twitter.com/tandem_panda
Rachel chats with Billy Carden, the current leader of her artistic home, Ensemble Studio Theatre. With almost 50 years in the biz and close to 30 as an artistic director (first at HB Playwrights Foundation & Theatre, then at EST), Billy is a wealth of theater history and knowledge.The two speak about:- the acting job that took him to the Public & Lincoln Centre- what it was like to direct Uta Hagen- and the legacy he's leaving behind: "the quality of the how people talk to each other on stage"It was a thrill to walk down memory lane with Billy, and remember the places he's been and consider what he hopes next for the historic theater he's leaving behind.This episode is made possible by Northwestern University Press and their new release: This is my Office and Notes on my Mother's Decline two plays by Andy Bragen with a foreword by Sarah Ruhl. Get 20% off this book and all other titles by the imprint with code POD20 at nupress.northwestern.edu. Be sure to visit their website to see what's available!_______Intro music by: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
E!'s Justin Sylvester has “The Scoop” on all things Hollywood and celebs. Plus, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager are chatting with Cecily Strong about making her New York theater debut in “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe.”
Rachel chats with the dramaturg behind the newsletter, Nothing For the Group, Lauren Halvorsen. Before starting the weekly missive offering theater round-ups, reviews, and takes, Lauren was the associate literary manager at Studio Theatre in DC. Prior to that she worked at the Alley in Houston and the City Theatre in Pittsburgh.These two nerd out on the current state of theater and what might be coming up next in the 2022-2023 season. Lauren talks about how no longer working in the industry has landed her in the perfect position to be a voice that speaks to the inequities and hypocrisies within our institutions. Tune in to hear her clear-eyed perspective now that she longer drinks the kool-aid.You can subscribe to Nothing for Group HERE - it's free! Wishing you a happy & safe holiday season. Congratulations! You made it through 2021. We will see you in the new year.___Intro music by David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
[REBROADCAST] Playwright Jeremy O. Harris's "Slave Play" is now playing at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre. He and actors Annie McNamara and Sullivan Jones joined us before the pandemic to discuss the poignant play about interracial relationships when it was still off-Broadway at the New York Theater workshop. O. Harris also joined us this past March, around the 1-year anniversary of Broadway's lockdown, to discuss the theater community's challenging year, and making space for Black theater on Broadway going forward
In this episode Rachel chats with Tedra Millan, one of New York's most celebrated young talents! Teddi originated the role of #46 in Sarah Delappe's The Wolves that world premiered at Playwrights Realm, and went on to Lincoln Centre production (that was made available for streaming earlier this year). Teddi has also been on Broadway in the revival of Noel Coward's Present Laughter (starring Kevin Kline), as well as the New York premiere of On the Shore of the Wide World by Simon Stephens at the Atlantic, and Happy Talk by Jesse Eisenberg produced by the New Group.These old friends catch up about:where it all startedhow everything changed for Teddi after grad schooland what's up next for this busy actorBut really...these two just shoot the shit for a little while.The movie she is currently shooting is a thriller called The Lot . You can catch her next in LA at the Geffen Playhouse in the west coast premiere of Power of Sail with Bryan Cranston and Amy Brenneman. Thanks for tuning in!------Intro music by David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
The Milton Berle Show, originally broadcast October 14, 1947, Salute to the New York Theater. Milton tries to buy tickets to a show. Also Bob and Ray, originally broadcast October 14, 1959, Chat with Champions. Wally Ballou reports from a large metropolitan newspaper.
Held back in June, “Brand New Day” was an ecstatic takeover of Times Square, with singers and dancers from Broadway and beyond celebrating what they hoped was the imminent return of New York Theater. But some of the featured performers couldn’t help but wonder - was the closing of New York an opportunity to do better than rebuilding on the same outdated foundations?We spoke with Jason A. Rodriguez of the hit TV show “Pose” and his long-time business partner Ricardo Sebastian about their vision for a new day in New York that supports performers who have long been marginalized and exploited. Featured in this Episode From Arraygency and House of Eon: https://www.arraygency.com/ (@arraygency0 ) Jason A. Rodriguez (@thejasonarodriguez) Ricardo Sebastian (@ricardoxsebastian) Robert J Mason (@therobertjmason) Brand New Day Event Organizers: Macy’s (@macys) Kaleidoscope Entertainment (@kaleidescopeent) Times Square Alliance (@timessquarenyc) RRR Creative (@rrrcreative) Hosts and Other Performers:: Frank Dilella, NY 1 Reporter (@fdilella) Miss Jay Alexander Runway Coach (@miss_jalexander) Jackie Cox (@jackiecoxnyc) Resources/More Info: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-Inside-BRAND-NEW-DAY-in-Times-Square-Celebrating-New-York-Citys-Reopening-20210612 https://variety.com/2021/legit/news/pose-star-jason-rodriguez-arraygency-talent-agency-bipoc-queer-trans-creative-1235034306/ https://www.them.us/story/jason-rodriguez-new-talent-agency-inaugural-roster-arraygency
It's back-to-school season, and in this episode Rachel is taking notes from multi-hyphenate theater maker Vichet Chum. Rachel & Vichet met years ago working on a festival of short plays written by high school students, and since then Rachel has watched as Vichet has grown from actor to actor/writer to sought after playwright and industry leader. In this episode, they recount parts of his journey together.Highlights include:Vichet's experience writing, producing, and performing in his one man showHow Vichet first came to writing and how his process has developedVichet's involvement with AAPAC and the Visibility Report released earlier this yearThe importance of penning the Cambodian-American experience in different formsWe're thrilled to catch up with this writer/performer before two of his newest plays premiere in the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons at the Alley Theatre (Houston, TX) and Steppenwolf, respectively. Look out for all the things Vichet is up to!------For more info about Vichet: http://www.vichetchum.com/Intro music by David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
In this episode we speak with casting director: Conrad Woolfe, who has worked in casting for over a decade. He cut his teeth at Telsey and Company, one of New York's largest casting offices focused on film, theater, and television. Now, based on the West Coast, Conrad has started his own company: Conrad Woolfe Casting.Rachel & Conrad reminisce about the early years of their friendship, and how Conrad found his way to casting. They also chat about:The role of the casting director in bringing projects to lifeThe responsibility of the casting director in shaping the worlds we see on stage & screenConrad's hopes for the future, and how the industry might changeFor more information about Conrad visit: https://www.conradwoolfecasting.com/Conrad's IMDBFollow him on Instagram: @ConradWoolfe---Intro music by David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
The audio version of Ruthie's acclaimed Medium article: “What It Will Take for New York Theater to Come Back as the Industry and Community It Professes to Be.” Originally published March 23, 2021, the article includes quotes from 13 major industry leaders (Amber Iman, Bonnie Comley, Brian Pavilonis, Brandon Michael Nase, Clint Ramos, Damian Bazadona, Eric Ulloa, Gregory Kirsopp, Jess Burns, Jessica Paz, Terry Byrne, Sammi Cannold, and more), statements from Actors Equity and The Broadway League, and oodles of research about how we get Broadway and Off-Broadway (and theater at large) better than it was pre-pandemic. Plus, this exclusive audio version includes an Epilogue on where we are now in July 2021. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode Rachel catches up with acclaimed stage, film, and TV actor: Catherine Curtin. After making her Broadway debut in Six Degrees of Separation in 1990, Cathy made her way onto stages large and small before appearing on screens everywhere. Today she is known for her roles as Wanda Bell on Orange is the New Black, Claudia Henderson on Stranger Things, Joanne on Insecure , and many many more.In this episode we chat with the Cathy about:Growing up in New York CityThe early years of her careerWhy she doesn't work in the theater anymoreHow she built her career in TV & FilmThis month, Cathy's latest film, Werewolves Within premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival. We so enjoyed recording this conversation with the hilarious and effervescent Cathy Curtin. Give this episode a listen to find out more about one of New York's busiest actors.----Intro Music: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Chandler Rome and Steve Schaeffer discuss unforgiving fans, a date with Gerrit Cole, and the return of minor league baseball. Connect with Chandler Rome and Steve Schaeffer. Read stories by Chandler on HoustonChronicle.com. Support the show: https://offers.houstonchronicle.com/?offerid=125&origin=newsroom&ipid=podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode Rachel speaks with one of the directors of Soho Rep and a co-founder of Radical Evolution: Meropi Peponides. The two met over a decade ago while Meropi was still an MFA student at Columbia. As the theater industry continues to have conversations about change, and what that might look like, we were excited to 1. gain a better understanding of what leadership looks at one of downtown's bedrock institutions. 2. Learn more about what how those decisions were made, and where they might be going.They chat about:Dramaturgy!the organization of theatrical organizationswhat makes a Soho Rep artistthe piece of advice Meropi would give in a development process Learn more about Soho Rep and its initiatives here.Check out Radical Evolution.-------Intro music: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Josh Gelb is a director, performer, writer, & producer whose work is often visceral, surprising, and bold. Pre-pandemic his play Jazz Singer, which he co-wrote, directed, and performed in, received a critically acclaimed run at Abrons Arts Center. After performance venues closed, Josh built out his closet and created Theater in Quarantine, streaming fully realized theatrical experiences live from his home.Theater in Quarantine is free to watch, and available on #TiQ's Youtube Channel. Co-helmed by Katie Rose McLaughlin, TiQ presents a brand new show live, every three weeks. Recent productions have included collaborations with some of theater's most exciting players. If you're new to TiQ, Heather Christian's I Am Sending You the Sacred Face is a great place to start. In this episode Rachel & Josh talk about:the creation of Theater in Quarantine and its evolutionhow Josh keeps up with the demanding production schedulehopes & expectations for theater out of quarantineFor more info on the artist and the work visit: Joshua William GelbTheater in QuarantineIntro music: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
The nerds are honored to have with them for this mini-series an esteemed guest, Rafeal Clements, who was present at Yale Rep during the development of mulitple Wilson plays. RAFEAL CLEMENTS has worked as an actor, teacher, and director since 1985 - performing the works of playwrights as varied as William Shakespeare, Tony Kushner, Caryl Churchill, Lynn Nottage, Bertolt Brecht, Tennessee Williams, Anton Chekov, Kia Cothron, Romulus Linney, Timberlake Wertenbaker, and Michael Henry Brown. Rafeal has performed regionally with Houston's Alley Theater, Yale Repertory Theater, Hartford Stage Company, Indiana Repertory Theater, Portland Stage Company, Berkshire Theater Festival, Playmakers Repertory Company, The Clarence Brown Company, Playhouse on the Green, and the Carpetbag Theater. New York Theater credits include stints with the Public Theater/New York Shakespeare Festival, New Federal Theater, Target Margin, Circle Rep Company, HERE, Prospect Theater Company, The Hotel Savant, Ensemble Studio Theater East, and The Lark Play Development Center. Los Angeles Theater includes time with Sacred Fools, Company of Angels, City Garage, and Independent Shakespeare Company. Film and TV credits include roles on “Law and Order”, "As the World Turns”, “Another World”, “New York News”, “Bandwagon”, “Fireflies”, and “The Heartland Series.” . Rafeal has taught acting, scene study, voice, and speech on the high-school level and in acting schools. He currently has spent the past 15 years working with a public charity that provides healthcare to low-income communities in Los Angeles. Rafeal is a graduate of the University of Tennessee and Yale School of Drama. On PART 1 we cover: Introduce Rafeal Clements Context MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM Film vs Play SUBSCRIBE. RATE. REVIEW!! SCENE: The Piano Lesson - performed by Rafeal Clements as Boy Willie THEME and Stingers: Ryan Thomas Johnson Original Song: Pamela Quinn IG: @theatre_theater_pod Twitter: @the_theatre_pod Gmail: theatretheaterpod@gmail.com tiktok: @theatre_of_the_absurd Resources below BLM Donation and Education LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/NationalResourcesList Black Owned Businesses in LA: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18w-0RBhwBBlXDN9kRV9DVSCAGSCjtHb9K0Pq2YBv18U/htmlview?usp=sharing&pru=AAABcpXptV0*XfoiE2Ay5SJUCEO3tXROGQ&urp=gmail_link MPJI https://marshap.org/ Petitions https://linktr.ee/petitions_123 https://www.change.org/p/andy-beshear-justice-for-breonna-taylor https://www.change.org/p/adams-county-district-attorney-justice-for-elijah-mcclain-48a81830-f891-4b04-ba28-c2625b916b96 Update Description (https://audioboom.com/posts/7781037-sam-shepard-part-2/edit)
Ep. 37 Filmmaker Drew Ann Rosenberg joins Benny, Siobhán and Cory and talks about her career, beginning in New York working on theater productions and ultimately leading to Hollywood where she has worked on films like Philadelphia, L.A. Confidential and Misery, as well as TV shows like Shameless, Grey’s Anatomy, Young Sheldon and MANY more. - Follow the 2020'd crew: Benny Goodman - https://www.instagram.com/thebennygoodman/ Siobhán Cronin - https://www.instagram.com/siobhan_violin/ Cory Paza - https://www.instagram.com/corypaza/ - For more episodes, merch and more visit 2020-d.com Check out our band LostSymphony.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
New York Times theater reporter Michael Paulson and WNYC culture editor Jennifer Vanasco join us to talk about theater in 2021 and the potential impact of the $15 billion arts relief package on the industry. Jennifer will also discuss her reporting on NY Theater's forgotten small businesses, and we take calls from our listeners who work in theater & the performing arts.
Join New York actor Kahlil Garcia talk about his experience as a working actor and where he thinks the future of theater will go!
The Milton Berle Show, originally broadcast October 14, 1947, Salute to the New York Theater. Milton tries to buy tickets to a show. Also Bob and Ray, originally broadcast October 14, 1959, Chat with Champions. Wally Ballou reports from a large metropolitan newspaper.
Rachel & Martyna recorded this episode in late April. While it was only 5 months ago, in some ways, it feels like an entirely different lifetime. As summer draws to a close, and we head into fall, Rachel can't think of a better time to share this episode with one of her theater heroes. Martyna Majok is the 2018 pulitzer prize winner in drama for her play, Cost of Living. Other plays include: Queens, Ironbound, and Sanctuary City. She is a Yale School of Drama and Juilliard alum, a former PoNY fellow at the Lark, Women's Project Lab member, and Ensemble Studio Theatre Youngblood. In this episode Rachel & Martyna talk about what she's finding comfort in during these unprecedented times, how she ended up working in the theater during her University of Chicago days, and the advice she'd give her former self during her first year in New York.More about Martyna at: http://www.martynamajok.com/Information about her latest production Sanctuary City here.Follow us on Instagram: @upstageleftpodcastTwitter: @upstageleftpod---Music by David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Monet Hurst-Mendoza and Ugo Chukwu are #relationshipgoals. They also happen to both be fantastic theater artists in their own right. Monet's play Torera was slated for production at the Long Wharf Theatre this fall, pre-pandemic. She is former Emerging Writers Group member, current member of the Kilroys, and a staff writer for Law & Order: SVU. She also has her own Wikipedia page. And you've probably seen Ugo in a play at one of the many Downtown Theater Establishments. In fact, Helen Shaw dubbed him "one of our best downtown actors." Most recently spotted in: House Plant by Sarah Einspanier at NYTW Next Door, and was in rehearsals for Lunch Bunch, also by Einspanier before the City shut down. Other recent work includes: Do You Feel Anger?, [Porto], and What To Send Up When It Goes Down.I miss the theater. I miss seeing plays. I miss seeing friends in plays, and seeing friends at the plays we're seeing friends in. Chatting with Monet & Ugo felt (almost) like old times. We talk about astrology, what we hope to see change in our industry, and why Ugo is always talking about quitting acting.___Follow the show on Instagram @upstageleftpodcastor on Twitter: @upstageleftpodLeave us a friendly review or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!Music by: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
In this episode, Rachel speaks with C.A. Johnson - the playwright of All the Natalie Portmans, which premiered at MCC this February. C.A.'s play The Climb was part of the 2019 Cherry Lane Mentor Project, and her work has also been produced at the Contemporary American Theater Festival, and Strawdog Theatre in Chicago.C.A. and Rachel speak about life during COVID, and the state of the American Theater during this long overdue uprising. C.A. talks about the experience of her first New York run - what it was like to be in the room, the ups, and the downs. We talk about the uncertain future of theater, and what she wishes she had known before starting out on the journey of being a playwright.More information about C.A. HERE.Mentioned in this episode:MCC TheatreAmerican Contemporary Play FestivalStrawdog TheatreC.A. also writes for T.V.___Intro music by: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
In this episode, Rachel chats with Erin Daley, the associate artistic director of Primary Stages. They recorded this episode on March 25th (two months ago), when New York City was only two weeks into quarantine. While things were much less certain then, it might have also been easier to be more optimistic. With this in mind, listen in, as the two discuss what the realities of the industry might look like on the other side of this pandemic and what organizations are thinking about as they navigate the current state of affairs.Having met almost a decade ago at the Flea theater, Rachel was excited to chat with Erin about organization structure, and what it takes to run a theater. They talk about her roles and responsibilities as associate artistic director, her experience working with emerging artists, and what she's thinking about when reading new scripts.Mentioned in this episode: Dorothy Strelsin New Writers GroupPrimary Stages----Music by David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
A special Mother's Day episode with Tony Award nominated actor, Maria Dizzia. The celebrated stage & screen actor, director, & teacher chats openly and honestly with Rachel about her career, and the challenges she faced early on. They talk about how she got an 'unsatisfactory' in grad school, her experience playing Eurydice in Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice, and how being a mom has changed her work. In this episode:On school: "I knew as a person who did well in institutions... I knew I needed to have a little sense of "fuck you"-ness."On moving to New York: "I was very fortunate, but I was not having a good time."On her first job: "I was scared the whole time. I was terrified. I was afraid people were going to discover I didn't know what I was doing and fire me."We're so excited to share this episode that is filled to the brim with anecdotes & wisdom. AND, listen to the end to catch a very special surprise guest!!Mentioned in the episode:Actors at WorkThe Neighbor's Window__Music: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Rachel chats with one of theater's most sought after actors, Matthew Maher (The Flick, Mr. Burns, Chinglish) who has originated roles on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off. Most recently he appeared in Will Eno's Gnit, and is slated to appear in NYTW's upcoming Three Sisters, adapted by Clare Barron directed by Sam Gold. Rachel and Matt chat about his early years in New York - working in the downtown theater scene, and how he came to be someone playwrights write roles for. He talks about an unsuccessful move to LA, and how he resolved to only work with friends after returning to New York. Learn how he approaches text, and what he does to bring new plays to life.Mentioned in this episode:The Race of the Ark TattooTFANA GnitNYTW Three SistersMusic:David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Rachel speaks with old friend and actress, Keilly McQuail, whose work can be see in the HBO mini-series The Plot Against America, and the upcoming Lunch Bunch by Sarah Einspanier produced by The Play Company. They discuss why Keilly avoids social media, how she dealt with the close calls & rejections early on in her career, and how she achieved her dream of being a "Nicky Silver woman." Listen in to find out she navigates her burgeoning stage & TV career.More information about Keilly at: http://www.keillymcquail.com/Stay updated on Lunch Bunch at: https://playco.org/events/lunch-bunch/We hope all our listeners are staying safe and responsibly social distancing at this time. Big thanks to all our health care workers and essential workers who are keeping our City running.Please consider leaving a review or following us @upstageleftpodcast (Instagram) or @upstageleftpod (Twitter).--Intro music: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
The seats are all empty and the theaters are closed, but that means we have time to listen to Peter’s interviews with four of the actors and directors who have been affected.
Bonus Episode! Peter is stuck at home like everyone else. But he has a microphone, a computer, and a list of theater friends with something to say. What else is there to do?
In the midst of this crazy time, we're excited to come back on air with this episode recorded with Haruna Lee before the shut-down of theaters city & nationwide. We hope you're staying safe and indoors at this time. May this episode offer some inspiration and reprieve in this time of isolation.Haruna Lee is a multi-hyphenate artist, included between hyphens are the titles: playwright, performer, activist, and more. Their play Suicide Forest, which they wrote and starred in, was remounted this year at the ART/NY Theater as a co-production between Ma-Yi Theater and the Bushwick Starr. In 2019, Suicide Forest was listed in Vulture's Top 10 Theater of 2019. In this episode, Rachel & Haruna talk about immigrating from Tokyo to Mercer Island, Washington, performing in a play with their mom (a hauntingly beautiful Butoh performer), and the Asian/Asian-American relationship to sex and sexuality. More info about Haruna at: http://www.harunalee.com/Thank you for listening. Sending well-wishes to all the artists and performers out there. May your work grace our stages again in the near future!---Intro/outro music: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
In the last episode of 2019 - Rachel speaks with Margaret Odette, a first generation Haitian American actor from Harlem, NY most recently seen as Hero in the Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park production of Much Ado About Nothing, starring Danielle Brooks and directed by Kenny Leon. If you missed it, you can stream it for free at PBS.Org as part of their Great Performances Broadway's Best of 2019 series. In this episode, Rachel and Margaret talk about how cultural institutions go from being mammoth-sized mountains to human-sized rocks, her journey from Brown to the MFA program at NYU, and the hardest parts about being a working actor.More info about Margaret HERE.Follow us on Instagram @UpstageleftpodcastSubscribe or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify!Send us a message with thoughts/feedback for 2020. Thank you for listening!Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
The Milton Berle Show, originally broadcast October 14, 1947, Salute to the New York Theater. Also Bob and Ray, originally broadcast October 14, 1959, Chat with Champions.
Will Arbery is a playwright & filmmaker raised in Wyoming and Texas. His latest play, Heroes of the Fourth Turning, is about a group of Catholic Conservatives reuniting in the Path of Totality, in their Wyoming hometown on the night before the solar eclipse.Will & Rachel talk about his experience sharing this deeply personal play on an Off-Broadway stage, how he came to playwriting, what he most loves to see on stage, and the importance of allowing mess as a preventative measure against forgetting.More information about Will at: http://willarbery.com/Catch Heroes of the Fourth Turning at Playwrights Horizons until October 27. Info & tickets HERE.Music by David Hilowitz.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Abby Rosebrock is a brilliant and hilarious actress (Dido of Idaho, Women), and equally brilliant and hilarious playwright (Blue Ridge, Dido of Idaho, Different Animals), and lastly incredible friend. I had the honor of interviewing her back in January 2019 when her play Blue Ridge premiered at the Atlantic starring Marin Ireland.In this episode we talk about how she juggles both acting and writing, the most important advice she wish she had known 6 years ago when she began, and why it is female friendships can sometimes be unfairly challenging. "It's to everyone's benefit that, I, not feel small. That no one feel small."http://www.abbyrosebrock.com/Follow us on Instagram: @upstageleftpodcast.If you enjoyed this episode, please considering leaving 5 stars or subscribing!----Opening Music: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Noel Allain started out as an actor... once playing a "large dwarf" as part of Richard Foreman's ensemble. After attending Skidmore, and meeting his now, long-time collaborators - he would go on to become a founding member and Artistic Director of the Bushwick Starr.Noel and Rachel talk about his early years in New York City, how he ended up at Juilliard, and how the Bushwick Starr has grown over the past decade from DIY performance space to a leading institution for the theater vanguard. They discuss the artists he's been drawn to over the years, and the role of allies in leadership positions in the art making world. The Bushwick Starr 2019-2020 season kicks off on September 4th. For more info about their upcoming season visit https://www.thebushwickstarr.org/Opening music by: David HilowitzEdited by: Phillip OsterdaySupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Scott and Anessa interview Broken Ghost Immersives Founder Ian McNeely. Hear how he went from a Masters in Shakespear to running a pretend wake in his apartment. One of our most in-depth and unique interviews with a man blazing new trails in Immersive Entertainment
Diana Oh's work encompasses multiple performance categories, including but not limited to: music, art, storytelling, and theater. Earlier this year, Diana's The Infinite Love Party was hosted at the Bushwick Starr and is described as "barefoot barefoot potluck dinner, dance party, and sleepover for QTPOC and Their Allies." Their residency at A.R.T. in Boston culminated in Clairvoyance, "an installation series that culminates into a concert and tree planting." For more information about Diana, please visit: Dianaoh.coTheir work challenges the status quo, calls out systemic issues, and creates spaces for healing. In this episode Rachel and Diana talk about Diana's process, J. Lo, sexual liberation, and Diana's latest project My H8 Letter 2 the Gr8 American Theatre. As a fellow Asian artist and maker, Diana and Rachel go deep into why we do what we do, and why affinity spaces are powerful and important to create and maintain.Quick shout-out to the Artist Co-op, a membership space for freelance artists and makers. Visit their website for more info: http://www.theartistco-op.com/This episode is edited by: Phillip OsterdayMusic by: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Jaclyn Backhaus is the 2018 Horton Foote prizewinner for her play India Pale Ale. Her play Men on Boats has been produced at Clubbed Thumb's Summerworks, Playwrights Horizons, & regionally in the US. Her new play Wives will be opening Playwrights Horizons' 2019-2020 season, running from August 23-October 6. She is a co-founder of Fresh Ground Pepper, a theater company committed to developing new work, and a member of the Kilroys.Listen in as Jaclyn and Rachel talk about how she came to realize playwriting was her path, the challenges of moving her work to more established institutions, and how she's allergic to Final Draft.Info & Tickets for Wives available here.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
This Week: Cracking the books on some summer reading! Every week director Robert W Schneider and actor Kevin David Thomas pull back the curtain on neglected, forgotten, and under appreciated musicals, as well as bizarre performances, endearing television appearances, and all things show business. Become a sponsor of Behind The Curtain and get early access to interviews, private playlists, and advance knowledge of future guests so you can ask the legends your own questions. Go to: http://bit.ly/2i7nWC4 To book a room at Shetler Studios, head on over to: https://www.shetlerstudios.com
Annie Tippe's latest project, Octet, a chamber musical, written by Dave Malloy, is a meditation on our collective addiction to technology and our devices. In this episode we talk about how Annie came to direct this strikingly relevant piece, and what she did the day after the show opened to rave reviews. Annie talks about her relationship to her mentor, Rachel Chavkin, who just won the Tony for Best Director of Musical - and how that has impacted her journey as a young director. We commiserate over how challenging it can be to figure out how to build lives in the theater that are financially sustainable, but how having parents in the arts has helped her along the way.Octet is a New York Times' Critics' Pick, and closes at Signature on June 30th. More info here. Find out more about Annie's work here.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Wendy Vanden Heuvel is a native New Yorker, who has been acting since high school. Today she is an actor (most recently seen in the world premiere of Jessica Dickey's The Convent as the Mother Abbess), teacher, and producer. She is the artistic director of Weathervane Theater, founder of piecebypiece productions, and a member of Rising Phoenix Rep.I met Wendy when she was teaching acting at the Experimental Theater Wing, at NYU where she also studied as an undergrad during the studio's early years. She went on to study with Jerzy Grotowski and Joseph Chaikin. We talk about her teachers over the years, and she reveals the challenges she faced early on. We talk about the importance of the physical body: breath, spine, groin - as a part of the instrument, and how we should all "get into our animal."---Thank you to Jim Swonger @ Cleveland Play House for allowing me to use their sound studio to record the intro!Music credit: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
You may have seen Layla Khosh (Khoshnoudi) in the Pulitzer Prize nominated Dance Nation at Playwrights Horizons as Amina, in Abby Rosebrock's Dido of Idaho at Ensemble Studio Theatre, in the original cast of Men on Boats, or as Nina in Seagullmachine by the Assembly. She's a brilliant actress, as well as writer and director. After moving New York to attend the Martha Graham School, she left the program early to pursue a career as an actor. In this episode we talk about feeling like an outsider, her Texan roots, and the biggest challenges of being an actor.We chat briefly about her Iranian heritage and her name: she gone by both Layla Khosh and Layla Khoshnoudi - and we discuss what it might mean to go by one or the other. Layla also talks about what she wishes she knew as a young actor starting out, navigating the industry.Catch her in "All Hail Beth" on BRIC TV, coming out soon.Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Jessie Austrian and Noah Brody are two of Fiasco Theater's co-founding members and co-artistic directors. In addition to running a company celebrated for their productions of Shakespeare & Sondheim - they're both actors, teachers, and directors. Their production of Merrily We Roll Along co-produced with Roundabout Theatre Company has been extended until April 14 at the Laura Pels Theater.They joined forces after graduate school at Brown/Trinity Rep MFA program, and have been making theater together ever since. We talk about their post grad school, pre Fiasco years, the broken model for acting classes and training in New York, their advice to their younger selves, and their hopes for American Theater.A few thoughts from this episode:"There is no path. Despite fact that it can look like there is a path.""Have the courage and the trust to step into yourself as soon as you can. But I also want to honor that sometimes you can’t until you’re ready""You never know where you are in the arc of your own journey.""The only way to hope to create something beautiful, is by taking a big risk. So how big of a risk are we going to let ourselves take, and what are we going to learn from it?"Tickets to Merrily We Roll Along available here. Use code: MWRFIASCO1 to get $50 off tickets until 4/14!More info about Fiasco here.---Music by: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Ronald Peet is currently starring opposite Alan Cumming in Daddy by Jeremy O. Harris. You can also catch him in Netflix’s upcoming series “The I-Land” (with Kate Bosworth, Natalie Martinez and Alex Pettyfer). Previous credits include: Spill (EST), Cute Activist (The Bushwick Starr), Kentucky (EST/P73), Icarus On The LES (Joe’s Pub), The World My Mama Raised (Clubbed Thumb), Debutante (Ars Nova).In this episode Ronald talks to Rachel about NYU, his hustle as a young actor, his experience working on Daddy, and the challenge of being a young Black artist coming up in (and sometimes against) the institutions that raised us.Daddy runs at the Pershing Square Theater Center until March 31st.Follow him: @theoriginalpeetTo support the show, visit our Patreon page!---Music by: David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Charly Evon Simpson is the playwright behind the thrice extended Behind The Sheet at Ensemble Studio Theater. A New York Times' critic pick, Behind The Sheet is based on the true story of a group of enslaved black women, and their (uncredited) contributions to modern gynecology.Her new play Jump is premiering at four theaters across the country with the National New Play Network's rolling world premiere program, including: Playmaker’s Rep (Chapel Hill, NC), Actor’s Express (Atlanta), Shrewd Productions (Austin, TX), and Milagro Theatre (Portland, OR) in 2019-20.In this episode she speaks with Rachel about what she chooses to write about, the scariest part of the process, and the history teacher who once told her "she wasn't that great of a writer."Listen through to the end to catch her reading a brief excerpt from Two Glimpses, a piece created for the Oneness Project, Vol III.For more news & info about Charly at: www.charlyevonsimpson.comTo support Upstage Left, visit our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft-----CREDIT: Intro music by David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Ming Peiffer's Roundabout Underground debut, "Usual Girls" made history by writing the first play to sell out its extension before the show even opened. The critically acclaimed play follows the story of Kyeoung, a bi-racial (half-Korean, half-American) girl coming of age in Ohio. A former actress, and founder of the now defunct Spookfish Theater Company - Ming talks about her own journey from being on stage to writing for it. The roles that were available to her as a young actress and what propelled her to create her own. We discuss what it means to be an Asian American artist making theater today and the hard reality of having to choose a path - either pursuing inclusion in the Asian American theater scene or carving out your own path. She talks about her experience with Usual Girls, and how its success will impact her work moving forward.For news & more info about Ming @ https://mingpeiffer.com-----CREDIT: Intro music by David HilowitzSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/upstageleft)
Miles for Mary The Bobby Darin Story
In Part 2 of their conversation, Tony Award winner Donna Murphy shares with Ilana personal stories of how she began her career. She recalls hilarious details of being cast early on -- even when the odds were against her. And she talks about how she prepared with great precision for her audition for the role of "Fosca" in Sondheim's Passion -- a rolethat secured her place as a Broadway legend. She explains how Sondheim and Lapine work together and describes their collaboration as "shared poetry." With great sensitivity and rawness, Donna discusses how she now negotiates life and work after the death of her beloved husband and partner, Shawn Elliott. And ... she sings on the podcast!!! Donna Murphy’s award-winning performances in theater, film and television have forged a career of exceptional diversity, impressing both audiences and critics with her depth and skill. This “seductive actress of major transformative powers” (NY Times) was named by New York Magazine as one of “Three Living Legends” of the New York Theater and awarded in 2003 one of their prestigious “New York Awards” for her work in the theater. One of the most beloved and honored stage actresses of her generation, Murphy earned the Drama League Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theater. She currently shares the iconic role of Dolly Gallagher Levi with the legendary Bette Midler in the Tony Award winning revival of "Hello, Dolly!," for which she has received great critical acclaim. Ms. Murphy received the first of two Tony® Awards for Best Actress in a Musical, along with the Drama Desk and Drama League Awards, for her spellbinding creation of Fosca in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s "Passion," which was filmed for PBS’ American Playhouse. She received her second Tony® Award, as well as a Drama League Award and Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations, for her “resplendent, matchless” (New York Post) performance as Anna Leonowens in the 1996 Tony® Award-winning revival of "The King and I." In 2004, she was honored with the Drama League Outstanding Achievement Award for her work in Musical Theater, the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Astaire Awards, as well as another Tony® nomination, for her hilarious comic tour de force as Ruth Sherwood in the Broadway Revival of "Wonderful Town." She returned to Broadway in 2007, receiving Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and a Tony® nomination for her mesmerizing portrayal of the legendary actress-singer Lotte Lenya in "LoveMusik," directed by Harold Prince. Murphy’s first television film, HBO’s “Someone Had to be Benny,” earned her a Cable Ace Award as Best Actress in a Drama Special or Series, as well as a Daytime Emmy. Most recently, she starred as Jane Green, the matriarch of a prominent Southern family torn apart by the Civil War in PBS’ Mercy Street and guest starred on ABC’s hit show “Quantico” and CBS’ “Doubt” with Katherine Heigl and Laverne Cox. Other regular and recurring appearances include the mysterious “elegant woman” Angela Forrester in ABC’s “Resurrection,” Georgie on VH1’s “Hindsight,” Darlene Garretti on CBS’ “Made in Jersey” alongside Janet Montgomery and Kyle McLaughlin, the steely Denise Goodman on TNT’s “Trust Me” with Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanaugh, Heather Olshansky in CBS’ “Hack” opposite David Morse, and her critically acclaimed comedic performance as the neurotic psychiatrist Dr. Ruby Stern on ABC’s sitcom, “What About Joan,” starring Joan Cusack. For her contribution to the Arts, Culture and Public life, she’s received special honors from New York Magazine, Symphony Space, Greenwich Village’s Caring Community, the Women’s Project, The Little Orchestra Society, Irish America Magazine, the Breukelein Institute and Emerson College.
Donna Murphy is a two-time Tony Award winning American musical theater treasure. Donna's singular voice, her comedic skills, her dancing and the authenticity and humanity she brings to every role that she plays has made her one of the most beloved actresses of her generation. From Fosca in Sondheim’s "Passion" to her current role of Dolly Levi in "Hello, Dolly!," Donna brings the audience to its feet every night. In part one of this two part episode, Donna discusses her childhood and what it was like growing up as the eldest of seven children. She shares with Ilana the discovery of her musical gifts at the age of three! And she talks of her process and the discipline needed to find every role. Donna also reveals her deep belief that she was brought into this world to perform. Welcome Donna Murphy! Donna Murphy’s award-winning performances in theater, film and television have forged a career of exceptional diversity, impressing both audiences and critics with her depth and skill. This “seductive actress of major transformative powers” (NY Times) was named by New York Magazine as one of “Three Living Legends” of the New York Theater and awarded in 2003 one of their prestigious “New York Awards” for her work in the theater. One of the most beloved and honored stage actresses of her generation, Murphy earned the Drama League Award for Outstanding Achievement in Musical Theater. She currently shares the iconic role of Dolly Gallagher Levi with the legendary Bette Midler in the Tony Award winning revival of "Hello, Dolly!," for which she has received great critical acclaim. Ms. Murphy received the first of two Tony® Awards for Best Actress in a Musical, along with the Drama Desk and Drama League Awards, for her spellbinding creation of Fosca in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s "Passion," which was filmed for PBS’ American Playhouse. She received her second Tony® Award, as well as a Drama League Award and Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations, for her “resplendent, matchless” (New York Post) performance as Anna Leonowens in the 1996 Tony® Award-winning revival of "The King and I." In 2004, she was honored with the Drama League Outstanding Achievement Award for her work in Musical Theater, the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Astaire Awards, as well as another Tony® nomination, for her hilarious comic tour de force as Ruth Sherwood in the Broadway Revival of "Wonderful Town." She returned to Broadway in 2007, receiving Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and a Tony® nomination for her mesmerizing portrayal of the legendary actress-singer Lotte Lenya in "LoveMusik," directed by Harold Prince. Murphy’s first television film, HBO’s “Someone Had to be Benny,” earned her a Cable Ace Award as Best Actress in a Drama Special or Series, as well as a Daytime Emmy. Most recently, she starred as Jane Green, the matriarch of a prominent Southern family torn apart by the Civil War in PBS’ Mercy Street and guest starred on ABC’s hit show “Quantico” and CBS’ “Doubt” with Katherine Heigl and Laverne Cox. Other regular and recurring appearances include the mysterious “elegant woman” Angela Forrester in ABC’s “Resurrection,” Georgie on VH1’s “Hindsight,” Darlene Garretti on CBS’ “Made in Jersey” alongside Janet Montgomery and Kyle McLaughlin, the steely Denise Goodman on TNT’s “Trust Me” with Eric McCormack and Tom Cavanaugh, Heather Olshansky in CBS’ “Hack” opposite David Morse, and her critically acclaimed comedic performance as the neurotic psychiatrist Dr. Ruby Stern on ABC’s sitcom, “What About Joan,” starring Joan Cusack. For her contribution to the Arts, Culture and Public life, she’s received special honors from New York Magazine, Symphony Space, Greenwich Village’s Caring Community, the Women’s Project, The Little Orchestra Society, Irish America Magazine, the Breukelein Institute and Emerson College.
Join me for "A Tale of Two Theatrical Adventures" as two longtime out actors have separate, but thrilling experiences with New York Theater on the same weekend. I followed both on social media as they shared the euphoria and elation of their personal milestones. The first, Stephen Blackwell. As his 50th birthday approached, Stephen recently made the decision to venture forth to the Big Bad Apple for the first time and see his first productions on the Great White Way. The other gentleman, Ed Dixon, has enjoyed a long, successful career on Broadway, off-Broadway and beyond. He's an actor, playwright, composer and author. After more than four decades of great work, Ed was honored by the Drama Desk Awards for his latest project on the same weekend Stephen was experiencing NY theater for the first time. At a time when it feels there's so much doom, gloom and grousing on Facebook, I loved watching these stories play out in front of me in real time on the Book of Face.
Join me for "A Tale of Two Theatrical Adventures" as two longtime out actors have separate, but thrilling experiences with New York Theater on the same weekend. I followed both on social media as they shared the euphoria and elation of their personal milestones. The first, Stephen Blackwell. As his 50th birthday approached, Stephen recently made the decision to venture forth to the Big Bad Apple for the first time and see his first productions on the Great White Way. The other gentleman, Ed Dixon, has enjoyed a long, successful career on Broadway, off-Broadway and beyond. He's an actor, playwright, composer and author. After more than four decades of great work, Ed was honored by the Drama Desk Awards for his latest project on the same weekend Stephen was experiencing NY theater for the first time. At a time when it feels there's so much doom, gloom and grousing on Facebook, I loved watching these stories play out in front of me in real time on the Book of Face.
Emmy®-winning actor and WICKED’s very own Wizard, Peter Scolari, sits down with Dawn & Zach to talk about his journey from an apprentice in the New York Theater scene to the Broadway stage. Don’t miss Dawn, Zach, and Peter perform a moving live rendition of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Old Friends & Bookends.”
Today's guest, the great Mary Testa, has 13 Broadway credits, 2 Tony Award nominations, 26 off-Broadway credits, 2 Obie awards, and a Drama Desk award for her nearly four decades of outstanding work in the New York Theater. She talks to Theater People about her new album "Have Faith," which is her collaboration with Tony-winning orchestrator Michael Starobin ("Next to Normal," "Sunday in the Park with George"), and her work with the great composer/orchestrators William Finn, Aherns & Flaherty, and Michael John LaChiusa.
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