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Perri Yaniv & Jan Ewing: Two Arts Journeymen!

Planet Connections Theater Festivity in partnership with The Theater at the 14th Street Y present a powerful new play written by Glory Kadigan and directed by Broadway veteran, Tonya Pinkins:
A granddaughter bonds with her grandfather as she helps him confront the regrets of his youth in Glory Kadigan‘s riveting play featuring David L. Carson as Robert, a former surgeon having served in Guadalcanal during World War 2. Through magical realism, Kadigan’s work explores the regrets of his youth and how his granddaughter helped him confront them. Broadway veteran, Tonya Pinkins, helms this premiere at the Theatre at the 14th Street Y, 344 E 14th St, New York City.  
The production features Perri Yaniv,*
Mehret Marsh,* June Ballinger,* Perri Yaniv,* David L. Carson,* Mary Monahan, and Gina Lemoine
Running January 11-26. Tickets available at https://14streety.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0S36000007OsctEAC.
 
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After months of preparation, Jan Ewing's new play, NURSERY RHYMES will premiere at the NYWinterFest 2019 Play Competition in New York City on January 14th & 16th @ 9:00pm, and January 19th @ 6:00pm. The venue is the lovely Hudson Guild Theater at 441 West 26th Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues) in Chelsea. Click here for TICKETS.
A romp into the concerns of 21st-Century parenting. For months, 30-somethings Irene and Chip Mangus have argued about having a late child. She wants one, he doesn’t. Looking for help, Irene invites Frank and Marge Stevens to an arm-twisting party.  Marge gave birth at thirty-eight. Her son is now twelve, so Irene expects support. But, Chip is prepared, Marge is menopausal, and it’s always dangerous to assume anything.
 
Starring Colleen White as Irene, Patrick Hamilton as Chip, Ashley Formento as Marge, and J. Michael Baran as Frank, NURSERY RHYMES is a funny look into a subject that is more relevant every day. It’s stylish, thought-provoking, and moving. Won’t you join us for our premier and help us move on to the next level.

Tonya Pinkins, Anthony J. Piccione, and Max Berry start 2019!

Planet Connections Theater Festivity in partnership with The Theater at the 14th Street Y present a powerful new play written by Glory Kadigan and directed by Broadway veteran, Tonya Pinkins:
A granddaughter bonds with her grandfather as she helps him confront the regrets of his youth in Glory Kadigan‘s riveting play featuring David L. Carson as Robert, a former surgeon having served in Guadalcanal during World War 2. Through magical realism, Kadigan’s work explores the regrets of his youth and how his granddaughter helped him confront them. Broadway veteran, Tonya Pinkins, helms this premiere at the Theatre at the 14th Street Y, 344 E 14th St, New York City.  
The production features Mehret Marsh,* June Ballinger,* Perri Yaniv,* David L. Carson,* Mary Monahan, and Gina Lemoine
Running January 11-26. Tickets available at https://14streety.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0S36000007OsctEAC.
Glory Kadigan ( Playwright) founded Planet Connections Theatre Festivity and served as The Producing Artistic Director for six seasons. Her work as a playwright has been presented in Singapore, London, and New Zealand. Her plays have received staged readings at La MaMa, The Actors Studio, TADA, and Dixon Place. She is also a director who recently directed Vivian’s Music 1969 at 59E59, Clover by Erik Ehn at La MaMa, Bank by Lucy Thurber, Mean Girls by Lyle Kessler (World Premiere), Biting The Bullet by Regina Taylor ( World Premiere). Ms. Kadigan is a member of The League of Professional Theatre Women which looks to promote the viability of women in the arts.
Tonya Pinkins directed Paul Robeson: The Opera at TRILOGY OPERA Company in 2018. BRING IT ON at Black Spectrum Theater in 2018. Tonya’s short film “WHAT CAME AFTER which she produced, directed and adapted with Christopher Oscar Pena‘s from his play by the same name at the 2016 at Eclectic Festival. Tonya Directed EXIT: An Illusion by Marita Bonner in American Bard Theater’s “Visionary Voices” She directed “Miss Roj” from THE COLORED MUSEUM for Project One Voice at The Kimble Theater.She directed A Visit Home by Jeffrey Sweet in 2013. Tonya co-directed by EASY TO LOVE by Larry Powell in the Fire This Time Festival.FOR COLORED BOYS by Jesse Alick in 48 Hours in Harlem. She has been developing Blaine Teamer’s # BoxSeats at NYTW and in National Black Theater’s Monday Night Reading series. She has directed V-Day the Vagina Monologues at The World Health Ministry Conference in Mexico. The Klucking of Hens by Carol Lockwood at New Professional Theater, Camille Darby‘s LORD’S RESISTANCE at The National Black Theater Festival in Winston Salem. DEAD PEOPLE’s THINGS by Patricia Ione Lloyd at Red Circle Rising. Tonya is a Tony, Obie Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Lortel Award winning actor, She teaches privately.. Tonya is the author of Get OVER YOURSELF : How to Drop The Drama and ClaimThe Life You Deserve (Hyperion Books), Tonya is the Producer, Director and a Co-writer of the TRUTH and RECONCILIATION OF WOMYN Plays which will be presented at The Commons in Brooklyn on February 4, 2019 and excerpted on WBAI Radio produced by EnGarde Arts, #HealMeTooFestival March 28-April 14, 2019 at IRT Theaters and at The 14th Street Y in July 2019. To make donations to this empowering social justice project by and about womyn visit https://thefield.org/sa/620277.
 
SCHEDULEFriday, January 11th 8:00 PMSaturday, January 12th 1:00 PMWednesday, January 16th 7:00 PMThursday, January 17th 7:00 PMFriday, January 18th 8:00 PMSaturday, January 19th 1:00 PMWednesday, January 23rd 7:00 PMThursday, January 24th 7:00 PMFriday, January 25th 8:00 PMSaturday, January 26th 1:00 PM
General Admission: $35VIP Tickets: $50Includes premium seating, and other extrasRunning Time: 2 hoursThere will be one Intermission*This production contains adult content*
 
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A Therapy Session with Myself, a full-length, semi-autobiographical drama by Anthony J. Piccione about the inner struggles of living with mental illness and Asperger’s syndrome, premieres January 2019 at the Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 W 26th Street, as part of the New York Theatre Festival’s 2019 NYWinterfest.
Performance schedule is Tuesday, January 15 @ 9pm, Wednesday, January 16 @ 6:15pm and Saturday, January 19 @ 3:30pm. Tickets cost $23 and can be purchased at the door or by visiting www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3798842.
https://anthonyjpiccione.com/
A Therapy Session with Myself tells the story of Alex Grayson, a young college student and aspiring writer suffering from severe social anxiety, depression and Asperger’s syndrome. During the summer before his senior year, he receives a mysterious visit from “himself”, a human incarnation of his inner consciousness. As they interact, Alex is forced to reflect on his own flaws and personality quirks, as well as some of the darkest and most painful memories of his adolescence, while also pondering the question of whether or not he can overcome his inner demons, and ultimately build a brighter future for himself.
As Piccione describes his play: “It’s a semi-autobiographical play, so while it’s not an exact retelling of my life, it comes extremely close, and I hope it helps fuel a significant conversation about issues of mental illness and autism awareness, and that maybe it will leave people thinking about them, in new ways. I also hope it leaves anyone who has been through dark times with the reminder that life can get better, as long as you’re willing to go out there and give people a chance…”
The play received a staged reading at the Dramatists Guild Foundation in October 2017, and marks its official world premiere with this production. It is directed by acclaimed director and World Ocean Arts’s Stand Out Artist of 2017 Holly Payne-Strange, who previously collaborated with Mr. Piccione on the innovative children’s play An Energy Tale at the 2017 Midtown International Theatre Festival, and assistant directed by Andres Gallardo Bustillo, who is known for his work as an actor in Piccione’s award-winning short drama What I Left Behind at last year’s NYWinterfest.
The production stars Nick Roy as Alex; Shane Zimmerman as “you”, the human incarnation of Alex’s inner consciousness; and Bryant Jager as “me”, Alex’s younger self who appears in flashbacks. The cast is rounded out by Emma Romeo (Kelly), Louise Heller (Kate), Tony Bozanich (Ray/Professor Collins), Travis Martin (Henry/Ensemble), Ramona Messina (Ms. Appleton/Beth/Ensemble), Nathan Cusson(Tim/Ensemble), Aaron Algren (Philip/Ensemble), Rosie Coursey (Ensemble) and Lizzy Moreno (Ensemble).
Anthony J. Piccione is an award-winning playwright whose eclectic canon of plays have previously been presented in NYC at the Hudson Guild Theatre, Planet Connections Theatre Festivity, Midtown International Theatre Festival, and Manhattan Repertory Theatre, as well as at regional venues such as Playhouse on Park, Hole in the Wall Theatre, the Windsor Art Center, and Windham Theatre Guild. His short drama What I Left Behind was named the NYWinterfest’s Best Short Play of 2018, and he was also nominated for Planet Connections Theatre Festivity’s Outstanding Playwright award for his avant-garde one-act 4 $tages. His work as a playwright has been published at JAC Publishing and Promotions, Heuer Publishing & Off The Wall Plays, and his articles and reviews are frequently published at OnStage Blog. He received his BA in Theatre from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2016 and is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild of America.
 
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Reliving old memories and defining moments in a
Treehouse of Dreams
 
Max Berry’s parable of friendship and confronting powerful feelings.
 
Part of NYWinterFest at the Hudson Guild theater
441 W 26th St, New York, New York 10001
January 7th at 6:15pm
January 11th at 9pm
January 13th at 3:30pm
https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3742113
 
The sudden passing of an ex-boyfriend (Benjamin Cardona) forces Scout (Emily Sullivan) to return to her hometown and confront her feelings for Winnie (Rachel Schmeling) and the moments they shared together in an old treehouse in Max berry’s deep exploration of even deeper feelings in Treehouse of Dreams – part of the 2019 NYWinterFest at the Hudson Guild Theater, 441 West 20th street in NYC.
 
Reliving their memories and the emotions they evoke and looking their affection for each other right in the eye.
Treehouse of Dreams the story of three best friends, Winnie, Scout, and Mark as they navigate grief, loss, and drastic change at the cusp of young adulthood.
 
Treehouse of dreams, a play by Max Berry, features Rachel Schmeling, Emily Sullivan, Benjamin Cardona. Production directed by Brooke Viegut.
 
Stage Manager: Lauren Jackson
Associate Producer/Set Designer/Props: Brice Corder
Costume Designer: Emma Glick
 
FIND OUT ABOUT THESE AND OTHER PLAYS, FILMS, AND BOOKS AT
www.JayMichaelsArts.com 
 
 

TWO INDIE PRODUCER-ACTORS: Sunflower Duran & Michael Hagins

Pink Arts Peace Productions, Inc. presents the revival of the compelling play by Mario Lantigua
Two Faces One Mirror
Showcased in 2013 at the Manhattan Repertory Theater, Mario Lantigua’s powerful drama will be revived at the landmark American Theater of Actors, 314 W 54th Street New York City, for a limited run, December 28 – 30.
Tickets available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/pink-arts-peace-productions-inc-18255837545
Making her debut as a producer, Off-Broadway performer, Sunflower Duran, portrays Emily, a young mother experiences the joys and sacrifices of single motherhood. YouTube sensation EmilyAnne Jolie Garcia makes her independent theater debut as Layla, her selfish, ungrateful teen daughter. Lantigua also directs this play about the transformations experienced by mother and daughter. The journey of a young single mother and her blind-to-reality daughter serve as a parable of love and sacrifice.
Featured with Sunflower Duran and EmilyAnne Garcia are Lindsay Kennedy, Jillian Eckland, Daniel Collins, and Juan Roman Jr. Bob Lindabury serves as executive producer.
Ms. Duran just completed a successful run in Fort Dicks, the musical, also at the American Theatre of Actors. The production, written and directed by Jeffrey Milstein enjoys accolades and sold-out house.
 
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C.A.G.E. Theatre Company presents:
The Long Rail North
After a successful run in the New York International Fringe Festival, C.A.G.E. Theatre Company is proud to encore The Long Rail North, written by award-winning playwright, Michael Hagins, and directed by Planet Connections’ former Artistic Director, Brock H. Hill.  The riveting play about a Black Union soldier and a young White Southern girl, will be at the Soho Playhouse, for a special three-performance run.
The Long Rail North opens Friday, December 28th at 7 pm, and runs on Saturday, December 29th at 7 pm and closes Sunday, December 30th at 3 pm at the Soho Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street.
Tickets: $39. For tickets visit www.thelongrailnorth.com or http://www.fringeencores.org
The Long Rail North is the story of Private Thomas Morgan, a Black Union soldier, who must escape via train with a young Southern White girl named Molly Barnes that he rescued from a plantation fire of a nearby Civil War battle.  Exhausted with limited resources and even fewer allies, Thomas continues traveling north in the near-empty boxcar, hoping to get Molly to safety despite her ignorant and preconceived opinions of him and his race, all while both Union and Confederate forces pursue them.  He will do whatever he can to protect her…at all costs.
The show stars Xavier Rodney, Jordyn Morgan, Rich Wisneski, Anna M. Hogan, and Michael J. Whitten.  The stage manager is Liza Penney.  The tech director is Melissa Farinelli, who has tech directed Two Gentlemen of Verona: A Swashbuckling Comedy! and A 1940’s Comedy of Errors.  The costume designer is Janet Mervin, award-winning costume designer of The Troubador Struck By Lightning, Basement and Chaplin.
The C.A.G.E. (Classical Avant-Garde Experimental) Theatre of New York City was started in 2004 by Michael Hagins, and has been a company dedicated to bringing classical works to a modern audience.  C.A.G.E. Theatre Company has produced previous FringeNYC productions of Two Gentlemen of Verona: A Swashbuckling Comedy! and A 1940’s Comedy of Errors.

Interview with Patrick Hickey & Gary Morgenstein and news from Mary Elizabeth Micari

The Minds Behind the Games: Interviews with Cult and Classic Video Game Developers by Patrick HickeyFeaturing interviews with the creators of 36 popular video games—including Deus Ex, Night Trap, Mortal Kombat, Wasteland and NBA Jam—this book gives a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of some of the most influential and iconic (and sometimes forgotten) games of all time. Recounting endless hours of painstaking development, the challenges of working with mega publishers and the uncertainties of public reception, the interviewees reveal the creative processes that produced some of gaming’s classic titles.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Minds-Behind-Games-Interviews-Developers/dp/1476671109
 
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-minds-behind-the-games-patrick-hickey/1126605556?ean=9781476671109
“From arcade rats to indie developers, Hickey gives an intimate look at the personalities behind gaming with the passion of a fanboy and the attention of a scholar.” —Cesar R. Bustamante, Jr., New York Daily News
 
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Gary Morgenstein wrote the critically acclaimed off-Broadway rock musical The Anthem, as well as Mad Mel Saves the World, and his dramatic works range from A Tomato Can’t Grow in the Bronx to Right on Target, Ponzi Manand Saving Stan. Morgenstein’s literary works include the upcoming science fiction-baseball novel A Mound Over Hell, set in 2098 following America’s defeat in World War Three. The first book in The Dark Depths trilogy, A Mound Over Hell will be published by BHC Press in March 2018. His other novels include Jesse’s Girl; Loving Rabbi Thalia Kleinman; Take Me Out to the Ballgame and The Man Who Wanted to Play Center Field for the New York Yankees.
NOVEL
A Mound over Hell (March 2018, BHC Press) – Baseball, a sport now identified with terrorism and treason, begins its final season in 2098 following America’s loss to a radical enemy in World War Three. Revitalized by the miraculous appearance of great players from the past fueling one last hurrah, baseball becomes a pawn between those who want peace and those who want another war.
This first novel in THE DARK DEPTHS trilogy. http://www.bhcpress.com/Books_Morgenstein_A_Mound_Over_Hell.html
 
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News from Mary Elizabeth Micari about her new musical event: "I'm So High!" 
 
https://grannysbluemers.com/
 
 
 

David Sabella and Mary E. micari

The Cabaret Episode!
Mary Elizabeth Micari: "I am an opera singer…yes….studied and performed in Operatic work for 14 years. HOWEVER, I began my life in a band doing Jefferson Starship and spent many years doing musicals. I specialized for a time in Pop, have studied Jazz and improv, can scat and now am kicking ass in Blues. I like blues because to me Opera is only Italian blues…sung long. I also love making my own healing music using traditional instruments, harp, drums, bowls and tuning forks as well as my voice. Now writing songs too. For a long time my “day job” was doing make up and hair in live theater and film. I also ran and still run Genesis Repertory Ensemble where I have directed and performed in numerous works. I am a healer too. Got into that to heal myself. Now using it for others as well. Reiki, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Acupressure, Sound Healing and more. I am also an ordained Minister. Did that so I can be available for hospital visits for those that need my healing work. I can marry you too! I am also a Pagan and work with Magick and other things that are cool like Tarot and Astrology and Magickal work. I create magick and healing products made for my clients as well. That’s me!" 
https://marelizabethmicari.life/singer/
 
And David Sabella & Cabaret Hotspot!
CHS grew out of a void left by the unfortunate passing of Mr. Stu Hamstra, who was the Editor-in-Cheif of Cabaret Hotline Online. For nearly 30 years Cabaret Hotline (which started out as a newsletter, pre-computers) was devoted to promoting the art of cabaret, not only in NYC, but also across the country. The Hotline “Online” website later became the “TV Guide” of Cabaret, where one could see all the daily listings of shows, in every venue in NYC, and other cabaret cities, in addition to news and reviews. A mainstay at almost every club (one wondered how he had the time to be everywhere, all at once), Stu was a beloved figure in the cabaret community and an esteemed reviewer. A favorable review from Stu Hamstra could go a long way in getting a new performer noticed.
I was one of those lucky young performers and remember Stu Hamstra well. Always optimistic for the future of cabaret, and enjoying (most of) the performances he attended, Stu was, for many, a bright light on 46th Street, (where he one time resided).
Realizing that Cabaret Hotline Online had fallen into demise with Stu’s passing, I decided to pick up the baton and create Cabaret Hotspot! And, it is my hope to not only pick up where Stu left off, but to exceed his wildest expectations as a supporter (and educator) of cabaret and small venue performance. With my colleague, Sue Matsuki, and an ever growing roster of contributing bloggers across the country, Cabaret Hotspot will strive to cover all things cabaret in NYC, across the country and, eventually, across the globe! And, with Cab U, we hope to inspire and educate the next generation(s) of cabaret performers.
Thank you Stu, for your many years of dedication to the world of Cabaret. We got this!
Sincerely, David Sabella, Editor in Chief, Cabaret HotSpot!
https://www.cabarethotspot.com/

Susan Merson and Mary Elizabeth Micari

Ms. Merson has a long history of supporting and developing new plays and playwrights as the Founder/Producing Artistic Director of New York Theatre Intensives (NYTI) and through her work at such theatres as New Dramatists, Manhattan Theatre Club, Lion Theatre (which she co founded) and the O’Neill Theatre Center. Her mentoring skills have been polished through significant time on Broadway, in regional theatre and in the Off-Off Broadway developmental world. Appearing as an actress in the Broadway productions of Zefirelli’s SATURDAY SUNDAY MONDAY and CHILDREN OF A LESSER GOD, she also co created and appeared in the original production of VANITIES, Off Broadway, in which she performed over 800 times. Her first play REFLECTIONS OF A CHINA DOLL was produced Off Broadway at the Ensemble Studio Theatre which seeded her ongoing relationship as an active artist and board member of EST on both coasts.Moving to Los Angeles, Susan co-founded and served as moderator for the Los Angeles Writers Bloc with writer Jane Anderson, which has supported the work of such writers as Donald Margulies, (Pulitzer), Noni White and Bob Tzudike (Tony for Newsies), Irene Mecchi (Lion King), Janet Fitch (White Oleanders) and countless others since the 1980’s.
 
She has served in LA as Artistic Director of the Streisand Festival for New Plays, Associate Producer at the Fountain and Mark Taper Forum, Resident Playwright for the Jewish Women’s Theatre Project, Literary Manager of the Ensemble Studio Theatre/ LA and has worked as a reader for Fogwood Films, TNT, and Polygram and many others.Her many plays have been seen at theatres across the US and Canada.  DAMN EVERYTHING BUT THE CIRCUS: 2 short plays About the Circus  at the FOUNTAIN THEATRE in Los Angeles and Ensemble Studio Theatre/NYC in readings. BETWEEN PRETTY PLACES, a play with music written by Shellen Lubin, premiered at the Pacific Resident Theatre in Los Angeles and as part of the HERE ARTS Sublet Series in Manhattan, full production 13th Street Rep. NYC has also seen WHITE BIRCHES at the Avant Garde Arts Festival, CARLA TELLS US WHAT HAPPENED IN THE BLUE BEDROOM at Berkshire Playwrights Lab, I BELIEVE IN MARRIAGE at the League of Professional Theatre Women’s One Act Festival and WHEN THEY GO AND YOU DO NOT at both the EstroGenius Festival and EST/6th Floor/NY and the Fountain Theatre in LA. HAIR: A REMINISCENCE a Heideman Award finalist at Louisville; and BOUNTY OF LACE a Religion and Theatre Award recipient. Plays continue to be done across country. Screenplay nods have gone to SWIMMING UPSTREAM and DEATH IN VIENNA, both developed with Jimola Productions. As a fiction writer, her work has appeared in various journals and anthologies. Her novel DREAMING IN DAYLIGHT and a recent collection of plays and memoir WHEN THEY GO AND YOU DO NOT: Writing on Transition are available on Amazon along with her book on solo performance, YOUR NAME HERE: An Actor Writers Guide to Solo Performance. Audible.com now features the AUDIOBOOK version of DREAMING IN DAYLIGHT. OH GOOD NOW THIS, her second novel, is finished and preparing for publication as of 2018.She currently leads the programs of New York Theatre Intensives. She remains a long time member of the Ensemble Studio Theatre and the League of Professional Theatre Women and is the founder and moderator of the NY Writers Bloc.
http://www.susanmerson.com/
 
Plus a special interview with MARY ELIZABETH MICARI
"I am an opera singer…yes….studied and performed in Operatic work for 14 years. HOWEVER, I began my life in a band doing Jefferson Starship and spent many years doing musicals. I specialized for a time in Pop, have studied Jazz and improv, can scat and now am kicking ass in Blues. I like blues because to me Opera is only Italian blues…sung long. I also love making my own healing music using traditional instruments, harp, drums, bowls and tuning forks as well as my voice. Now writing songs too. For a long time my “day job” was doing make up and hair in live theater and film. I also ran and still run Genesis Repertory Ensemble where I have directed and performed in numerous works. I am a healer too. Got into that to heal myself. Now using it for others as well. Reiki, Herbalism, Homeopathy, Acupressure, Sound Healing and more. I am also an ordained Minister. Did that so I can be available for hospital visits for those that need my healing work. I can marry you too! I am also a Pagan and work with Magick and other things that are cool like Tarot and Astrology and Magickal work. I create magick and healing products made for my clients as well. That’s me!"
https://marelizabethmicari.life/singer/
 
Opening Song: Humanwire Rivolta Silenziosa

Brittany Church (Hansel & Gretel), Carrie Issacman (As You Like It) Connie Hoy (Free Range)

Children of all ages … please join F.A.C.T. (Friends Always Creating Theatre) in celebrating their 10th anniversary season with a special showing of their 2013 highly acclaimed production of “Hansel & Gretel Christmas” By Jack Dyville
Join This Famous Brother & Sister @ During the Holiday Season in 21st Century New York City!
EVERY SUNDAY in NOVEMBER (4th, 11th, 18th, 25th) @ 1:00pmSUNDAYS in December (2nd, 9th, 16th) @ 1:00pmMANHATTAN REPERTORY THEATRE, NYC - 17 West 45th Street, Elevators to 3rd FloorThis special production is dedicated to Co-Founder/Producer, DAVID GILLAM FULLER
What’ll they think of Macys??!!
Celebrated author and producer, Jack Dyville, revives his widely popular children’s story with a modern twist as a special dedication to F.A.C.T.’s co-founder/producer, David Gilliam Fuller. Together, they created one of the most visible and respected children’s theatres in New York featuring new and engaging works to both entertain and enlighten. “Hansel & Gretel Christmas” leads the list as the two wandering waifs end up in NYC at Christmas. Aside from uproarious humor and clever dialogue, the piece talks of love and family; understanding and encouragement; and is a perfect vehicle to share with the whole family.
TICKETS: Go to Brownpapertickets.com or TDF
 
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Carrie Edel Isaacman and her company, Shakespeare Sports, will bring a fascinating new production of Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT to New York for the upcoming holiday season starting November 30 at downtown’s historic Players Theater, 115 MacDougal Street, between West 3rd and Bleecker Streets, in NYC.
As You Like It follows its heroine Rosalind as she flees persecution to find safety and, eventually, love, in the Forest of Arden. Ms. Issacman is setting her version in the Midwest in 1968, where we meet a recently homeless Orlando and Rosalind. Living in the woods out of necessity, they meet a merry band of “hippies” heralding the change that is in the air for all of them … and our country.
“This production shows us America’s most pivotal time through the eyes of a group of homeless. When you have nothing, it’s amazing what you see” says Isaacman, a stage director and indie filmmaker.
The cast includes Giordano Cruz, Melanie Gretchen, Michael Hagins, James Jagiello Sterling A. Johnson, Jr, Kasper Kuzmicki, Charles Lear, Basil Rodericks, Sabrina Seidner, Stephanay Slade, and Roger Stude as Jaques, uttering Shakespeare’s national anthem “All the Worlds a Stage.”
 
For more information, visit www.shakespearesportstheatrecompany.com
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FREE RANGE, The Movie
Johnny B. Dunn’s FREE RANGE is back in the saddle.
Earlier this season Frank Calo and All Out Arts in conjunction with The Wild Project presented an LGBT Film Event as part of the Fresh Fruit Festival: a reading of Johnny B. Dunn’s new screenplay, FREE RANGE.
It’s a bullying story with a few new twists. National rodeo champion and local hero, Chad Raines, returns home to his father’s ranch after a bull-riding accident to contemplate the end of his career. Father & son are tormented by the loss of Chad’s mother and his brother, whose cries for help went unanswered … until it was too late. Unable to reconcile with his guilt, Chad turns to drugs and liquor.
Here is where Dunn’s tome becomes even more topical and unusual at the same time. The heterosexual rodeo champion – plagued by memories of past actions – seeks redemption by coaching a group of bullied LGBTQ high school students in his state’s rodeo competition. Chad agrees to coach the local high school Gay/Straight Alliance (GSA) to prepare them for a rodeo. Meanwhile, this rodeo would be pitting another brother against brother. Toby, president of the local GSA will compete against Mark, the president of the Rodeo club. They, like Chad and his deceased brother, don’t see eye-to-eye … to say the least, with Toby battling for respect and Mark, emerging as one of the harassers of the GSA. With the seminal event (the Rodeo) impending and haunted by the memory of his brother, who – because of bullying – committed suicide, Chad must decide – like his father and the entire town – what side he’s on.
 
Interest in turning the screenplay into an independent film has grown greatly in the last few months with producer, Connie Hoy, joining the team.
 
 
To learn more, contact Jay Michaels Arts & Entertainment at 646-338-5472 or JMAE.events@gmail.com.
Opening Song: Humanwire Rivolta Silenziosa

A PASSIONPIT-STOP: Irina Dvorovenko: From Ballet to Broadway ... and Beyond!

IRINA DVOROVENKO 
former principal dancer for American Ballet Theatre joins 
A POWERHOUSE CAST for
SHADOWS: A DANCE MUSICAL
November 29 – December 15
The Connelly Theater 
220 E 4th St, New York City
www.ShadowsDanceMusical.com
Tickets: shadowsmusical.brownpapertickets.com
 
Two-time TONY Award nominee, JOEY McKNEELY, directs and choreographs.
 
It’s Twyla Tharp meets Stephen King!
 
This gothic and ghostly love story whispers of forbidden love … in this world and the next. And leading that “next” world is former principal dancer for 
American Ballet Theatre, Irina Dvorovenko as the mysterious "Woman in Red."
 
Ms. Dvorovenko began her career with the National Opera Ballet of Kiev in 1990 and joined American Ballet Theatre in 1996, where she thrilled audiences in every major classical role as a principal dancer from 2000-2014. Her career took her straight to Broadway, where she received critical acclaim in Encores’ On Your Toes and as fading ballerina Elizaveta Grushinskaya in Grand Hotel. Television appearances include leading cast of the TV series Flesh and Bone (Starz), and guest appearances on Forever (ABC) and The Blacklist (NBC), as well as multiple appearances in Power (Starz) and The Americans (FX). 
 
Shadows follows the secret romance of Claire (Janine Divita, who appeared on Broadway in Grease, Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Anything Goes plus on National Tour in Finding Neverland, If/Then, Young Frankenstein) and Alex (John Arthur Greene, who will be appearing in Tootsie on Broadway, with previous Broadway credits of School of Rock, West Side Story, Matilda, and on NBC in Peter Pan Live).
 
There is another romance – on the ethereal plane, uniquely explored through dance, led by Ms. Dvorovenko, featuring Waldemar Quinone-Villanueva (Broadway: West Side Story; former member of Ballet Hispanico); Nickemil Concepcion (Broadway: Cinderella; Off-Broadway in George C Wolfe's On The Town and a former member of Eliot Feld’s Ballet Tech and Cedar Lake Dance Company); Naomi Kakuk (Broadway: Encores’ Crazy for You; Chess; The Producers); Kyreed Jordon (Indie film: Are You Holding Me, Or Am I Holding Myself?) and Omar Nieves (principle dancer, Virginal Ballet) 
 
SCHEDULE:
November 29 & 30 @ 8:00 p.m.  ٠  December 1 @ 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.
December 4 – 7 @ 8:00 p.m.  ٠  December 8 @ 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.
December 11 – 14 @ 8:00 p.m.  ٠  December 15 @ 3:00 & 8:00 p.m.
 
Shadows is a mesmerizing new dance musical directed and choreographed by Broadway notable, Joey McKneely, haunting melodies by mini orchestra, Edison Woods; composer, Maxim Moston; and British singer/songwriter, Karen Bishko, enfold around an eerie and erotic story by Randall David Cook, whose been scoring kudos Off-Broadway.
SHADOWS was born between a collaboration of playwright and choreographer, using dance as an equal form of narrative to the book. The dances either tell of past encounters, reveal parallel emotions with the main characters, or foreshadow events. In addition, we have two main female composer/lyricists who give this musical a unique voice by alternating from hauntingly poetic, alternative dance music to emotional, character driven songs. Along with our third composer, the score creates a modern complexity by using music to set the mood of the characters inner selves. Also, we use Kabuki style staging to create the world of the supernatural. It's a six-character musical, 2 actors and 4 dancers, with 2 crew/dancers to be the Kabuki presence.